South Africa’s official unemployment rate rising to 33.7% reflects a structural deficit: the economy is simply not expanding fast enough to absorb the volume of new entrants joining the labor force. Even in quarters where net jobs are added—such as the 101,000 jobs created in Q3 2026—they are routinely outpaced by the growth of job-seekers (198,000 entering the market over the same period), causing the overall rate to climb. Prof Vimal Ranchhod Director of the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, School of Economics at the University of Cape Town discusses on the Power Breakfast show.

South Africa&rsquo;s official unemployment rate rising to 33.7% reflects a structural deficit: the economy is simply not expanding fast enough to absorb the volume of new entrants joining the labor force. Even in quarters where net jobs are added&mdash;such as the 101,000 jobs created in Q3 2026&mdash;they are routinely outpaced by the growth of job-seekers (198,000 entering the market over the same period), causing the overall rate to climb.&nbsp;Prof Vimal Ranchhod Director of the&nbsp;Southern Africa Labour and&nbsp;Development Research Unit, School of&nbsp;Economics at the University of Cape&nbsp;Town discusses on the Power Breakfast show.

POWER Breakfast is a fast-paced three-hour news and current affairs show, alternating between the latest breaking news, political coverage, analysis, sport, market reports, weather and all your calls. Whether you’re in business, the public service or just want to stay informed, tune in as Thabiso TT Tema connects you to your world.

POWER Breakfast is a fast-paced three-hour news and current affairs show, alternating between the latest breaking news, political coverage, analysis, sport, market reports, weather and all your calls. Whether you&rsquo;re in business, the public service or just want to stay informed, tune in as Thabiso TT Tema connects you to your world.

The Best of POWER Breakfast

POWER Breakfast

Unemployment rises to 33.7%: Why is South Africa failing to absorb its growing workforce?

As ombudsman delegates and governance leaders from across the continent gather in Pretoria, South Africa’s Public Protector is putting a firm spotlight on one of the biggest challenges facing oversight institutions in Africa: ensuring recommendations lead to real accountability.

The gathering brings together delegates under the auspices of regional bodies like the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA) to address systemic state non-compliance, bureaucratic inertia, and the legal enforceability of findings. Against the backdrop of evolving constitutional democracies, the call from Pretoria underscores a vital shift—moving ombudsman offices from symbolic complaint handlers to binding, action-oriented pillars of good governance. Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, shared more on the gathering in a conversation with Thabiso TT Tema on Power Breakfast.

As ombudsman delegates and governance leaders from across the continent gather in Pretoria, South Africa&rsquo;s Public Protector is putting a firm spotlight on one of the biggest challenges facing oversight institutions in Africa: ensuring recommendations lead to real accountability.
The gathering brings together delegates under the auspices of regional bodies like the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA) to address systemic state non-compliance, bureaucratic inertia, and the legal enforceability of findings. Against the backdrop of evolving constitutional democracies, the call from Pretoria underscores a vital shift&mdash;moving ombudsman offices from symbolic complaint handlers to binding, action-oriented pillars of good governance.&nbsp;Public&nbsp;Protector,&nbsp;Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, shared more on the gathering in a conversation with Thabiso TT Tema on Power Breakfast.

Public Protector pushes for stronger enforcement of ombudsman findings as African delegates gather in Pretoria

As coalition negotiations intensify following the November 2026 local government elections, ActionSA has signalled its willingness to partner with the Democratic Alliance (DA) to govern Johannesburg—on the strict condition that DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille steps aside. In a letter addressed to DA leadership, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba proposed a compromise: he would relinquish his own mayoral ambitions for the city if the DA replaced Zille with an alternative candidate. Michael Beaumont, ActionSA National Chairperson unpacks this in a conversation with Thabiso TT Tema on Power Breakfast.

As coalition negotiations intensify following the November 2026 local government elections, ActionSA has signalled its willingness to partner with the Democratic Alliance (DA) to govern Johannesburg&mdash;on the strict condition that DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille steps aside.&nbsp;In a letter addressed to DA leadership, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba proposed a compromise: he would relinquish his own mayoral ambitions for the city if the DA replaced Zille with an alternative candidate.&nbsp;Michael Beaumont, ActionSA&nbsp;National Chairperson unpacks this in a conversation with Thabiso TT Tema on Power Breakfast.

ActionSA open to Johannesburg coalition with DA, but draws the line at Helen Zille

A challenge that began with struggling to find comfortable shoes has turned into an international business success for 12-year-old Johannesburg entrepreneur Lubanzi Dube, whose footwear innovation has earned him recognition on one of the world's biggest startup stages. Dube, the founder of SolEase, a business developing orthotic insoles and supportive footwear for people with flat feet, was crowned the 2026 Startup World Cup Champion at Global Business Week in Davos, Switzerland, in July. His victory marked a historic achievement for South Africa, with his team becoming the first South African and African team to win the Startup World Cup title. He joins the Power Breakfast team for a 'feel good' conversation.

A challenge that began with struggling to find comfortable shoes has turned into an international business success for 12-year-old Johannesburg entrepreneur Lubanzi Dube, whose footwear innovation has earned him recognition on one of the world's biggest startup stages. Dube, the founder of SolEase, a business developing orthotic insoles and supportive footwear for people with flat feet, was crowned the 2026 Startup World Cup Champion at Global Business Week in Davos, Switzerland, in July. His victory marked a historic achievement for South Africa, with his team becoming the first South African and African team to win the Startup World Cup title. He joins the Power Breakfast team for a 'feel good' conversation.

Unemployment rises to 33.7%: Why is South Africa failing to absorb its growing workforce?

In 1 playlist(s)

POWER Breakfast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips