South Africans have flooded social media with reactions to the double whammy of unemployment stats and record fuel prices this week.
Stats SA reported the unemployment rate declined from a record high of 35.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021 to 34.5% in the first quarter of 2022.
This comes after the manufacturing and mining industries added jobs and government employed more people through its public works programme.
It is the first drop since the second quarter of 2020, when job seekers were hindered by the strictest lockdowns to slow the spread of Covid-19.
According to the latest data, an estimated 370,000 jobs were gained between the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022.
The biggest job gains were recorded in community and social services, manufacturing and trade, while there were job losses in private households, finance, construction and agriculture.
What about fuel?
The department of mineral resources & energy announced a petrol price increase of between R2.33 and R2.43/l, while diesel and illuminating paraffin by R1.10/l and R1.56/l, respectively.
The increases see the petrol price at R24.17/l for 95 unleaded and R23.94 for 93 unleaded. The wholesale price of diesel also reached record highs, with high-sulphur 0.05% diesel priced inland at R23.09/l and low-sulphur 0.005% at R23.23/l.
In a joint statement, the departments of finance and mineral resources and energy said they would extend the R1.50 fuel levy holiday, which was due to expire on Tuesday, for another two months.
“The temporary reduction in the general fuel levy will smoothen the impact of persistently higher fuel prices on consumers and businesses as the economy will need to adjust to this new reality,” read the statement.
On social media, many expressed their grievances about the increase in fuel prices and how this impacts on unemployment and poverty.
Here is snapshot of what they had to say:
We are no doubt in the middle of a cost of living crisis. Poverty and unemployment at shocking levels. And it’s palpable. Abantu abanamali, abanamisebenzi & things are only getting tougher. I’m fully behind #SlashFuelPrices.
— Siviwe Gwarube (@Siviwe_G) May 31, 2022
There is literally is no more fat to trim ebantwini.
SA food, electricity, fuel etc prices increased massively. 💔
— MAVINOTHABO (@mavinothabo_884) June 1, 2022
The Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal have unemployment rates of more than 50%. Despite the crisis levels of joblessness, the sitting government has no believable solution. Our solution is decisive land redistribution and massive protected industrial expansion! https://t.co/xai6mC6Fke
— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) May 31, 2022
Oil touched $120 yesterday (petrol ain't going down anytime soon), #Unemployment remains elevated, food prices are bound to remain high, corruption is not ending = stagflation.
— Malambule (@Ckabopha) May 31, 2022
We have entered a dangerous dynamic of economic growth in SA. Something has to give...a ticking time💣
Depite the increase in Petrol Price. South Africa has the highest rate of unemployment in the world and it is the most unequal society in the world.
— Melissa Nelly (@MelissaNe10) May 31, 2022
Loadshedding, high crime rate, high unemployment rate, corruption, high food and fuel prices. We are literally living in HELL.
— Siviwe (@capoot7) May 31, 2022
The ANC celebrating a 0.8% drop in the unemployment rate 🤣 That's completely insignificant when the rate is still at 34.5% They must either be stupid or think we are stupid, on top of that fuel will likely go up with R3 a litre later today causing unemployment to up next quarter
— xyxy (@xyxy777a) May 31, 2022
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.