Mpumalanga premier commits to create 90 000 jobs for the youth

Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane delivered her State of the Province Address at the provincial legislature today, February 24. She reported back on some of the progress made from her previous address, and went on to make new commitments towards the financial year ahead. Among others, she has made a pledge that youth job creation will be prioritised in the next financial year.

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“With all the intended interventions, we expect to create at least 90 000 youth job opportunities within the next 15 months. These opportunities will stem from 21 empowerment programmes across sector departments in the provincial government. In an effort to increase skills to both employed and unemployed community members in the province, we have partnered with various SETAs in diverse trades, such as diesel mechanical engineering, construction, supply-chain management, ICT, infrastructure, local government and hospitality,” Mtshweni-Tsipane said.

She also added that the Mpumalanga Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan will roll out infrastructure programmes, Green Economy initiatives, industrialisation through localisation, employment stimulus initiatives, tourism, and agriculture/agro-processing

“The implementation of these economic projects shall be treated as top priorities. We will also continue working closely with our social partners in all sectors of the economy to change the economic landscape of our province.”
The premier’s address also had a vehement focus on tourism and the provincial government’s plans regarding the sector. One of the highlights was that the KMI Airport has already commenced with flights directly to Germany and has had 182 tourists on those flights to date.

“I pronounced last year that as part of reigniting the tourism sector, KMI Airport would receive direct flights from Germany. I am delighted to confirm that the first Eurowings flight landed on November 16.”

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According to the premier, her government has signed a three-year partnership with the SABC for Mpumalanga to be the host province of the Metro FM Awards.

Mtshweni-Tsipane said 88 educational facilities, three health facilities, two social development facilities and a library were built in Mpumalanga during the previous financial year. She said a hotel with about 200 beds is currently being built in eMalahleni, which will have top-star restaurants, a convention centre and a beauty spa.

According to her, the planning and design process for the Linah Malatjie Tertiary Hospital in eMalahleni has progressed: authorisation in terms of environmental impact studies has been granted, town planning processes are complete, preliminary and concept designs are complete and detailed design is on track with construction set to commence during the 2023/24 financial year.

Photos: Bridget Mpande.