Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has named unemployment as one of the most pressing challenges confronting the province.
The Premier was speaking during an engagement led by President Cyril Ramaphosa between the National Executive and the provincial government on Friday.
Statistics South Africa’s Q4:2025 Quarterly Labour Force Survey released last month placed the province’s official unemployment rate at some 37.2% - second only to the Eastern Cape with a rate of 42.5%.
“Unemployment remains the most immediate and pressing crisis confronting our province. Over one million of our people remain without work, with young people bearing the greatest burden.
“The reality of youth exclusion from economic participation is not only unsustainable; it is a direct threat to social stability and long-term development. We therefore approach this moment with clarity and resolve,” Letsoha-Mathae said.
The Premier outlined the work the provincial government is taking to propel and reposition the economy “towards sectors that can unlock inclusive growth and sustainable employment.”
These include:
• Artificial Intelligence and robotics.
• Renewable energy and green hydrogen.
• Natural gas development.
• Agro-processing and food production.
• The digital economy and e-commerce.
• Entrepreneurship and support for small enterprises.
“Our focus is on building a competitive, future-oriented provincial economy that delivers real opportunities for our people.
“At the same time, we recognise that economic reform must be accompanied by decisive action to address persistent social challenges, including crime, substance abuse, and inequality. These issues require an integrated, whole-of-government response that is both coordinated and results-driven,” she said.
Cooperative governance in action
The Premier described the engagement as an opportunity to deepen collaboration between national and provincial government in confronting challenges.
“This oversight visit is not merely ceremonial, but a critical expression of cooperative governance and a platform for decisive alignment between national and provincial priorities in advancing service delivery and improving the lived realities of our people.
“[The] previous engagement with our province reaffirmed the urgency with which we must confront the social challenges facing our communities. We remain resolute in intensifying our efforts, particularly in the fight against gender-based violence and in building safer, more cohesive communities,” she said.
Letsoha-Mathae committed to presenting a “candid reflection” of the province’s fortunes.
“We utilise this engagement as a platform for accountability and progress. We will present a candid reflection of where we are succeeding, where we are falling short, and where focused national support is required to accelerate implementation.
“We are committed to strengthening governance, improving financial management, and restoring public confidence in the capacity of the state to deliver.
“We look forward to a constructive and solution-oriented engagement with you and your Cabinet, as we work collectively to drive implementation, unblock challenges, and ensure that our people experience meaningful change,” the Premier concluded.
The President is leading the engagement with the provincial government today at the University of Free State Centenary Complex in Bloemfontein, under the theme: “A Nation that Works for All”.
READ | Free State to outline challenges, solutions, in engagement with President Ramaphosa
“The visit is aligned with President Ramaphosa’s commitment to encourage closer collaboration with Provinces and Local spheres of government to tackle service delivery challenges.
“This initiative accords with Section 154 of the Constitution, which mandates national and provincial governments to support and strengthen capacity of municipalities in governance,” the Presidency said in a statement, ahead of Friday’s engagement. – SAnews.gov.za
