Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has welcomed the creation of 13 000 jobs in the province over the past quarter but acknowledged that unemployment remains a “serious challenge” as the provincial rate climbs to 47.5%. And that's why it doesn't help us to solve the challenge of unemployment rate increase.” He said major catalytic projects could play an important role in changing the province’s economic fortunes, including proposed nuclear and LNG gas-to-power projects. DA Eastern Cape leader Andrew Whitfield said the figures exposed the depth of the province’s economic crisis, with the province having shed 116 000 jobs over the past year. Build One South Africa said 6.2 million young people and 6.3 million women were unemployed, with the expanded national unemployment rate reaching 43.8%.