DDN Sports Arena

GUESS WHO, HIS TEAM AND HIS COUNTRY.
Lets see how much you know football stars

Thomas Partey, the Ghanaian international, has officially joined Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab

DO YOU AGREE?
PREMIER LEAGUE NEW RULES
The Football Arena

UNEMPLOYMENT RISES DESPITE DEPORTATIONS: DATA CHALLENGES CLAIMS THAT FOREIGNERS ARE TAKING SOUTH AFRICAN JOBS
Despite the removal of nearly 70,000 foreign nationals from South Africa amid claims that foreigners are responsible for rising unemployment and the loss of jobs, the latest employment figures for the second quarter of 2026 appear to challenge that narrative.
The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released by Statistics South Africa shows that unemployment increased during the period, even as employment opportunities continued to decline.
During the second quarter of 2026, the number of employed people in South Africa fell by 16,000, bringing total employment to 16.7 million. At the same time, the expanding labour force contributed to a 345,000-person increase in the number of strictly unemployed people, pushing the official unemployment rate to 33.6%.
The figures raise further questions about the long-standing argument that foreign nationals are the primary cause of South Africa's unemployment crisis.
Major Job Losses Across Key Sectors
Employment losses drove the overall decline of 16,000 jobs in seven of the ten industries tracked in the survey.
The hardest-hit sectors included:
• Community and Social Services: 57,000 jobs lost
• Mining: 26,000 jobs lost
• Agriculture: 15,000 jobs lost
• Manufacturing: 15,000 jobs lost
• Utilities: 10,000 jobs lost
However, job gains in several sectors helped to limit what could have been a far greater decline. The Trade sector added 70,000 jobs, while Construction recorded an increase of 39,000 jobs and Finance added 11,000.
A More Complex Unemployment Crisis
The latest figures suggest that South Africa's unemployment crisis cannot simply be explained by the presence of foreign nationals in the country.
While immigration remains a politically and socially sensitive issue, the QLFS data points to a far more complex labour market challenge involving job losses across major industries, economic pressures and business closures.
The closure of businesses, including businesses owned and operated by foreign nationals, may also have unintended consequences for South African workers. When such businesses shut down, South Africans employed by them can also lose their livelihoods.
The latest employment statistics therefore add to the growing debate over whether targeting foreign nationals will solve South Africa's unemployment crisis. The data suggests that the country's joblessness problem may require broader economic solutions focused on stimulating business growth, protecting existing jobs, supporting investment and creating sustainable employment opportunities for all South Africans.
The figures challenge the simple claim that removing foreigners automatically creates jobs for South Africans. South Africa's unemployment crisis appears to be driven by deeper structural and economic problems that require more comprehensive solutions.
@topfansThe Trumpet Online News

MO SALAH TO WEAR NO. 10 AT TRABZONSPOR, NOT THE SYMBOLIC NO. 61

Trabzon, Turkey – Despite his eye-catching arrival in a No. 61 shirt, Mohamed Salah is expected to wear the No. 10 jersey for Trabzonspor during the 2026/27 season.

The Egyptian superstar's appearance in the No. 61 shirt during his unveiling sparked excitement and speculation among supporters, with many wondering if he had adopted the iconic number permanently. However, the jersey was a symbolic tribute to the club and the city of Trabzon rather than his official squad number.

Why No. 61 Is So Special

The number 61 holds immense cultural and emotional significance in Trabzon. It is the official vehicle registration plate and province code for the city, making it one of the strongest symbols of local identity and pride.

By wearing the No. 61 jersey during his arrival and unveiling, Salah sent a powerful message of respect and appreciation to Trabzonspor's passionate supporters, known as the "Black Sea Storm."

The number is deeply embedded in the city's football culture:

The 61st-Minute Tradition: Every home match, Trabzonspor fans transform the stadium into a sea of colour during the 61st minute with confetti, flares, flags, and thunderous chants in celebration of their city's identity.
A Way of Life: The number 61 is embraced far beyond football. Many residents pay premium prices for vehicle registration plates and telephone numbers ending in 61. There is even a popular local joke among supporters that if Trabzonspor is leading 6-0, they should allow one goal so the final score becomes the iconic 6-1.
Salah to Wear No. 10

While the No. 61 jersey served as a heartfelt gesture during his official presentation, Salah is expected to wear the No. 10 shirt in competitive matches throughout Trabzonspor's Süper Lig and European campaigns.

The move allows the club to preserve the symbolic importance of No. 61 while giving Salah the iconic playmaker's number that has become closely associated with some of football's greatest attacking talents.

For Trabzonspor supporters, Salah's decision to honour the city's cherished number upon his arrival has already strengthened the bond between the club's newest superstar and one of Turkey's most passionate fan bases.

Mo Salah, the Egyptian King, was received by a large crowd and fans as he arrived in Istanbul ahead of his move to Trabzonspor

Five times AIR PEACE came to repatriate Nigerians in South Africa; Five times I refused to go. PLEASE DON'T ASK ME WHY

ARE YOU READY?