SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION MUST ENSURE INCLUSIVE GROWTH - DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA

SOCIO-ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION MUST ENSURE INCLUSIVE GROWTH - DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA

Radical socio-economic transformation must ensure inclusive growth and sustainable jobs. This was said by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina at the Taking the dti to the people outreach campaign held in Vereeniging, Gauteng today.

The outreach event, which was attended by more than six hundred people sought to strengthen government’s commitment to empowering peri-urban communities, accelerate job creation and sustainable economic development in the country. The outreach was also aimed at creating awareness about support products and services offered by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) agencies to businesses.

Deputy Minister Masina said for South Africans to be empowered, radical socio-economic interventions needed to be spread across the country so that all communities could benefit. He said the interventions would speak to all South Africans who were still struggling to form businesses and empower themselves.

“Our focus as government is to create a robust manufacturing sector that will allow black industrialists to expand and empower other entrepreneurs who will be able to take part in the mainstream economy,” he said.

            Masina committed the department to visit distressed factories in Sedibeng and      identify those who needed support in order to save jobs in the area.

The Executive Mayor of Sedibeng District Municipality, Mr Mahole Mofokeng welcomed the outreach campaign and encouraged the community to take full advantage of the services offered by the dti.

Mofokeng said for towns to flourish, small medium enterprises must be assisted and be efficient in order to reduce the 31,9% unemployment rate in the district.