Former Statistician-General Dr Pali Lehohla says the government has consistently turned a blind eye to the structural signs of rising unemployment
Former Statistician-General Pali Lehohla says the government has consistently ignored structural indicators of rising unemployment.
He shared these views during an interview on The Unpopular Opinion, hosted by journalist Mzilikazi Wa Afrika.
Lehohla, who led Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) from 2000 to 2017, is the country's longest-serving Statistician-General. He dedicated his career to embedding rigorous data at the heart of state planning and public policy.
South Africa’s official unemployment rate stands at 32,7%, while the expanded rate, which includes discouraged job seekers - reaches 43,7%. This represents a severe employment crisis, with youth and women carrying the heaviest burden in the labour market.
