Investment in KZN care sector could create thousands of jobs

KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga says investing in the care economy could create thousands of jobs and help tackle youth unemployment and poverty in the province. Speaking at the 2026 Social Development Partnership Summit in Umhlanga on Thursday, Shinga called for stronger partnerships between government, business and civil society to expand services such as childcare, early childhood development (ECD) and community care programmes. She said the sector had the potential to drive both social support and economic growth, particularly for women and young people.

“Our theme, investing in the care economy, speaks directly to the realities we face as a province and as a country,” she said. Shinga noted that youth unemployment in South Africa remains above 45%, leaving millions of young people without work or opportunities. She said KwaZulu-Natal is home to more than 12 million people and has a particularly young population, with around 61% of residents under the age of 35.

“This represents both a challenge and an opportunity if we invest in skills and employment pathways,” she said. She said while grants remain essential to protect vulnerable households from hunger and poverty, they should form part of a broader pathway towards economic participation. The MEC said expanding early childhood development centres, residential care facilities and community based care programmes could create thousands of new jobs for caregivers, practitioners and support staff.