The outcome of the ANCs long-awaited KwaZulu-Natal conference was a win for the Thuma Mina crowd. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
JOHANNESBURG, June 8 (ANA) – The economic potential of Gauteng won’t be fulfilled until the youth is able to acquire skills and find employment, deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Gauteng Economic Indaba, Ramaphosa said young people must be recognized as dynamic agents of change who are capable of finding diverse, innovative and creative solutions to problems.
“We must harness young people’s ingenuity, energy, courage, impatience and appetite for progressive change. We must encourage innovation and entrepreneurship. We must build an economy that restores the wealth of this province and this country to its people,” said Ramaphosa.
He said Gauteng has a number of interesting opportunities and possibilities.
“It is the manufacturing hub of the country. There are great opportunities for upgrading the contribution of manufacturing to the GDP of Gauteng beyond the 16 percent to 25 percnet and beyond.”
Ramaphosa said Gauteng’s economic plan draws on the resources and capabilities that reside in the province.
“Significantly, the plan identifies those sectors which have the greatest potential to give growth and employment creation and directs the bulk of resources and effort towards developing them,” said Ramaphosa.
“We are determined not only to support business, but also to have a close partnership with business so as to engender economic growth and create jobs, especially for young people.”
Ramaphosa said it was through supporting the manufacturing sector that the province will be able to entice the private sector to invest and create mutually beneficial opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
– African News Agency (ANA)
Disclaimer: This story is pulled directly from the African News Agency wire, and has not been edited by Mail & Guardian staff. The M&G does not accept responsibility for errors in any statement, quote or extract that may be contained therein.