Unemployment makes people desperate to survive. It creates an environment in which societal ills such as theft and corruption thrive, which, if left unattended, could be difficult to contain when it escalates to public unrest and anarchy.

While South Africa’s unemployment is on the increase, countries worldwide are showing a downward trend in unemployment.

The shocking unemployment figures released by StatsSA last week are beginning to emulate the same trend as in 2010 Q3 when the employment rate was at its lowest after the 2008 recession. The 2010 Q3 figures showed expanded unemployment to be at 36,6%.

According to the figures released by StatsSA, expanded unemployment now stands at 36,4%, up by 0.8 of a percentage point or 391 000 people.

The blame for the poor state of our economy and for rising unemployment can be laid squarely at the feet of poor Government leadership. To put it bluntly, our leaders are playing political marbles while Rome is burning. Instead of developing policies to create an environment for investment and economic growth that will create jobs, they are embroiled in corrupt activities of state capture and the strategies in defence thereof.

For as long as there is not going to be a change in leadership, we will gradually continue on the slippery slope to a recession.

Issued by UASA