1. MEC, on thanking you for this report, it is important to remind you about the May 2018 budget of R50 million rands for local business incubators. Although your executive statement are on FDI and big investments but local entrepreneurship has to be strengthened parallel in preparation to receive FDI.

2. In September this year, at a PPP workshop with SRC members from institutions of higher learning, students complained bitterly that no funding had come their way to assist them in their career opportunities or for training to become entrepreneurs. We can get outside help, HON.MEC to prioritize but we have to strengthen local innovation.

3. Recently, an Indian female student was really heartbroken as she had done exceptionally well in hydrology studies and was denied an internship by the DWAF in geo-hydrology yet she was doing a unique study on dams and water conservation, so essential to KZN, as per the intensive water projects you have spoken about, aqua farming, fishery projects. Empowering our youth, means the Chinese and Russians cannot give major jobs their own imported labour and skills.

4. MEC, we cannot dash the hope of our young people who are enthusiastic to achieve and latch onto opportunities created by Radical Economic Transformation. The youth look up to us for inspiration because they are already motivated to achieve their dreams.

5. Members, with respect to tourism; “experience and travel” are another part of education, job creation and economic growth. I only hope this was one of the bankable project accepted.

6. This sector is expected to contribute about 25% of global net job creation in the next decade.

7. Therefore, sustainability and inclusivity means well managed partnerships between public, private and community sectors.

8. The seven major areas, Hon. MEC that we have to focus Radical Economic Transformation activities are: airlines and transport; conferences and conventions; arts and culture; hotels; food and beverage; eco-tourism; outdoor recreation and ancillary services associated with tourism. This HON. MEC is in keeping with all the twinning, foreign projects you speak about for us to be hospitable to investors.

9. KZN is well positioned as a coastal destination and Zulu Kingdom for cultural heritage tourism, hence providing customer service is integral to this sector. Therefore, our training efforts should include excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, patience, flexibility, a friendly nature and cultural sensitivity with so many foreigners visiting, investing and working here; and awareness to make this industry thrive. However, much more has to be done to ensure safety of tourists and foreign workers in KZN.

10. The MF welcomes this executive statement to spur investment and job creation in KZN.

11. Thank you

 

HON.S. Thakur- Rajbansi