Gwede Mantashe Says ANC Can’t Employ Everyone, Calls Unemployment a ‘Global Crisis'

• Gwede Mantashe says that the government cannot solve the unemployment crisis by itself
• He believes that the problem is part of a 'global crisis' and the only way to solve it is to help private industry create jobs
• With 12 million South Africans out of work, the government needs to find solutions fast

African National Congress national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has said that the government cannot hire every unemployed person in South Africa.

Currently, the official number of unemployed sits at a staggering 7.8 million, this does not take people into account who have given up the search for a job.

This means that the number could be much higher. Mantashe deflected criticism from the government by saying that high unemployment is a 'global crisis that needs to be addressed according to SABC.

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Solutions

Mantashe believes that the government must create an environment that promotes entrepreneurship to create jobs.

He spoke at Kimberly while promoting the ANC ahead of the upcoming local elections.

Mantashe said that every small business that hires people helps to reduce unemployment.

Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke revealed the dire statistics and showed that 14.9 million South Africans are currently employed. This dropped by 54 000 and unemployment increased by 584 000.

Economist and employment analyst Andrew Levy said that the increase is partly due to the fallout of Covid 19 and the situation is looking increasingly negative. He urged the government to take swift action to address the situation.

Earlier, IOL South Africa has 12 million people without work and South Africa is on top of a list of 82 countries with the highest unemployment.

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ANC manifesto: Ramaphosa says the ruling party will shift focus to employment in next 5 years

Earlier, Briefly News reported that the African National Congress launched their manifesto on Monday, 27 September, in Pretoria where the party made it clear that employment was atop their list of priorities with local government elections on the horizon in November.

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa made it clear that should the party successfully secure enough municipalities, that labour brokering would come to an end. Thus bringing in the era of essential service outsourcing, in a bid to get the ball rolling in the five-year endeavour to create sustainable livelihoods and jobs.

The party's manifesto placed a high penchant on the youth to tackle unemployment through the development of skills through programmes in communities.

Source: Briefly News