If small and large companies — local and international — are to make investment decisions, they need confidence in the future
About 40,000 more people in employment in three months; 125,000 more people with jobs in the three months before that; four straight quarters of jobs growth; unemployment receding.
If you’re in politics for the right reasons, there’s no greater joy than seeing numbers like this. They represent real, meaningful change in the lives of the least well off. Stats SA’s most recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey reveals two stubborn truths. First, the unemployment crisis shows no signs of abating, with the national expanded unemployment rate stuck above 42%. Second, there’s a stark contrast between the grim national picture and that of the Western Cape and Cape Town.
That’s not the task of a single office in our administration — it’s a mission that spans every function of the city and its services.Our most important mission is to make the city as competitive and attractive as possible, and to assure potential investors that this will remain the caseArguably the most important aspect is a city’s investment in infrastructure: roads, pipes, grids, and the equipment and vehicles connected to them.
The bulk of this investment will be in water and sanitation, including pipes, pump stations and wastewater treatment plants — particularly in poorer areas. But substantial amounts have also been set aside for critical economic enablers such as public transport. For example, our R5.4bn MyCiti bus service expansion to link Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain with Wynberg and Claremont will be a game-changer for people from those areas as well as businesses along the route.Then there’s electricity.
Finally, there are the hoops businesses have to jump through, and delays they face in being issued with, say, the necessary permits to operate. We’re taking steps to cut red tape and speed up our business-facing services. Our recently launched ease of doing business index is an effort to make ourselves publicly accountable and show us where we need to improve.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
GEORDIN HILL-LEWIS: Why Cape Town bucks South Africa’s unemployment trendIf small and large companies — local and international — are to make investment decisions, they need confidence in the future, writes geordinhl.
Read more »
GEORDIN HILL-LEWIS: Why Cape Town bucks South Africa’s unemployment trendIf small and large companies — local and international — are to make investment decisions, they need confidence in the future
Read more »
Mayor Hill-Lewis 'grateful' to Cape Town staff, officials for clean audit awardThe city was awarded an exemplary audit award by the country’s auditor general for the 2021/2022 financial year – something it received consecutively since 2006.
Read more »
NOLUYOLO XORILE: Why Africa’s energy poverty could be its greatest strengthThe continent’s renewable resources could make it a global powerhouse as global warming bites
Read more »
Why did Nkosana Makate turn down Vodacom’s R47-million offer?In this episode, Carol sits down with the inventor of Vodacom's 'Please Call Me' service. Kenneth Nkosana Makate developed the 'Please Call Me' concept while he was working as a trainee accountant at Vodacom in 2000. But that was only the start of a long battle between Makate and Vodacom over compensation for the idea. The Constitutional Court eventually ruled in Makate's favour in 2016 and ordered Vodacom to negotiate 'reasonable compensation' with him. Vodacom offered Makate R47-million, but he turned down the offer, contesting that he is owed approximately R9-billion. The Pretoria High Court agreed that the amount offered was not fair and sent the matter back to Vodacom. Makate then trended on social media, with many accusing him of greed and ingratitude, suggesting that he should simply accept the R47-million from Vodacom. In conversation with Carol Ofori, Makate reveals not only why he turned down Vodacom's offer but also discusses the lengthy legal battle, his sources of motivation, and his plans once the matter has been concluded. Makate also discusses the inspiration behind the 'Please Call Me' concept. If you were one of the people on social media who accused Makate of greed, listening to this podcast might change your perspective. (Intro news clips courtesy of SABC News and Newzroom Afrika)
Read more »
Nigeria: Why Subsidy Removal Must Not Deepen Poverty - Amnesty International"Many are concerned that they will be unable to meet the costs of education, food and healthcare," the organisation said.
Read more »