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The business sector in the Eastern Cape has welcomed Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s state of the province address, which focused mainly on the economy and on creating jobs especially for the youth.
The 14 projects under construction at the East London special economic zone have already created thousands of jobs and are part of a bigger plan to revitalise the provincial economy.
Mabuyane said in the zone there are 14 projects under construction funded through a special R1.4 billion trade and industry department fund to unlock private sector investment of R3.4 billion.
“These projects have created 2 000 direct construction jobs in the zone and this is estimated to grow to 3 000 jobs by the end of the financial year,” Mabuyane said.
He added that seven catalytic projects that were submitted for funding by the Coega special economic zone had been approved by the budget facility for infrastructure. It was envisaged that these projects would inject R1.4 billion into the provincial economy.
“We have also concluded a signicant land deal with Transnet for the Ngqura Manganese Export Terminal. This deal will pave a way for the development of the Port Elizabeth waterfront. We are also pleased to indicate that in this term Transnet will invest an additional R4.6 billion for 17 key projects, such as the manganese multi-channel strategy, phase one of the Port Elizabeth waterfront and a tank farm project,” said Mabuyane.
President of the Black Business Forum, Luthando Bara, said the focus on the economy by the provincial government was welcomed, given the fact that the province had lost many jobs.
“We appreciate the focus on the economy in general. It shows that the premier shows deeper understanding of the most critical problem that is facing our country which is joblessness and an economy that is not growing.
“You would know that the Eastern Cape in the last quarter – between October and December – lost about 18 000 jobs. So, it was important that the premier assures the nation that he was doing something about it,” said Bara.
The focus on the Umzimvubu Dam and the revitalisation of industries in Dimbaza near King Williams’s Town, Butterworth and Ezibeleni in Komani [formerly Queenstown] was also appreciated.
“We like the fact that he has decided to give figures and it’s not just broad strokes in terms of the proposals. He [the premier] has got more specific ideas in terms of how to change the fortunes of the Eastern Cape.
Bara said he was happy that something was being done to develop the East London port.
Vuyisile Ntlabati, president of the Eastern Cape Chamber of Business, said all the plans were good on paper but meant nothing if administrators do not implement them.
Ntlabati said there was also a need for time-frames on government projects and programmes so that there can be consequences if certain things did not happen by certain due dates.
Ntlabati said the youth needed to be mentored especially those who want to venture into business to create jobs as many of them have businesses that go under due to lack of mentoring.
“We are concerned about the youth. A number of young people are graduates but have no opportunities, be it jobs or starting business. Government needs to be serious in identifying the right people and mentoring them. That is what will make a difference in our economy and create jobs,” he said.
He added that he was concerned about young people loitering the streets.
“We need a programme of training young people and turn them into entrepreneurs who will have sustainable businesses because it’s not easy in the business world,” Ntlabati said.
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