The Democratic Alliance (DA) is targeting job creation in Gauteng which would include the funding of start-ups and small businesses as part of its wider election\u00a0manifesto, set to be announced later in\u00a0February.<\/p>\n
“I believe that entrepreneurs must lead Gauteng. Entrepreneurs are the people at the front-lines of innovation and job creation,”\u00a0said DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, Mmusi Maimane, during a dialogue with Business representatives in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
“We must create real jobs! But we must also create a province of entrepreneurs, each with their own job-creating businesses. We know that behind every successful business is a successful entrepreneur.”<\/p>\n
Maimane announced his plan for Gauteng ahead of the elections set for 7 May, underlined by the following\u00a0key pillars:<\/p>\n
The DA argued that under former President, Thabo Mbeki, South Africa’s economy grew at an average of 4.5% annually. This, it added, has dwindled to less than 1% at times under Jacob Zuma’s leadership. Unemployment remains stuck above 35%, the DA said.<\/p>\n
“Under President Zuma, people are becoming unemployed at a rate six times faster than under President Mbeki,”\u00a0Maimane said.<\/p>\n
“As the Democratic Alliance, we have a tested and viable plan that will see the economy reach 8% in the next 10-years – the growth rate we need to create 6 million real jobs in South Africa and halve unemployment,” the political candidate said.<\/p>\n
He said that, for a DA administration in Gauteng, the plan starts with the entrepreneur.<\/p>\n
“The problem with the current system is that it disempowers entrepreneurs. Government stands in our way through corruption, red tape, and mistrust – in fact, government today does not believe that the private sector can be at the forefront of change,”\u00a0Maimane said.<\/p>\n
Entrepreneurial roadmap\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The DA said that government owns 55% of the land in Gauteng, with many buildings on that land are either vacant or under-utilised.<\/p>\n “Our vision is to put out a call for the best business ideas in Gauteng, and then rent out government buildings to the most innovative people for just R1 a year. These premises will act as incubators for small business.<\/p>\n “We will also subsidise basic resources like internet and phone lines free of charge. Imagine what a difference that will make for many up and coming entrepreneurs with serious plans to grow their business and create jobs,” Maimane said.<\/p>\n In other government buildings, the DA said it will establish Opportunity Centres that will act as one-stop shops for businesses to get advice and support on their operations.<\/p>\n The party said that one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face is access to expensive business advisory services like accounting, insurance and training for staff.<\/p>\n “That’s why for qualifying entrepreneurs, we intend to roll-out Opportunity Cards. We will make a budget available, in partnership with the private sector, to provide credits on these cards to businesses so that they can access support services from accredited suppliers at a discounted rate.<\/p>\n “That way, established suppliers benefit, and so do start-ups. Everybody wins.”<\/p>\n The DA said it would commit to partner with educational institutions and the private sector to establish an Academy for Entrepreneurs in Gauteng.<\/p>\n South African start-up jobs soar<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n ANC\u2019s employment rhetoric \u2013 a timeline<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nMore on the DA and job creation<\/h3>\n