Hon Chairperson, the ANC has embarked on an integrated programme on rural development, land reform and agrarian change, based on the provision of social and economic infrastructure and the extension of quality government services, particularly health and education for rural areas.
As a result, the Department of Communications has officially launched an e- cadre programme, which offers information communication technology training to unemployed youths from rural areas. Through this programme, thousands of youths will be recruited to provide technical support in respective service deployment areas, such as clinics and police stations, where they can assist communities to access government services through the use of information and communication technology.
Furthermore, the programme provides young people between the ages of 18 and 30 with an opportunity to contribute towards civic responsibility and reconstruction, while acquiring skills to enhance their entrepreneurial capacity.
The ANC believes that the participation of the poor in the design, implementation and monitoring of rural development programmes is a key objective of the developmental state and must be supported by the appropriate structures so as to give a voice to affected communities. Ke a leboga. [Thank you.] [Applause.]