Program Director, 

The CEO of Pernod Ricard, 
The HoD of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, and Esteemed Guests:
 

It is an honour to be part of the launching of this partnership, between the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) and the Pernod Ricard international group, to empower our local artisans. 

This partnership and investment by the Pernod Ricard into growing artisans, is welcomed since it positively contributes to our collective journey towards meaningful transformation and economic inclusion.

It is also heartening that the partnership aligns to the Growing Gauteng Together 2030 (GGT2030) by contributing to initiatives of economy recovery, investment, re-industrialisation, youth employment and the township economy while also focusing on a sector of the economy with high employment potential.

It is imperative that we applaud Pernod Ricard’s initiative and contribution towards localisation. The fact that you chose to invest in the building of local capacity shows a deep sense of solidarity and patriotism. It indeed will assist in uplifting the spirits. It is through efforts like these where we can grow inclusive economy.

I believe that the MOU is the start of a long-term relationship we are establishing with Pernod Ricard as part of our accelerated economic recovery programme towards an inclusive economy. 

The pillars of the partnership in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will be signed today are: 

Enterprise and supplier development (Upskilling), particularly in the furniture manufacturing industry,

Facilitation market access for local SMMEs, 

Skills development and job creation, plus 

Encouraging responsible drinking. 

In launching this partnership today, we want to convey that as the government we have an appetite to work together with Pernod Ricard to Phakamisa ispirit. This partnership will go a long way in assisting us to develop and build capacity for local manufacturers, create sustainable jobs and inclusive economic growth. 

We endeavour to work hand in hand with Pernod Ricard to make sure that this first pilot Thokoza, Ekhuruleni is a success, so that this model as per the signed MoU can be replicated the other five corridors of the Gauteng City Region (GCR) economy.

In the long term, I would love to see this partnership evolving into a deeper participation by Pernod Ricard and other corporate partners in accelerating transformation and the participation of youths and women in the high-growth priority sectors, particularly the Food, beverages and agro-processing sector.   

The issue of inclusive economic growth has become a burning issue which must be attended to urgently. We have created a War Room whereby we intend to cut the red tapes and accelerate the transformation agenda and inclusive economic growth. It is through partnerships with the corporate that we can achieve all these. 

Esteemed Guests,  

Surely, this strategic sectoral partnership is an acknowledgment that, government functions optimally when working with sectoral partners due to government’s limited resources and expertise. 

It is by working together with a common actionable purpose, through social compacts, that we can gainfully transition out of the Covid-19-induced technical recession which has adversely affected small businesses and informal traders. 

Therefore, in building back better our economy and high-growth sectors, our collective task is to progressively collaborate to empower artisans and entrepreneurs, who comprise the nucleus of the economy. 

We encourage other industry players to follow the commendable example of Pernod Ricard to join us in driving shared economic growth and capacitating artisans and entrepreneurs.    

I thank you.