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The Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) data today showing that approximately 300 000 jobs were shed from our economy shows that the DA's fight for growth and jobs within the GNU is exactly what needs to be accelerated in the current economic environment.

Economic growth and job creation is the paramount priority of the government, and the DA's reform proposals and bold agenda should be front and centre to reverse this situation.

South Africa’s unemployment rate has tragically increased from 31.9% to 32.9% for the first three months of 2025. This translates to an unemployment queue of 8.2 million South Africans, who are deprived of the dignity of work.

The expanded definition of unemployment, encompassing the South Africans that have given up looking for work, is now an excruciating 43.1%.

A job is more than income, it is hope for the future, security and dignity. This is why the DA’s primary focus, and the DA’s most important policy agenda in the GNU is to facilitate economic growth for all South Africans, and to do everything we can to foster job creation.

Our country needs a growth agenda that unlocks barriers to investment, such as eliminating job quotas and economic and labour regulations that protect narrow interests and not all South Africans.

Time has long run out for discussion on jobs and growth. South Africa must now act, if we are to turn this around. It is imperative that this country breaks the shackles of inequality and achieves growth and jobs as the basis for redress, so that South Africa is land of true opportunity for all.

Issued by Michael Bagraim MP - DA Spokesperson on Employment & Labour