Pretoria – As South Africa is implementing Operation Phakisa for the Ocean Economy, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Jeff Radebe, has encouraged young people to research career opportunities available in that area.
The Ocean’s Economy project was designed to answer fundamental implementation questions and find solutions, as the country tries to address poverty, inequality and unemployment, among other challenges, as stipulated in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030.
“You as young people must be interested in these new areas of the ocean, look at what is there in terms of careers,” Minister Radebe said.
On Friday, at the Union Buildings, Minister Radebe shared with the winners of the 2nd South African National Youth Awards how the NDP focuses on the youth.
He told young people that South Africa is surrounded by a vast ocean which it has not been fully taken advantage of. The country’s oceans have the potential to contribute up to R177 billion to the gross domestic product (GDP) and create just over one million jobs by 2033.
“The success of the NDP and all other government interventions is dependent on active citizenry of which the youth is at the centre of. The involvement of our people, especially young people is of critical importance for us to succeed in our journey to prosperity,” Minister Radebe said.
Minister Radebe said the Operation Phakisa projects for the ocean economy, mining, education and health are aimed at implementing the NDP.
“We have not utilised the mineral resources to empower our people so this Mining Operation Phakisa is aimed at ensuring that mining continues to be a sunrise industry, to empower our people so that we can get more investment in the industry to beneficiate.
“We want our people to share in the inclusive growth of our economy, not just a few but a majority of our people, especially those who were disadvantaged by the system of apartheid therefore we require a developmental state that is capable of leading this charge of changing our country,” Minister Radebe said.
He said young people must be at the forefront of the fundamental change and he encouraged the youth to make a difference in their chosen profession.
The NDP states that youth can take co-responsibility where government is leading to support and resource their initiatives. – SAnews.gov.za
