ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS A NATIONAL IMPERATIVE – DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS A NATIONAL IMPERATIVE – DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA

The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina says economic and youth development issues are national imperatives that government is currently prioritising. Deputy Minister Masina was addressing the community of Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape yesterday as part of Taking Parliament to the People.

Initiated in 2002, Taking Parliament to the People enables the National Council of Provinces to exercise its constitutional obligation of overseeing the executive and gives ordinary citizens an opportunity to engage their elected public representatives on issues affecting them.

Deputy Minister Masina together with the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mr Buti Manamela and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Mr Madala Masuku formed part of a panel that addressed issues of economic advancement and youth development.

“Government is working very hard to address issues of unemployment and poverty and this is why we want employment opportunities to be created everywhere including the Western Cape,” said Masina.

He stressed that radical social economic transformation must benefit the poor and address issues of youth unemployment. He said it was for this reason that as government leaders they would consider the proposal made by the community to establish a regional economic office in the Karoo.

The unemployment rate and poverty levels are said to be high in the Oudtshoorn area, with the community especially young people unable to find jobs or establish businesses.