Gauteng Premier Mokonyane will outline plans to boost job creation and inclusive economic growth in Gauteng when she delivers the State of the Province Address on Monday (21 February 2011).
Premier Mokonyane will highlight key programmes to be implemented by the Gauteng Provincial Government aimed at contributing to the national target of job creation and economic growth.
Latest employment figures have shown that Gauteng has been steadily creating jobs in various economic sectors, and the 2010 related infrastructure projects have positively contributed to the reduction of unemployment levels.
The Gauteng Provincial Government’s multi-billion rand infrastructure projects including Gautrain have over the past years contributed significantly to job creation. Through Gautrain alone over twenty-eight thousand six hundred direct local jobs have been created since its inception, and a hundred thousand indirect and induced jobs have resulted from this project.
In her speech to the provincial legislators, the Premier will indicate how the interventions the provincial government – working with municipalities - will further contribute to jobs creation.
The provincial government’s interventions for the year will – among others – focus on:
- Stimulating sectors that have more potential to create meaningful jobs - infrastructure, renewal energy, ICT, tourism, agro-processing, transport and logistics, and creative industries within the Global City-Region economy.
- Special focus on revitalising the township economy - building township enterprises and cooperatives.
- Expanding skills training of the youth on green jobs and technologies. This would include setting up employment targets for the roll out of the solar geyser heaters, waste recycling and buy back centers.
Mokonyane will also expand on the province rural development plan, urging Gauteng residents to take opportunities created in the agriculture sector.
The State of the Province Address (SOPA) . It is the most important milestone on the provincial government’s political and communication calendar. It sets the tone and messaging for the year ahead and provides an important opportunity to showcase the provincial government’s achievements, outline progress in fulfilling its commitments as well as the key priorities and commitments for the year ahead in meeting the needs of the people of Gauteng.
The Premier will reaffirm key commitments, not just for the year ahead but for the remainder of the five-year term of office.
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
