As part of its contribution to the government’s Youth Month Programme, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency will launch a Youth Carwash Project at the Zone 4 Taxi Rank in Zwelitsha on 28 June 2011.
This pilot project is aimed at ensuring economic participation by young people in our province, turning car-washing into a professional business. The launching of this is in line with this year’s youth month focus, which is on education and job creation.
These carwashes are 100% young black owned with the view of creating other businesses in other parts of the province and will look to instill values in youth such as:
- Providing uncompromising service to client
- To be a leader of carwash in the country
- To provide quality customer satisfaction
- Joining hands with other emerging small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs)
“We intend to work with young people to help and feed the nation. The project strives to assist with poverty alleviation, provision of quality service and excellence, resulting in satisfaction and building the youth,” says Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu.
According to the Department’s Youth Focal Point Person, Thabiso Khetsi, the project is targeting 3 groups of 10 young people from Zwelitsha, Mnquma and Mzamomhle and is intended to develop young people to start their own businesses and create job opportunities for other young people.
Each group will be given R46.000 to start each carwash and the funds will be applied towards the set-up cost of the project as working capital during the infant phase.
The department has spent R138.000 to provide the necessary equipment and logistics to facilitate these carwashes which include vacuum cleaners, carports, water pipes, protective clothing and shoes, cleaning material and metal trunks, whilst the NYDA has undertaken to co-ordinate the training of these 30 youngsters through Old Mutual in East London on 20 and 21 June 2011.
