General Bheki Cele to launch the first ever group of 200 youth members as part of the radical transformation in the forestry sector “Youth and Forests—Together unlocking the green economy”
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, General Bheki Cele, will officially launch the first ever group of 200 youth as part of the government's programme of promoting youth participation in the formerly white dominated sectors. The group of 200 is part of the legacy programmes aimed at youth empowerment. The programme will extend and accommodate many young people into the forestry sector, thereby responding directly to the priorities of government, namely food security, job creation and economic growth.
The forestry sector generates just over R42 billion per annum and contributes significantly to the GDP of the country. Deputy Minister Cele has called for radical transformation in the sector and urged big businesses to support the new entrants in the sector, especially the youth, in ensuring that they become economically active in the forestry space. The launch will be followed by an extensive on site visit to the forests in KwaZulu–Natal, which will include, visits to City Organics, SAPPI plantations, SAPPI nursery and the treated timber and other interesting inside info sites of the forestry space.
The launch of the legacy project is a build-up to the World Forestry Congress, which will be held for the first time on African Soil since 1926. The congress will be held in Durban from 7 to 11 September 2015.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Cele recently led a high level delegation to the United Nations Forestry Forum (UNFF) in New York, where all United Nations member countries robustly discussed the massive opportunities and growth in the sector. The conference exposed South Africa extensively in the sustainable forestry sector, hence the launch of the Legacy Project, which will be rolled out countrywide.
This project marks the continued celebration of youth, highlighting the importance of youth participation in the forestry sector. The aim is to unlock the opportunities that exist in the "Green Economy" in the forestry sector, which will speak specifically to the opportunities for young people in the sector as a career and business venture.
In partnership with industry leaders the honourable Deputy Minister will launch the Legacy Project, under the theme "Youth and Forests—Together Unlocking the Green Economy".
The event is planned as follows:
Date: Friday, 19 June 2015
Time: 08h00
Venue: CEDARA, KwaZulu-Natal (Pietermaritzburg)
Project visit: Immediately after the official launch
RSVP:
Musa Khumalo
Tel: 012 319 6695
Cell: 072 199 1616
Enquiries:
Nonkululeko Mbatha
Cell: 083 645 6252
E-mail: NonkululekoM@daff.gov.za
