The Joburg city mayor Parks Tau has affirmed the city’s allocation of R1 billion for the inaugural year of the Jozi@Work programme, with a further R4 billion to be allocated for the next financial year.
Tau said this to residents of Alexandra at Sankopano Community Centre when they registered their cooperatives and businesses as service providers for the programme’s various work packages. The work will be in energy, waste management, greening and landscaping, construction and maintenance, road and transport infrastructure, business and urban management support, agriculture and food security, water and sanitation, information communication technology and digital services.
The mayor said 7 000 people were reached by the programme’s road shows and 2 000 new community-based companies registered as legal entities in order to bid for the work. “This will change the way the city does business to one of partnerships that equip communities to respond to their problems while receiving payment,” he said.
He stated that those contracted will be supported by a capacity support agent to process invoices for payments, ensure quality standards, help them access equipment and purchase raw material under credit. “The agent will for two years also support them with training, advice and access to low cost loans to help them grow and bid for more work in the city and other opportunities.”
He added that community participation articulated the national development plan’s assertion that new jobs would be created by small and medium enterprises. “This though, requires a shift in the mind set of residents from that of job seekers and passive recipients of state planning and resources, to being job creators and participants in the economy.”
Tau also stressed that the city will, through regional forums, engage with legitimate and accountable structures in the community. “This will be to ensure smooth implementation, transparency and fair access to opportunities and not for gate keeping purposes that restrict access by others to work opportunities.”
He further advised that there will be side funding to the programme next year to carter for innovative work proposals. Those still wanting to know more about the programme and to register were urged to engage with the regional office.
Details: City of Johannesburg; 011 407 7354.
