Pretoria - The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Thandi Tobias-Pokolo, handed out certificates of registration to cooperatives owned by the young people of Welgeval, in the North West.
Four cooperatives established by the youth were awarded certificates at a youth empowerment outreach event that was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry on Friday.
The outreach, which was attended by more than 500 young people from numerous Welgeval villages, was meant to encourage the youth to establish businesses, particularly cooperatives, in an effort to create employment for themselves and other members of the community.
Deputy Minister Tobias-Pokolo said she was encouraged by the commitment and interest shown by the youth in Welgeval, adding that she saw a lot of potential in them and hoped they will be a good example to other young people in the area.
“The youth in this area have for the past two weeks been in contact with the dti and other stakeholders in an effort to formalise themselves and get their businesses off the ground.
“Our department, together with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), and Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) have done a lot in this area to make sure that young people are assisted in order to realise their dreams of formalising themselves into a business and become fully-fledged entrepreneurs,” said Tobias-Pokolo.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Minister Tobias-Pokolo addressed all youth and reiterated government’s commitment in encouraging the youth to form part of the mainstream economy.
The NYDA Branch Manager in the North-West, Michael Phokela said the partnership with the dti and its agencies was assisting the agency to fulfil its mandate.
“The youth empowerment outreach programme has seen a lot of youth benefit from the cooperative programme and also a lot of thought has been put into the programme to make sure that the youth get proper training and skills to sustain their businesses,” said Phokela.
Phokela also urged the youth to make use of the NYDA services and find courage to start their own businesses.
Natasha Mabe, a member of one of the newly formed youth cooperatives, Tswelopele Internet Café and Catering Services, said they would now be able to follow their dreams and do what they always wanted to do.
“All of us were unemployed for the past two years and now we can look forward to changing our lives for the better and do well for our community. We believe and hope that our new venture will bring success in our lives,” said Mabe.
The ceremony was attended by North West MEC for Health Magome Masike, Moses Kotane Local Municipality officials, and representatives of the NYDA. – SAnews.gvo.za
