Eliminating poverty and reducing inequality in South Africa will require the collective and collaborative effort of government, business and communities, says Deputy Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Addressing the ArcelorMittal Skills Development Summit in Pretoria on Tuesday afternoon, the Deputy Minister said the collaboration between government and the private sector was necessary to achieve the 2030 Vision of skills development and economic growth in the country.
“With this united vision and intent, we can develop skills, support SMMEs and create the opportunities so critical for economic growth. Indeed, together we will be able to move South Africa forward,” she said.
The Deputy Minister said skills development remained a critical aspect of government’s Programme of Action.
She echoed President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address earlier this year when he said “government will continue to invest in education and skills development as pillars for economic growth and development”.
Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said government had put in place various measures to make South Africa a learning and thriving nation, that provides support and opportunities to those who need it most, from school level to workplace.
She said President Zuma had emphasised the need for more engineers, electricians, plumbers, doctors, teachers and many other professionals to build the country’s economy.
“There is a correlation between education, skills development and employment growth-- which are all essential for South Africa’s economic growth, reducing inequality and eliminating poverty as envisaged in the National Development Plan,” said the Deputy Minister.
National Skills Development Strategy
The Deputy Minister said government had developed the National Skills Development Strategy as a vehicle to increase access to high quality and relevant education, training and skills development opportunities for citizens.
“The strategy is geared towards increased access to training and skills development opportunities and achieving the eradication of inequities linked to class, race, gender, age and disability in our society,” she said.
It also tackles the challenges of skills shortages and mismatches which impede the effective participation in the economy and society by all South Africans and thereby reduce inequalities, added the deputy minister.
She said the success of the strategy will depend on its impact on issues relating to vulnerable groups such as women, youth and people with disabilities.
Branding SA
President Zuma last month signed a proclamation to de-establish the GCIS and establish the Department of Communications. This new department combines the GCIS with Brand South Africa, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA), South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and the Film & Publication Board under one ministry.
The Deputy Minister said her department had the responsibility to spearhead the National Communication Strategy and ensure that all spheres of government are capacitated to carry out the communication agenda, while branding the country abroad.
“In this respect, we will continue working closely with provincial and local government to improve communication and ensure that our messengers have the relevant communication skills,” she said.
She reiterated the commitment undertaken by her department in the 2014 Budget Vote, which was tabled in Parliament.
“The Department of Communication will work together with relevant stakeholders to review the existing media accountability mechanisms, balance the individual's rights to dignity and freedom of expression and freedom of the media, and review the privacy laws as well as those dealing with defamation,” Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said.
“We will further forge partnerships with other stakeholders such as traditional leaders and the religious sectors to devise strategies on their role in furthering government’s communication interventions,” she added.
20 years of freedom and democracy
The Deputy Minister said what the country achieved during 20 Years of its Freedom should serve as inspiration for the next two decades.
“What we have achieved, is the product of all South Africans consulting and working with each other, looking for the best in each other, looking for the best in each situation and acting out of goodwill and inspiration,” she said.
She urged citizens to sustain the national effort of building hope and opportunity to enable constructive contribution to South Africa’s development.
The Deputy Minister challenged ArcelorMittal and other big companies to remain at the forefront of building national economic pride and accelerating growth in the country.-SAnews.gov.za
