KZN takes the lead for creating new jobs, says MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs
Stats SA reports that nationally, joblessness shot from 27.2% to 27.5% in the third quarter as a result of ponderous growth
While the rest of the country is struggling to create new jobs or retain existing ones, the province of KwaZulu-Natal has managed to keep its head above water with respect to the generation of employment opportunities. This is according to MEC for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs Mr Sihle Zikalala.
Stats SA reports that nationally, joblessness shot from 27.2% to 27.5% in the third quarter as a result of ponderous growth.
But the coastal province has demonstrated astonishing resilience, which is attributed to collaborative efforts by government, the business sector, organised labour and civic organisations, according to the MEC.
Stats SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey showed that 98,000 more people found employment in KwaZulu-Natal in the third quarter of 2018.
“This is exciting news and it tells us that our efforts to build a strong economy are bearing fruits. It is also a clear indication that the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Council – an ensemble comprising representatives of organised labour, the business sector, government and civic organisations – is doing well,” said Mr Zikalala.
He further stated that more people would find employment as the provincial government continues to implement its developmental programmes targeting small enterprises.
“Our aim is to grow the number of small enterprises, because they have shown they are capable of creating jobs to stimulate local economies.”
The growth in employment figures was also as a result of businesses’ increased appetite to invest in the diverse sectors of the economy in the province, observed Mr Zikalala.
“We have in the recent past seen an increased number of businesses that want to do business in our province. They are responding positively to our campaign to attract investors.”
Mr Zikalala said that a list of investment opportunities worth more than R270 billion, that his department had packaged and recently announced for inclusion as part of government’s grand investment target of 100 billion dollars for the next five years, was expected to generate hundreds of thousands of job opportunities.
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