According to Statistics South Africa’s second-quarter 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the
country’s official unemployment rate increased to 33.6%, up from 32.7% in the first quarter. The
number of unemployed people rose by 345,000 to approximately 8.5 million, while employment fell by
16,000.

According to Statistics South Africa&rsquo;s second-quarter 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey, the country&rsquo;s official unemployment rate increased to 33.6%, up from 32.7% in the first quarter. The number of unemployed people rose by 345,000 to approximately 8.5 million, while employment fell by 16,000.

At POWER 98.7 we invite you to join the conversation on every platform. Browse this selection of podcasts. Now we're talking.

At POWER 98.7 we invite you to join the conversation on every platform. Browse this selection of podcasts. Now we're talking.

The best of POWER Zone

After the day’s heavy conversations, POWER Zone tapers down the momentum with long format, reflective and insightful conversations. The show allows for those retiring for the day to take time to reflect on the day’s experiences. Those whose day begins at this time will enjoy the calm pace and amazing insights from the POWER listeners. The discussions, curated by guest hosts, are nuanced and explore a myriad of matters affecting the country, continent and the diaspora with customised themes on Africa, the youth, societal issues and the arts.

After the day&rsquo;s heavy conversations, POWER Zone tapers down the momentum with long format, reflective and insightful conversations. The show allows for those retiring for the day to take time to reflect on the day&rsquo;s experiences. Those whose day begins at this time will enjoy the calm pace and amazing insights from the POWER listeners. The discussions, curated by guest hosts, are nuanced and explore a myriad of matters affecting the country, continent and the diaspora with customised themes on Africa, the youth, societal issues and the arts.

POWER Zone

CAN GROWING STARTUPS AND SMES BECOME A BIGGER PART OF SOLVING SOUTH AFRICA’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGE

From the streets of Ratanda in Heidelberg, to becoming a nationally recognised voice in South
African music, King Sweetkid has spent more than a decade turning his experiences into sound. Born Kgotso Makgale, he first made his mark in Hip-Hop before evolving into what he describes as African Soul, a fusion of township rhythm, soulful melodies and deeply personal storytelling. His breakthrough came with the 2021 hit “Amasi”, followed by a Gold-certified contribution to Touchline's & quote ;Before I Say More 2. Now, with his latest single “Thetha Nami” paving the way for his highly anticipated debut album, King Sweetkid is entering a new chapter, one where the music is not just about bars and beats, but about emotion, spirituality and the African experience.

From the streets of Ratanda in Heidelberg, to becoming a nationally recognised voice in South African music, King Sweetkid has spent more than a decade turning his experiences into sound. Born Kgotso&nbsp;Makgale, he first made his mark in Hip-Hop before evolving into what he describes as African Soul, a fusion&nbsp;of township rhythm, soulful melodies and deeply personal storytelling. His breakthrough came with the 2021&nbsp;hit &ldquo;Amasi&rdquo;, followed by a Gold-certified contribution to Touchline's &amp; quote ;Before I Say More 2. Now, with his&nbsp;latest single &ldquo;Thetha Nami&rdquo; paving the way for his highly anticipated debut album, King Sweetkid is entering&nbsp;a new chapter, one where the music is not just about bars and beats, but about emotion, spirituality and the&nbsp;African experience.

CREATIVE ZONE: HANGING OUT WITH KING SWEETKID

Across Africa, unemployment is high, the informal economy is massive, and millions of people are
fighting every day to make a living. But what happens when the person competing for that same customer, that same shop space or that same small business opportunity is another African from a neighbouring country. Kenya is now tightening the rules around foreign participation in small-scale trade, arguing that citizens must be protected from unfair competition. But critics warn that economic frustration can quickly become xenophobia.

Across Africa, unemployment is high, the informal economy is massive, and millions of people are fighting every day to make a living. But what happens when the person competing for that same customer,&nbsp;that same shop space or that same small business opportunity is another African from a neighbouring&nbsp;country. Kenya is now tightening the rules around foreign participation in small-scale trade, arguing that&nbsp;citizens must be protected from unfair competition. But critics warn that economic frustration can quickly&nbsp;become xenophobia.

ACROSS AFRICA: KENYA: TENSIONS OVER FOREIGN TRADERS

A child should never have to choose which parent to believe, defend one parent against the other, or
become the referee in an argument they never created. Yet in many families, when parents fight, the child is pulled straight into the conflict. “Tell your mother…” “Ask your father…” “You saw what he did…” “You know how she is…” The child becomes the witness, the messenger and sometimes even the judge. Then the parents make peace, go back to normal and expect the child to do the same. But what happens to the child who was left carrying the emotional weight of that fight? And who checks on them when the adults have decided that everything is fine. Kefentse Mkhari is in conversation with Social Worker, Nombuyiselo Lestoalo and Social Commentator, Emmanuel Masuku

A child should never have to choose which parent to believe, defend one parent against the other, or become the referee in an argument they never created. Yet in many families, when parents fight, the child is&nbsp;pulled straight into the conflict. &ldquo;Tell your mother&hellip;&rdquo; &ldquo;Ask your father&hellip;&rdquo; &ldquo;You saw what he did&hellip;&rdquo; &ldquo;You know&nbsp;how she is&hellip;&rdquo; The child becomes the witness, the messenger and sometimes even the judge. Then the parents&nbsp;make peace, go back to normal and expect the child to do the same. But what happens to the child who was left&nbsp;carrying the emotional weight of that fight? And who checks on them when the adults have decided that&nbsp;everything is fine. Kefentse Mkhari is in conversation with Social Worker, Nombuyiselo Lestoalo and Social&nbsp;Commentator, Emmanuel Masuku

CAN GROWING STARTUPS AND SMES BECOME A BIGGER PART OF SOLVING SOUTH AFRICA’S YOUTH EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGE

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