Savesa Calls For Action On Unemployment Ahead Of Sona

Non-profit organization Save South Africa has called for concrete solutions to address the country's high unemployment rate, which officially stands at 32.1 percent, with youth unemployment at 45.5 percent in the third quarter of 2024.

The call comes as anticipation builds up for President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2025 State of the Nation Address SONA tomorrow.

The organization's appeal follows recent announcements of job losses, including steel producer ArcelorMittal's decision to shut down its long-steel plants, resulting in at least 3 500 job cuts.

Save SA's Communications Director Tebogo Mashilompane says, "We expect the President to be clear when coming to issues of unemployment. But we are saying, before we can even go to unemployment, deal with the people who are already employed. Because we mentioned the fact that 67 000 CWP workers are facing job cuts."

Mashilompane adds: "Weve also got the health community workers that are facing job cuts and then weve got teachers. So we are saying to the President - what are you going to do? Because if you cut those that are already in the system it means that those who are unemployed will not get the opportunity."