TimesLIVE reports that according to Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Minister Dean Macpherson, SA is “becoming a construction site” with the industry continuing to create thousands of jobs despite the rising unemployment rate.

“The construction sector added 20,000 jobs in the second quarter and 55,000 jobs year-on-year – a 4.6% increase. This is proof that we are turbocharging the construction sector that drives jobs and growth in South Africa,” Macpherson indicated. He made the remarks on an X post after the release of Stats SA's Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the second quarter of 2025, which showed mixed results across industries. According to Stats SA, the number of people employed in the formal sector increased by 34,000 in Q2, while the informal sector employment decreased by 19,000 over the same period.

The largest industry increases in employment were recorded in trade (88,000), private households (28,000) and construction (20,000). But, the report also showed unemployment increased despite job gains in several industries. The official unemployment rate rose from 31.9% to 33.3% in Q2. Stats SA noted that six of 10 industries shed jobs in the second quarter, underscoring the fragility of SA’s labour market.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Modiegi Mashamaite at TimesLIVE

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