Mamelodi News | Tshwane
Tshwane Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya’s announcement that the city recorded an increase of approximately 22,000 employed people in the second quarter of 2026 has sparked a debate among residents, with some asking where exactly those jobs were created and who benefited.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, Moya cited the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released by Statistics South Africa.
According to the figures cited by the mayor, the number of employed people in Tshwane increased from approximately 1.229 million in the first quarter to 1.251 million in the second quarter of 2026, representing an increase of about 22,000 employed people.
The mayor also highlighted a decline in Tshwane’s official unemployment rate, which reportedly fell by 2.6 percentage points, from 36.8% to 34.2%.
The figures come against the backdrop of a difficult national employment picture. Stats SA reported that South Africa's overall official unemployment rate increased to 33.6% in the second quarter, meaning Tshwane's reported decline stands out against the national trend.
However, the announcement has not stopped residents from asking difficult questions.
“Where are these jobs?” and “Who benefited from the 22,000 jobs?” are among the questions being raised, particularly by residents who continue to struggle to find employment.
It is important to note that the QLFS measures employment in the labour market; an increase in the number of employed people does not automatically mean that the City of Tshwane itself created 22,000 jobs.
The QLFS is a Statistics South Africa survey covering labour-market activity, including employment and unemployment. The second-quarter 2026 release was scheduled for 11 August 2026.
The latest figures are therefore likely to fuel further discussion about Tshwane's economy, job creation and whether the reported employment growth is being felt by ordinary residents across the city's townships and communities.
THE BIG QUESTION:
If Tshwane added 22,000 employed people in just three months, where were these jobs created, and did they reach the communities that need them most?
What do you think? Have you or someone you know found a job recently in Tshwane?
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