There are some members of this House whom, when they have the floor, pretend as if they know everything but when we are on the floor, they have questions. [Interjections.]
Building on the 54th ANC Conference resolution, the Gauteng Provincial Government undertook various interventions to grow the township and rural economies. These interventions include the transformation, modernisation and reindustrialisation programme, TMR programme, of the five city regions, as a focus of the provincial mandate for the 'fifth administration'. Our Premier is working with
the mayors of all municipalities in the province to implement the transformation, modernisation and reindustrialisation programme.
As further part of the TMR, the ANC in the province of Gauteng has developed the Gauteng Industrial Development Zone in Ekurhuleni to provide duty-free importation of production-related materials and inputs, reduced corporate income tax and VAT exemption in respect of export products manufactured in the zone. The hon Deputy Minister Masuku has adequately explained in the House some of the details with regard to the development zone in Ekurhuleni.
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature and the ANC, through our Tshepo
1 Million programme ensured that young people acquire appropriate skills, entrepreneurial opportunities and job placements. Whereas two year ago, this was Tshepo 500 000 programme, we have done so well as a province that we immediately changed it to Tshepo 1 Million programme. The Tshepo 1 Million programme has thus far benefitted 510 000 young people in terms of demand-led entrepreneurship development projects. Better and more are to follow!
With regard to the 'township economic development', the province is providing both financial and nonfinancial support for township
economies through the industrial infrastructure developments such as agri- parks, industrial parks, automotive hubs and eKasiLabs. If we hear about the progress in Tshwane, it is because of what this ANC- led government is doing in the automotive hub in that city.
The province has undertaken initiatives to ignite creativity in the townships through the Township Entrepreneurship Award for entrepreneurial spirit, the creative energy and for innovation within the township economy.
Currently, the ANC-led government of Gauteng spends 23% of its goods and services budget supporting women-owned businesses. More than 7 000 women-owned enterprises are also getting financial and nonfinancial support from Gauteng Government. [Applause.] Sixty percent of the beneficiaries of the agri-enterprise programme, 60% of Tshepo 1 Million and 65% of housing-delivery beneficiaries are women. [Applause.]
Prior to 2014, the Gauteng Provincial Governments procurement spent on township businesses was only R600 million. This, the fifth administration, over the past five years have procured goods and services to a total of R22 billion. The ANC's procurement strategy has enabled the provincial government to procure services from local
SMMEs, ranging from furniture to catering services. During our process of Taking Parliament to the People, we had visited some of these projects within the East Rand.
The Department of Small Business Development in Gauteng successfully focussed on small enterprises and cooperatives, throughout the province. This enhances the fight against poverty, unemployment and inequality. [Interjections.] We don't just talk; we do, as the ANC! The ANC-led government is at the forefront of developing the township economy through financial as well as nonfinancial support, in establishing incubators and through public-private partnerships. [Applause.]
The Gauteng Province has introduced the township stock exchange in partnership with the private sector. To have a citizenry with the kind of attitude and spirit that we observed in Taking Parliament to the People of Gauteng is a blessing and not a curse. It is an honour, hon members, for the ANC to lead this province and serve its people. [Time expired.] The ANC will continue creating a better life for all. Thank you! [Applause.]