South Africa: Thousands march for jobs

Thousands of South Africans flocked the streets of Johannesburg on Wednesday protesting against the significant rise in unemployment in the country.

Led by the main opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA), the protesters blamed the country’s current woes on African National Congress (ANC) leader, Jacob Zuma.

The DA is marching for jobs – @MmusiMaimane #DAforJobs

https://t.co/98LUiJdRSd pic.twitter.com/f7F3dTR1Qu

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) January 27, 2016

According to DA party leader Mmusi Maimane, widespread government corruption is the main reason for the rise in unemployment.

‘‘We are here today because we believe that the hope for our nation, that the only way out of poverty, is always through a job,’‘ Maimane said.

‘‘Creating jobs must be our next national cause, because our entire country’s future is at risk. We cannot build a prosperous future for South Africa when 8.4 million South Africans are excluded and have no hope, no sense of belonging,’‘ added the DA party leader.

Maimane stressed that over one million South Africans are jobless under Zuma’s regime.

The opposition party placed a billboard in the city center in the beginning of the month detailing the number of South Africans without jobs since Zuma came into power.

‘‘On 7 January, that ticker stood at 1.84 million people. In the past 20 days, more than 15, 000 South Africans have been added to this number. More than 770 every day,’‘ Maimane said.

The DA has promised to create jobs for millions of South Africans if elected in government.

Data from the trading economics shows unemployment in the developed nation has risen significantly.

In the third quarter of 2015, unemployment rose by 50 basis points to 25.5 per cent compared to a similar period the previous year.