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Monday, May 12, 2025

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South Africa’s job crisis: youth unemployment, BEE debate, and the fight for real inclusion

On Workers’ Day 2025, South Africa reflected on the state of its labour market amid soaring youth unemployment exceeding 44%. Experts warn that despite policy shifts in Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), systemic barriers—like education inequality, lack of access to capital, and geographic exclusion—continue to hinder meaningful economic inclusion.

Weekend Argus News
Tracy-Lynn Ruiters|Published

Department of Justice dismisses 54 officials for misconduct

The Department of Justice has taken decisive action by dismissing 54 officials for misconduct, reinforcing its commitment to ethical governance and signalling a strong stance against corruption.

News Crime and Courts
Simon Majadibodu|Published

Watch VideoTreasury vs households: The fairness of South Africa's proposed VAT increase

South Africa's government proposes a VAT increase to address fiscal challenges, but experts warn it may disproportionately affect the poor and middle class, raising concerns about its impact on consumer spending and economic growth.

Cape Argus News
Simon Majadibodu|Published

Watch VideoIs the VAT hike fair? Treasury vs household in South Africa’s tax debate

South Africa's planned staggered VAT increase from 15% to 16% is drawing criticism from economists and citizens alike, who argue that already-strained households will bear the brunt of the government's latest revenue-generating measure.

News South Africa
Simon Majadibodu|Published

Employment statistics highlight gains and losses across key South African industries

South Africa's employment sees slight increase in late 2024, with mixed sector performance

Saturday Star
Staff Reporter|Published

Only 34% of SA companies meet employment equity requirements, Labour Minister reveals

Despite 25 years of Employment Equity legislation, only 34% of South African companies inspected in 2024 met compliance standards, with 210 companies now facing prosecution, Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has revealed.

Business Jobs
Mthobisi Nozulela|Published

South Africa’s VAT hike: making the poor pay for a crisis they didn’t create

Government justifies this VAT increase by arguing that it is necessary to fund key public services, says the writer

The Post Opinion
Supplied|Published

One World One Family: expanding humanitarian efforts in South Africa

‘In South Africa, Sadguru's primary concern is the high poverty rate, and he is committed to addressing this challenge through a structured, long-term approach’

The Post News
Candice Soobramoney|Published

Despite minor decline, SA’s unemployment rate remains alarmingly high

While South Africa's unemployment rate shows a slight decline to 31. 9%, concerns persist over the high rate of youth unemployment and the need for effective government intervention

Mercury News
Mercury Reporter|Published

Youth unemployment remains a headache for government as job market struggle continues

Nkosinathi Mahlangu, Momentum Group's youth employment portfolio head, said the unchanged expanded unemployment rate of 41. 9% further underscored the barriers many South Africans, particularly young people, face in securing sustainable employment.

Business Report Economy
Siphelele Dludla|Published

Youth unemployment in South Africa: A call for urgent action

Youth development organisation Afrika Tikkun said that data from the latest Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) reveals an encouraging decrease in youth unemployment, but the crisis demands ongoing aggressive action.

Business Report Economy
Yogashen Pillay|Published

Budget Speech 2025: Cosatu vows to reject VAT increase, warns it will push workers into debt

Pressure mounts on Finance minister Enoch Godongwana as trade unions warn against tax hikes on low income earners in the 2025 budget.

News Politics
Simon Majadibodu|Published

Drop in unemployment rate welcomed, but sustainable solutions must focus on the private sector

Despite small gains, South Africa’s unemployment crisis demands long-term private sector solutions

Saturday Star News
Staff Reporter|Published

Doubts raised over government's youth employment claims

Opposition parties and analysts challenge the government’s claims on youth employment, questioning the effectiveness of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative and calling for transparency.

Cape Times News
Mashudu Sadike|Published

Clinics to close, doctors and nurses to lose jobs as a result of Donald Trump’s funding cuts

US President Donald Trump’s decision to cut funding in South Africa will severely effect health and environmental initiatives which receive almost $320 million annually for essential services, says Stellenbosch University Health Professor Emeritus, Usuf Chikte.

Cape Times News
Nicola Daniels|Published

Unemployed KZN teachers scammed into paying for non-existent teaching posts

Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the department had noted with serious concern the allegations of fraud involving the individual known as “Amahle Nene-Sishi”, who has made false promises.

Daily News News
Thobeka Ngema|Published

Beware: job scams preying on unemployed teachers in KwaZulu-Natal

Unemployed teachers in KwaZulu-Natal are being warned about a fraudulent scheme that promises teaching jobs in exchange for money, as the Department of Education distances itself from the scam.

News South Africa Kwazulu Natal
Thobeka Ngema|Published

South Africa's youth employment surge: Over 1. 5 million opportunities created despite rising unemployment, says Presidency

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli has shared a positive update on the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and how it is tackling the youth unemployment crisis.

News Politics
Kamogelo Moichela|Published

Long Covid: The silent struggle of sufferers ignored by the world

Millions of South Africa are suffering with symptoms generally known as Long Covid. This growing crisis is shattering lives, disrupting families and has a stigma attached to it. We delve into the human stories of people who have been left to suffer in silence.

Lifestyle Health
Vuyile Madwantsi|Updated

Entrepreneurial skills development must drive job creation for SA youth

The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority is investing R30 million to transform South Africa's youth unemployment crisis through entrepreneurship development. With innovative programmes targeting green economy, digital skills, and SMME support.

Business Report Economy
Opinion|Published

SONA 2025 | Zuma’s MK Party calls Ramaphosa’s SONA an insult to South Africans

The MK Party has accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of failing to deliver on key issues, including unemployment, housing, and Eskom’s stability, calling for a rejection of the government’s leadership.

News Politics
Simon Majadibodu|Published

Top 10 reactions from SONA 2025

Political leaders shared their mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address 2025, highlighting praise, disappointment and calls for accountability.

News Politics
Thobeka Ngema|Published

“SONA is another matric dance for parliamentarians”- SA gears up for SONA

Mass job creation, illegal foreigners camping in South African shores, and drastic economic changes are some of the things netizens expect President Cyril Ramaphosa to address at the 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA) tonight.

The Star News
Hope Mafu|Published

‘South Africans are fed up with lies': Herman Mashaba ahead of Ramaphosa’s SONA address

As President Ramaphosa prepares for his State of the Nation Address (SONA), ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba demands accountability for the GNU’s failed promises and a solid plan to address South Africa’s crises.

News Politics
Simon Majadibodu|Published

Mining sector grapples with 12 000 job losses amid price pressures

The South African mining industry faced significant challenges in 2024, with lower commodity prices leading to 12 000 job losses. Despite setbacks in platinum and diamonds, some sectors like chrome and coal showed resilience. The Minerals Council highlights urgent needs for infrastructure development and policy reforms to boost sector growth.

Business Report Economy
Edward West|Published