Naledi Modise
JOHANNESBURG-MOST of the jobs that have been lost in Gauteng are from the country’s largest manufacturing hub,
Ekurhuleni, reflecting an impending weakness in the manufacturing base, says the province’s premier David Makhura, at a manufacturing Indaba that recently took place at Emperors Palace in East Rand.
“We are also deeply concerned that for the first quarter of 2016, Gauteng lost 195 000 jobs and 111 000 of them were lost in Ekurhuleni, reflecting further weaknesses in our manufacturing base,” Makhura told delegates.
Hundreds of entrepreneurs and government officials from all over the country attended the third annual
Manufacturing Indaba, whose theme, this year was Manufacturing the future, also focused on small to medium and micro Enterprises (SMMEs).
However after painting a gloomy picture, Makhura was quick to add that the province will remain the country’s manufacturing hub and that the aerotropolis master plan will transform and modernise the manufacturing sector in Ekurhuleni, adding that output had slightly increased.
‘’We however draw some relief from latest indications that; in the first quarter of 2016, manufacturing output rebounded slightly to 0.5% from the previous quarter’s negative 2.5%,’’ he added.
“We must sustain this momentum, going forward! We must sustain this momentum because we know too well that the success of any economy is dependent largely on the existence of a strong, growing, innovative and a competitive manufacturing industry,” he declared saying that the manufacturing sector is more important given that it creates more jobs in itself.
‘’Our enthusiasm about the manufacturing sector is also driven by indications that each manufacturing job creates THREE other jobs in the broader economy, through the multiplier effect. Manufacturing offers the
greatest possibility to create decent, sustainable jobs, to eliminate poverty and to grow our economy in a sustainable and inclusive manner.’’
The event’s marketing manager, Julie Cunningham, also told Gauteng Guardian that visitors were able to interact with those in the manufacturing sector.
“Visitors were able to take advantage of the opportunity to engage with powerhouses in the
manufacturing sector at the interactive sessions.”
– Guardian
