BONUS - RUSTENBURG - The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West is concerned about corruption, the misuse of public funds, and the government’s failure to implement measures that promote job creation.
As a civic organisation representing the marginalised and poorest members of society, SANCO is worried about the government's inadequate efforts to address the high unemployment rate. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2024, the number of unemployed people in South Africa increased from 5.1 million in Q1:2014 to 8.2 million in Q1:2024.
Long-term unemployment, which reflects those who have been jobless for a year or more, also rose, from 66% in 2014 to 75.2% in 2024.
The situation is dire, especially for graduates hoping to enter the workforce. Yet, the National Treasury’s persistent implementation of cost-cutting measures is making it difficult for government departments to operate efficiently. These departments are forced to seek approval from both the Treasury and the Office of the Premier before filling vacant posts, resulting in prolonging the recruitment process and causing delays that impact service delivery.
SANCO acknowledges the need to cut unnecessary spending but remains firm in their position that the Treasury’s proposed measures are strangling the economy and weakening public services. The economy needs stimulus and well-functioning public services, and the Treasury's measures are not a solution; they are counterproductive. The North West province has an unemployment rate of 54.2% and remains one of the poorest provinces, despite being one of the wealthiest provinces in terms of mineral resources. Citizens continue to live below the poverty line, while political leaders fail to address the elephant in the room - poverty, unemployment, and inequality. Public funds are consistently misused, with cost containment measures remaining nothing more than theoretical ideas.
How does the governing party expect to regain the trust of the communities when it remains silent on issues affecting service delivery? Communities cannot be left stranded when government officials are not being held accountable for the issues of corruption they are being accused of. The Premier must consider providing a monthly statement updating the public on the government's progress on job creation and economic growth initiatives as well as impactful services to communities.
SANCO will start mobilising communities to demand answers and the removal of corrupt officials from public offices. While the principle of "innocent until proven guilty" applies, SANCO calls for all accused individuals to step aside until their names are cleared.
SANCO reminds the governing party that the community’s patience is running thin and that service delivery, not loyalty, will be the only factor determining the 2026 local elections victory.
As communities, we are still awaiting the progress report on pronouncements, such as the Premier’s recent promise to create 100 000 jobs in tourism, agriculture, and construction over the next five years.
If there is no convincing progress report on this, SANCO warns that it will be increasingly difficult for communities to maintain confidence in the governing party and urges the provincial government and ANC leadership to treat unemployment as a state of emergency, given its role in escalating crime across the province.
We need a government that deals decisively with corrupt individuals, focuses on employment-driven programmes, and not on costly events that are not contributing to addressing poverty, unemployment and inequality.
