The young people of Tzaneen in Limpopo have been urged to spend less time thinking about liquor and focus their energies on establishing small businesses and cooperatives. This will enable them to contribute effectively in creating employment for themselves and their communities. The call was made by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe.
Thabethe was speaking at an event hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) at the Lenyenye Stadium in Tzaneen as part of the Youth Month Liquor Awareness Campaign.
“In South Africa we have more job seekers than job creators as a result we have a serious problem of unemployment that we have to battle with. Our young people make up the greater proportion of people who are not employed because they are looking for jobs instead of contributing in creating jobs for themselves and their communities by acquiring entrepreneurial skills and setting up sustainable businesses and cooperatives. This country needs more entrepreneurs than job seekers,” said Thabethe.
She added that liquor and drug abuse does not only adversely affect the health and future of the country’s young people, but it is also impacts negatively on the country’s economy.
“Although the liquor industry plays an important role in the economy as it has contributed about R93 billion to our Gross Domestic Product, government spends R39.9 billion on alcohol and drug related harms. Alcohol and other drugs are linked to a number of social problems. These include road accidents, interpersonal violence leading to serious injuries, violence against women and children and instability within households,” added Thabethe.
Speaking at the same event, the MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in Limpopo, Ms Pinky Kekana implored young the people not to allow liquor and drugs to detract them from their goals and damage their future.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe, Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
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