Branch out economic activity – Employment and Labour Minister, Moloi
Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Boitumelo Moloi has appealed for the region of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality in the North West Province to accelerate and identify new niches to revitalise economic activity in the region.
“We know what mining has done for this district and it’s locals that has left them ‘mining deprived’ today due to the decline in mining activities and we are saying the mining houses should also come to the party in terms of rebuilding our cities,” Moloi said. The Deputy Minister said the region has become depressed because mining activity has shrunk leading to increased unemployment.
Moloi was addressing an employer’s breakfast session at Ngwenya Hotel & Conference Centre in Stilfontein, North West Province. The session is part of an information sharing platform with stakeholders to understand each other’s mandates, programme and develop partnerships.
The Department of Employment and Labour and its entities {Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)); Compensation Fund (CF); Productivity SA; Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA)} in collaboration with Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality (DRKKDM) and other government departments has been in the province since Tuesday (11 April) to provide an integrated service delivery to the people of the district municipality.
The Dr Kenneth Kaunda District is situated at the southern part of the North West Province and borders both the Gauteng and Free State Provinces.
The region previously relied heavily on mining. However, in recent years mining has shrunk as the main economic activity within the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, and with the industry in steady decline the District is seeking to diversify the economy from its over-reliance on the mining industry.
Moloi said the Department was ready to partner with the region to help revitalise economic activity and increase employment.
“Our Labour Activation Program is here for interventions where the need arises, Productivity SA will extend a hand to struggling companies, the CCMA is also here as part of the outreach, the UIF and CF are here for your claims,” she emphasised.
She said it gives hope that the “City of People on the move” had realised the need to accelerate economic development in the region away from heavy reliance in mining.
The Deputy Minister said in embarking on an economic revitalisation journey the region should not leave behind business as a one of key stakeholders. She called for a review and strengthening of intergovernmental relations to cement economic growth.
Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality Executive Mayor, Nikiwe J. Num said one of the industries identified by the region to unlock economy growth was tourism. Num called for entrepreneurial innovation from the region’s citizens to held redefine and redesign the new economic set up.
Moloi reiterated the need to strengthening the objectives of the District Development Model (DDM) and not work in silos.
The District Development Model involves an integrated planning across all spheres of government. The DDM aims to improve the coherence and impact of government service delivery.
Moloi said that economic growth can only thrive in an environment of law and order. She condemned the growing criminality in the country saying no government can tolerate people who disrupt the roll out of services.
“Lawlessness cannot be allowed. It can never be that there are also no go areas,” she said.
The Department’s activities will culminate tomorrow with a taking services event tomorrow expected to be address by Employment and Labour Minister T.W Nxesi as a keynote speaker. The event will be held as follows:
Date: 14 April 2023
Venue: Ext 24 Sports Ground, Jouberton, Klerksdorp
Time: 09H00–15H00
For RSVP’s and media enquiries kindly contact:
Botsang Huma - Provincial Communication Officer
Department of Employment and Labour
Cell: 082 497 7438
Email: botsang.huma@labour.gov.za
