Fewer have work since Zuma-promise - DA

Johannesburg - Unemployment has increased since President Jacob Zuma made his promise in 2011 to create five million jobs, the DA said in response to the latest unemployment figures released by StatsSA.

"There are more unemployed South Africans today than there has ever been in the history of this labour force survey, which started in 2008," DA MP Tim Harris said in a statement.

"What is needed now is credible and strong leadership, policy certainty and a commitment by government to the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) proposals to reform the economy."

The number of unemployed increased to 4.7 million in the second quarter of 2013, the highest level yet, Statistics SA (StatsSA) said on Tuesday.

Compared to the same period last year the national unemployment rate increased from 24.9% to 25.6%.

Provinces that experienced the highest increase in unemployment were KwaZulu-Natal with 2.9% and the Eastern Cape with 2.2%.

The number of unemployed women increased by 118 000 and the number of men increased by 4 000.

The labour force increased by 222 000 people between the first and second quarter.

Employment increased in five industries and decreased in five.

Employment gains were concentrated in construction, finance and other business services and trade industries.

Community and social services, agriculture and manufacturing industries had the largest decreases in employment.