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April 2015
News
M
EC for Economic Develop-
ment, Lebogang Maile said
that they havemade inroads
in this regard and plans are underway
to realise this vision as outlined in
the township economy revitalisation
strategy.
In addition, the three metros
Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhu-
leni, have set aside R3 billion, R22mil-
lion and R150 million respectively, to
support the township economy and
the township entrepreneurs over a
period of five years.
Maile announced that 160 town-
ship entrepreneurs involved in light
manufacturing and other productive
activities will benefit from the R1,6
billion investment in the Riversands/
Diepsloot SMME Incubation Hub.
Seven new township hubs will be
established to assist and support
businesses, including Ennerdale,
Hammanskraal, Mabopane and
Reiger Park.
Furthermore, the industrial Parks
in Katlehong, Orlando, Residentia,
Khutsong and Ennerdale will be re-
vitalised said Maile. The provincial
government has also in the last three
quarters of 2014 made some strides
on employment opportunities.
Launched in December 2014, the
Gauteng provincial government’s
initiative ‘Tshepo 500 000’ aims to
provide skills and entrepreneurship
training to 500 000 young people of
Gauteng.
Maile said that the project has to
date received a considerable number
of applications through the job portal
and a number of young people have
already been placed in sustainable
employment.
“Our government continues to
report on work opportunities cre-
ated and indications are that we are
well on track towards the creation of
the one million work opportunities.
We have committed ourselves to a
more comprehensive and integrated
Expanded Public Works Programme
and Community Works Programme
by end of this term,” concludedMaile.
Over the next four years, the
Gauteng Provincial Government’s
total investment in infrastructure
development will be more than R32
billion, while Gauteng municipalities
will spend R94 billion over the same
period.
■
R3,172 bn for township businesses
The Gauteng government has
set asidemore than R160million
towards revitalising the township
economy.
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