Reviving factories, prioritising rural development, supporting small businesses, creating opportunities in the ocean economy and opening a state rehabilitation centre.
These were some of the issues that Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle was bombarded with in East London on Friday.
However, Masualle told scores of young people at the youth funding, training, opportunities and programmes breakfast session with Daily Dispatch editor Sibusiso Ngalwa that his administration had several youth programmes.
Ntsika Tetani said should he be funded by the Office of the Premier, he would revive the Kayo Star factory in Dimbaza.
“The Kayo Star factory employed 450 people but it closed down. We want funding to open that factory again,” he said.
Ntembeko Ntshinga called on Masualle to lead the way in opening opportunities in the maritime industry. “We are tired of hearing about bringing back the land to black people; we want the government to bring the ocean to black people. We must be involved in the ocean economy,” he said.
Businessman Pat Ndamane said access to funding remained a hindrance to many youth businesses. “The developmental and funding agencies make it difficult with their requirements,” he said.
Dumisa Magidigidi praised the OTP for their assistance in his dairy farm, saying Bhisho had given him five cows this year, taking his total to 110. He said 72 are milked and produce 1,000 litres of milk a day.
Emihle Stimela, 16, of Ngqeleni called on the state to prioritise rural development.
Siphokazi Khuphiso from the Great Kei Disability Centre complained that she had been waiting for her certificate for a computer course she did through the OTP.
“We did a course with the OTP in 2015 and we are still waiting for our certificates so that we can be able to apply for jobs.”
Zanda Madikiza said the government should build a rehabilitation centre to help people battling with substance abuse.
Zithulele Dlephu from Indwe said although the OTP had built a R600,000 hall for them, 30 caregivers had still not been paid their stipends since June.
Progressive Youth in Business spokesperson Balungile Jamela asked Masualle what plans were in place to include SMMEs in the ICT sector.
Masualle admitted there were a lot of challenges, but stressed his administration was doing its best to support young people.
Masualle said his government wanted SMMEs to benefit in the broadband roll-out.
“We are not making a compromise when it comes to that. If a contract extends to R30m, then the OTP makes sure that 30% of that goes to SMMEs.”
He said a youth council to tackle youth issues was being established in all municipalities. He urged young people to be job creators rather than seekers.
Nobuzwe Mabuza from Buzwebethu Trading told the youth to change their attitude in their places of employment.
“My problem is with employed young people. They do not respect some of the work policies we set in order to sustain what we have, and they do not respect their employers and time.”..