There are 216 000 more people unemployed in the Eastern Cape Now (in the July-September 2017 period) compared to the same period in 2016.  These frightening statistics emerged from the StatsSA Quarterly Labour Force Survey Quarter 3: 2017  that came out on 31 October 2017.

In July – September 2016,  28.2% of the working age population were unemployed in the Eastern Cape and this increased by a staggering 7.3% to an unemployment rate of 35.5% during the same July – September 2017 quarter.  The national unemployment rate has remained stable rising only 0.6% from 27.1% to 27.7% over the same July – September 2016 to 2017 period with Kwa-Zulu Natal is the next worst performing province in terms of year on year unemployment increasing by just 1.1% between 2016 and 2017.

What is happening in the Eastern Cape to cause such a large increase in unemployment?  What is the province and country doing to turn the Eastern Cape unemployment crises around?