The eThekwini Municipality has welcomed KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli’s commitment to youth-orientated initiatives and developmental programmes.

Ntuli, who led the Executive Council in a two-day Youth in Business Summit recently held in Durban, announced that youth-oriented programmes will be a priority throughout the tenure of his administration.

Hosted under the theme ‘Young people taking charge in leading economic development’, the summit provided a platform for engagement between the government and the youth.

The summit encouraged youth development, entrepreneurship and involvement in the mainstream economy throughout the province.

Speaking at the summit, Ntuli said the summit is a catalyst for change and a platform for dialogue.

The Premier said the Executive Council and provincial government have identified youth unemployment, youth development, and financial backing for youth-owned enterprises as some of the key priorities for the seventh administration.

As part of government’s interventions
to fight the scourge of unemployment through the Premier’s Office, the provincial government has created a suite of funding schemes which include the Premier’s Youth Empowerment Fund which has been increased from R60 million to R100 million.

‘This programme seeks to afford the youth of this province with an opportunity to interact with strategic business leaders and to also share their views and ideas on how they would want this province of KwaZulu-Natal to aid their initiatives and programmes,’ Ntuli said.

eThekwini Municipality Deputy Mayor Zandile Myeni commended the Premier-led initiative.

‘When we give business access to young entrepreneurs, we will be ensuring that we transform the economy,’ Myeni said.

Source: South African Government News Agency