SA’s rising unemployment ‘a ticking time bomb’

Economics Editor

Young people were once again hardest hit as South Africa’s unemployment rate surged more than expected in the first quarter of 2026, with little prospect of improvement for the rest of the year as the Middle East war weighs on the economy.

The labour federation Cosatu, increasingly critical of the government despite its alliance with the ANC and the South African Communist Party, said rising joblessness is becoming a ticking time bomb for the country.

“The latest jobs report released by Stats SA … is beyond depressing,” Cosatu parliamentary co-ordinator Matthew Parks said.

“Unemployment is the single greatest threat to the nation. It requires the same decisive and progressive response as was mobilised and led by President Cyril Ramaphosa during Covid-19. This is a ticking time bomb we dare not ignore.”