KZN Premier statement_The Sky is the Limit: young people get R350 000 each to become pilots
The wheels of radical economic transformation have been oiled with an investment of more than R2, 5 billion aimed at driving skills development targeting the youth. About 20 students have been granted R 350 000 each and are currently pursuing studies in the aviation industry.
Air connectivity is critical to this province as it is one of the effective catalysts for socio-economic development. It has helped the province’s economy integrate with economies of the world as demonstrated by King Shaka International Airport and Dube Trade Port.
Several years ago the province of KwaZulu-Natal recognised the importance of air capabilities both from a passenger and cargo perspective. For these reasons, government took a bold decision to invest in strategic air infrastructure to realize our vision for sustainable growth and development. To date, the development of the aerotropolis of King Shaka International Airport and the Dube Trade Port has enhanced the province’s competitive edge in transportation and freight logistics.
This transport and commercial hub provides an effective platform for forging trade linkages between provinces within the country, neighbouring states and the rest of the world particularly the Asian and South American sub-continents, giving effect to the idea of KwaZulu-Natal being the gateway to South and Southern Africa. This status has also enabled KZN to attract considerable investment spin-offs.
Few years ago, KZN hosted the first ever Africa Air Cargo Summit on the African soil. This summit was attended by CEOs and other influential representatives of cargo companies from across the world. There was a high level of interests in province’s aviation industry and delegates showed willingness to explore this industry even further. This vote of confidence has encouraged KZN government to modernize small airports in this province – not only to allow for an easy flow of passengers and tourists to various corners of this province - but to make our airport attractive destinations for future investments.
There are currently 130 airstrips in this province. These consist of numerous types; from small dirt landing strips to regional airports such as Oribi, Margate, Umkhuze, Virginia and this airport.
Premier Willies Mchunu and members of the executive council today were joined by thousands of young people as part of the commemoration of June 16. In attendance was a group of students studying to become pilots and they are expected to strengthen this industry.
Mchunu exhaled: “As government we want young people to become the motor-force of change like the youth of 1976. It is a deep sense of joy and satisfaction to see young people appreciating what this democratic government they put in place is doing. We acknowledge that this not enough but we want to affirm our commitment to implement youth empowerment initiatives that will help build a robust and enduring productive capacity of young people throughout the corners of this province.
“We want young people in rural areas and townships to benefit the most as they experience many challenges compare to their counterparts in the townships and big cities. We want to reiterate today that all municipalities in this province should have Youth Development Units.”
“I have instructed the Chief Youth Directorate in the Office of the Premier to give me a comprehensive report detailing how many municipalities have Youth Managers or Youth Co-ordinators. This report must reach my office before the end of this month so that we can decide what interventions should be made.
“Critically, municipalities, provincial and national government departments must work together in an integrated fashion in order to ensure that all programs focusing on youth development have an impact. I have stated in various platforms that that the silo-mentality and competition amongst youth development agencies and organizations including government departments is the root cause of our inability to harness the potential of young people.”
“Importantly, we want young people to be at the forefront of the implementation of the National Development Plan in its entirety. In this regard, we are lobbying the National Planning Commission, Brand South Africa, National Youth Development Agency, the Department of Small Businesses, Department of Trade and Industry and other relevant government departments including state agencies to promote NDP to the youth.”
“Our own Provincial Growth and Development Plan, which is aligned to the NDP, has identified sectors of the economy that have a potential to create opportunities for young people as part of radical economic transformation.”
“These includes the the manufacturing sector which has been for some time, and still is the backbone of our economy. The MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Sihle Zikalala has launched a Black Industrialist Programme, which is spearheading a support programme to ensure that the proportional share of businesses operating in this sector are reflective of the demographics of our province.”
Enquiries:
Ndabezinhle Sibiya
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