The African Christian Democratic Party is not surprised by the announcement of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on the increase in the level of unemployment, jumping from 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024 to 33.5% in the second quarter.
Like many South Africans, the ACDP is concerned by the 0.6% increase in the official unemployment rate, leaving some 8.4 million with the indignity of no meaningful work. This figure is up by some 62% over the last decade, and is indicative of the failed economic policies of the ANC. It is doubtful whether the GNU will be able to turn things around because as former Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela said, parties in the GNU will have no option but to implement the current policies of government. Sadly, this is so even if those policies are failing South Africans.
South Africa has 41.3 million people of working age, between 15 – 64 years old. The fact that we only have 16.7 million employed, is an indictment on the ANC and is indicative of its inability to grow our economy. Other parties in the GNU will find it difficult to shake off this badge of dishonour, from their chest.
The ACDP has warned that we are heading toward a fiscal crisis, with a National budget deficit of over R300 billion, our debt to GDP at 74%, and with over R5 trillion debt incurred over the years, the current unemployment rate is an indicator of an economy in trouble. The scenario and statistics given by Stats SA paints an even bleaker picture when one looks at the expanded unemployment rate, which rose to 42.6%. Worryingly, when one adds the discouraged, 3.2 million, and “other not economically active”, 13.1 million to the 8.4 million officially unemployed, the figure of 23.9 million jobless people is stark.
In our Parliamentary and Committee debates, the ACDP has boldly stated that the ANC’s race-based policies have failed to turn our economy around. Furthermore, we have stated that departments such as DTIC, Labour and Employment, and Small Business Development, which have the express purpose of growing our economy and creating jobs, have failed South Africans.
We need a vibrant healthy economy, where jobs and opportunities are in abundance, where appointments are based on merit and policies are pragmatic. The ACDP has such policies.
