Labour Activation Programme launched in Limpopo.

POLOKWANE – The Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi says the ultimate target for now is to create two million employment opportunities for young people in South Africa.

Minister Nxesi was speaking during the 8th edition of the Labour Activation Programme Project Launch that took place on 30 April in Limpopo.

The programme was hosted by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), an entity of the Department of Employment and Labour.

Nxesi led the programme in collaboration with his Deputy Minister Boitumelo Moloi, MEC for Provincial Treasury Seaparo Sekoati, MEC for Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Rodgers Monama and MEC for Sport, Arts and Nakedi Kekana.

Teboho Maruping, who is the Commissioner of the UIF, kick-started the launch by giving a brief background about the purpose of the Labour Activation Programmes and the role the UIF plays in them.

 Maruping mentioned that it is a self-funded structure with paid benefits that preserves jobs, enhances employability, enables entrepreneurship and promotes economic growth.

MEC Sekoati said, “We acknowledge the contribution that this will bring to the already growing fight against unemployment that we are making. Last year alone we created 180 000 jobs, making us the second growing province in South Africa”.

There are over 44 700 who will benefit from the 11 sectors that include agriculture, ICT, construction, tourism and others.

Lesiba Obed Molokomme, one of the beneficiaries of the programme, amongst many others, expressed gratitude to all the stakeholders who made it possible for him to receive this opportunity of nurturing his skills and becoming employable. “Now I know what I’m capable of and have the knowledge I need to succeed,” said the young man from Mokopane.

In his keynote address, the minister emphasised the efficiency and practicality of these programs. “With the statistics of unemployment rapidly increasing in South Africa, only substantial economic recovery and development will rescue the country’s unemployment woes,” entailed the Minister. 

He further added that the Labour Activation Programs are not a silver bullet that can be used to end unemployment, but can be used to bridge the gap between job seekers and empowerment through skills development.

 To ensure and monitor the efficiency of these programmes, the Department of Employment & Labour has appointed a Labour Activation Manager to oversee everything.