The Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) will significantly increase its procurement spend on companies owned and managed by young people in the province in the medium term period leading to 2014.
"Our aim is to use the provincial government’s massive procurement budget as a strategic tool to bring about inclusive economic growth,” Gauteng Finance MEC Mr Mandla Nkomfe said.
“Statistics indicate that unemployment amongst young people between the ages 15 to 35 is very high. So we are saying if we provide youth owned companies with access to government contracts, they will grow their companies and create employment for other young people,” MEC Nkomfe added.
Over the past two years, the GPG procured goods and services amounting to more than R600 million from companies owned and managed by young people. As such, 677 youth owned vendors were awarded contracts by the provincial government. These entrepreneurs provided goods and services to the value of R328 million. During the past year, this number increased to 817 entrepreneurs and R336 million.
The goods and services procured from these companies ranged from the supply of catering, printing, stationery, cleaning, and pharmaceuticals services. Others provided equipment and construction related services including building, maintenance and renovations.
Furthermore, and in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Soweto uprising of 16 June 1976, the Gauteng Department of Finance (GDF) has set aside R300 000, which will be used for training accounting, financial management, auditing, information technology, and economics graduates. This is part of a six-month experiential training programme that the department is implementing in partnership with the Vaal University of Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, the University of Johannesburg, and eight Further Education and Training Colleges.
In partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education, GDF is also providing training to more than 1000 young graduates. This is part of our skills development strategy to address the scarce skills shortages of technicians to manage our future technology infrastructure. On completion of their studies, these technicians will be deployed in the maintenance of the provincial Information and Communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, which has been installed in more than 1000 provincial schools as part of the Gauteng Online Schools Project.
Note to Editors:
GDF in partnership with the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Gauteng Economic Development Agency will host a Youth Workshop where young people will have an opportunity to speak out about challenges they face in the work place among other things. The event will take place on 28 June 2011 at the offices of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) and members of the media are invited.
Enquiries:
Khusela Sangoni
Cell: 079 510 5408
E-mail: gdfmedia@gauteng.gov.za
