​The Gauteng Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, MEC Mbali Hlophe has reiterated a call to focus on development programmes that will assist the youth to be more self-reliant and not depend on social grants.
Hlophe was speaking during the launch of Ndimase Development Centre in Randfontein, West Rand Region on Wednesday.
She said Ndimase Development Centre is one of the centres that the Gauteng Department of Social Development has launched during Youth Month.
"We are quite excited about it as we have indicated that our work as a Department will be about raising the "Development" in social development, and there is no better way to do it than during Youth Month to give hope back to our youth."
"More young people are struggling, there is high unemployment rate, teenage pregnancy, drugs and gangsterism that are ravaging our communities."
"Therefore, our aim as the Gauteng Provincial Government is to place these skills development centres in all our TISH communities (Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels) to ensure that young people have access to skills and are given the required skills to be able to stand on their own," said Hlophe.
She added that providing skills is not enough but learning the business side of the work that they do will be most crucial to run successful businesses.
A 19-year-old Tumelo Kgoleng from Finsbury in Randfontein is a beneficiary of the Ndimase Development Centre. The aspiring furniture maker and tailor gave praise to the department for giving him an opportunity to be trained as a Furniture Maker and Garment Constructor.
The Ndimase Development Centre will benefit the youth with skills such as poultry farming, sewing, furniture making, cosmetic manufacturing, to name a few, which are all SETA accredited.