8.6 million reasons for government to act now
The call is for meaningful action, not another round of promises, as South Africa's unemployment figures continue to climb.
More than eight million South Africans are now without work, prompting the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) to urge a rethink of how jobs are created.
According to MISA’s media and communication department manager, Sonja Carstens, MISA believes the latest Statistics South Africa figures highlight the need for government to reconsider its approach to job creation to prevent unemployment from rising further.
Martlé Keyter, MISA’s CEO of operations, added that compared with a year ago, 571 000 more South Africans are unemployed, while 215 000 jobs have been lost. The number of discouraged work-seekers, referring to people who have given up looking for employment, has also increased to 3.7 million.
Motor industry trades take a knock
Employment in craft and related trade occupations, which includes motor mechanics, auto electricians and panel beaters, among other skilled trades, declined by 68 000 between the third quarter of 2025 and the third quarter of 2026.
Keyter says MISA warned in August that unemployment had reached unacceptably high levels at 33.6%. However, three months later, the situation has shown no improvement.
MISA has repeatedly called on the government to introduce incentives that reward businesses for creating permanent employment rather than short-term placements that leave workers vulnerable.
Warnings of unrest and desperation
“Every quarter we are told that recovery is around the corner, and every quarter more families are left without an income. This cannot continue. Government must take drastic measures to create jobs, including real incentives for businesses that offer permanent employment,” says Keyter.
She warns that when millions of people are excluded from the economy, desperation grows, potentially leading to unrest and xenophobic violence.
“Decent work is the foundation of a stable society,” she adds.
MISA is calling on government, business and labour to treat job creation as a national emergency and says it remains committed to advocating for workers in the motor industry and beyond.
