Efforts for job creation underway in North West province
MEC for the Northwest Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Ms Kenetswe Mosenogi, has made a rallied call for Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the North West to utilise opportunities offered by the government for the growth and development of their businesses. The MEC was speaking at the Productivity SA’s Workplace Challenge virtual workshop held today in collaboration with DEDECT aimed at enabling economic growth and job creation in the province.
“This workshop is a result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between department and Productivity SA with the vision of growing the economy of the Northwest wherein enterprises will be provided with support and implementation of the productivity and competitiveness intervention to SMMEs and cooperatives; assist businesses to recover and promote cooperation and skills development to thrive, said MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi.
Mosenogi alluded to the sentiments echoed CEO of Productivity SA that small businesses play a catalytic role in the creation of employment and growing employment. She further encouraged small businesses to share information on the kind of support given by state organs as this will make them be creative and innovative.
Productivity SA is a government entity of the Department of Employment and Labour whose function is to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, targeting those in the productive sectors to preserve existing jobs and create productive employment and decent work for all.
In his opening remarks the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Productivity SA, Mr Mothunye Mothiba, said “Productivity SA programmes are designed and structured towards supporting South Africa to achieve a productive, high-income economy which is globally competitive, targeted at the priority economic sectors that have a potential for labour absorption. The programmes are crucial building blocks for an implementable and action-oriented economic recovery and revitalisation plan, premised on unlocking South Africa’s productivity potential for sustained competitiveness and economic growth, targeting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) as a catalyst for full and productive employment and, consequently, decent work for all.
Mothiba urged SMMEs to join Productivity SA programmes and highlighted successes as per MoU signed in which a total of 631 enterprises supported, 15 productivity champions trained; an uptake of 109 participants on workplace challenge programme.
About 03 small businesses in the North West province that have participated in Productivity SA’s Enterprise Development and Support Programmes were afforded an opportunity to share their insights on their journey during the workshop. The said businesses participated in the Workplace Challenge Programme which focuses on operational efficiency enhancement interventions, promoting a productivity culture and mindset, as well as driving accountability for productivity performance across sectors (national, sector and enterprise-level) and segments of society
To date, the collaboration has seen 631 Enterprises supported in the province with 15 Productivity Champions trained and uptake of 109 participants in Productivity SA’s Workplace Challenge Programme.
Amongst the companies that presented after benefiting from Productivity SA and SEDA partnership programmes is MTNL Worx. The company which is situated in Mafikeng is operating a laundry services business with Protea Hotel as their main client. The business has employed 10 permanent and 3 temporary employees. DEDECT assisted the company with laundry equipment, installation of the drainage system and distribution box for three-phase. The intervention led to improved financial performance and position of the company.
Meanwhile, African Poncho (Pty) Ltd, also operating in the manufacturing industry and specialising in the clothing and textile subsector, has signed a formal service level agreement Productivity SA and SEDA as a strategic partner to further assist the company with their financial management system.
Recently 3 companies in North West registered with the Itukise Programme administered by Productivity SA and reported to both the DTIC as well as the National Skills Fund with the intention of providing unemployed graduates with work experience over a period of one year. Eight unemployed graduates have successfully been placed with suitable hosts in the province and their progress is being monitored monthly. Companies are urged to contact Productivity SA to participate in productivity improvement programmes.
The Department together with Productivity SA has also called for small businesses to participate in the Business Turnaround and Recovery and workplace challenge/ Kaizen programme for the 2021/22 financial year. This has extended to 19 November 2021
Small businesses are encouraged to get a form from the Departmental website: www.nwpg.za/dedect(link is external) and send with supporting documents to dedect.business@nwpg.gov.za(link sends e-mail). For more information businesses may contact of call Zac Dipudi at 082 800 9931 or email: zdipudi@nwpg.gov.za(link sends e-mail) OR Palesa Magomashole at (011) 848 5503 or email: Palesam@productivitysa.co.za
Source: Government of South Africa