Business and Technology
S.Africa Jobless Rate Falls Despite Power Cuts
![FILE - A manl left, begs, as a another collects recyclable materials, at a street intersection in Johannesburg, South Africa, March 16, 2016.](https://gdb.voanews.com/464e0eac-9188-4927-8988-88c414931a52_w250_r1_s.jpg)
S.Africa jobless rate edges down again despite power cuts that hampered economic activity across the country, official data showed on Tuesday.
StatsSA said 204,000 jobs were added in the third quarter, especially in manufacturing, trade, construction and transport.
The drop follows falls of 0.6 and 0.8 percentage points in the second and first quarters of the year respectively, the official statistics agency said.
Unemployment stood at 35.3 percent at the end of 2021.
The country's high unemployment rate has fueled protests and anti-foreigner sentiment.
Youth unemployment -- among jobseekers aged 15-34 -- remains particularly high at 45.5 percent.
South Africa's chronic problem of energy shortages has worsened this year, with the state-owned monopoly Eskom failing to keep pace with demand and maintain its ageing coal-powered infrastructure.
Poverty, inequality and joblessness run high in South Africa, nearly three decades after the end of apartheid.
See all News Updates of the Day
Africa News Tonight: Displaced communities at risk of mpox, Tunisia’s Saied shakes up cabinet, sun-powered tractor debuts in Malawi
Restaurant with Robot Services Causes Excitement in Nairobi
In Nairobi, a new restaurant is generating business and buzz – not just because of the food, but because of the staff. Robots serving dishes is the main attraction for diners who flock to the Robot Café. Juma Majanga reports from Nairobi, Kenya.