Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
unemployment crisislatest news & developments
Long reach: Unemployment is no longer a standalone crisis. It is increasingly tied to weak growth, declining living standards and persistent poverty. Photo: March to March
CONSTRUCTION SECTOR JOB LOSSES

SA recovery remains mainly jobless

The country lost 345 000 jobs in the first quarter of 2026 as unemployment climbed to 32.7%, exposing the gap between economic stabilisation and meaningful employment growth

  • Hasina Kathrada
7 min read
While it is true that “too many young people struggle to find their first job” (SONA), imposing the primary responsibility on young people to ‘do better’, by completing well-meaning programmes designed by adults who know what is best, absolves institutions of the responsibility to re-think their assumptions, approaches, and programming to more effectively address structural challenges. (Oupa Nkosi)
2026 STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS

“Inactive” youth, Sona’s panacea of digital skills and missed creative opportunities

If a commitment to youth-led initiative is to be taken seriously, it is imperative to include youth in decision making on where to direct investment, how to design curricula for…

  • Nokukhanya Mncwabe
  • Rike Sitas
  • Naomi Roux
7 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the state of the nation address. (GCIS)
ANC

In Sona, Ramaphosa signals shift from crisis management to consolidation

For the first time in several years, electricity did not dominate the president’s address

  • Hasina Kathrada
7 min read
In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, the president once again committed to economic revitalization. Photo: GCIS
ANC

Ramaphosa talks tough on gangs, corruption

The president said the South African National Defence Force would be deployed to support police in tackling gang violence and illegal mining

  • Hasina Kathrada
6 min read
The future of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant beyond the March 2027 extension remains uncertain. Archive photo: Chris Gilili
BASIC INCOME SUPPORT

Future of SRD grant uncertain, treasury says

The Universal Basic Income Coalition said the government’s proposals to link the grant to employment-related conditions could exclude eligible beneficiaries

  • Marecia Damons
3 min read
Many railway lines are underutilised or abandoned, with over 30% of Africa’s rail infrastructure inoperable.
BUSINESS

Economy 2025: A GNU hope, but ports, rail and water crisis likely to hinder growth

The country’s ports and rail systems are shambolic, but GNU and a pause in load-shedding have elicited some optimism

  • Aarti Bhana
7 min read