DA candidate visits Yes4Youth Hub in Tembisa
DA's Solly Msimanga applauds the good work done by Yes4Youth Hub in Tembisa.
The DA’s candidate for Gauteng premier, Solly Msimanga, paid an oversight visit to the Yes4Youth Hub in Tembisa on January 28.
Msimanga said he found there is a serious need for collaboration between the government, the private sector and the community, which will go a long way to getting businesses off the ground.
He said that will get more young people involved in starting up businesses, while the private sector can also play a role in planting the seed for such initiatives.
“Once a product is produced where does it go?
“So if we create a market, there is also a value chain that is now created, which is very good.
“One thing I have learned from here is that the government’s job is not to create employment, but to create an enabling environment in which jobs can be created,” Msimanga said.
He noted the good work being done by Mishak Masipa of the Mish De Chef Eatery based at the Yes4Youth Hub.
“There was an enabling environment in which he was assisted in terms of a facility that allowed him to get his dream of becoming a chef and running a catering business up and running.
“If we provide that kind of environment, everything else will begin to fall into place,” Msimanga said.
He added that training coupled with finance could go a long way towards helping entrepreneurs.
“We need to make sure that we replicate these kinds of setup across Gauteng if we are serious about tapping into the young market, specifically young people with degrees, diplomas or an aspiration to start a business.
“This will provide them with a platform to either start or grow their businesses and put them in touch with the private sector,” Msimanga added.
Brendon Martens, the SMME development lead at Youth Employment Service, said the day showcased the opportunities that can be created when the private and public sectors work together to solve problems, such as youth unemployment.
“We hope that we can continue to roll out facilities like this, in partnership with the private and public sectors,” said Martens.
Yes4Youth Hub manager Sihle Mlambo was content, saying the day was a success.
“We are not affiliated with any political party, but we need all the support we can get from the community in promoting these economic activities,” said Mlambo.
