Premier's plan to tackle joblessness

KWAZULU-NATAL Premier Thamsanga Ntuli unveiled a comprehensive Provincial Jobs and Economic Growth Action Plan, aimed at rejuvenating the province’s economy through robust job creation and renewed investor confidence on Friday.

- KAREN SINGH

This announcement follows an extended cabinet meeting on September 3, and is a direct response to the pressing challenges posed by persistently high unemployment rates in the region.

Provincial spokesperson Bongani Gina said this strategic initiative — focused on immediately addressing unemployment and revitalising the provincial economy — was the result of extensive discussions with members of the executive council (MECs), department heads and public entities.

“This milestone engagement marked a turning point in KwaZulu-Natal’s collective effort to convert resilience into shared prosperity, in response to Statistics South Africa’s latest data, which continues to show persistently high unemployment levels across the province,” he said.

Gina said KZN has endured a tumultuous period characterised by devastating floods, the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing energy insecurities.

This, coupled with logistics bottlenecks, looting and crime, considerably undermined investor trust, creating a daunting backdrop for communities and enterprises alike, he said.