David Makhura introduces Township Economic Development Bill in Diepsloot
Makhura said the new bill will help South African citizens have access to government funding and get rid of red tape that prevent residents in the townships to start their businesses.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura accompanied by MEC for Roads and Transport Jacob Mamabolo visited Diepsloot on April 12 to introduce to the community the Township Economic Development Bill recently passed by the provincial legislature.
Makhura’s visit follows a week-long violent protest against crime in the township that saw Zimbabwean national Elvis Nyathi lose his life.
Speaking at the community engagement event held at Diepsloot Youth Centre, Makhura said the high rate of unemployment in the township was one of the contributing factors to crime.
He said the new bill would help South African entrepreneurs living in townships have access to government funding and get rid of red tape that prevented them starting businesses.
“Most of the by-laws have been making it difficult for our people in townships to start their businesses. This bill was supported by the majority of parties in the provincial legislature and is aimed at helping locals start their businesses and create jobs for others.”
He said the bill would also allow the government to lease land to local SMMEs through the Rapid Land Release Programme for a period of 99 years.
“Through this bill, South African citizens will qualify to lease a piece of land from government to use it for manufacturing and other legitimate business. We will not give them ownership of this land but lease it to them in order to run their businesses and create jobs.”
He added that the government would continue to work with the private sector to eliminate some of the red tape that made it difficult for investors to invest in the province.
“Our economy has been struggling for some time now because of the Covid-19 pandemic and other factors. We want to revive the township economy across the province in order to minimise the high level of unemployment.”
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