... and the staff of the two departments, I greet you, hon Chairperson, let me quote Amilcar Cabral, when he says:
Always bear in mind that the people are not fighting for ideas, for things in anyone's head. They are fighting to win material benefit, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children.
It is along these lines that our government through the Department of Trade and Industry, DTI, and other departments that are there must respond to the fresh mandate given by the people of South Africa during 2019 national and provincial elections to defeat unemployment, poverty and inequality. They trusted us to transform the economy and grow the township and village economies, amongst others, as we committed in our manifesto.
We cannot disappoint, we have to implement our industrial strategy, including the implementation of the industrial parks revitalisation programme; the implementation of the special economic zones programme; digital hubs, and the black industrialist programme, amongst others. Through these interventions, we are undoing the injustices of the past apartheid-era spatial planning.
The industrial parks revitalisation programme is one of the programmes introduced by this government in an effort to revive townships and rural economies by attracting investment and creating
jobs. The government invests in upgrading security and building infrastructure to make these industrial parks safer and more conducive for business activities to attract investors. As we are all aware, security is a critical factor that investors consider when making their investment decisions.
IsiZulu:
Yikho nje siyohlala njalo sisebenzisana, sikhale emiphakathini yakithi ukuthi ngaso sonke isikhathi lezi zindawo uhulumeni azilethayo asizame ngazo zonke izindlela ukuthi sizivikele. Uma mhlawumbe sinezikhalo sidixilela phansi lezi zakhiwo yilapho abatshalizimali bezobaleka futhi umnotho wezwe lethu ungakwazi ukukhula.
English:
To demonstrate the importance of the revitalisation programme, I would like to share with the House the impact of this programme in one of the areas where we completed phase 1, namely the Botshabelo Industrial Park in Bloemfontein. Upon completion of the phase 1 in June 2016, the occupancy rate improved, reaching from 75% in 2015 to 81% in 2018. The park provides employment to over 10 000 people who live in the adjacent townships and opportunities for township entrepreneurs to access various services and land spaces.
Lebohang is one of the employees working in a company called Manhood Clothing. When interviewed he said: "I am so glad that I can be working closer to home, I save a lot on transport costs and I get home to the family earlier." He further stated that he is grateful for a safer working environment. Thank you to this caring government for making sure that such services are brought closer to the people where they live. [Applause.]
Hon members, this government took a long-term view on the future prospects of the South African economy and decided to introduce the special economic zones programme. This programme is designed to accelerate industrialisation in the country; attract foreign direct investors and investments; facilitate the creation of decent jobs; facilitate the development and improvement of existing infrastructure; promote exports; and spread economic activity to underdeveloped parts of our country.
Some of the investment pledges that were made during the Presidential Investment Summit in October last year 2018 have started to put the actual investments on the ground. These investments include MaraPhone, which is investing R1,3 billion at Dube TradePort in KwaZulu Natal. The investment is estimated to create more or less 1 500 jobs over a long term. It is expected that
this MaraPhone will start its cellphone manufacturing - the first of its kind in South Africa - in the next few months. As highlighted by the President in his state of the nation address, Sona, our focus will be on expanding the SEZ programme to reach other provinces. Our aim is to establish at least one SEZ per province.
President Ramaphosa also highlighted in his state of the nation address, that government will prioritise, amongst other things, the creation of digital hubs. Youth unemployment remains high and requires concerted efforts. The digital hubs seek to provide young people with skills and access to e-learning opportunities, basic business development support and business intelligence to encourage them to pursue entrepreneurship. The development of business plans for 10 digital hubs are at an advanced stage and will be finalised by the end of the third quarter, so that implementation can commence before the end of the financial year.
We have set ourselves an objective to create a fair regulatory environment that enables investment, trade and enterprise development. In this regard, we developed various legislations and policies such as broad-based black economic empowerment, Consumer Protection, Gambling and Liquor Act, amongst others. We will extend our efforts to educate and raise awareness to our citizens so that
they can have knowledge and understand these policies. To achieve this, we are rolling out over 90 advocacies, consumer protection and BBBEE educational campaigns across all provinces. We will collaborate with the provincial departments and corporate, to showcase business opportunities, access to finance and consumer rights.
Hon members, as I speak, the department is in the Free State sharing information with the communities of the Setsoto, Matjhabeng and Mangaung Municipalities. This information sharing campaign seeks to educate the public about the Liquor Act and the socioeconomic impact of alcohol abuse, legal and illegal gambling activities, how copyright can assist creative persons, debt relief measures to reduce the impact of high levels of overindebtedness, credit affordability and fundamental rights on our consumers. We believe that these education surgeons will help will help our communities know exactly what is there. What is it that the government is providing so that they can grow to be the entrepreneurs as they wish to be?
We are pleased with the work of the BBBEE Commission in confronting noncompliance whether by private or state-owned entities. This Commission's findings on Eskom for example for noncompliance with
the Act are a clear indication of our commitment to zero tolerance for this type of behaviour. We are really serious about it.
In conclusion, we are saying that despite important achievements, the challenges facing the domestic economy are still immense - we are aware of that. Low levels of economic growth and investment; high levels of inequality; and high rates of unemployment continue to hold back our vision of an inclusive South Africa.
We acknowledge these structural weaknesses and know that the magnitude of the economic challenges we face requires a new and stronger approach. We need to take extraordinary measures in order to realise the lofty aspirations outlined in the National Development Plan. It is for these reasons that the new approach and the implementation of the industrial strategy Minister Patel spoke about at length, needs to be prioritised by all government agencies supported by all social partners. That is why we are even calling upon all the provincial governments and the municipalities if we can come together to work with all other departments so that we face this challenge of unemployment head on. Thank you very much, hon Chairperson.