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The DA notes with concern the increase of the unemployment rate by 0.5% to 19.6% in our province. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, published this morning, our province lost 35000 jobs in the 4th quarter.

The mining and finance sectors shed 15000 and 13000 jobs respectively. Of great concern is that the trade sector lost 37000 jobs during the quarter under review. These job losses impact small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The expanded unemployment rate of 36.8% in Limpopo represents a 1% increase from the previous quarter and is higher than the national average.

The huge job losses in the trade sector are further compounded by the fact that Limpopo Economic Development , Environment and Tourism (LEDET) made available R124 million in Loan capital, and of that amount R86,8 million(67%) was lost as irrecoverable and bad debt.

This points to a provincial government that has failed to practice sound and sustainable financial management and effectively support a key sector and major contributor to employment in the province.

It is unacceptable that today over 2.3 million people of a working age in the province cannot participate in the labour force. To further compound the matter, the province has 379 000 discouraged work seekers and the main reasons for not seeking work are no jobs available in the area; unable to find work requiring their skills and largely because of the loss of hope in finding any kind of work.

This large loss of jobs in the province is a symptom of an ANC led provincial government out of touch with the needs of its population and devoid of any semblance of good governance or ideas of how to create new jobs.

The DA is committed to increasing opportunities for the disadvantaged members of society and creating jobs through investing in infrastructure led growth, support to small and micro enterprises, good governance and creating a conducive environment for investment.

Limpopo needs total change, where a DA-led government puts the people first by ensuring that job opportunities are created , especially for the youth.

Issued by DA