The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Maria Ntuli, reiterated President Jacob Zuma’s statement that the government cannot continue to blame apartheid for failing to improve the lives of the South African people as it has been in power for 16 years. She was speaking today during the “Taking the dti to the people campaign” in Kokstad in KwaZulu-Natal where she addressed local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
Ntuli said that the problem lies with the mindset of South Africans from impoverished communities who have accepted poverty as part of their heritage. She said that mindset needed to change and it was the mandate of the dti to assist in changing that.
She urged young people to stop depending on child support grants and seize the economic opportunities that the government and the dti in particular have availed, as these will liberate them. She also urged the communities to form cooperatives as the dti has a capable team that would train members of the cooperatives.
Ntuli stated that members of cooperatives should transfer skills to fellow members. She said that she was waiting for the day when cooperatives formed in areas like Kokstad would grow into big companies. She urged these cooperatives to emulate and learn from experiences of companies such KWV, which is now a big player in the South African economy.
“It will be through creating economic opportunities for those who have been left out like women, rural communities and young people that will truly combat the social ills bedevilling our country,” said Ntuli
She conceded that government’s efforts, initiatives and schemes for economic emancipation were not having the desired impact.
However, she mentioned that her department together with the provincial MECs for Economic Development have put in place a forum to identify challenges facing small businesses. She reiterated that participation of local government in this forum was crucial as they are closer to the people.
The event was also addressed by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Executive Mayor of the Sisonke District Councillor Patrick Khoza.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Media Relations and Publicity Directorate, the dti
Cell: 073 522 6801
Issued by: Department of Trade and Industry
30 April 2010
Source: Department of Trade and Industry (www.thedti.gov.za)
