The list of issues faced within South Africa is endless, as it seems to be the case in many countries today. The difference, however, and this could count in our favour, is that government is taking a provincial stand in addressing the problems faced by many.
The eradication of violence against women and children, youth employment, development of informal settlements, an improved healthcare system and infrastructure development are some of the key priorities the Gauteng Provincial Government will be focusing on in the year ahead.
Youth unemployment remained one of the province's most critical and urgent challenges and one of the ways the provincial government is addressing it, is through effective skills development coupled with workplace experience, placement in sustainable jobs and the promotion of youth entrepreneurship.
More than 5 000 young people have been assisted through internships in the public and private sector, including in critical skills areas such as information and communication technology (ICT) and artisan programmes.
In the year ahead, working in collaboration with business and sector education and training authorities, the Gauteng Provincial Government will ensure a further 6 500 young people are placed in learnerships, internships and workplace to gain experiential learning.
Skills for industry programmes will result in the training of 2 255 artisans and technicians up to 2 016 in the automotive, ICT and other sectors.
They will work closely with the national department of higher education to ensure the youth and industries take advantage of the massive opportunities offered through the repositioning of further education and training institutions in the province, linked to the automobile sector in Tshwane and the manufacturing sector in Ekurhuleni.
Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane raised concern about gender-based violence and said that efforts would be intensified to deal with the scourge.
"The eradication of violence against women and children is a central pillar of our social crime prevention efforts in the province. In as much as we have clear policies and strategies in place to address this scourge, based on an analysis of the causes and solutions, it is clear there is not a simple explanation to what is happening."
