Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, has challenged the Matatiele Local Municipality to partner with the farming sector to kick-start the indigent local economy.
Nxesi made the call during an employers’ breakfast session at the Jobs Fair held at the Council Chambers of the Matatiele Local Municipality on Thursday.
Addressing the municipal officials, Nxesi said the farming community in the area was a resource that had potential.
“They are a resource that you can use and pair them with up-and-coming Black farmers. We need people who are ready to farm [and] people who will deal with production and food security. There are farmers who are ready to do that and up-and-coming farmers are willing to learn,” Nxesi said.
To grow the economy, South Africa needs to enter into a dialogue to find a new way to address unemployment, the Minister said, adding that a partnership is critical to renewal of local economies.
He appealed to the municipality to take charge in the running of the local economy and ensure compliance.
“In a partnership there are certain dos and don’ts [and] if we want to take the country out of this misery of unemployment, we need to build partnerships,” Nxesi said.
Small businesses are a pillar of economic growth and employment creation.
Government launched the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) as an intervention to transition job seekers into employment and entrepreneurship.
He challenged the local municipality to champion and manage at least two new cooperations to uplift local entrepreneurs.
The employer’s breakfast session was held in conjunction with the Jobs and Careers Fair held at Maluti Civic Centre in Matatiele.
The two-day Jobs and Careers Fair, which started on Thursday, is aimed at stimulating employment, particularly among the youth.
It is supported by a number of partners, including government departments, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), employers and community organisations.
Hundreds of job seekers are expected to obtain access to information on available jobs, employment counselling and training opportunities. – SAnews.gov.za
