Pretoria - Gauteng MEC for Economic Development Nkosiphendule Kolisile on Wednesday encouraged communities to grab the economic opportunities that government is presenting to them.
Kolisile also encouraged young people to be active participants in the country's economy by starting their own businesses so they can create job opportunities for others.
Speaking in Ga-Rankuwa, north of Pretoria, Kolisile said government was doing everything in its power to create economic opportunities for its people.
"Government is committed in empowering communities and where there is a need people will be trained," he said.
Kolisile visited Ga-Rankuwa after the local community had requested him to do so during the last public participation hosted by the Gauteng Provincial Government in September.
"It is important that government keeps its promises, you requested me to come back to Ga-Rankuwa to tell you more about what the department of economic development is doing about unemployment, small business support and making economic opportunities accessible to township residents and this is precisely why I am here today," said MEC Kolisile while addressing a public meeting.
As part of the drive to create sustainable and decent jobs, the department, through its agency the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller pledged to support several cooperatives and small businesses based in the community.
The assistance the department had pledge include financial support, marketing tools and supply of equipment.
Earlier, MEC Kolisile and his team visited the Ga-Rankuwa Hotel and Catering Centre and the Ga-Rankuwa Industrial Park.
"We have to ensure that industrial sites in Ga-Rankuwa are productive and contribute to our quest to defeat joblessness in the province.
"We are prepared to form partnerships with business in order to revitalise the economy of the area," Kolisile said.
Community members called on the department to increase its visibility in communities and ensure that information about economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, small businesses and cooperatives is easily accessible.
During his visit in Garankuwa, Kolisile was accompanied by Chief Executive Officers from the department's agencies such as the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) and Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC). - SAnews.gov.za
