Unemployment rate in Gauteng increases by 63 000 despite Lesufi’s Nasi Ispani programme
15 May 2024
The Gauteng unemployment rate has increased by 63 000 despite Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s Nasi Ispani programme which is meant to create thousands of job opportunities for the unemployed in the province. Lesufi claimed that the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) would be empowering 500 000 unemployed residents by providing them with job opportunities. This increase in the unemployment rate clearly shows that this programme is failing and is nothing but a political ploy by the current government to garner votes.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released this week shows that for the first quarter of 2024, unemployment in the province has increased from 2 565 000 to 2 628 000. Furthermore, there are 534 000 discouraged job seekers in the province.
This shows that this government has failed to create a conducive environment for the private sector to invest in the Gauteng economy. It is high time that Premier Lesufi understands that the government alone cannot create employment opportunities without private partnerships.