FLOWER FOUNTAIN – Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae called on provincial government departments to employ capable young people in vacant positions to accelerate the socio-economic development of the province.
She made this call during a series of progress meetings with department administrators, which took place at her official residence in Bloemfontein on May 12.
The executives included MECs Dibolelo Mance (Department of Works and Infrastructure), Monyatso Mahlatsi (Department of Health) and Dr. Mamiki Maboya (Department of Education).
The meetings were aimed at ensuring departments implement budget targets, which are essential to transforming the lives of Free State residents.
The departments presented comprehensive reports outlining progress made in line with the Prime Minister’s established framework and their respective Annual Performance Plans (APPs). Infrastructure investment was re-emphasized as a key catalyst for job creation, business empowerment and community development.
“Let the people of the Free State feel the vibration of their government at work. Let communities witness, brick by brick, the commitments their government has made to them taking shape before their eyes,” Letsoha-Mathae said.
To achieve this goal, the Prime Minister called for the urgent filling of vacancies, apprenticeships and internship opportunities, especially with qualified young people.
“Start advertising these vacancies, apprenticeships and internships. This is long overdue.”
The Prime Minister urged departments to tighten spending controls and speed up service delivery.
Statistics South Africa’s (Stats SA) Quarterly Labor Force Survey (QLFS) painted a worrying picture of youth unemployment in the Free State in the first quarter of this year. The youth unemployment rate (in the 15 to 34 age group) ranged between 44% and 46%, largely in line with – and in some cases approaching – the national youth unemployment average of 45.8%.
The Prime Minister has promised to monitor the departments’ progress in hiring young people. “No report without evidence will be accepted. Working with Director General Dr. Molefinyana Phera and the team, we will test all reports and visit sites,” Letsoha-Mathae said.
For the youngest cohort (ages 15 to 24), provincial unemployment appeared significantly more acute, crossing the 57% to 60% mark.
Letsoha-Mathae’s call for the employment of skilled youth came against the backdrop of the awarding of learning certificates to about 246 youths who had completed their apprenticeship and training through the Free State Training and Development Institute (FSTDI), thereby enhancing their employability prospects. Of these, 83 are equipped with basic plumbing skills, 38 with hygiene and cleaning skills, and 19 with New Venture Creation competencies.
Another 47 received letters of appointment for a 12-month skills program, while 59 engineering graduates were placed on a 24-month internship program in municipalities across the province. The group of engineers was provided with laptops and personal protective equipment (PPE) as essential working tools.
Teboho Setena
novanews.co.za
