Government to fund youth businesses says Mpumalanga premier
“Our interventions were not smooth and were met by criticism and sceptical choruses, labelling them a waste of taxpayers’ money,” said Mtsweni-Tsipane.
The Mpumalanga premier, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, said the government had budgeted about R114m to support young people’s businesses.
She spoke at a breakfast session at the Graceland Casino in Secunda on June 27. Some 97 beneficiaries of her youth fund attended.
She said the government was adamant that youth empowerment support would rid the province of unemployment.
“We took this decision fully aware that youth-owned enterprises would likely create sustainable employment opportunities and drive societal change.
“As we mark Youth Month, their unemployment rate remains high. That is unacceptable.”
Mtsweni-Tsipane claimed they had seen the desired outcomes since the youth fund’s establishment three years ago.
“Our interventions were not smooth and were met by criticism and sceptical choruses, labelling them a waste of taxpayers’ money,” said Mtsweni-Tsipane.
She encouraged young people to find innovative ideas because the country was in an energy transition, and there were opportunities to be seized.
She also encouraged the private sector to support this initiative.
ALSO CHECK: Mpumalanga Premier says locals must have water and electricity
ALSO CHECK: Mpumalanga Premier leads march against gender-base violence in Ermelo
