Representing Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube at the 2023 Youth Day celebration at Ndwedwe Regional Sport Ground, MEC Duma said during this financial year, the Education Department created 58 000 jobs which benefitted the youth and the department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) had identified 5 600 young people, who would receive monthly stipends to curb youth unemployment and economically empower the youth of the province.

Addressing scores of young people today MEC Duma said: “EDTEA added 15 000 jobs through the department’s expanded work programmes, The Office of the Premier, through its R100 million Youth Empowerment Fund, had assisted more than 70 young people to start their own businesses or expand their existing enterprises. We encourage youth from the province to grab these opportunities aimed empowering them so that they are not left behind.”

Operation Vula Fund is one of the public-sector led funds aimed at supporting small businesses to create more than 10 000 job and business opportunities. Applications for assistance through Operation Vula Fund closes on 20 June.

MEC Duma urged people to apply before the applications deadline reaches. “It is through small business development and developing young entrepreneurs that we can address youth unemployment in KwaZulu-Natal.”

As part of Youth Day celebration, MEC Duma also unveiled the Maxwell Hadebe Digital Skills Centre,which is aimed at equipping youth with digital skills that are critically needed in this age of the digital economy. The centre comprises of 34 computers help the youth from Ilembe District to acquire computer skills and create applications. It is at this centre that young people will be taken through Information and Communication Technology training.

At the Youth Day commemoration, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government also awarded cheques worth over R600 000 businesses-owned by young people and cooperatives in and around Ilembe District municipal area.

The June 16 Youth Day is the 47th Anniversary of the uprising of young people in Soweto and other townships in South Africa. MEC Duma reminded young people to take courage and be inspired by the sacrifices made by the class of 16 June 1976.

In closing, MEC Duma lamented the high number of teenage pregnancies prevalent in the province and called on communities to report to “sugar daddies” who prey on teenage girls.

“We urge parents to refrain from accepting payments from old men who sexually molest young girls. Those who do such abominable acts to young girls need to be reported to the police,” concluded MEC Duma.

Ends