The decrease in the Western Cape\u2019s unemployment rate over the past three years may be a move in the right direction, but the figure was still much too high, Premier Helen Zille said on Friday.<\/p>\n
During her State of the Province Address, Zille said the quarterly labour force survey by StatsSA found joblessness was at 20.6% in September 2015, compared to the 24.8% in 2012.<\/p>\n
Since the DA took office in 2009, there had been an increase of over 200,000 more jobs in the province, she said.<\/p>\n
“We have managed to recover from, and grow jobs, since the global recession.”<\/p>\n
This, Zille continued, was “truly remarkable”, given the province\u2019s rate of population growth.<\/p>\n
“At a time of mass unemployment nationwide\u2026 our focus must be [on the economy]. A capable state delivers the services and creates the confidence is a precondition for investment, which is a precondition for economic growth, which is a precondition for job creation,” she said.<\/p>\n
Business confidence in the Western Cape\u2019s economy was an important indicator of whether the climate was right for investment and job creation, she said.<\/p>\n
“In our province, we have seen an upward trend in confidence, despite declining levels nationally.<\/p>\n
“Business confidence in the Western Cape is currently at 57 index points, 13 points above the national figure.”<\/p>\n
A rise in infrastructure and real estate investment showed that investors were “confident and committed” in the long term and were prepared to commit their capital to create jobs, Zille said.<\/p>\n
Zille leaked \u2018confidential\u2019 budget information: Treasury<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Zille took donations from Guptas: ANC mayor<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n