The ANC welcomes the initiative of the North West government which, through its Department of Social Development, Women, Children and People with Disabilities, donated start-up capital of R760 000 to the women in the remote village of Masamane to establish a proper bakery in the village. The women will also receive a further R1 million for training and buying equipment for the bakery. The bakery is expected to create jobs and improve the livelihoods of the people in the remote village. The Ratlou Local Municipality has already provided land and fencing for the property from which the bakery will be operating.
The ANC views the deployment of resources, the education of our people in entrepreneurial skills, the provision of financial support, and training for small businesses as a step in the right direction in building the capacity of the people as a whole, especially the poor, in order for them to act as their own liberators. Thank you. [Applause.]