The Gauteng government has collaborated with the Department of Employment and Labour to launch a new phase of Nasi Ispani.
This initiative aims to provide specialized skills training to nearly 500 000 youths, facilitating their entry into the workforce.
Nasi Ispani to train Gauteng youth
On Wednesday, over 7 000 young individuals, part of the initial phase of the Nasi Ispani labour activation program convened at the Rhema Bible Church in Randburg.
Here, they completed forms with organisations offering skills training to assist them in securing employment opportunities.
Addressing the attendees, Edward Mosuwe, the director-general of the Gauteng government, highlighted Nasi Ispani’s impact in facilitating employment for the unemployed.
He mentioned that the initiative had successfully placed individuals in job opportunities across various provincial government departments.
Over 95 000 people secured employment through the project, although some positions were temporary or contract-based.
“But we saw that the need was far greater than what we had provided. We then found that the department of employment and labour was running a labour activation programme which was funded through the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
“What this programme does is provide for the skilling of young people where they learn skills and, as they go through the programme, they get paid a stipend which differs for each programme,” Mosuwe said.
According to the Sowetan Live, in Gauteng, the Department of Employment and Labour has identified 482 000 skills-training opportunities for youth, also accessible to individuals over 35.
This initiative has received R8.4 billion for its implementation.
Nationally, the expenditure on labour activation initiatives amounts to R23.7 billion.
In April, unemployed youth were directed to register on the department’s employment system, Essa, at schools.
However, needing help with Essa, the department provided provincial government forms for youth to fill out and enter into the system.
Various companies partnered with the provincial government attended the venue to interact directly with their potential trainees.
These partnerships span multiple sectors, including security services, town planning, technological innovation, cosmetics, beauty, industry, farming, real estate, textiles and clothing, finance, and construction.
The training programs will equip the youth with computer assembly and cellphone repair skills. Additionally, opportunities in the fuel retail sector include roles such as cashiers, petrol attendants, and merchandisers.
Solly Msimanga highlights increase in unemployment despite Lesufi’s Nasi Ispani Program
Despite Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s Nasi Ispani program, which aimed to generate numerous job opportunities in the province, the Gauteng unemployment rate has surged by 63 000.
Lesufi had asserted that the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) aimed to empower 500 000 unemployed residents by offering job opportunities.
However, the rise in unemployment strongly indicates the failure of this program, suggesting it may serve as a political tactic by the current government to gain votes.
According to Politics Web The recently released Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for the first quarter of 2024 revealed a concerning rise in unemployment in the province of Gauteng, escalating from 2 565 000 to 2 628 000.
The survey indicated that there were many discouraged job seekers, totaling 534 000 people in the province.
These figures underscore the government’s failure to establish an enabling environment for private sector investment in the Gauteng economy.
Premier Lesufi must recognize that more than relying on government initiatives is required to create employment opportunities; fostering partnerships with the private sector is crucial in addressing this issue.
