This follows after the unemployment rate declined from 38,1% in the third quarter of 2021 to 33.8% in the third quarter of 2022. 

The provincial premier, Mxolisi Dukwana, says the 50 000 job opportunities were created across the three spheres of government, thereby exceeding their commitment in 2022. Of this number, the Community Works Programme contributed 26 871 job opportunities. “The composition of the participants of these job opportunities is aligned to our stated priorities of designated groups as 36 839 beneficiaries were women whilst 17 197 were youth and 407 were persons with disabilities,” explained Dukwana.

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Outlining the plans he has for the province, Dukwana stated that one of the key drivers of economic growth and job creation is the province’s Small and Medium Enterprises. In the current financial year, 869 enterprises were provided with financial and non-financial support, of which 472 were youth-owned. The Free State Development Corporation provided financial support to 24 Small and Medium Enterprises, including 8 youth-owned Contractor Development Programme businesses. “We will undertake a substantial review of the current state of our public entities and reposition them to be proactive and responsive to the investment and development needs of the Free State economy.”

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“The revitalisation of our Industrial Parks is another key enabler of provincial economic growth. Our priority areas remain Botshabelo, Phuthaditjhaba and Thaba Nchu. This Programme is catalytic to unlock job creation as 3 986 people are now employed in these Industrial Parks,” Dukwana further explained. The Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone continues to offer multiple investment opportunities. He boasted that currently, the Special Economic Zone has a pipeline of 12 investors worth over R2 billion. 

Over the next few months, they anticipate concluding new agreements with private sector investments in the cement and concrete, textile and dry-powder food manufacturing sectors. These three investments are expected to add 437 jobs to the 127 people already employed at the Special Economic Zone.

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Dukwana stated that in the healthcare sector, they filled various vacancies, including 22 medical officers, 512 professional nurses, 24 pharmacists and 12 social workers. There are currently 3 facilities that operate on a 24-hour basis, namely Mangaung University Community Partnership Project in Bloemfontein, PAX in Viljoenskroon and the Winnie Mandela Clinic in Botshabelo. It is envisaged that the new Community Health Centre to be constructed in Heidedal will also operate on a 24-hour basis. “The remainder of our clinics operate on an extended 12-hour basis. We will conclude an efficiency review of these extended hours within the next three months. This will inform further expansion of our 24-hour facilities. We continue to invest in the human capital available in the health sector.”

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