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South Africa urges SADC states to strengthen job services

Published

Acting Director-General Jacky Molisane of the Department of Employment and Labour told regional delegates that jobseekers need better support. She cited the official unemployment rate of 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026.

Molisane spoke at the SADC Employment and Labour Sector Joint Tripartite Technical Committee Meeting in Gauteng. The meeting runs from 26 to 30 October 2026, and South Africa is the host.

She also pointed to the financial costs that jobseekers face. Unemployment among young people aged 15 to 34 in the labour force stands at 47.4%.

Molisane said the decisions made at the meeting should make the next visit to an employment office more useful. She also said: "An online application should reduce the burden on jobseekers."

The International Labour Organisation is also taking part in the meeting.

Key facts

Who
Jacky Molisane (Acting Director-General, Department of Employment and Labour); International Labour Organisation (participant in SADC meeting); Southern African Development Community (regional bloc hosting employment meeting with South Africa)
What
Department of Employment and Labour Acting Director-General Jacky Molisane urged SADC states to strengthen public employment services and better support jobseekers, citing financial costs faced by job seekers and an official unemployment rate of 33.6% in the second quarter of 2026.
When
27 October 2026
Where
Gauteng, South Africa, SADC
Status
Reported

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