Monday, May 6, 2019

Young people should be provided with information that will arm them for
their future, says Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Bulelani Magwanishe.

“Realising the full potential of the youth is when critical information
is availed to arm the youth for future battles and opportunities,” said
Magwanishe.

The Deputy Minister was speaking at a Youth Opportunities and Career
Expo that was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), in
partnership with the Department of Communications and the Ekurhuleni Metro
Municipality in Germiston on Friday.

“We are gathered here during the month when Africa is celebrating Africa
Month. We are referring to the Africa whose aspirations reflect our desire for
the creation of a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, where the
full potential of women and youth is realised.”

Magwanishe said it is important for all countries on the continent to
commit to developing an informed youth that appreciates the challenges and the
agenda of the continent.  

“It is only when we succeed in creating a working Africa that peace will
reign. This expo should therefore be understood in the context of a programme
aimed at achieving economic freedom, where all are able to realise their full
potential. For any country to realise and sustain economic freedom, they must
have developed an informed workforce comprising young people capable of leading
a programme for continued change,” said Magwanishe.

He said there is a need to change the mindset of the young people so
that they are able to see opportunities in the challenges facing the continent.

The Deputy Minister added that 60% of arable land is in Africa,
something that represents myriad opportunities.

“This creates unlimited opportunities for massive employment, poverty
eradication, industrialisation, entrepreneurship and scholarly research. 
Africa needs about a million managers to effectively run the continent’s
economy that has a Gross Domestic Product of over R40 trillion.

“We only have 300 000 managers and we need 700 000 more
managers. The youth should also be in the forefront of ensuring that Africa’s
economic integration does not fail,” he said.

Magwanishe reiterated the importance of the collaboration between
government and the private sector in growing the South African economy. – SAnews.gov.za