By Palesa Matlala
• Statistics South Africa says unemployment rose to 32,7% in the first quarter, leaving more than eight million South Africans without jobs.
• African National Congress members critical of President Cyril Ramaphosa say the economy, poverty and living costs have worsened under his leadership.
Some African National Congress members are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to resign as unemployment and poverty continue to rise across South Africa.
The members, who are part of the anti Ramaphosa faction within the party, say the country’s economy has deteriorated since Ramaphosa became president in 2018.
Their criticism follows the release of new unemployment figures by Statistics South Africa last week.
The figures show that unemployment increased to 32,7% in the first quarter of the year, up from 31,4% in the previous quarter.
According to Statistics South Africa, more than 8,1 million people are currently unemployed.
One source inside the African National Congress said the growing unemployment crisis was deeply worrying for party members.
“This has been discussed and it is a concern for everyone,” said the source.
The source said Ramaphosa should resign because conditions have worsened under his leadership.
When Ramaphosa took office in 2018, the unemployment rate stood at around 26,7%.
Statistics South Africa also found that about 23,2 million South Africans live below the lower bound poverty line of R1,300 a month.
About 10,8 million people survive below the food poverty line of R777 a month.
Another party source said the rising cost of living had become unbearable for many South Africans.
“The economy is going down, the African National Congress is declining and everything is deteriorating under his leadership,” said the source.
African National Congress spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu Motsiri defended Ramaphosa and the government.
She said it was dishonest to discuss unemployment without recognising the impact of state capture, the Covid 19 pandemic, global inflation, supply chain disruptions and wars affecting oil and food prices.
“Despite these realities, South Africa has seen important signs of economic stabilisation,” she said.
Bhengu Motsiri pointed to improvements in electricity supply, investment in renewable energy and better fiscal indicators.
She also defended public employment programmes and youth initiatives.
“Public employment programmes, youth employment initiatives and social interventions are not evidence of policy failure,” she said.
In a statement issued on 13 May, the African National Congress said it was deeply worried by the latest unemployment figures.
The party said it remained committed to fixing the crisis through economic reforms under the Government of National Unity.
Ramaphosa recently told the National Council of Provinces that government plans to invest R1-trillion in infrastructure over the next three years.
He said the investment would focus on energy, water, transport, logistics and technology infrastructure.
Ramaphosa said the programme would create jobs and support local businesses.
Governance expert Sandile Swana said Ramaphosa’s term had been worse than those of former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.
“He does not invest and do anything that is required,” said Swana.
Image Caption: President Cyril Ramaphosa faces criticism from some African National Congress members over rising unemployment and poverty.
Picture: File
