eThekwini's unemployment rate drops but youth remain skeptical

The eThekwini Municipality has announced a significant drop in its official unemployment rate, from 27.8% to 22.2%, between the third quarter of 2025 and the third quarter of 2026. This represents a decline of 5.6 percentage points, with the number of unemployed residents decreasing by 101,000. However, young residents are questioning whether this reported improvement is translating into meaningful opportunities for those struggling to enter the job market.

For 23-year-old Thembalethu Ngcobo from Mayville, who has been unemployed since 2024, the statistics offer little reason to celebrate. Ngcobo's greatest wish is to secure employment so she can provide for her five-year-old child, who currently lives with her mother. Her plea reflects the desperation facing many young people who are not simply looking for financial independence but are struggling to provide for their families and secure a better future.

The frustration among unemployed residents was also evident in July, when Overport was brought to a standstill for two consecutive days as hundreds of unemployed job seekers and members of the labour rights group Labour Laws Enforcement staged protests and compliance operations. The demonstrations sparked widespread debate about unemployment, labour law enforcement, and the limits of citizen-led action, highlighting the growing tensions surrounding access to employment and opportunities in the city.

Yamkela Mkhumla, a 32-year-old e-commerce business owner from Durban Central, believes the decline in unemployment is encouraging but warns that far more needs to be done to prepare young people for the changing employment landscape. Mkhumla emphasizes that young people need to be equipped with relevant skills that will allow them to compete and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Mthembeni Zulu, a 25-year-old from Bonela, says the statistics do not reflect his lived experience, particularly when considering the number of qualified young people still struggling to find work. Although fortunate to be employed, Zulu notes that many of his peers, including university graduates, remain unemployed despite repeatedly applying for positions.

According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the third quarter of 2026, released by Statistics South Africa on November 10, eThekwini was the only metropolitan municipality in the country to record a decline in its unemployment rate over the year under review. The city also recorded an 18.2% increase in formal sector employment, representing an additional 146,000 jobs.

City manager and accounting officer, Musa Mbhele, welcomed the improvement but acknowledged that sustained economic growth required continued attention to structural challenges. Mbhele emphasized that the municipality's responsibility is to create an environment conducive to investment and enterprise development through reliable infrastructure, efficient regulatory processes, and safe, clean public amenities.

Key points

• eThekwini's unemployment rate fell from 27.8% to 22.2% between Q3 2025 and Q3 2026.
• Young residents question if the improvement translates to meaningful job opportunities.
• The city recorded an 18.2% increase in formal sector employment, representing an additional 146,000 jobs.