Premier hopeful on job creation

POLOKWANE – Limpopo premier, Stan Mathabatha expressed hope that the government will reverse job losses suffered in the last quarter of 2017.
This was highlighted during the State of the Province Address in Polokwane on Friday.
According to Statistics South Africa’s quarterly labour-force survey, the province recorded the largest employment gains in the fourth quarter, with 62 000 new jobs, and reduced unemployment by 1,7 per cent.
However, 35 000 jobs were lost in the same period. At least 15 000 of those were in the mining sector.
“We commit ourselves to working harder to recapture the lost jobs and even create other opportunities for people. We will do this by ensuring that agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and the construction sectors contribute optimally to the provincial gross domestic product (GDP),” Mathabatha said.
He said, according to the provincial growth and development plan, mining and agriculture are key pillars of the planned special economic zones. “Mining alone contributes at least 28 per cent of the GDP.”
He also expressed concern over illegal mining in the Sekhukhune region.
Turning to the Mining Charter, Mathabatha said the province anticipated a review that would produce a win-win solution for mining communities.
“The resolution of this matter will help us attract investment into the provincial economy, and strengthen partnerships with mining houses and organised labour.”
Mathabatha also vowed to help struggling government entities find their footing and achieve clean audits.