Providing Youth with Information will Arm them for Future Challenges and Opportunities – Magwanishe |
| The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Bulelani Magwanishe says providing the youth of Africa with information and knowledge will ensure that they are well-equipped to face the future challenges and opportunities such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Magwanishe was speaking at a Youth Opportunities and Career Expo that was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in partnership with the Department of Communications and the Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality in Germiston.
“We are gathered here during the month when Africa is celebrating the Africa Month. We are referring to the Africa whose aspirations reflect our desire for the creation of a continent of free citizens and expanded horizons, where the full potential of women and youth are realised. Realising the full potential of the youth is when critical information is availed to arm the youth for future battles and opportunities,” said Magwanishe. He added that it is was important for all countries of Africa to commit to developing an informed youth that appreciates the challenges and the agenda of the continent. “It is only when we succeed in creating a working Africa that peace will reign. This expo should therefore be understood in the context of a programme aimed at achieving economic freedom where all are able to realise their full potential. For any country to realise and sustain economic freedom, they must have developed an informed workforce comprising young people capable of leading a programme for continued change,” said Magwanishe. He also said that there was a need to change the mindset of the young people so that they are able to see opportunities in the challenges facing the continent. “60% of Africa’s arable land lies fallow. This creates unlimited opportunities for massive employment, poverty eradication, industrialisation, entrepreneurship and scholarly research. Africa needs about a million managers to effectively run the continent’s economy that has a Gross Domestic Product of over R40 trillion. We only have 300 000 managers and we need 700 000 more managers. The youth should also be in the forefront of ensuring that Africa’s economic integration does not fail,” stressed Magwanishe. Magwanishe also reiterated the importance of the collaboration between government and the private sector in growing the South African economy. “We have today both the public and private sector participating in this expo. The interrelationship between these two sectors is important towards achieving an inclusive growth. It is through a healthy relationship between the public and private sector that we will be able to eradicate poverty, unemployment and inequality,” concluded Magwanishe.
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Bulelani Magwanishe addressing hundreds of young people at the Youth Opportunities and Career Expo in Germiston Enquiries: |
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