By Staff Reporter
LETSITELE – Hundreds of job seekers, both young and old, flocked to the Salom offices in Letsitele on Tuesday, November 25, as recruitment for the annual litchi season officially began.
Applicants travelled from various parts of the Mopani District, with many arriving in taxis and bakkies, while others walked long distances in hopes of securing temporary seasonal employment.
Some job seekers reportedly arrived as early as 05:00 to secure a spot at the front of the queue.
Despite many of the applicants holding diplomas and degrees, they told Tzaneen Voice that securing any work opportunity is their main priority during these tough economic times.
“All we want is to be employed and put bread on the table,” one job seeker said.
Recruitment officially kicked off at 08:00, with applicants required to bring three items: an ID document, proof of bank account, and a clock card.
Even though Limpopo has recorded a decline in unemployment, Tuesday’s turnout highlighted the continued desperation for job opportunities during the agricultural harvesting season.
According to recent data released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Limpopo recorded a significant 5,2% dropin unemployment — falling from 35% in the second quarter of 2025 to 29,8% in the third quarter. Nationally, the unemployment rate also eased by 1,3%, decreasing from 33,2% to 31,9%.
The large turnout in Letsitele reflects the ongoing challenge of unemployment and the heavy reliance on seasonal farm work across rural communities.
