Poverty Unemployment & Empowering Youth

Coal fired power stations produce 85% of South Africa’s electricity, making the country the biggest producer of harmful greenhouse-gas emissions in Africa. To move away from coal and meet its commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, South Africa needs to dramatically increase production of renewable energy. New research by economics associate professor Andrew Phiri looked at the relationship between renewable and non-renewable energy consumption and GDP growth in South Africa to find out which energy source is most compatible with economic development.

South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Programme is part of its social safety net. It complements the country’s social grants system, which has over 28 million recipients. The public works programme helps fill a gap for people who fall outside the grant system, especially those who need work experience and skills training if they’re to get a job. These include unemployed young people, women and people with disabilities.

Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) has released the employment statistics for the first quarter of 2024. Those in employment increased by 22,000, but jobs losses increased to 330,000 - bringing the overall unemployment percentage to 32.9%.

The debt situation in many African countries has escalated again to a critical juncture. Twenty are in, or at risk of, debt distress. Professor Carlos Lopes identified three pivotal elements significantly contributing to this.