KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has attributed the marked increase in employment figures and the drop of the unemployment rate in the province to government’s targeted interventions, practical programmes and meaningful collaboration.
This follows Statistics South Africa’s (StatsSA) latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) data, which showed a significant improvement in employment numbers in the province.
According to the QLFS findings for the third quarter, KwaZulu-Natal recorded the largest employment increase, while the unemployment rate has fallen by 1.6% in the third quarter of 2023.
According to the survey, the number of employed persons increased in eight provinces between quarter two and three in 2023. Large employment increases were recorded in KwaZulu-Natal (up by 152 000), Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga.
Dube-Ncube said the data provides valuable insights into the current state of the labour market in the country, and is a welcome development on Quarter 2 of 2023 in which the province also recorded growth.
“This is excellent news and the fruit of efforts of the entire provincial government working with business and other social partners to address unemployment. We remain committed to working together with labour, business and the local and international investment community to steer economic growth which is necessary to address unemployment and poverty,” Dube-Ncube said.
Dube-Ncube pointed to the S’thesha Waya-Waya stimulus initiative as just one of the programmes rolled out to create jobs through various entities of the state.
She said youth unemployment continues to be a concern, and the province will continue to address this issue, through targeted programs and policies that empower young people with skills and opportunities needed to enter the workforce.
“This includes the disbursement of the Youth Empowerment Fund through which we allocate R90 million to youth-owned entities. Another R100 million window of this fund will open soon to benefit more youth-owned entities.
“We recently launched our Planting Season and through Operation Vula, we are opening economic opportunities to youth, women, military veterans and those with disabilities to hold section in the economy.”
The Premier also highlighted that through public private partnerships, the provincial government has been able to create opportunities in various sectors, including maritime and aviation sectors.
“Further, our steer is to penetrate the digital economy through the Broadband Rollout in the province. The 4IR Commission is quick tracking the Provincial Connected Smart Province position which aims to create more jobs for young people in the digital space.
“We see the Quarterly Labour Survey as a reliable indicator to understand the dynamics of the labour market. We will continue to engage with StatsSA, labour, business and stakeholders especially the private sector to continue to contribute to initiatives aimed at improving employment prospects for every South Africans,” the Premier said. – SAnews.gov.za
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