The youth of uMzinyathi District Municipality had a productive engagement with the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Honourable NM ‘Jomo’ Sibiya at VA Makhoba Hall in Nquthu on Sunday, 27 June 2021. The intention of the engagement was to capacitate the youth in construction with practical information that will assist them to grow their construction companies. Furthermore, both Departments of Public Works and Human Settlements aimed to reach youth with interest in construction and property management but had no opportunity of information.
The two departments have a number of programmes that are aimed at empowering different groups within the economy, and deemed it befitting to develop a platform where the MEC can engage with Youth in Construction at uMzinyathi District. In her introductory remarks as the programme director, Ms Luyanda Kafile from Department of Human Settlements cited that the management is committed in sharing business opportunities and career paths within the Built Environment.
The management from both departments in conjunction with other stakeholders such as Department of Labour and Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs delivered informative presentations aimed at equipping the youth in the construction and property sector.
Addressing the youth, MEC Sibiya indicated that both departments want to empower and support young people. “The idea of a career expo was not misplaced or far-fetched but was also very much relevant for we also wanted to expose young people from Nquthu and the surrounding environs of uMzinyathi District to the many career opportunities worth pursuing in the Built Environment.” He said.
The MEC further encouraged the youth to work hard as success does not come on a silver platter. “Having local young people pursuing careers in this sector would ensure that in the long-term final analysis you are guaranteed to have a pool of local young professionals who shall never have qualms to take jobs in areas like Nquthu and uMzinyathi as they would have lived and grown up in the area having intimate knowledge of the under-development challenges.” The MEC concluded.
Ms Delisile Mncube, Director for Youth, Women and People with Disabilities delivering her presentation.
MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works addressing the youth.
The session was fruitful and momentous as it provided the youth the platform to deliberate on the challenges they face and identify resolutions as a way forward. Ms Zamo Sithole who owns a grade 1 company called Nkosikhona Enterprise is a testimony that the session has equipped her with more and valuable information on SCM Compliance issues and other construction related matters. She said "In the past I used to make mistakes when filling the tender documents, but after listening to all the presentations I have realized my mistakes and I will not make those mistakes again."
The Departments will continue embarking on making a difference on the lives of the people by initiating and implementing programmes that will empower different groups.
