Cape Town – Parliament has intensified pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to address youth unemployment, economic growth, and crime, with calls to declare youth unemployment a national emergency.
During post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) debates at the Nieuwmeester Dome in Cape Town, opposition parties criticized Ramaphosa for failing to tackle these crises.
EFF Chief Whip Nontando Nolutshungu accused him of continuing the “wasted years” of former president Jacob Zuma, pointing to youth unemployment over 50%, stagnant economic growth below 3%, and collapsing municipalities.
“Eight years later, youth unemployment is over 50%. More than 8.2 million South Africans remain unemployed. Where are the two million jobs you promised in the SONA of 2019. Under your presidency, the economy has not achieved sustained growth above 3 percent in any single year,” Nolutshungu said.
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EFF National Chairperson and Chief Whip, Commissar @NolutshunguN, delivering the 2026 SONA Debate
—Eight years later, youth unemployment is over 50%. More than 8.2 million South Africans remain unemployed. Where are the two million jobs you promised in the SONA… pic.twitter.com/eGI1MisgAU
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 18, 2026
The debate coincided with the release of Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), which revealed that youth unemployment continues to far exceed the national average of 31.4%.
ANC MP Fasiha Hassan urged President Ramaphosa to take immediate and decisive action.
“But President Ramaphosa, I must now speak plainly as a young member of Parliament here. So, here is the demand from us as young people, treat youth unemployment like a national emergency. Not with speeches, but with State power,” Hassan said.
African National Congress (ANC) MP Fasiha Hassan has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to pay attention to the seriousness of youth unemployment. https://t.co/0QolgtFvVp pic.twitter.com/e98gHkZDNP
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 19, 2026
Concerns about crime and gang violence were also raised, with Inkatha Freedom Party’s Les Govender highlighting recent killings and urging swift reform in the criminal justice system.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde emphasized lessons from the 2019 military deployment and called for filling SAPS vacancies, particularly for detectives and anti-gang units.
Ramaphosa is scheduled to respond to these criticisms in Parliament on Thursday.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
