South Africa’s unemployment rate climbed to 32.9% in the initial quarter of the year, according to the national statistics body’s recent announcement, just ahead of the country’s upcoming elections.
This reflects a 0.8% increase from the final quarter of 2023, portraying a challenging economic landscape.
South Africa contends with one of the globe’s highest unemployment rates, with staggering figures revealing that one in two young South Africans is without work, while 60% live below the poverty line.
Issues like persistent economic inequalities, corruption, and the enduring struggle with unemployment dominate the discourse leading up to the elections.
Criticism of the African National Congress (ANC), which has governed since the end of apartheid in 1994, has intensified, particularly regarding its economic stewardship.
Projections indicate that the ANC may receive less than 50% of the vote, potentially marking a significant shift in the political landscape.
