A university of technology in Giyani, R600m fund for young entrepreneurs in Limpopo

A university of technology is set for completion in Giyani, Limpopo, as part of the provincial new administration’s skills development programme, premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba announced on Sunday.

Ramathuba was speaking at the Youth Day national event in Polokwane where she also announced the establishment of a R600 million entrepreneur development fund which will benefit 44 000 young people in the next three years.

“We know they say there’s no university in Giyani. Watch the space. We are not talk-show hosts, we are implementers. We will implement. There are many other initiatives that are still to come,” Ramathuba said.

She also spoke of the need for job creation:: “We are aware of the high unemployment rate which affects the youth. Things have changed and we are saying the youth must be employed.”

She reminded Deputy President Paul Mashatile that the ANC in Limpopo delivered 74% in the recent general elections:  “Deputy President, as you leave this province with your delegation and the ministers, remember this is the province that gave you 74%”.”

Limpopo was one of the provinces in which the ANC gained outright majority in the recent general elections. The party lost its majority to govern in other provinces such as Gauteng, Northern Cape and KZN.

Ramathuba said: “The 74% must mean our people must get water; our young people must get jobs. The 74% means our clinics must provide quality healthcare for 24 hours. The 74% means the roads must be fixed.

“The 74% means our people must get quality education. The 74% didn’t come for free.”

In his address, Mashatile said the government will focus on job creation and economic development in the next five years.

“We cannot move forward without the youth of our country, thus we must include them in discussion that speak about their future growth,” he said.