Speaking during the public participation week, MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Honourable JL Mahlangu said: “government is committed to uplift the economy of the country which will benefit the province and automatically create job opportunities for our people.”
“The department is mandated to assist people to start their businesses, as groups or individuals, although we recommend people to start businesses in groups to support cooperatives which we believe will create sustainable jobs,” said Mahlangu.
Representatives from government entities were given an opportunity to showcase their products and the services they render. The entities present were Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Mpumalanga Gambling Board (MGB), Mpumalanga Agricultural Development Cooperation (MADC), Mpumalanga Housing Finance Cooperation (MHFC), Small Economic Development Agency (SEDA), Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust (MRTT).
Sarah Skosana, Managing Director of Thenjiwe Beadwork, a local project, expressing her challenges to the MEC; said it was difficult to get funds and this had a negative impact on her project.
The MEC told the people of Siyabuswa that the province had planned to create a cultural hub where every economic project would be exposed and marketed overseas.
Issued by: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
17 November 2009
Source: Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mpumalanga Provincial Government (http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/dedet/)
