A sense of self, dignity and purpose is a universal human right and for so many of us the path has not always allowed us to exercise this right. That is why the Government of the Western Cape is so committed to growing the Cape – to providing platforms for all our citizens to become economically active.
Of course there are a number of challenges. The biggest of these being the fight to create work and fight poverty. My department has been called upon to play the anchor role in this fight. We are at the forefront in the battle to ensure sustainable jobs are created and that our Provincial Government contributes meaningfully towards reducing poverty. This is not an easy task but we are up to the job.
We will do this because we are not alone. We have partners, many of them. We have the Cape IT Initiative and the UUNET Bandwidth Barn who are managing this project. And more importantly we have each of you – young entrepreneurs who are willing to make an effort to take control of your destinies.
Entrepreneurs represent a huge opportunity to the Cape. Our unemployment rate in the Western Cape is 24 percent. This translates to roughly 500, 000 of our people roaming the streets without a source of income and about 80 percent of these people are the youth.
That’s why this project and each of you are so important. You represent the future because you are actively and consciously choosing to make your own path and where you go, others will follow.
The Provincial Government of the Western Cape realises this and that is why we have budgeted R250 000 towards this project. This amount, will make it possible for ten companies, owned by young historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs to receive support for their businesses. The challenge is to ensure this project is sustained and that we increase the number of entrepreneurs we assist.
This Launchpad project would not be possible without the support and management of the Cape IT Initiative and The UUNET Bandwidth Barn. The Provincial Government’s role is to ensure that for every ambitious and driven individual there is a supporting opportunity. That is why we have funded this project and why we fund so many others that support the development and success of the entrepreneurial spirit of the Western Cape.
The Launchpad is not only about creating companies, it is about the building of capacity, transferring skills and proving that there is value in each idea. More importantly it is about giving hope to the youth, that section of our community that has often been called the lost generation. It is about ensuring we create a future for our country.
The Launchpad programme is focused on growth – the growth of individuals, of skills, of the potential of the Western Cape to play a pivotal role as an ICT hub for South Africa and the growth of healthy partnerships such as the one between the Provincial Government and the Cape IT Initiative.
As Oliver Tambo once said, a nation that does not look after its youth does not deserve a future. We want a bright and prosperous future for our province and our country and so we will continue to fund projects such as this one, which are empowering and supporting economic development amongst our youth.
Thank you
