The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape is pleased to acknowledge the recent rise in employment rate as reported by Statistics South Africa Quarterly Labour Force Survey in the province.These figures provide a reliable basis for evaluating the effectiveness and influence of the ANC’s economic policies thus far.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Quarter 2:2025 reports that Eastern Cape recorded an increase of 89000 in the number of employed persons . The employment increases were mainly in the Trade and construction sectors.
This demonstrates the importance of public sector expenditure and employment programmes in infrastructure projects in stabilising the economy alongside private sector investment in manufacturing.
We commend the ANC led provincial government for its efforts in turning the province into a constructive site and implore it to support the gateway sectors such as oceans economy, tourism, agriculture etc.
Whilst acknowledging this positive development, we are deeply worried about the devastating impact the US 30% tariff hike on South African exports to the United States (US), it may have on the provincial economy . Sectors most at risk include the automotive and other manufacturing industries including agriculture and the devastation this will wreck upon farmworkers in the citrus industry. Depressingly the tariff hike comes in the wake of 900 jobs on the line at Good Year SA in Kariega and more with Mercedes Benz “temporarily” shutting down its vehicle production.
We are being punished for our commitment to the democratic socio-economic transformation agenda of our country to reverse the legacy of colonial and apartheid dispossession, discrimination and marginalization which we will never abandon. And for advancing international peace and security through inclusive dialogue and the peaceful political settlement of disputes, in the African continent and beyond in particular our principled stance in solidarity with the people of Palestine. We are of the view that the attitude of the Trump administration with its aggressive posture towards our country is a manifestation of the consolidation of geopolitical right-wing politics which our democratic state must not submit to.
Whilst we welcome the measures announced by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to protect jobs, preseve market access in the United States, and promoting export diversification to alternate markets in Africa, the EU [European Union], Asia, Latin America, and other strategic partners, we further call for the speed up of industrialization by supporting enterprises to save and create jobs in the core industries of manufacturing , agro- processing, mining and beneficiation and tourism to mitigate measures against the tariffs.
We also call for value addition of our natural resources, Africa free trade exploring to unlock new growth opportunities for local businesses and strengthen regional integration,
diversification of markerts and tap into BRICS to help offset the full impact of US tariffs.
ENDS…
ISSUED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS – EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Enquiries :
Cde Gift Ngqondi
Provincial Head of Communications
ANC Eastern Cape
Mobile No-0849519924/0848439706
