Let us build a nation of job creators, not a nation of job-seekers – Lindiwe Zulu
South Africa needs to intensify efforts to help create a build a nation of job creators and not a nation of job-seekers. This was said by Minister of Small Business Development Ms Lindiwe Zulu, today at the launch of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).
The launch was attended by over 1000 delegates which comprise of business representatives from the Africa Development Group, the British Council, Microsoft, International Business Machines (IBM), Transnet, Liquid Telecom, Info Trade App as well as other private and public sector partners.
“As we seek to inculcate a new entrepreneurial culture in our society, we must ensure that our people understand that they are not destined to be job seekers, but that they can be job-creators”, said Minister Zulu.
The department is observing the GEW as part of its commitment to inspire society to take risks and to dismiss the stigma associated with business failure. GEW is a platform for government to reaffirm its commitment to create a conducive environment where small businesses can develop, grow and become sustainable.
“Global Entrepreneurship Week must serve as a platform to drive entrepreneurship revolution and inspire millions of people to aspire to a life of entrepreneurship. As government, we remain open and receptive to new policy ideas that will help accelerate the formation of new businesses and sustainability of existing ones”, said Minister Zulu.
Minister Zulu said that her department was delighted to reportobserve that a culture of entrepreneurship is growing in sub-Saharan Africa, with indicators related to entrepreneurial motivation on par with or higher than global peers. She noted, however, that although South Africa’s entrepreneurial activity is improving, it still lags behind other parts of the world.
According to the GEM 2017/2018 report, total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) in South Africa is at 11%, 4.1 percentage points higher compared to 2016’s score of 6.9%. There is an improvement on this index. Entrepreneurial intentions has also increased in the last few years to 11.7% up from 10.1% in 2016/2017.
“We recognise the importance of entrepreneurship and the role it can play to address poverty, unemployment and inequality”, she concluded.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Monama
Tel: 060 960 3158
E-mail: CMonama@dsbd.gov.za
