Housing in Southern Africa April 2015

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R3,172 bn for township businesses The Gauteng government has set asidemore than R160million towards revitalising the township economy.

Hammanskraal, Mabopane and Reiger Park. Furthermore, the industrial Parks in Katlehong, Orlando, Residentia, Khutsong and Ennerdale will be re- vitalised said Maile. The provincial government has also in the last three quarters of 2014 made some strides on employment opportunities. Launched in December 2014, the Gauteng provincial government’s initiative ‘Tshepo 500 000’ aims to provide skills and entrepreneurship training to 500 000 young people of Gauteng. Maile said that the project has to date received a considerable number of applications through the job portal and a number of young people have already been placed in sustainable employment. “Our government continues to report on work opportunities cre- ated and indications are that we are well on track towards the creation of the one million work opportunities. We have committed ourselves to a more comprehensive and integrated Expanded Public Works Programme and Community Works Programme

M EC for Economic Develop- ment, Lebogang Maile said that they havemade inroads in this regard and plans are underway to realise this vision as outlined in the township economy revitalisation strategy. In addition, the three metros Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhu- leni, have set aside R3 billion, R22mil- lion and R150 million respectively, to support the township economy and the township entrepreneurs over a period of five years. Maile announced that 160 town- ship entrepreneurs involved in light manufacturing and other productive activities will benefit from the R1,6 billion investment in the Riversands/ Diepsloot SMME Incubation Hub. Seven new township hubs will be established to assist and support businesses, including Ennerdale,

by end of this term,” concludedMaile. Over the next four years, the Gauteng Provincial Government’s total investment in infrastructure development will be more than R32 billion, while Gauteng municipalities will spend R94 billion over the same period. ■

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April 2015