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Despite the rising unemployment rate in Gauteng, particularly amongst our youth, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s office is failing to meet its job creation targets as set out in the Growing Gauteng Together 2030 policy document.

As part of the Township Economy Revitalisation plan 80 000 jobs were meant to be created through the infill residential and commercial development programmes, but so far, only 14 have been created. This programme is a partnership between the Township Economy Partnership Fund, the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller and the Industrial Development Corporation.

Furthermore, 20 000 jobs were meant to be created through the Township Retail Programme; however, only 7 504 jobs have been created. This programme supports SMMEs in the township economy in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT), backyard real estate upgrading, manufacturing, retail and the taxi economy.

This information was revealed in the third quarterly report for the Office of the Premier for the 2022/2023 financial year.

Failure to meet these targets is worrying as Gauteng currently has a high unemployment rate, which has been made worse by the latest round of loadshedding that does not inspire investor confidence in our province.

The government is responsible for creating an environment conducive to attracting private investment to grow the economy.

Unfortunately, it has become a norm across all departments that critical targets set are not met. This has been made worse by changes made to departmental budgets during the appropriation budget.

The DA demands that Premier Lesufi outline exactly how these targets will be met.

Our residents deserve a government committed to delivering all the targets set.

The DA challenges Lesufi to take his work seriously by delivering on his promises and stop paying lip service as residents have shown that they will reject his party in next year’s elections. We are the only capable party with a reputation for creating employment opportunities and attracting investors.

Issued by Solly Msimanga MPL - Official Leader of the Opposition- Gauteng