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SA unemployment reaches 34.4% in 2021 Q2

Unemployment in South Africa rose to 34.4% in the second three months of 2021, according to results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS).

The outcome of the QLFS was released by Statistician-General, Risenga Maluleke, on Tuesday.

Addressing reporters, Maluleke said for the second quarter of 2021, the number of employed persons decreased by 54 000, reaching 14.9 million.

Statistics South Africa said the number of unemployed persons increased by 584 000 to 7.8 million compared to the first quarter of 2021.

During this period, the number of discouraged work-seekers increased by 186 000 (5.9%), while the number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement decreased by 571 000 (4.5%) between the two quarters.

This resulted in a net decrease of 386 000 in the not economically active population.

“These changes resulted in the official unemployment rate increasing by 1.8 percentage points from 32.6% in the first quarter of 2021 to 34.4% in the second quarter of 2021 – the highest since the start of the QLFS in 2008.

“The unemployment rate according to the expanded definition of unemployment increased by 1.2 percentage points to 44.4% in quarter 2, 2021, compared to quarter 1, 2021. The results indicate that the South African labour market is more favourable to men than it is to women,” Maluleke said.

The survey found that men are more likely to be in paid employment than women, regardless of race.

The report found that the proportion of men in employment is higher than that of women; more men than women are participating in the labour market as the labour force participation rate of men is higher than that of women; and the unemployment rate among men is lower than among women.

“The rate of unemployment among women was 36.8% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to 32.4% among men according to the official definition of unemployment.”

During this period, the unemployment rate among Black African women was 41.0%, compared 8.2% among White women, 22.4% among Indian/Asian women and 29.9% among Coloured women.

Formal sector employment in the three months decreased by 375 000 while the other sectors experienced increases in employment in quarter 2, 2021.

The survey found that informal sector employment during this period increased by 184 000 (7.4%); private households by 67 000 (6.0%), and employment in agriculture increased by 69 000 (8.7%).

In the period under review, the survey found that some industries created jobs while others shed employed between the two quarters.

This resulted in a net decline of 54 000 in total employment.

Employment mainly increased in Construction (up by 143 000) and other industries that had job gains include Trade (108 000), Agriculture (69 000), Private households (67 000) and Transport (66 000). Job losses were observed in Finance (278 000), Community and Social Services (166 000) and Manufacturing (83 000). –

Source: South African Government News Agency

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SA, Bangladesh commit to strengthen economic ties

While trade and economic relations between South Africa and Bangladesh have grown significantly, both countries have acknowledged that there is still considerable potential to expand these relations.

The two nations believe that this can be done by harnessing the opportunities that exist between them.

This was discussed during the working meeting between International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor and Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Kalam Abdul Momen on Tuesday.

The Ministers agreed to forge closer cooperation in the fields of small business development, technical exchanges in information and communications technology and skills development and women’s economic empowerment.

This is in addition to the already identified priority areas, including trade and investment, agriculture, transport and education, according to a joint statement issued following the meeting.

“The meeting took note that Bangladesh is celebrating its Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Independence as well as the Centenary Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”

The two Ministers reflected on Bangladesh’s achievements since independence and paid tribute to the life of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his dynamic and visionary leadership, commitment and sacrifice that enabled his people to enjoy freedom and democracy.

The leaders also paid tribute to former President Nelson Mandela for his visionary leadership and recalled his visit to the South Asian country in 1997 to participate in the Silver Jubilee Anniversary of Independence.

“The focus of the meeting centred on strengthening the excellent relations that exist between Bangladesh and South Africa which have been forged through bonds of solidarity, friendship and cooperation.”

To strengthen both political and economic relations, both parties agreed to continue deliberations, through the exchange of official visits, including high-level visits, as well as facilitating engagements and cooperation across all levels.

The parties once again spoke about the developments within the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), with Bangladesh set to assume the Chairship in November 2021.

“The Ministers underscored the need for consultation and the exchange of views between South Africa and Bangladesh to build partnerships in multilateral fora and to ensure the prioritisation of the development agenda of the Global South.”

In addition, the Ministers further exchanged views on regional and international developments and reflected on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the global response to the pandemic.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Basic education releases May/June matric results

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Tuesday released the May/June Second Chance matric examination results.

The May/June examinations are special exams offering an opportunity for adults who do not have their matric certificate, candidates who passed the 2020 November examinations but who want to improve upon their results and those who did not pass their final matric examinations in the previous year, to obtain their matric certificate.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DBE said a total 239 024 candidates enrolled to write the exams. This included both the National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Senior Certificate examinations (SC). A total 95 525 candidates wrote the NSC exams while 143 499 wrote the SC examinations.

“The 2021 May/June examination was written by a diverse cohort of candidates, comprising employed adults, unemployed youth and school learners that wrote the previous Grade 12 examination in November 202. The 2021 May/June examinations were successfully administered despite the enormous challenges related to the COVID-19. Both candidates with COVID-19 symptoms and those that tested positive were allowed to write the examination in special isolation venues,” the department said.

The results of the candidates cannot be reported in overall passes as candidates only sit for one or more subjects.

The department said examinations were administered under strict monitoring by the national and provincial education departments, Umalusi and the Council for Quality Assurance.

Examinations not affected by unrest, irregularities

The department reported that the prevalence of examination irregularities like cheating has declined over the years and any irregularities did not compromise the examinations which commenced on 26 May.

“[The] Council for Quality Assurance, after having scrutinised the reports from both the DBE and Umalusi monitors, declared the 2021 May/June examinations as being conducted in accordance with the standards prescribed in the Examination regulations. [It] also confirmed that there were no irregularities that were of such a nature so as to compromise the examinations as a whole,” the DBE said.

The marking of examination scripts was not affected by the civil unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in July.

“The marking of the 772 404 scripts, undertaken by 9323 markers, across 54 marking centres in the country was completed during the school vacation in July 2021. Despite the protests and the rise in infections during this period, in certain provinces, the marking was completed according to plan, observing the high standards commensurate with these examinations.”

Candidates who wrote the examinations can access their results at district education offices, centres where examinations were written or on the department’s website on www.education.gov.za.

Applications for requests to re-check or re-mark of examination scripts can be done at centres where candidates wrote their examinations.

The department has encouraged those who would like to sit for May/June examinations to register and participate in the Second Chance Matric programme.

“The Second Chance Matric programme offers face to face support programmes, learning support materials and online support,” the department said.

The exams concluded on 7 July.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Closing time for candidate nomination extended to 9pm

The Electoral Commission has extended the closing time for the submission of candidate nomination lists to 9pm.

The initial deadline was set for 5pm today.

“Political parties and independent candidates intending to contest the Local Government Elections scheduled for 27 October 2021 have until 9pm today to submit their nominations and prescribed election deposits.

“In terms of the election timetable, the cut-off date is Monday, 23 August 2021,” the Electoral Commission said in a statement.

Prescribed election deposits, which are also due today, are as follows:

(a) R3 500 in respect of an election in a metropolitan municipality;

(b) R2 000 in respect of an election in a local municipality with wards;

(c) R1 000 in respect of an election in a district municipality; and

(d) R1 000 in respect of an election in a single ward for independent candidates and political parties not contesting for PR election in that municipality.

“Failure to make payment for election deposits on 23 August 2021 will result in automatic disqualification of the party or independent candidate affected. Failure to pay deposits on due date is incapable of being remedied through a non-compliance procedure,” the Electoral Commission said.

The Commission will refund to a party any deposit paid if the party is allocated at least a seat in the municipal council it is contesting.

Similarly, an independent candidate who receives at least 10% of the total number of votes cast in the ward election will have the deposit refunded.

“Only registered political parties may contest elections of municipal councils by way of party lists. Currently, there are 480 registered parties, of which 298 are registered on a national level, which entitles the affected parties to contest any municipal council in the country. The balance of 182 parties are registered at a district or metropolitan level.

“This level of registration allows the affected parties to contest any local council within the district, whilst the metropolitan level allows for contestation within the relevant metropolitan municipality of registration,” the Commission said.

To date, 97 political parties and 353 independent candidates have either captured their nominations or have submitted nominations.

Parties and independent candidates may submit their documents online at http://www.elections.org.za or visit a designated local office of the Commission.

The list of the designated offices is available on the website.

“The Electoral Commission will have until Friday, 27 August, to notify political parties and independent candidates of any non-compliance in respect of outstanding documents.

“Thereafter, the Electoral Commission will have until 31 August to notify parties of any candidates appearing on multiple party lists. The affected parties will have until 5pm on 2 September to decide whether to remove such candidate and order their lists,” the IEC said.

The final list of candidates will be certified and published on 7 September 2021.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Montjane, Du Toit to fly SA flag high at Paralympics

Wheelchair tennis star Kgothatso Montjane and world record holding track athlete Charl du Toit have been announced as flag bearers for Team South Africa at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics opening ceremony is expected to be held from Tuesday with the closing ceremony on Sunday, September 5.

Montjane is fresh off a first ever appearance for a black South African woman at a Wimbledon singles final and doubles final.

Du Toit is the current T37 100m and 400m Paralympic champion having won both at the Rio Paralympics in 2016.

He also holds the world record in the 100m.

Team South Africa will be represented by a 34 member strong Paralympic team competing in at least seven sporting codes at the games.

Last week, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa wished the team well.

“South Africa’s Paralympics team has made us proud in their previous performances and we are confident even this time around that they will continue to fly our flag high. As a proud supporter of Team South Africa, we are looking forward to seeing our sports men and women not only go for glory but to inspire our future generations of Paralympians,” Mthethwa said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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N Cape hit by rising COVID-19 infections in schools

The Northern Cape Department of Education is experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in schools, as the province continues to be hit by rising cases.

According to a statement released on Sunday, the department recorded 526 new COVID-19 infections, which includes 54 educators, 439 learners and 33 support staff.

“There was a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections in schools compared to the previous three weeks,” the provincial department said.

In addition, there are currently eight schools that are closed to allow for contact tracing and disinfection of the school premises.

The department said five of these schools are scheduled to reopen on Monday.

“The pandemic is causing major disruptions in the education sector and the department is deeply concerned about the loss of learning and teaching time.”

The department said the district offices have since developed curriculum recovery plans for those schools directly affected by the pandemic.

The department is also running weekend lock-in and Saturday classes to support the Matric Class of 2021.

“This places an increased strain on our educators, learners, and support staff at schools to ensure that the trimmed curriculum is fully covered and learners are well prepared for the end of year examinations.”

The department said it was doing its utmost best to support all educators and learners during these difficult times.

“We are all in this together, working under tremendous pressure and we will succeed if we continue to work together. Our school communities play a pivotal role to support the schools in their respective communities and we urge all to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations at all times. Let us support the Class of 2021,” the department added.

The province recorded 488 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, which pushes the cumulative infections to 76 726.

Source: South African Government News Agency