Hope Mafu | 1 August 2024 With an alarming youth unemployment rate staggering at 45.5%, small businesses may be the alternative to tackle unemployment and contribute to a progressive economy. According to founder and group CEO of Fetola, Catherine Wijnberg, joblessness is a setback to the economy, ultimately many fall prey to poverty, social unrest and food insecurity. Fetola, in partnership with FNB Youth Start-up Accelerator (FNBYSA), is a small business development agency that works with stakeholders to help start and grow successful small businesses, hoping to curb unemployment. So far, Fetola has graduated over 2000 thriving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “South Africa needs to address the fundamentals underlying youth unemployment. These are the lack of economic growth which limits all job creation, and the lack of preparedness youth have for employment and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is widely slated as the solution to youth unemployment in South Africa,” said Wijnberg. There are many successful entrepreneurs with no formal education. However, Wijnberg explained work experience and a formal education, preferably higher education, harness prospective business owners to identify their niche market and start building successful businesses. “Aspiring entrepreneurs have work experience, networks, and exposure to the world of business. Entrepreneurship success rates also increase with post-matric education, which encourages advanced thinking, organisational skills and inner resilience, or grit. Young people with work experience and education are more likely to have the insight needed to identify a niche market for their business and the confidence to launch it.” She highlighted a marriage between the private sector and small business agencies, such as Fetola, help build entrepreneurial skills of young people, including providing resources to establish SMMEs that would blossom. “Successfully addressing youth unemployment requires unlocking economic growth, coupled with effective small business development solutions such as business accelerators, to empower young people to create their own opportunities. Ultimately, it is the partnerships between the private sector and small business accelerators that are needed to build businesses that thrive, create long-term beneficial societal impact and more inclusive economic growth.” Wijnberg said FNB distributed a grant funding of R977 500 to the first intake of participants of the Youth Start-up Accelerator Programme in 2022. Added SME Development head at FNB, Heather Lowe: “As a bank established by entrepreneurs, FNB has long been committed to offering entrepreneurs meaningful support. Our intention with the FNB Youth Start-up Accelerator is to create a supportive ecosystem for young entrepreneurs, via an investment which has the potential to scale exponentially and make a lasting impact.” Wijnberg beamed at the success rate of Fetola and FNBYSA partnership, saying: “Now in its third year, the programme has been extremely successful, creating purposeful impact and long-term sustainable returns. In the latest cohort, 12 youth businesses saw growth above 200% while participating in the programme. “Outlier Leaf Print Herbals experienced 1024% growth. MV Muhali Holdings and The Rambo’s Shisanyama both reported over 600% growth, illustrating what is possible with the right support. More than 90% of the SMEs that have gone through our programmes are still active today, despite a disruptive and challenging environment. Not only have participants increased their turnover and profitability, but they have also proved that with some assistance and direction, small business entrepreneurs can achieve impressive results.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/smmes-an-alternative-to-counter-youth-unemployment-43d81dfe-745e-495a-b4f3-48c33db29bcc#google_vignette

Bhekizizwe Radebe | 6 August 2024 Aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners heard how they could grow their ventures and overcome obstacles when government and other industry leaders took to the podium at the third annual Cape Town Cape Town Business Summit. Over 1 300 attendees filled the auditorium at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Wednesday, July 31, for the summit and its inaugural business expo. This year’s summit addressed an array of critical topics for businesses, including better access to funding, cutting red tape, fostering stronger relationships between the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) sector and government, rebuilding and marketing businesses during challenging times, and the government’s plans for dealing with extortion. Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson said as a member of the portfolio committee on trade, industry and competition in the previous administration, he was a vocal advocate for small business support and the creation of a conducive environment for SMMEs to flourish and prosper. “Exactly one month ago, I was designated by the President to be Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and I intend to use the mandate I have been given to eliminate any and all obstacles that stifle the participation of SMMEs in the economy,” said Mr Macpherson. He said as minister, he is fully aware that the bedrock of any country’s competitiveness, prosperity and social well-being is infrastructure. In order for our country to realise economic success, and the improved quality of life for all citizens, he said, we must pay attention to the issues of infrastructure investment. He said the implementation of infrastructure programmes must be harnessed to benefit SMMEs. “I want to make it easier for SMMEs to do business by creating an enabling and supportive environment,” said Mr Macpherson. He said one of the silent killers of SMMEs is late payment for work completed. However, that payment must be for quality and impactful work delivered. Mr Macpherson said the department is aware of public concerns over dilapidated state-owned infrastructure. He said it’s time the government recognised the potential for economic growth in state properties and stopped considering them as only tangible assets. “The department’s new approach to managing and investing in these assets shows our commitment to ignite inclusive economic growth, support SMME development, uplift communities, and protect the environment,” said Mr Macpherson. He said the department has embarked on initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of state property management. He also spoke about the problem of extortion and how it affects building sites. He said the department has adopted a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to extortionists and other rogue actors in this illicit value chain. He said these are sophisticated, well-organised, and well-armed syndicates rather than lone local criminals. “We will continue to improve and strengthen our response through law enforcement agencies. We will be assessing the work of the Economic Infrastructure Task Teams that have been set up with the law enforcement structures to dismantle this type of crime,” said Mr Macpherson. He said the department is dedicated to making every effort to provide a strong basis for small businesses to prosper. “It should be highlighted, however, that these jobs will remain a pipe dream if we do not act quickly to address the issues this industry is facing.” Brigadier Leon Hanana, the provincial head for SAPS’ Western Cape Serious and Violence Crimes Unit, also addressed the summit. He said extortion is used to obtain money, goods, or services through the use of violence or force. He added that criminal enterprises have seen this method as an easy way to make money. “This has resulted in dire consequences for the economy, provincially and nationally,” said Brigadier Hanana. He said the Western Cape has experienced extortion at construction sites where government and private projects have been stopped. Formal businesses such as night clubs and bars as well as informal businesses such as street vendors and spaza shops, have all been targeted. There have been kidnappings for ransom, violence in the transportation sector targeting long-distance buses and e-hailing services, and extortion has crossed to cyber space, including dating sites, blackmail and cyber attacks. Brigadier Hanana said they have a team of experienced detectives from provincial organised crime and serious and violence crime units that deal with such crimes. “For the financial year 2023/24 in the Western Cape, 226 cases were reported, with 136 arrests executed. In the 2024/25 financial year 65 cases have been reported and 35 arrests have been executed,” said Brigadier Hanana. Other guest speakers at the Cape Town Business Summit included global business speaker Vusi Thembekwayo, Dr Catherine Duggan, director of the UCT Graduate School of Business; Ashor Sarupen, the Deputy Minister of Finance; James Vos, the Mayco member for economic growth and tourism; MTN’s chief enterprise business officer, Tumi Sekhukhune-Chamayou; and Santam’s broker solutions chief operating officer, Pauline Pillay. Sandy Naude, CEO of Africa Community Media, publishers of Cape Community Media, the print media partner of the Cape Town Business Summit, said community newspapers play an enormous role in neighbourhoods. She said those neighbourhoods are exactly where small businesses start. She described community newspapers as an ideal place to market your business. “The biggest advertiser benefit that we have is that you can pick your market. If you are a hairdresser in Southfield, that’s the market that you want, and that’s the market that we are going to serve and that is exactly what you get. So our target market benefit is very useful for deals,” Ms Naude. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.southernmail.co.za/news/summit-gets-down-to-business-1128e553-8286-465a-b928-0366895693bb

Kazimla Mfikili | 7 August 2024 Shaping tomorrow’s mathematical minds is the mission for the Izibalo non-government organisation, a local extra tuition programme that aims to help more Buffalo City pupils matriculate with pure maths as a subject, especially in under resourced schools and communities. Izibalo recognises that pupils, especially those in underserved schools tend to drop mathematics when they transition from the senior phase into the further education and training phase (FET), as they have a lack of confidence in their mathematical skills. The Izibalo programme and its pupil-centred tuition style assists those who cannot afford extra classes for maths, giving them the opportunity to gain confidence and grasp knowledge without the burden of a cost that is unaffordable to pupils from financially challenged backgrounds. Co-founders of the programme, Lynn Glover and Edumisa Mtoli have a combined 35 years’ experience in maths tutoring and started Izibalo to make extra tuition accessible for disadvantaged pupils. Their offices are set up at Greenpoint Secondary School in Buffalo Flats, however they are open to applications from financially challenged pupils from across the city. Glover said: “We offer tuition on a pupil-centred basis. “In other words, the child is the centre of the teaching rather than the teacher being at the centre,” Glover said. Glover says that one of the most important aims of the nonprofit organisation is to increase the number of pupils who matriculate with pure maths as a subject. The programme does not only assist pupils to achieve their goals but also helps young, unemployed mathematical minds make a living from sharing their knowledge. The Izibalo maths programme has also contributed towards skills development of young unemployed graduates, such as Zukisa Misani, a civil engineering graduate at the Walter Sisulu University who, while waiting for an opportunity within his field, is earning experience at Izibalo through tutoring and educating the pupils who are assisted by the programme. Misani said: “I love teaching. “If there’s anything that I enjoy doing, it is teaching. I love sharing information with the pupils. “If I knew better, I could’ve chosen teaching as my career from the onset,” Misani said. Misani’s colleague, agricultural sciences master’s graduate, Itumeleng Phasela, said the programme meant a lot for her, despite not being directly aligned to the field she studied for. She is grateful for the opportunity to use some of her knowledge and to contribute towards supporting local youth who are vulnerable to many social ills. She said: “It is exciting for me. It quenches my hunger for sharing my education and knowledge to the community and pupils from underprivileged communities face severe challenges that have made it easy for them to not only stay away from maths but become dropouts. “It gives me satisfaction that my responsibility, as a teacher in the programme, decreases the number of school dropouts and keeps children in school,” Phasela said. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.goexpress.co.za/2024/08/07/ngo-harvests-future-einsteins-with-maths-programme/

Tshehla Cornelius Koteli | 7 August 2024 Seifsa says South Africa’s education system is not producing enough learners who can be eligible to work in the metal and engineering industry. Stakeholders in the steel industry have raised concerns over South Africa’s education system. Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa’s (Seifsa) concerns come amidst the high rate of unemployment faced by the country. Zizile Lushaba, Human Capital and Skills Development Executive at the federation says they have noticed that the skills required for people to be employed by the industry are not included in the education’s curriculum. Therefore, they call for a collective effort between the Department of Education and industry role-players to improve the system to ensure the youth is eligible for employment. ‘Not enough steel workers produced by the education system’ Lushaba says industries across the country face difficulties when they are trying to find people to employ. For people to be eligible to work in the steel industry, they need to have science, technology, engineering and math (Stem) skills. “However, the country’s education system is not producing enough of these learners.” For learners fresh out of high school to pursue STEM at the tertiary level, they need to have passed maths and science with certain marks in grade 12. What is worrying to the industry, is that the country was ranked last out of 39 countries in the two subjects, according to the Department of Higher Education and Training’s 2021 Annual Skills Supply and Demand Report. “The Metal and Engineering Sector constitutes 26% of the manufacturing sector and contributes 3.3% directly to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP),” she adds. Other skills needed to be employable “Employability encompasses a multifaceted set of skills, knowledge, attitudes and personal attributes that empower individuals to not only secure employment but to also grow and thrive in their chosen careers,” she says. For someone to be employable, it has a lot more to do with a tertiary qualification. The qualifications can provide people with the theoretical background and technical skills required by their industries of choice. Lushaba says employers are looking for far more than these skills. She says each industry has skills that are required for people to work in them, however, most of these skills are not taught in school. “Soft skills, effective communication, critical thinking, analytical thinking, emotional intelligence, are amongst skills employers value these days.” Apart from learned skills, employers highly value personal qualities such as adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to learn and grow. The need for education’s curriculum review She believes the journey to creating people who are employable starts with a strong foundation in basic education. “Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube, in her 2024/2025 budget speech emphasised the need for a curriculum review to address challenges in numeracy and literacy.” Lushaba stands with the Minister of Basic Education when it comes to reviewing the curriculum, as she believes it is a crucial step towards addressing the issue at its root. She says the true measure of success for the country’s education system is its capacity to equip the youth with skills and knowledge that will give them a productive career, which will contribute to the economy. She also mentiones that President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2024 Opening of Parliament Address emphasised the need for educational reform to better align with industry requirements. The educational reform will also give learners skills development. “He stressed the importance of inclusive economic growth, with a particular focus on empowering the youth.” Small businesses’ role in job creation Lushaba says Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in job creation, however, for this benefit to be reaped by the country, entrepreneurs need more support . “Incubation Hubs can increase the chance of success for SMEs by providing much-needed facilities and support. The funding options, coaching, mentorship, networking and market access provided through these Hubs can ensure that these businesses grow and eventually become employers themselves.” High unemployment rate in SA She believes equipping the youth with the necessary skills will help with lowering the high rate of unemployment . Stats SA announced that for the first quarter of 2024, unemployment increased by 0.8%, making it 32.9%. “This increase brings the total number of unemployed job seekers to 8.2 million.” Lushaba believes the situation is worse when considering the expanded definition of unemployment, which includes those discouraged from seeking work. “Under this broader measure, the number of unemployed persons reached 12.1 million in the first quarter of 2024. This underscores the urgent need for effective interventions and highlights the critical importance of enhancing employability through distinctive skills.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.citizen.co.za/business/steel-industry-worries-sa-is-not-producing-enough-future-employees/

Simangele Zuma | 8 August In an effort to support skills development and alleviating graduate unemployment, the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA) has approved a generous funding of R13 790 700 million in support of Durban University of Technology (DUT) students who are completing their Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and graduates internships. This is exciting news for the Co-operative Education unit at DUT, which is responsible for securing relevant workplace placement for students for the purpose of experiential learning. According to Dr Themba Msukwini, Acting Director: Co-operative Education unit at DUT, BANKSETA has been approving such funding from 2013 to 2023 for the amount R 22 912 071. “Co-operative Education have been engaging with Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) for relationships and partnerships support for DUT Work Integrated Learning Students and graduates internships for funding of stipends during their workplace training. We usually submit the application when the Discretionary Grant window is open for funding proposal. The application for this year, 2024 only have surpassed all with the amount of R 13 790 700. This is attributed to the mutually beneficial partnership with the BANKSETA and the maintenance of good relationships,” he shared. Giving insight of how DUT secured this funding, Dr Msukwini indicated that Co-operative Education at DUT had submitted a business case to BANKSETA after numerous reports had drawn attention to the problems experienced by government, as well as the private sector, in implementing planned growth strategies, fast-tracking service delivery and producing high quality products and services owing to a lack of skilled people. “The focus is on occupations in which there are a scarcity of qualified and experienced people, currently or anticipated in the future, either (a) because such skilled people are not available or (b) they are available but do not meet employment criteria. Students completing their Work Integrated Learning or internships gain not only experience but an excellent platform to prepare them emotionally and socially for the job environment,” added Dr Msukwini. He expressed his gratitude to BANKSETA for the funding, saying it will give the students an opportunity to be exposed to challenging experiences related to work and starting their career plans during studies. He believes the funding will assist with the compilation of programmes that will address the needs of commerce, industry and the public sector in general, for the betterment of the society and job prospects after graduation. “Furthermore, I want to thank the Co-operative Education staff especially SETA office administrator Ms Philisiwe Khuboni at our office who assisted me on the BANKSETA Monitoring and Evaluation sessions,” said Dr Msukwini. He is looking forward to expressing his appreciation in person with BANKSETA officials for the generous financial contributions for DUT students. Furthermore, BANKSETA will participate in the upcoming World of Work (WOW) Careers Fair 2024 to be hosted by the DUT Co-operative Education unit at the Fred Crookes Sport Centre, Steve Biko campus in Durban on Wednesday, 21 August 2024 and Thursday, 22 August 2024 as well as on Friday, 23 August 2024 at the Indumiso campus hall in Pietermaritzburg. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.dut.ac.za/bankseta-to-sponsor-dut-students-with-a-r13-7-million-funding-for-workplace-training/

SA News | 11 August 2024 President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to South Africa’s women, saying that they have played their part in building the country. “We salute their resilience and their dignity,” he said on Friday. Addressing the Women’s Day celebration at the Dennis Nel Stadium in Pofadder, Northern Cape, President Ramaphosa said each year on Women’s Day, government commemorates the historic march of more than 20 000 women to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. The women were protesting against the pass laws of the apartheid era. “Today, as we celebrate 30 years of freedom and democracy, we should take stock. We should reflect on how far we have come, and we should deliberate on the challenges that stand in the way of the emancipation of South Africa’s women.” President Ramaphosa said to move forward as a country, the nation must understand its past. “South Africa remains a highly unequal country. Poverty still has the face of a black woman. Black women are more likely to be unemployed, to be poor and to be unskilled. “Apartheid broke up families. Men were recruited as migrant labourers, leaving women and children behind to fend for themselves. Young girls were brought up for marriage. They did not go to school. They were confined to the home. “Over 30 years, through the struggles of women, we have done much to improve the status and circumstance of South African women. We have built on the struggles of many decades.” Rights and freedoms The President said that women now have the right to vote. “They have the right to equal work for equal pay. They have the right to equality before the law. We have made great progress in providing for the protection of mother and child. As the Women’s Charter demands, we have worked to provide proper homes for all. But much is still to be done. “Women in South Africa enjoy rights and freedoms under our Constitution. They benefit from progressive legislation. Women today are significantly represented in Parliament, in government and in the judiciary. “Women in South Africa enjoy the right to quality healthcare, including reproductive health care. Millions of South African women are supported every month with social grants to enable them to care for their families and support their children,” the President said. The President also added that South Africa has one of the highest rates of female literacy “in our region.”  “There is parity between girls and boys in primary school enrolment.  Female learners achieve more bachelors passes. Young women make up the majority of students in higher education institutions.” Improving the lives of women  President Ramaphosa said that government has prioritised women and youth in its public employment programmes. This, as around 66% of participants in the Presidential Employment Stimulus are women. “Yet, we still have much further to go. As the Government of National Unity, we are united across the political spectrum by our common commitment to improve the lives of South African women.  “To grow our economy and accelerate development, women must take their rightful place as active participants in the economy.  Women must be business owners, producers, employers and employees.” To support this effort, in 2021 government launched the Women’s Economic Assembly. The Assembly aims to secure procurement opportunities for women-owned businesses in different industries. Through the Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme approximately 8000 women have been trained to establish and manage businesses. “With funding from government and development finance institutions, we are increasing the support provided to women-owned enterprises,” said President Ramaphosa. Government is also working to ensure that more women can own land, especially in rural areas.  This is so that they can farm and have assets they can use to build and grow businesses. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/president-ramaphosa-pays-tribute-women

Tiisetso Motsoeneng and Thando Maeko | 8 August 2024 World Bank’s emphasis on exports contrasts sharply with status quo. The World Bank has called for a sweeping overhaul of SA’s trade policy, urging the country to consider forging new trade agreements with advanced and emerging economies, including those in East Asia. “SA ... has scope to modernise or develop trade agreements with [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] countries and other emerging economies,” the World Bank says in a report, “Unlocking SA’s potential: leveraging trade for inclusive growth and resilience”. However, SA “has taken a cautious approach in terms of its economic diplomacy, based on its perspectives of the suitability of such trade agreements for addressing [its] developmental policy needs”. The proposal that SA emphasise exports as the cornerstone of industry policy contrasts sharply with existing policy, which focuses primarily on a bigger role of local companies in shaping economic development, or so-called localisation. The World Bank’s suggestion on trade openness has the potential to conjure up memories of the mid-1990s. At the time, SA embarked on an aggressive tariff liberalisation programme that opened the floodgates to cheaper Chinese textile imports, which in turn obliterated the once highly protected sector. Still, the World Bank said that by seeking new partnerships beyond its borders, SA could unlock global markets, diversify its exports and enhance competitiveness. SA’s exports have historically been concentrated in minerals, metals and gold but there was a shift between the early 1990s and mid-2000s, with manufacturing goods gaining a larger share of exports. But this trend reversed during the commodity boom. Even as commodity prices cooled, growth in manufactured exports lagged behind other sectors except for automotive products. Climate change concerns The report says SA’s export profile intersects with climate change concerns, necessitating strategic adjustments to remain competitive in a world that is putting together policies such as the pioneering EU carbon tax, the carbon border adjustment mechanism, which would punish products that have a high carbon footprint. The study, conducted by a team of World Bank staff led by senior economists Jakob Engel and Bénédicte Baduel, finds that SA has opportunities to export environmentally friendly products, and strategic support can bolster their competitiveness in global markets. The research shows that between 2016 and 2020 exports of furnaces and ovens, used to destroy solid and hazardous waste, increased almost 70%, wind-powered generator sets jumped more than 40% and catalytic incinerators, designed to destroy pollution by heating polluted air and oxidising organic components, rose 41%. “Though the export volume of these products is small, the CAGR [compound annual growth rate] signals growing foreign demand for SA products. In this context, measures to support exporting firms that have opportunities to be carbon competitive are likely to support overseas market access,” the report says. The World Bank report also says that SA’s tariff regime for environmentally friendly products is among the lowest competing in the EU market, creating incentives for green trade. World Bank researchers acknowledge the dangers of cutting trade barriers and facilitating the exchange of goods across borders to sectors vulnerable to trade openness. But they also put forward ways to balance import substitution with trade openness. “It will be important to ensure that social safety nets and labour market policies are supporting labour mobility into dynamic sectors and that education systems equip the future labour force with the skills required by sectors with high export potential,” the World Bank says. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/economy/2024-08-08-world-bank-urges-sa-to-overhaul-its-trade/

Given Majola | 12 August 2024 The Mr Price Foundation has managed to place 6 571 unemployed youths in a year thanks to its R24.2 million investment in retail skills development through its JumpStart programme. The JumpStart programme, established in collaboration with the Mr Price Foundation, is meant to prepare youths for entry-level jobs in retail stores. Releasing the Mr Price Foundation’s 2024 Annual Integrated Report last week, for the period April last year to March this year, it said in the reporting period, the foundation invested R24.2 million in retail skills development through its JumpStart programme, upskilling 7252 unemployed youths, with 90% of them securing employment at Mr Price Group, SPAR and the Foundation’s other employer partners. Karen Wells, the head of Mr Price Foundation, said this meant 6 571 youths were taken out of the unemployment line and into employment. “These young people are now able to provide for their families, impacting around 32 745 people (calculated on a multiplier effect of 5:1),” Wells said. The foundation said JumpStart training was demand-driven. In a new partnership with Anglo American Platinum, it was able to grow its JumpStart footprint significantly in the Limpopo area, from 33% in 2023 to 61% in 2024. “We are also reaping the rewards of a new partnership with Power Fashion, which has become the largest employer of JumpStarters outside of Mr Price Apparel, Mr Price Home and SPAR, ” it said. Wells said this financial year was a roller-coaster ride, filled with the thrills of the highs and the challenges of the lows. “But through it all, we remained focused in our efforts to ensure that no young person is left behind, especially in marginalised communities,” Wells said. Mark Blair, Mr Price Foundation Board chairman, said, “The pressure is also mounting on South Africa to rise in the face of a multitude of socio-economic challenges. The 2024 financial year was characterised by weak economic growth, high levels of poverty, power cuts and a significant rise in extreme weather events. “In the labour market, the total number of unemployed youths increased to 4.9 million, or 45.5%, in the first quarter of 2024. There is no magic pill for these challenges. If we want to see change, we need to be change,” he said. Blair said at Mr Price Foundation, as a youth development organisation, that meant investing in education, youth skills development and entrepreneurial growth. “Without growth, we cannot create jobs or enable a sustainable cycle where businesses can grow and create further jobs,” he added. The Mr Price Foundation said it had invested R8.7m into its UpLift small business development programme, placing 154 aspiring young entrepreneurs on the path to small business success in townships, agriculture and waste management. UpLift entrepreneurs generated R1.3m in revenue, with 10 micro, small and medium enterprises established, according to the annual reprot. In the HandPicked agricultural small business development programme, entrepreneurs harvested 1.47 tons of fresh produce, giving families access to better nutrition and generating collective revenue of R242 000. The Foundation said it also supported 77 NPOs by donating R437 000 in product vouchers to Mr Price Group businesses. An estimated 5 322 beneficiaries across South Africa’s nine provinces benefited through these NPOs, which were aligned with the Foundation's vision and purpose of unlocking tomorrow's potential. Wells said: “Poor skills and education are the root cause of unemployment in South Africa. That’s why we invest significantly into improving education outcomes in lower socio-economic schools.” Mr Price Foundation also invested R4.6m into holistic education through its EduRise programme, impacting 40 primary schools, 25 214 pupils and 62 educators in KwaZulu-Natal. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/6-571-unemployed-youth-placed-in-jobs-in-a-year-thanks-to-mr-price-foundations-jumpstart-programme-3730b462-8873-40e9-8ed2-ef0101b9ed51

Creamer Media Reporter | 13 August 2024 South Africa 's unemployment rate worsened by 0.6 of a percentage point to 33.5% in the second quarter, from 32.9% in the first quarter. The expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged work seekers, also worsened by 0.7 of a percentage point to 42.6%, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) reports. Stats SA's latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows a decrease of 92 000 in the number of employed persons to 16.7-million and an increase of 158 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8.4-million in the second quarter. Discouraged work seekers increased by 147 000, while the number of persons who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement decreased by 75 000 between the first and second quarters of this year. This led to an increase in the number of not economically active persons to 16.3-million. Those aged 15 to 24 years and 25 to 34 years continue to have the highest unemployment rates at 60.8% and 41.7%, respectively, Stats SA reports. South Africa 's rising youth unemployment rate goes against global trends. Newswire Reuters on August 12 reported that youth unemployment worldwide had reached a 15-year-low in 2023 and was likely to continue falling through 2025. North West University Business School economist Professor Raymond Parsons says it was inevitable that poor growth would be reflected in yet higher unemployment. “Narrowly defined, one in three of the working-age population is now unemployed. The continued high level of youth unemployment remains of great concern,” he states. He adds that the latest overall unemployment figures again reinforce the urgency outlined by the Government of National Unity (GNU) for South Africa to prioritise much higher inclusive, job-rich growth. “Already, the prospects for stabilising and eventually reducing the high level of unemployment are being improved by the phasing out of loadshedding, higher infrastructure spending, stronger business confidence and reduced policy uncertainty. “These could, in time, build a sustainable platform for increased job creation in future,” Parsons says. He adds that the latest unemployment figures, however, also reinforce the need to expedite those structural economic reforms that will turn the South African economy round sooner rather than later and put it on a much higher growth trajectory. “Current forecasts of about 1% GDP growth this year are simply not good enough. The prevailing bad news on the unemployment front can, therefore, only be converted to better news in future if the economic remedies South Africa needs are given high priority,” he says. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/unemployment-2024-08-13

Tshehla Cornelius Koteli | 1 3 August 2024 South Africans continue to search for possible reasons and solutions for the high rate of unemployment in the country. As joblessness continues to grow, suggestions from various experts have been made, with pressure being put on government to find and implement necessary solutions. Nazeer Hoosen, CEO at The Federated Employers Mutual Assurance says one of the reasons for the high rate of unemployment is poor literacy. Hoosen says it is worrying how the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study report revealed that 81% of grade 4 learners in South Africa cannot read for meaning. He is of the view that the poor literacy level in South Africa is a barrier for the youth when it comes to future career prospects. The negative effects of poor literacy Hoosen says there are different ways in which poor literacy hinders the youth from getting mid-level and higher positions. Due to the creation of Artificial intelligence (AI), there is going to be a reduction in entry-level positions. “A 2023 report by edX, an online education platform said entry-level workers are at the greatest risk of being replaced by AI,” he adds. The report estimates that 56% of the entry-level positions will be taken over by AI over the next five years. Jobs that will be available will require a higher education qualification or specified skills. “When it comes to working with AI, there needs to be an understanding of subject matters and outcomes – for example, knowing how to craft an AI prompt to produce specific results.” edX is a United States-based company and the report was conducted with the purpose of helping business leaders understand how AI will impact the workplace. “edX partnered with Workplace Intelligence to survey 800 C-Suite executives, including over 500 CEOs and 800 knowledge workers.” Skills development Poor literacy is also explained to hinder effective skills development. He says the ability to develop new skills is important in today’s continuously changing world. Being able to develop new skills with ease will help the youth to navigate both work and personal life. “With companies de-centralising operations to embrace remote work structures, written communication will replace verbal discussions to a larger extent,” adds Hoosen. Many employees in future will need to have the ability to provide clear communication, as they will be expected to communicate effectively and professionally in written format. Analytic thinking is viewed to be the most wanted skill in a workplace, followed by creative thinking. This is according to the World Economic Forum 2023 Future of Jobs report lists. “Even those inherently possessing such proficiencies require strong reading and writing skills to express their ideas and communicate efficiently with stakeholders,” he says. Efforts that can prepare young people Hoosen believes both parents and teachers should prioritise instilling a love for books and reading in children from an early age. Programs which focus on early childhood literacy are important to building a foundation for professionals and social development. The government needs to escalate in providing access to basic education, as well as improving the quality of education across all age groups. But there is also a need to invest in developing teachers individually, and in the profession, by looking at salary structures that will attract skilled educators. “Partnerships and collaborations are also critical to solving the literacy and education crisis facing the country. Private sector collaborative initiatives and projects have the potential to make a tangible impact when it comes to education transformation.” ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za/poor-literacy-contributes-to-sas-youth-unemployment-says-expert/

Sunday World | 12 August 2024 President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that through stronger collaboration between government and business, along with the backing of labor and civil society, entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool to lift more women out of poverty. Ramaphosa said this in his weekly newsletter on Monday. “With greater collaboration between government and business, together with the support of labour and civil society, we can use entrepreneurship to lift more women out of poverty. We can create more jobs for women and help more women secure their financial freedom,” he said. Ramaphosa said the private sector is playing an important role in guiding these entrepreneurship journeys through start-up incubators, women entrepreneurship awards and programmes such as the Youth Employment Service. With the help of the Social Employment Fund and others, government is enabling women entrepreneurs to employ workers and provide mentorship to trainees. Private sector can do more to empower women “There is much more that the private sector can do. Access to financial resources, including credit lines, is vital to the viability of women-owned businesses. “Another important area is access to tools of financial inclusion like bank accounts and mobile money and payment technologies. It will be critical to broaden the reach of financial services to include women in the informal sector and in rural areas. “Empowering women contributes to thriving economies, spurs productivity and boosts economic growth,” said Ramaphosa. Last week, the country commemorated the Women’s March to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956. This historic protest by more than 20 000 South African women was a response to the cruel and dehumanising practices of the apartheid regime. Thirty years into democracy, Ramaphosa highlighted that government has made impressive strides in advancing gender equality across society, however we still have a long way to go in broadening women’s economic participation. This is borne out by a recently published Gallup study titled ‘Gender Power in Africa’. The report analyses the disparities and imbalances that shape the lives of women in five African countries, including South Africa. Accessing skills development programmes South Africa ranks the highest of the countries surveyed with respect to the rate of female participation in political decision-making, low rates of child marriage, and the participation and completion rates of girls in primary and secondary education. However, of the countries surveyed, South Africa has the highest rate of unemployed women and women not in the workforce. The percentage of South African women considered to be self-employed or entrepreneurs is the lowest, at 5%. “In this respect, we lag behind the rest of the continent. According to the World Economic Forum, women constitute 58% of self-employed people across Africa. “In a country such as ours, with a high unemployment rate , entrepreneurship is an important tool to empower more women and broaden their participation in the economy. This includes in the informal sector, which accounts for 18% of total employment in the country,” said Ramaphosa. Through its various departments and entities, he highlighted that the state provides financial support to women to enable them to start their own businesses and to sustain existing businesses. Women-owned businesses are also able to access training in business and project management, IT and other skills. “We have set a target to allocate at least 40% of public procurement spend to women-owned businesses. In 2021, we launched a Women’s Economic Assembly to enable women-owned enterprises to participate in local industry value chains. Since its inception this programme has yielded promising results in a number of key economic sectors, notably the automotive sector,” he said. He further highlighted that government is striving to expand women’s access to economic activity through land ownership, enabling female farmers to own land through the state’s land redistribution programme and supporting them with equipment and other agricultural inputs. “From citrus farmers in the North West, cooperatives making affordable school furniture in KwaZulu-Natal, to cosmetics companies and tech start-ups in the Western Cape, women-owned enterprises all across the country are benefiting from an integrated approach to supporting small businesses,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://sundayworld.co.za/news/private-sector-can-do-more-to-empower-women-entrepreneurs/

Tshepiso Kaibe | 25 October 2024 In a proactive effort to address and promote employment equity, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) recently hosted a workshop organized by the Department of Social Justice and Transformation. The event, which focused on fostering inclusivity and fair practices within the workplace, featured two distinguished guest speakers: Mr. Dias Maphutha from Bathokwa People’s Solution and Mrs. Sharon Lefkowitz, a veteran in HR management with over 35 years of experience. The workshop commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. Teboho Bojabotsheha, the Acting Manager: Transformation at VUT. Mr. Bojabotsheha introduced the esteemed guests, highlighting their extensive experience and dedication to human resources and transformation initiatives. Mr. Maphutha’s presentation centered around Employment Equity in the Workplace, drawing from South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP). He emphasized that Employment Equity and Skills Development are critical national strategies aimed at reducing inequality, unlocking citizens’ potential, and building the necessary skills for an inclusive workforce. He also introduced the four key international labour rights under the Employment Equity Act, including the Equal Remuneration Convention, the Discrimination Convention, the Workers with Family Responsibility Convention, and the Decent Work Agenda. Mr. Maphutha went on to explore the application of South Africa’s Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998. He underscored its significance in providing opportunities to previously disadvantaged groups, including Black people, women, and individuals with disabilities. He also discussed ways in which affirmative action could be integrated within VUT to promote inclusivity in all sectors of the institution. Adding to the dialogue, Mrs. Lefkowitz provided insights into the codes of good practice, focusing on the fair treatment of employees. She emphasized the importance of non-discrimination, stressing that race, religion, sexuality, and other arbitrary factors should never be used as grounds for unfair treatment in the workplace. The roles and responsibilities of VUT’s Employment Equity and Skills Development Committee were also outlined during the workshop. The committee serves as a consultative body responsible for representing constituencies, raising issues, and monitoring the progress of employment equity initiatives. Their tasks include preparing and implementing employment equity plans, evaluating diversity programs, and ensuring ongoing improvement in inclusive practices across the institution. Throughout the workshop, attendees engaged in active discussions, asking questions and sharing their thoughts on how to effectively implement employment equity within VUT. The open platform fostered a collaborative environment, encouraging participants to contribute to the ongoing efforts to promote fairness and transformation. The event concluded with a sense of shared purpose and a renewed commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace at VUT. ‘Disclaimer - The views expressed here are not necessarily those of the BEE CHAMBER’. https://vut.ac.za/workshop-on-employment-equity-fosters-a-more-inclusive-and-equitable-workplace-at-vut/