Zuma: I've delivered the jobs

Zuma: I've delivered the jobs

Feb 12, 2010 12:36 AM | By NKULULEKO NCANA


President Jacob Zuma said the government would not abandon any of its programmes to assist ordinary people whose jobs were affected by the global financial crisis.

State of the Nation address Related Articles

Key among those programmes is the "training lay-off scheme" that was introduced by the state to allow workers the option of training rather than face the possibility of retrenchment.

Zuma said though the recession cost South Africa about 900000 jobs, 480000 public works opportunities had been created. This, he said, was a 97% achievement on the 500000 jobs he had promised in his inaugural state of the nation speech.

Zuma said: "The Industrial Development Corporation had put aside R6-billion to help companies in distress."

An expansion of public works programmes is under way, he said, and would include local infrastructure and literacy projects, home-based care and schools maintenance.

The newly launched National Youth Development Agency has been mandated to speed up its programmes so that it can play a role in aligning youth development programmes within government.

Despite some negative reports being peddled in the international media on the readiness of South Africa in hosting this year's World Cup, Zuma told the nation that it was all systems go, and that the event would be a success.

Zuma added that given former president Nelson Mandela's central role in securing the opportunity for the country to host the World Cup, its success would be in his honour.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/news/article303553.ece