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The Democratic Alliance welcomes the commitment of the Northern Cape
ANC to take the issue of job creation seriously. It is good that they
have finally begun to listen on what the DA has been saying all along
about the need for the creation of an environment that is conducive
for the creation of jobs and the need to streamline government
services by reducing the amount of consultants being paid to do the
officials’ jobs.

It remains to be seen if the ANC has the will to follow through on its
statements.

In the 2015 State of the Province Address, the premier promised that
government will work with civil society to create 18 000 jobs in one
year. Sadly, the Quarterly Labour Force Surveys shows that this did
not come to pass. In the first two quarters alone, the province
suffered job losses amounting to 24 000. The net gain of 6 000 jobs in
the third quarter did not compensate for this immense blow to the
provincial economy.

The DA believes we need to improve access to economic opportunities,
we need to remove barriers to labour market entry. There are five key
steps which must be taken. Firstly, we need to invest in integrated
energy, transport and ICT infrastructure. Business cannot be done when
municipalities’ lights are switched off or when the internet is so
slow as to be non-existent. Secondly, we need to give more people the
education and skills they need to get a job. There is a mismatch
between the skills available on the job market and the skills required
for jobs available. We need to increase the amount of skilled
labourers, like plumbers or electricians. Thirdly, there needs to be a
reform of the rigid labour regime to support job creation. Fourthly,
we need to provide direct incentives to businesses to create jobs,
such as the implementation of a proper Youth Wage subsidy which
benefits both the employer and the employee. Projects launched in Cape
Town has shown how this can be achieved.

Lastly, and of specific importance to the Northern Cape, is the need
to create a nation of entrepreneurs. The Economic Growth and
Development Fund of the department of Economic Development and Tourism
must become a vehicle of support for all entrepreneurs, irrespective
of their political or personal connections. It cannot be that support
is given only to those who are married to MECs or chairpersons of
committees or who are relatives of politicians of the ANC.

If implemented with the necessary will and commitment to uphold the
interests of the public, these five simple steps can easily translate
into the creation of the jobs needed to make the Northern Cape economy
thrive.

Issued by DA Northern Cape