Premier Sisi Ntombela’s statement follows the first quarter’s unemployment statistics for 2022, which were released recently.

Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) revealed that the official provincial unemployment rate has decreased by 5.6% from 36.7% in 2021’s fourth quarter to 31.1% in 2022’s first quarter. Ntombela says the latest figures indicate that the economic recovery plans which are implemented by the provincial government in response to economic challenges that were presented by the Covid-19 pandemic are bearing fruit. She adds that the plans were intended to revive the provincial economy and respond to the challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

According to Ntombela, unemployment in the Free State decreased on a quarter-to-quarter basis by 69 000 people. She adds that the rate of unemployed women also decreased by 4% from 40.3% in 2021’s Fourth Quarter to 36.3% in 2022’s first quarter, while the unemployment rate amongst men declined by 6.9% points from 34% in 2021’s fourth quarter, to 27.1% in 2022’s first quarter.

Meanwhile, Ntombela stressed that whilst welcoming improvements made by the province in curbing the unemployment rate, the number of young people who are still without jobs remains a major concern. She pledged that the provincial government will place more focus on fighting youth unemployment and that she remains confident that the economic recovery plan will yield positive results.

ALSO READ: Ntombela challenges Free State youth

Ntombela previously stated that the province boasts 9 000 bursary holders, mostly from poor households, at local and international institutions. This after committing herself to empowering young people within the province. She had also challenged young people to emulate the class of 1976, who built a solid foundation for the democracy of today, referencing the Soweto uprising - a series of demonstrations and protests led by black school children in South Africa that began on the morning of 16 June 1976.

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