Today, 1 May 2025, we commemorate Workers’ Day in Nelson Mandela Bay. But this is not a day of celebration. It is a day of reflection, because for thousands across the Eastern Cape, there is little to celebrate.
We cannot celebrate while the Eastern Cape faces an unemployment rate of 36.6%, and an expanded unemployment rate of 47.6%. This means nearly half of the province’s working-age population is without work or has given up all hope of finding employment.
We cannot celebrate while the Eastern Cape economy remains in crisis. According to the latest Economic Review and Outlook by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, the province recorded a dismal GDP growth of just 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2024 – the lowest in the country.
We cannot celebrate while 43.2% of South Africa’s youth are unemployed – excluded from opportunity, from development, and from dignity. Youth unemployment remains a crisis, and it is hitting the Eastern Cape and Nelson Mandela Bay especially hard.
Today, I was joined by DA Deputy Federal Chairperson, Solly Malatsi MP, NMB Southwest Constituency Leader, Retief Odendaal MPL, DA EC Provincial Spokesperson, Cllr Georgina Faldtman, DA NMB Caucus Leader, Cllr Rano Kayser, and local DA councillors to spread a message of hope on Workers ‘ Day.
A major barrier for our youth is internet access. Today, we launched a free WiFi hotspot at the NMB Ward 5 Office in Central. This builds on the free WiFi hotspot launched previously by NMB Ward 10 councillor Lenny Moodley at his office. We plan to expand this service to other ward offices in the metro.
This is not a luxury – it is a necessity. It will give job seekers, students, and the public access to online platforms, resources, and opportunities.
We also hosted a Careers Opportunity Centre at the Walmer Multipurpose Centre aimed to equip learners and job seekers with basic tools: CV creation, internet access, and connections to local businesses.
[see pictures here, here and here]
The Opportunity Centre event in Walmer builds on our Opportunity Fridays initiative, launched in June 2023 at DA ward offices in Nelson Mandela Bay’s Northern Areas. This initiative transforms ward offices into opportunity centres, providing job seekers and youth with internet access, CV support, job application assistance, and resources to explore further education opportunities.
Yet, we must go further. Across the Eastern Cape, there is a serious shortage of skills development centres for our youth. So, the DA also conducted an oversight inspection at the abandoned and vandalised Gelvandale Post Office. There, we met with community members who envision transforming this site – a stark symbol of ANC governance failure – into a hub of hope.
These residents propose a skills development centre at the post office site – where young people can gain the training they need to become job-ready. We will take this proposal to the Eastern Cape Legislature and National Parliament and fight to make it a reality for the youth of Nelson Mandela Bay.
Youth unemployment is a national emergency. The DA is ready to implement bold, urgent reforms to grow the economy, create jobs, and secure futures for young people across our country.
The fight for economic justice in the Eastern Cape continues. We are committed to driving economic growth, creating jobs, and building a province where every citizen can live a meaningful life of dignity – not just on Workers’ Day, but every day.