S outh Africa’s worsening unemployment crisis has triggered renewed political pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa, with the ANC Youth League calling for urgent intervention against underperforming ministers while praising Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie for what it described as visible leadership.

The renewed criticism follows the release of the latest labour force figures by Statistics South Africa, which showed the country’s official unemployment rate climbed to 32.7% during the first quarter of 2026, up from 31.4% in the previous quarter.

The report revealed that more than 345,000 jobs were lost between January and March, pushing the total number of unemployed South Africans to more than 8.1 million people.

Youth unemployment remains one of the country’s biggest concerns, with nearly two-thirds of people aged between 15 and 24 unable to find work. The expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged job seekers, has now reached 43.7%.

The ANC Youth League said the worsening figures reflect failures within government departments tasked with economic growth and job creation. The organisation has reportedly urged Ramaphosa to take decisive action against ministers it considers ineffective, arguing that unemployment has reached crisis levels.

At the same time, the youth structure singled out McKenzie for praise, saying his public engagement style and visibility contrasted sharply with what it called weak leadership elsewhere in government.

South Africa’s coalition government, formed after the 2024 elections, has faced mounting scrutiny over its ability to stimulate employment despite promises of economic reform and investment-driven growth.

The latest data from Stats SA showed that job losses were widespread across several industries, with the community and social services sector suffering the biggest decline. Construction also recorded major setbacks, while manufacturing, mining and agriculture posted limited gains.

Economists warn that persistently high unemployment could deepen social instability and place additional pressure on government ahead of future budget and policy debates.

With unemployment remaining above 30% for more than five years, calls are intensifying for urgent interventions to revive economic activity, support businesses and create sustainable jobs, particularly for young people entering the labour market.