South Africa's latest employment figures have once again raised alarm over the country's jobs crisis. Statistics South Africa's second-quarter 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows the official unemployment rate rising to 33.6%, with 345,000 more people joining the ranks of the unemployed, while total employment fell to around 16.7 million. RISE Mzansi argues that these figures are evidence that South Africa's current economic approach is no longer working, saying government needs a fundamentally different approach to job creation and economic growth. We spoke to RISE Mzansi's National leader, Songezo Zibi to unpack South Africa's jobs crisis and what needs to change.

<p>South Africa's latest employment figures have once again raised alarm over the country's jobs crisis. Statistics South Africa's second-quarter 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows the official unemployment rate rising to 33.6%, with 345,000 more people joining the ranks of the unemployed, while total employment fell to around 16.7 million. RISE Mzansi argues that these figures are evidence that South Africa's current economic approach is no longer working, saying government needs a fundamentally different approach to job creation and economic growth. We spoke to RISE Mzansi's National leader, Songezo Zibi to unpack South Africa's jobs crisis and what needs to change.</p>

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First Take SA

A weekly news and current affairs show presented by Elvis Presslin on SAfm 104 to 107 from 5:00 to 6:00 am.

<p>A weekly news and current affairs show presented by Elvis Presslin on SAfm 104 to 107 from 5:00 to 6:00 am.</p>