Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has identified joblessness as the single greatest threat facing her province, revealing plans to steer the regional economy towards cutting-edge industries in a bid to create meaningful employment for over one million residents currently without work.
Letsoha-Mathae was addressing a high-level meeting between the National Executive and the Free State provincial government on Friday, an engagement chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the University of Free State Centenary Complex in Bloemfontein. The session fell under the banner "A Nation that Works for All" and forms part of the President's drive to foster deeper cooperation between national, provincial and local government to overcome service delivery obstacles.
Province pins hopes on future-focused sectors
According to the most recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey from Statistics South Africa, covering the fourth quarter of 2025, the Free State recorded an official unemployment rate of roughly 37.2%. Only the Eastern Cape fared worse, posting a rate of 42.5%. The Premier made clear that young people are shouldering the heaviest burden of this jobs crisis.
"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."
To tackle the challenge head-on, Letsoha-Mathae laid out an ambitious strategy to reposition the Free State economy around sectors she believes can deliver inclusive growth and lasting jobs. Among the priority areas are artificial intelligence and robotics, renewable energy and green hydrogen, natural gas development, agro-processing and food production, the digital economy and e-commerce, as well as entrepreneurship and support for small businesses.
The Premier stressed that economic transformation alone would not suffice, noting that reform must go hand in hand with firm action against persistent social ills such as crime, substance abuse and inequality. She called for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach that is driven by measurable outcomes.
"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."
Cooperative governance and accountability
Letsoha-Mathae characterised Friday's engagement as far more than a formality, describing it as a vital expression of cooperative governance and a platform for aligning national and provincial priorities. She referenced a previous meeting with the province that had underscored the urgency of confronting social challenges, particularly gender-based violence, and pledged that efforts to build safer communities would be intensified.
The Premier committed to offering a frank assessment of the province's performance, acknowledging both successes and shortcomings. She indicated that the provincial government would outline where focused national support is needed to speed up implementation of key programmes.
"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."
Letsoha-Mathae concluded by expressing her desire for a constructive and solution-driven dialogue with the President and his Cabinet, aimed at unblocking obstacles and ensuring that residents of the Free State experience tangible improvements in their daily lives. The engagement is aligned with President Ramaphosa's broader commitment to encouraging closer collaboration across all spheres of government.
