Drive to transform Gauteng townships

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has appealed to residents of Reiger Park, as well as other townships, to help transform their townships into economic hubs that create jobs.

Premier Makhura pledged that the provincial government would help the communities by empowering those who have formed small enterprises and cooperatives.

He said this was part of the government’s “radical economic transformation.”

“We don’t have to wait for big factories to employ people. We are here to support you so you can be self-sufficient,” Premier Makhura said on Monday.

He was speaking at Reiger Park – about 8.5km from Boksburg, where he was addressing the community during a road show aimed at soliciting a bottom-up approach to township development.

The road shows are targeting township-based businesses ranging from construction, brick making, bakeries, welding works, panel beaters, informal traders, small-scale restaurants and aspirant entrepreneurs, among others.

Premier Makhura, who was flanked by Gauteng Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile, called on communities to mobilise and work with government in turning their lives around as they try to address crime, unemployment, poverty and self- marginalisation.

Reiger Park, according to the Premier is an estimated two billion rand economy.

“You must benefit from this…when government builds homes in the area, the windows, bricks and doors must be made right here. We are not here to campaign. Ons is hier om te werk. Ons werk vir julle,” he said to rapturous applause.

Township economy

The Gauteng provincial government will spend the next five years on revitalising and mainstreaming the “township economy”.

He said the three pillars of the provincial government’s plan of action for the new administration were radical economic transformation, the transformation of the spatial landscape of the province and the modernisation of the economy.

Premier Makhura said the provincial government aimed to build a new “social sector” of the economy that was driven by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), adding that the launch of township incubation hubs would support this goal.

“Meeting each other halfway is what builds a country and the economy. As government we are trying to help those who are helping themselves.”

MEC Maile called on the private sector to join government in this initiative by pledging resources and producing innovative ideas to support township enterprises.

“We must think beyond the normal township businesses we know. Let’s be creative as entrepreneurs and business owners.”

In their endeavour to stimulate the township economy, MEC Maile said the plan involves regenerating old township industrial sites into vibrant and productive spaces.

“We will refurbish infrastructure and attract private sector investment to these sites.

“Not only do we want you to create and produce goods and services but we will help to identify markets for these goods.”

He said the provincial government would help empower and finance people who formed small enterprises and co-operatives.

Entrepreneur training

Government will also assist with entrepreneurship training which they have identified as one of the key pillars in driving the township economy revitalisation strategy.

The Premier also committed to better coordination of relevant agencies and finance institutions to help small businesses.

“Our commitment is to revitalise the township economy and break the barriers of the capitalist economy.”

Crime in the area

Turning on crime, which has come under the spotlight in the province following the recent killing of Cuburne Lavone van Wyk, 3, from the area, Premier Makura urged communities to mobilise and partner with government and rid the community of crime and gangsterism.

“Crime is a serious concern. We will only win if communities take part. Communities also need to take charge. We must be united, ons moet saam werk,” said Premier Makhura, who visited the family before the community meeting.

Police are still trying to identify the partially burnt body of a child found in a mine dump in Reiger Park, on Saturday afternoon.

The partially burnt body was spotted by a passer-by who alerted police.

However, the family of Cuburne are convinced it is him after he went missing, on Wednesday, while playing with his siblings. – SAnews.gov.za