University of Johannesburg sociologist, Professor Trevor Ngwane, has criticised the government for failing to address rising unemployment, accusing it of prioritising profit over job creation. Ngwane was commenting on the latest unemployment figures released by Statistics South Africa, which show a slight increase in the official unemployment rate for the first quarter of 2025. According to the data, nearly 300 000 jobs were lost between January and March this year, compared to the fourth quarter of 2024. Youth unemployment remains a key concern, with the rate sitting at 40.4%, well above the national average. Ngwane says, “The unemployment rate is because the Government of National Liberation of the ANC failed to prioritise job creation to roll back the inequalities of the past. Instead, they chose to collude with White Monopoly Capital who wanted to continue benefiting from the economy. As a result, job creation took a back step and making profit for the rich became the priority.”