By Lungile Ntimba
ActionSA has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth.
The party has formally written to Ramaphosa, calling for the removal of the minister due to her inability to combat the deepening unemployment crisis, which continues to devastate the prospects and dignity of millions of South Africans.
This call comes in response to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2025, revealing a rise in the country’s official unemployment rate to 32.9%, up from 31.9% in the previous quarter.
Currently, there are 8.2 million unemployed South Africans, with an additional 3.5 million categorized as discouraged work-seekers.
The youth are particularly affected, with 45.1% of those aged 15–34 not engaged in employment, education, or training (NEET).
ActionSA MP Alan Beesley emphasised the absence of a coherent strategy from Meth to halt job losses, support the informal economy, or address the systemic barriers preventing young people from entering the workforce.
He criticised her response last November, where she bluntly stated she would not resign even if unemployment worsened, describing it as indicative of indifference to the plight of South Africans.
“There is a glaring absence of any meaningful strategy, either in planning or implementation and despite full awareness of South Africa’s worsening unemployment crisis,” said Beesley.
“Minister Meth has failed to present a coherent plan to stem job losses, support the informal economy or tackle the systemic barriers that keep young people out of the workforce.”
“Unfortunately, I won’t resign,” she replied at the time — a response that ActionSA labelled as blunt and unapologetic. This laid bare a disturbing indifference to the suffering of millions of South Africans.”
“It is an attitude that reflects the posture of an uncaring government that has grown comfortable with failure while ordinary citizens pay the price.”
Beesley added that nearly a year into Meth’s appointment, she has not demonstrated the urgency or leadership required to respond to what he described as an economic and social emergency.
He said the country’s working-age population cannot afford further stagnation under “ineffective stewardship,” and criticised the Government of National Unity (GNU) for failing to hold ministers accountable.
“In any functional democracy, such dismal figures amid worsening socio-economic conditions would compel a Minister to take responsibility and step down,” Beesley.
“Sadly, this standard of accountability is sorely lacking in South Africa and glaringly absent in the Ramaphosa led administrations.”
He added that ActionSA remains committed to using all available tools to ensure that the country’s unemployment crisis is addressed urgently and effectively.
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