Conference brings job opportunities and advice to job seekers
Due to the high rate of unemployment in Nkomazi and many entrepreneurs struggling to get finance, Tshikovha joined forces with the local municipality and other entities to host a conference connecting job seekers with job opportunities.
KAMHLUSHWA – Entrepreneurs struggling to get their businesses off the ground and unemployed youth received advice on marketing themselves and available opportunities at the first Tshikovha Graduates and Entrepreneur Empowerment Conference on Saturday.
It was hosted at the local community hall and representatives from the Nkomazi Local Municipality, Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA), SANParks and other related industries were invited to give presentations on their work, job opportunities and involvement in the community.
During a question and answer session, Herbital Maluleke of MEGA spoke about the planned Special Economic Zone in Komatipoort, and stated that by January 15 they hope to sit down with the youth to discuss value chain financing.
READ: Nkomazi’s economy to grow thanks to multi-billion Rand SEZ
Municipal spokesman, Cyril Ripinga answered a question about the struggle to take business into Marloth Park. He mentioned that there are strict guidelines applicable to the holiday township and the correct procedures had to be followed.
He urged people with business proposals or who needed assistance to call his office on the municipality’s 24-hour hotline at 013-790-0990.
After the IUCMA presentation, attendees complained that it takes too long to get a water licence. To address this, IUCMA is busy with a water allocation reform program. They are currently validating and valuating water resources and allocations to ensure that the resources are used responsibly.
READ: Low water levels in Croc River results in restrictions for farmers
Another organisation that is involved with the community is SANParks. They have donated a science lab to a school in Matsulu and also helped to renovate the Driekoppies and KaMhlushwa Stadiums.
Due to their presence across the country, they are involved in social investment projects in all nine provinces.
The program director, Joe Mudau urged attendees to go speak to the representatives of the companies present to discuss the available opportunities. He also asked business people and other influential people to think about how they can make communities progress.
Mr Moudy Mudzielwana, of Tshikovha, advised attendees to support initiatives that bring money into the communities and not to oppose it because “it came from the outside”. He urged them to try to improve their weaknesses before pointing out others’.
He stated that one of his company’s aims with the conference was to find out what the barriers preventing development are and to bring people together to solve it.
During the afternoon session, the attendees received a checklist with what they need to apply for jobs, how to compile a CV and other practical ways to market themselves or make use of the available opportunities.
READ: Are you looking for a business loan? Avoid these mistakes
After the conference, Mduzielwana told Corridor Gazette that his company hosts such conferences annually but regularly work with other entities on their community projects.
He explained that one of the aims of the conference was to help business people and organisations define their roles in the community. He hopes to connect all business people in Nkomazi to work towards economic growth.
