‘NO FOREIGNERS WILL BE HIRED WHILE SOUTH AFRICANS REMAIN UNEMPLOYED,’ Sports minister Gayton McKenzie

South African Sports,Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie came out very strong warning entities under his watch, to be considerate of the latest unemployment stats reflecting 32.9 % released by Statistician Resinga Maluleke, not to be found hiring foreign nationals in positions South Afrians can fill.

PA leader Gayton McKenzie well knowned stance on illigal foreign nationals (Mabahambe) “So, if you are (hiring) foreigners, I mean the entities, whether it’s a PA, handyman, or a driver, I expect the CEOs, the board chairpersons, and the whole board to take action within two weeks after receiving my letter tomorrow. You take action…”

According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) Q1: 2025 results, there was a decrease of 291 000 in the number of employed persons to 16,8 million from 17,1 million in Q4 of 2024, while there was an increase of 237 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8,2 million.

This resulted in a decrease of 54 000 (down by 0,2%) in the labour force during the same period.

“South Africa has the highest unemployment rate. Children, adults are committing suicide because they can’t get jobs,” McKenzie said on Monday, speaking at the signing of stakeholder compacts with the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) public entities in Cape Town.

He said because none of you sitting here would have had a job today if people were having the same backwards thinking that some of you are displaying when it comes to local labour.”

“Nobody in this room, I take you seriously, has a special skill. Not one of us in this room has a special skill that you can’t find in this country. Not one person in this room,” he said.

“Now imagine if somebody has given your job to a foreigner.”

He reiterated that only foreign nationals with scarce skills would be considered for employment in the department.