Unemployment Crisis Keeps Ramaphosa Awake as ANC Faces Pressure to Deliver Jobs
President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted that South Africa’s stubbornly high unemployment rate is one of the biggest challenges facing his administration, revealing that the crisis often keeps him awake at night as he searches for lasting solutions. Speaking at Sun City in Rustenburg on Wednesday, ahead of the ANC’s annual January 8 celebrations, Ramaphosa reflected on the deep socio-economic problems confronting the country and the urgent need for decisive action.Job listings South Africa
Addressing party members and leaders, Ramaphosa said unemployment is not just a statistic but a daily reality affecting millions of South Africans, particularly the youth. He stressed that the issue weighs heavily on government leaders who are tasked with finding sustainable ways to grow the economy and create jobs.
“The issue of unemployment keeps all of us on this stage awake,” Ramaphosa said. “It especially keeps me awake at night as I try to find solutions that will work for our people.”
The president revealed that job creation remains a central topic in his discussions with key members of the executive, including finance minister Enoch Godongwana. He said government is actively exploring ways to mobilise more funding to support employment initiatives, with a strong focus on young people who continue to struggle to enter the job market.
Ramaphosa emphasised that government alone cannot solve the unemployment crisis. He pointed out that the private sector controls about 75% of South Africa’s economy, making it a crucial partner in job creation. According to the president, stronger collaboration between the state and business is essential if the country is to make meaningful progress.Job listings South Africa
“We need to harness the private sector and mobilise them to work with us to create jobs,” he said. “At the same time, we are strengthening the public sector by stabilising key state-owned entities such as Eskom and Transnet, and we are making progress on an ongoing basis.”
His comments come amid growing public debate within the ANC following controversial remarks by the party’s national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe. In a recent SABC interview, Mantashe suggested that many unemployed people rely too heavily on government to provide jobs instead of actively seeking work themselves. He called for a “cultural shift”, urging citizens to apply for advertised posts and become more proactive.
Mantashe’s remarks sparked widespread backlash, with critics accusing him of being out of touch with the harsh realities faced by unemployed South Africans. Former public protector and MK Party Mpumalanga convenor Busisiwe Mkhwebane was among those who strongly condemned his comments, describing them as irresponsible and dismissive.
“If Mantashe understood how many applications unemployed graduates and those without qualifications submit, he would never make such statements,” Mkhwebane said. She argued that many leaders are insulated from the poverty and joblessness experienced by ordinary families, making it difficult for them to grasp the scale of the crisis.
As the ANC prepares to mark its January 8 anniversary, unemployment is once again at the centre of national political discourse. Ramaphosa’s remarks signal an acknowledgement of public frustration and the pressure on government to deliver tangible results. For millions of South Africans still without work, the hope is that these sleepless nights at the Union Buildings will translate into real jobs and renewed economic opportunity.