Madam Speaker, unemployment can indeed be drastically reduced. We, together with the young people in particular, must act together in our communities to create work and fight poverty. Dirang mmogo Business Enterprise is one of the top and outstanding youth initiatives operating in the Mathlosane Local Municipality to reduce the level of unemployment amongst young people.
Although there are many mines in the municipality that are renowned for their abundance of rich minerals such as gold, unemployment amongst young people remains a serious challenge. To curb young people's dependence on mines for employment opportunities, innovative young people in the municipality have come up with a good idea which is now proving successful.
Three young people saw an opportunity for creating work through the efficient means of garbage disposal. This led to the establishment of DMBE in 2003. It is a company which renders different services, ranging from cleaning the streets and cemeteries to the maintenance of parks. The enterprise currently employs more than 400 young people, 60% of whom are young women.
As a result of the dedication of the employees and their willingness to render high quality services, DMBE is now in charge of most outdoor cleaning projects in the municipality. The ANC commends the work done by DMBE, as well as Kagiso Matswenere, who brought this and the good work done by these young people to the attention of the public. I thank you. [Applause.] [Interjections.]