Instead of expecting others to create jobs for them, unemployed South Africans should help government address unemployment by setting up their own small business, President Thabo Mbeki said on Saturday.
Addressing Lwandle community members near Cape Town at a presidential Imbizo, Mbeki told the unemployed to utilise the several business support programmes which the government set up for their benefit.
"The government has put aside money to help you start your own businesses - you must utilise these opportunities."
Speaking in IsiXhosa, Mbeki said it was not the government's responsibility to create jobs.
"All what government can do is to create an environment conducive for job creation."
He was responding to some of the many grievances which residents had put before him, including lack of housing, sanitation and schools.
Held at the local sports complex, Mbeki's Imbizo drew thousands of residents, many of him had spent several hours in the queues leading to the venue.
Flanked by cabinet ministers, Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool, Cape Town mayor Helen Zille and provincial MEC's, the President arrived at the complex amid thunderous applause, with residents chanting "Mbeki! Mbeki", as they sang his praises.
However, a few minutes later, the mood changed as residents fielded one grievance after another.
Local businessman, Nhlahla Nkala told Mbeki how the public works department awarded him a
R12-million tender, only to withdraw the offer a few weeks thereafter.
"Could the public works minister (Thoko Didiza), explain why the tender was cancelled?" he asked," adding that a letter he had previously written to the minister as well as the Presidency, had not been responded to.
Mbeki responded by saying he had not yet received the letter, but promised to come back to him once he had received it.
However, Didiza said the tender was withdrawn after it was found that it has been awarded irregularly.
She declined to give Nkala more details, saying it would be improper for her to divulge lots of details as the matter was currently before the courts.
Zille, who was initially booed by the crowd as she took to the podium, said the City's target was to ensure the metro's 226 informal settlement had basic services by 2010.
As part of the two-day Presidential Imbizo, Zille and Rasool will present their respective governments programmes of action at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Sunday. - Sapa
Addressing Lwandle community members near Cape Town at a presidential Imbizo, Mbeki told the unemployed to utilise the several business support programmes which the government set up for their benefit.
"The government has put aside money to help you start your own businesses - you must utilise these opportunities."
Speaking in IsiXhosa, Mbeki said it was not the government's responsibility to create jobs.
"All what government can do is to create an environment conducive for job creation."
He was responding to some of the many grievances which residents had put before him, including lack of housing, sanitation and schools.
Held at the local sports complex, Mbeki's Imbizo drew thousands of residents, many of him had spent several hours in the queues leading to the venue.
Flanked by cabinet ministers, Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool, Cape Town mayor Helen Zille and provincial MEC's, the President arrived at the complex amid thunderous applause, with residents chanting "Mbeki! Mbeki", as they sang his praises.
However, a few minutes later, the mood changed as residents fielded one grievance after another.
Local businessman, Nhlahla Nkala told Mbeki how the public works department awarded him a
R12-million tender, only to withdraw the offer a few weeks thereafter.
"Could the public works minister (Thoko Didiza), explain why the tender was cancelled?" he asked," adding that a letter he had previously written to the minister as well as the Presidency, had not been responded to.
Mbeki responded by saying he had not yet received the letter, but promised to come back to him once he had received it.
However, Didiza said the tender was withdrawn after it was found that it has been awarded irregularly.
She declined to give Nkala more details, saying it would be improper for her to divulge lots of details as the matter was currently before the courts.
Zille, who was initially booed by the crowd as she took to the podium, said the City's target was to ensure the metro's 226 informal settlement had basic services by 2010.
As part of the two-day Presidential Imbizo, Zille and Rasool will present their respective governments programmes of action at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Sunday. - Sapa
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