Central SA
Northern Cape Premier pledges 60,000 jobs amid rising unemployment─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 14:37 Wed, 18 Sep 2024
“This commitment comes as the province grapples with a 3.7% increase in unemployment in the second quarter of 2024, the highest in the country.”
The Northern Cape premier has raised the hopes of thousands of unemployed youth in the province, announcing his government plans to create 60,000 job opportunities over the next five years.
Zamani Saul announced this during his 2024/25 budget vote address on Monday (17/9) at the legislature’s headquarters. The province grapples with a 3.7% increase in unemployment in the second quarter of 2024, the highest in the country.
In his June state of the province address, Saul emphasised that tackling youth unemployment remains a top priority for the provincial government. He reflected on the progress made in recent years through partnerships with the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA) and Services Sector Education and Training Authority (servicesSETA). These have been instrumental in skilling the youth.
Saul also highlighted the Labour Activation Programme, launched in partnership with the Department of Labour’s UIF Fund, which is set to provide skills development opportunities valued at R545 million to benefit 23,000 unemployed young people.
He announced that over R20 billion will be invested ti improve socio-economic infrastructure across the Northern Cape. This investment will focus on upgrading roads, building new schools, clinics, libraries, community halls, houses, and other essential amenities.
Closer monitoring
Saul noted that the provincial government will be implementing a financial monitoring system to oversee the execution of these infrastructure projects, from planning to completion.
“This financial year, we will focus on developing a real financial system to closely monitor all our infrastructure projects from the conception stage to execution and handover,” Saul said.
The Northern Cape has faced significant infrastructure challenges, particularly in schools, healthcare facilities, and municipalities. Sewage spillages in municipalities such as Sol Plaatje have worsened despite R2 billion allocated to it last year.
Additionally, several schools were forced to close due to deteriorating infrastructure, while floods caused R110 million in damage to Nama Khoi infrastructure last year.
