Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
What was said
Mayor Dada Morero (ANC) gave his State of the City Address. In it, he spoke about Stats SA's labour survey for the first quarter of 2026. He said it showed Johannesburg gained 23,000 jobs in net terms (jobs gained minus jobs lost). He said it also showed that Johannesburg's unemployment rate rose from 33.8% to 34.7%.
City of Johannesburg. Published 20 May 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 5, section 'NOW LET US TALK ABOUT THE FOUNDATION OF JOB CREATION', paragraphs 2-3: 'we recorded net employment growth of 23 000 people'; 'The unemployment rate in the City increased by 0.9 percentage points, from 33.8% to 34.7%' (what was claimed)
City of Johannesburg. Published 20 May 2026.
Where to look: Article body, sentences 2-4 (the 23 000 figure and the 33.8% to 34.7% rise as reported by the City; shows the date and venue)
Why it is Misleading
Stats SA's figures match what he said. But a survey asks only some people, so its numbers can be off. Stats SA's own test says the 23,000 rise is too small to be sure it is real. The same is true of the rise in unemployment from 33.8% to 34.7%. It is also true of the 40,000 fewer jobs than a year before.
Stats SA. Published 12 May 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 38 (PDF page 43), Table 2.3, 'Gauteng - City of Johannesburg': Employed 1 915 (Oct-Dec 2025) to 1 938 (Jan-Mar 2026), quarter-to-quarter change 23, year-on-year change -40 (thousands); population 15-64 up 14; LU1 unemployment rate 33,8 to 34,7. Printed page 104 (PDF page 109), Table 2.3A: Employed change 23, 95% range -65 to 111, p-value 0,61; LU1 change 0,9, range -1,4 to 3,2, p-value 0,43. Printed page 128 (PDF page 133), Table 2.3B: Employed year-on-year change -40, range -194 to 115, p-value 0,61. Printed page 15 explains that a p-value above 0,05 means the change is not statistically significant.
Nothing matches. Try another word.