Bokone Bophirima province has made significant progress in empowering its young people through entrepreneurship.
Premier Supra Muhamapelo gave this positive update during his 2018 State of the Province Address (SOPA delivered at Marikana Community Hall outside Rustenburg on Friday (23 February 2018).
In his 2017 SOPA, Mahumapelo had announced that the province would introduce the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) Retail Economy that would result in the establishment of warehouses across all the four districts of the province to support South African owned retail stores.
“I am pleased to announce that the first VTSD Retail Warehouse was opened in Potchefstroom and is currently supporting 100 retail stores in the form of tuckshops, hardware stores, hair salons and butcheries, mainly in the JB Marks Local Municipality and will be extended to areas of Mahikeng, and Ramotshere Moiloa,” said the Premier.
Mahumapelo said three more warehouses would be opened in the remaining three districts over the next two years. The total cost associated with this initiative is R90million over three years.
In his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa, said it is important to empower the youth.
“Working in partnership with business, organised labour and community representatives, we are creating opportunities for young people to be exposed to the world of work through internships, apprenticeship, mentorship and entrepreneurship,” Ramaphosa said.
On Friday Mahumapelo said Bokone Bophirima province will “actively and fully participate in the Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative as pronounced by President Ramaphosa and in this regard the rollout of the Youth Enterprise Combo and the subsequent launch of the sustainable service delivery based @Worx Enterprise Combo last year allowed government to broaden access to enterprise development opportunities to over 1600 young people across the four districts of the province. These dynamic and innovative enterprise development platforms continue to facilitate the development of sustainable enterprises, business incubation, job creation and market access,” he said.

The Premier said his office would hold quarterly sessions with the youth, focusing on entrepreneurship, science, technology, innovation and sport.
He extended an open invite to private sector companies to participate in these sessions as part of the Saamwerk-Saamtrek philosophy of the province.

Source: http://www.semphetenews.co.za