The ticking time bomb The job crisis in our country has deepened from what we can deduce from the recently released figures by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). These depressing numbers show that close 350 000 Namibians out of an estimated labour force of 1.5 million are without jobs. This has resulted in very high unemployment rate of 34%, signifying an increase of 6.1% since the last labour survey was conducted in 2014. Youth unemployment particularly shot up to 43.4% compared to 39% reported in 2014. We have said it before that the rising unemployment rate is a time bomb waiting to explode. Our government, in the face of a poor performing economy, is equally struggling to deal with the worsening unemployment crisis. In the last 12 months we have seen a number of companies battling to make ends meet and this has resulted in major staff layoffs. The situation is exacerbated by empty government purses and the neglect of critical national projects meant to boost the economy. The construction sector, which has been the main private sector driver of the economy, is equally bleeding, with job losses amounting to 10 000 feared. The tough economic conditions are still prevailing and not even a quick fix solution will bring hope in the immediate future. This means that massive job losses are a sign that Namibia's stubbornly high unemployment rate is likely to persist. On the other hand government doesn't seem to be serious about creating sustainable jobs. Apart from the fact that our economy is not growing nearly fast enough to create the jobs Namibians want and need, the authorities have allowed themselves to be captured. Our very own people have become passive bystanders as those in power aid the handover of our economy to foreigners while a few become filthy rich. The N$14.5 billion Tipeeg project is a noted spectacular failure, having failed to even create half of its 104 000 jobs target. The Mass Housing programme is also another project, which has not delivered to this day. The numbers don't lie and those in power should be reminded once more that the issue of unemployment, just like many other social challenges, poses a threat to the country's fragile political order.The ticking time bomb The job crisis in our country has deepened from what we can deduce from the recently released figures by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). These depressing numbers show that close 350 000 Namibians out of an estimated labour force of 1.5 million are without jobs. This has resulted in very high unemployment rate of 34%, signifying an increase of 6.1% since the last labour survey was conducted in 2014. Youth unemployment particularly shot up to 43.4% compared to 39% reported in 2014. We have said it before that the rising unemployment rate is a time bomb waiting to explode. Our government, in the face of a poor performing economy, is equally struggling to deal with the worsening unemployment crisis. In the last 12 months we have seen a number of companies battling to make ends meet and this has resulted in major staff layoffs. The situation is exacerbated by empty government purses and the neglect of critical national projects meant to boost the economy. The construction sector, which has been the main private sector driver of the economy, is equally bleeding, with job losses amounting to 10 000 feared. The tough economic conditions are still prevailing and not even a quick fix solution will bring hope in the immediate future. This means that massive job losses are a sign that Namibia's stubbornly high unemployment rate is likely to persist. On the other hand government doesn't seem to be serious about creating sustainable jobs. Apart from the fact that our economy is not growing nearly fast enough to create the jobs Namibians want and need, the authorities have allowed themselves to be captured. Our very own people have become passive bystanders as those in power aid the handover of our economy to foreigners while a few become filthy rich. The N$14.5 billion Tipeeg project is a noted spectacular failure, having failed to even create half of its 104 000 jobs target. The Mass Housing programme is also another project, which has not delivered to this day. The numbers don't lie and those in power should be reminded once more that the issue of unemployment, just like many other social challenges, poses a threat to the country's fragile political order.