The Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2025, released by Statistics South Africa, shows that the country’s formal sector experienced a significant contraction, shedding 80 000 jobs and pushing total employment down by 0.8 per cent from the previous quarter.

Phathiwe Ndleleni, activist and founder of the Maduna Nkabinde Foundation, says the unemployment crisis is not just a number on a graph but a lived reality for millions of South Africans. She says the figures highlight deep systemic problems that exacerbate joblessness and expose inherent corruption.

Thami Ngubeni spoke to Phathiwe Ndleleni, activist and founder of the Maduna Nkabinde Foundation.