South Africa’s Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi has launched a series of training projects in the Eastern Cape Province to reduce unemployment levels and mitigate poverty. The programme was coordinated through the Labour Activation Programme and funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). Minister Nxesi outlined the programme’s objectives, which include providing jobseekers with market-relevant skills, encouraging entrepreneurship, and preserving jobs.
The Programme
Over 7,000 beneficiaries from various municipalities within the Chris Hani District will participate in these projects. The programme partners with different service providers to ensure that trainees acquire the necessary skills to become employable and contribute to the reduction of unemployment in the region. These providers include Intsika Yethu Business Forum, Brandrive, Nnite, Transkei Skills Project Consortium, DICLA Training & Projects, and Londmarx Group.
Intsika Yethu Business Forum will offer learnerships on systems development, entrepreneurship skills, incubation programmes, and plant and animal production. This organization works in partnership with the Kingdom of the Western Thembuland to uplift communities within the Intsika Yethu Local Municipality, reviving and boosting the local economy. Brandrive will impart skills related to animal production, poultry production, and small business management. Lastly, Nnite will provide apprenticeships in building and civil construction and learnerships in new venture creation. The duration of the training programmes varies from 6 months to 2 years.
Recruitment Process
The unemployed youth in the Chris Hani District Municipality were registered and recruited from the Department’s Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) database. This approach allows them to access opportunities for reskilling and contributes to the economic growth of the area through self-employment.
Launch Event
The launch event was attended by various dignitaries and key stakeholders, including His Majesty King Dalimvula Matanzima of Western Thembuland, Eastern Cape Province Premier Oscar Mabuyane, Deputy Minister Boitumelo Moloi, Traditional Leaders, representatives from Intsika Yethu Local Municipality and Chris Hani District Municipality, Department of Employment and Labour’s Director General Thobile Lamati, and UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping.
The UIF
The UIF is a public entity of the Department of Employment and Labour and is one of South Africa’s primary social security agencies that offer temporary relief to unemployed individuals. The Labour Activation Programme Project is a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to addressing the unemployment crisis and fostering sustainable economic growth.
Collaborative Efforts
As the Eastern Cape Province embarks on this transformative journey, the implementation of these training projects demonstrates the positive impact of collaboration between the government, private sector, and local communities. By equipping jobseekers with relevant skills and a renewed sense of purpose, the Labour Activation Programme holds the potential to uplift the region’s socio-economic conditions and serve as an inspiring model for other areas facing similar challenges.
