Protect public property, Premier urges
ALEXANDRA - Gauteng residents are urged not to burn schools, clinics and other public facilities in protest, as this forces government to incur huge costs to rebuild them.
Gauteng residents are urged not to burn schools, clinics and other public facilities in protest, as this forces government to incur huge costs to rebuild them.
This was said recently by premier David Makhura when unveiling a programme to transform, modernise and re-industrialise the province through skills development and employment of 500 000 vulnerable youth between 21 and 35 years, women and people with disabilities. The programme called Tshepo [hope] and launched at KopanongSports Centre, Ivory Park, will be implemented for five years, and intends to create a million jobs by 2019. It will be implemented in partnership with businesses.
It will conduct skills training for employment, place new graduates in jobs at state-owned companies, promote work placement by matching existing vacancies with job seekers and will develop entrepreneurs to increase work opportunities and broaden the provincial tax base.
Makhura said the programme would bring hope to township residents where 80% of city residents live and initiate businesses which will circulate the local economy and spending in the township. He added that the programme was part of the Township Revitalisation Strategy to promote small, medium and micro enterprises from which government would procure goods and services. It will further contribute to the Extended Public World Programme by addressing unemployment and incubate entrepreneurs in order to empower more people. Public Enterprises deputy minister Bulelani Magwanishe said the programme would be accelerated through state-owned companies to enhance and develop artisan and technical skills training and will attach engineers to unblock service delivery challenges to transform people’s lives.
The event was also attended by Infrastructure Development MEC, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza; Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile; acting executive mayor of Johannesburg councillor Matshidiso Mfikoe; and national Public Works Department minister Thulas Nxesi.
Details: www.tshepo500000.gov.za
