June was marked as Youth Month in South Africa.
Consequently, Clr Mondli Gungubele, the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s (EMM) executive mayor, focused on youth development and continuing the drive to create a supportive environment for small businesses during his recent council speech.
“On our side as a city, we have made great gains in this regard. Our successes to date include initiatives to empower the youth economically, especially in the area of skills development and the revival of township economies, thus putting the youth at the forefront of opportunities and job creation,” said Clr Gungubele.
The mayor delivered his speech at the Germiston Council on June 25.
Clr Gungubele said a comprehensive Township Economies Development Strategy is already complete, with the development of Township Enterprise Hubs.
“It is our view that the collection of more than one business use at the hubs such as industrial parks, fabrication laboratories, business incubation centres, skills development centres and trading facilities will provide various opportunities for the youth to thrive,” he said.
Training, mentorship and support services have been extended to local enterprises, especially SMMEs, Cooperative and Emerging Farmers in partnership with the city’s strategic partners SEDA, SEFA, Anglo-Zimela, The Business Place and the SEDA Construction Incubator.
Clr Gungubele said it is important for the city to enhance its services to communities and to ensure that they instill a culture of entrepreneurship among the community.
The mayor also touched on the shortage of local suppliers.
He said Ekurhuleni is confronted with a shortage of local suppliers. In an effort to come up with a resolution to this problem, the EMM announced the “Mintirho ya hina ya Vulavula” programme.
“We have committed R2,9-billion of our procurement value to be ring-fenced for pre-qualified businesses owned by the youth, women and people with disabilities, black industrialists and community job creation initiatives in compliance with the Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy.
Meanwhile, the DA staged a walk-out after accusing the ANC of displaying unashamed racism.
This was after ANC councillor, Doctor Xhakaza, the MMC for Water and Energy, called black members of the DA ‘fronts’.
The DA Chief Whip, Andre Du Plessis, raised an objection by way of raising a point of order.
The Speaker, Patricia Kumalo, did not request that Clr Xhakaza withdraw the statement, saying it was a political debate.
In a press release, the DA has laid the blame of the disintegration of the council meeting on the Speaker and accused her of poor management of council meetings.
The DA also said the Speaker did not understand her role and failed to remain objective.
