Unemployment described as a ticking time bomb for South Africa
The rising rate of unemployment in South Africa, particularly among the young, has been referred to as a ticking time bomb that "will affect each and every citizen of this country, black and white, rich and poor," by the Congress of the People (Cope). Unemployment in South Africa hit a 13-year high in Q3 2016, rising to 27%. Cope called on the government to act, warning that failing to address the issue properly and promptly could lead to a revolt against government.
SA's unemployment rate a ticking time bomb: Cope

South Africa’s rising unemployment rate is a ticking time bomb that will affect every citizen‚ black and white‚ rich and poor‚ warns the Congress of the People (Cope). The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2016 increased to 27.1% from the second quarter‚ according to StatsSA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey released on Tuesday.Cope described the news as “disturbing”‚ against a backdrop of children having to go to bed hungry because their parents could not find jobs.“Is this government aware of how serious the situation is‚” asked the party.“We warn that failure to address the problem properly and urgently‚ it will push the poverty-stricken communities and the unemployed into causing an unstoppable revolt against government.”The party said government needed to think hard about the recently released minimum wage proposal of R3500. “A broader discussion forum must be given ample time to debate about this proposal and come forth with an amount agreed upon by everybody‚” said party spokesman Dennis Bloem.“We want to reiterate that unemployment is a ticking time-bomb among young people. We further warn that the situation is tense and government must act with speed and commitment before the situation worsens.“The whole country must know and understand that when this time-bomb explodes‚ it will affect each and every citizen of this country‚ black and white‚ rich or poor.”South Africa was a wealthy country‚ said Bloem‚ mired in a political and economic crisis. ..