Support informal street trading to boost employment
DIEPSLOOT - Fourways Constituency MP Cameron Mackenzie has singled out unemployment as the biggest scourge bedevilling communities.
Mackenzie made the statement on 11 March during an interview with Fourways Review.
He maintained that the national economy was not growing fast enough and, in the process, was breeding gangsters, alcoholism, drug abuse and crime.
“[A total of] 25 percent of young people aged between 18 and 25 are unemployed and this figure is going up,” warned Mackenzie. He added that having a job gives a sense of pride and dignity as one would be able to provide for the family. “If you don’t have a job or income, your pride diminishes and this can lead to negative behaviour,” said Mackenzie.
The legislator urged the local government authorities to directly support informal businesses in the streets and townships in order to create employment. “Townships have massive potential and huge amounts of employment can be created if the local government invests in training and improving working conditions in the informal business sector. The government must not offer handouts but give a hand-up.”
He said improving infrastructure such as the transport system, roads, toilets and selling points has the potential to improve the informal business sector. “We have to go back to basics in order to grow small businesses. Good roads without potholes will make the work of a taxi driver easy, day care facilities must be provided with basic requirement such as water and electricity.”
He said informal trading cannot flourish if rubbish was being allowed to pile up to the roof.
The MP also revealed that he took a tour of Kya Sand and came face-to-face with the squalid conditions which residents stays in.
“Once we attend to the basic needs of people, the quality of life will immediately go up.”
How is the service delivery in your area? Post your comments on the Fourways Review Facebook page
