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ActionSA is deeply concerned about the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) from Statistics South Africa that reveals that Johannesburg lost 28 000 jobs between April and June 2026. This is yet another indictment of a government that continues to fail to chart a growth path for South Africans who face poverty and unemployment. 

These figures are not merely statistics. They represent hundreds of thousands of families losing income, dignity and economic security. 

It is clear that this government doesn’t have a plan to improve the living conditions of citizens. The reality is that rising unemployment reflects a deep leadership crisis that will perpetuate abject poverty for majority of residents seeking dignified livelihoods. 

The City of Johannesburg cannot legitimately claim to be the economic powerhouse of South Africa under these conditions. The ripple effect of the failure of Johannesburg will be felt across the country as residents struggle to find work, small businesses battle to survive and the cost of doing business continues to rise.

For years, South Africans have been promised economic transformation, investment, employment programmes and reforms. Yet the result remains an economy that is failing to absorb people into meaningful, sustainable employment. 

Johannesburg needs a government that understands that jobs do not come from political slogans. The positive economic trajectory of a city is predicated on bold leadership that provides a clear plan for investment, safety and opportunity.

During my tenure as the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg from 2016 to 2019, I facilitated investment to the sum of over R17 billion which underpinned the creation of approximately 110,000 new jobs during the 2018/19 financial year alone.

Through insourcing of security guards and cleaners, over 4 000 employees had the benefit of permanent jobs that included benefits that improved their livelihoods. There was a clear plan to bring back dignity to residents through the Inner City Rejuvenation Plan that would create over 22 000 jobs during the construction phase. This focus on job creation extended to law enforcement with the recruitment of 1 500 new Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers.

Through bold and decisive leadership, Johannesburg was on a path of economic growth, functioning infrastructure and ample investment. That came to a halt after the ANC and DA colluded against the interest of residents.

Now more than ever, residents should reflect on their living conditions and consider ActionSA as a viable alternative for their future.

Through #OperationFixJoburg, residents will have the benefit of a government that will accelerate service delivery, restore the rule of law and create jobs that will sustain their families.

Issued by ActionSA Joburg Mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba