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The Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms Nomakhosazana Meth has on Thursday, 8 May handed over contracts over R446 million to eight (8) Labour Activation Programme partners tasked with providing training and job opportunities to over 13600 beneficiaries in Limpopo Province. The event, which took place at Theocentric Combined College in Matsila Village, was held in collaboration with the Limpopo Provincial Government, Vhembe District Municipality, Collins Chabane Local municipality, Chief Matsila Foundation, and Rand Mutual Assurance.

The handover was graced by the Premier of Limpopo, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Chief Matsila, Deputy Minister Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, MEC of Economic Development and Tourism and the Executive Mayor of Collins Chabane Municipality and other dignitaries.

In a demonstration of commitment to the upliftment of the youth and vulnerable community members, Partners in Limpopo attended the auspicious occasion with their trainees and students. To much excitement and fanfare, the Labour Activation Partners received their certificates, contracts and symbolic cheques, concluding with the reading of their pledge of commitment.

Delivering her keynote address, Minister Meth reminded the gathering that the event marks just eleven days after the celebration of Freedom Day, which was on 27 April.

“Freedom must work. Freedom must not just be a date on calendar. It must be a living reality. Today, we are making that real – by activating skills, restoring dignity, and reclaiming hope," said Minister Meth.

Minister Meth told the gathering that the Department and its partners are not declaring LAP as a technical intervention, but a moral commitment to reinvest, reindustrialise and revitalise rural communities.

“We are here because we understand that unemployment is a spatial and structural and here in villages like Matsila, its impact is especially acute.

The Limpopo LAP targets high impact sectors such as: Agriculture and Aggro-processing, mining related trades, Tourism and hospitality, Construction and renewable energy, as well as Entrepreneurship and Small Business development. She said the sectors align with the province's comparative advantage and development needs.

Minister Meth warned that LAP is not a tender fest. “It is not an opportunity for inflated invoices or shortcuts. Every project, every stipend, and every job placement must be accounted for. We will monitor implementation rigorously, and we will not hesitate to act against non-compliance.

The Chief Matsila Foundation in collaboration with Rand Mutual Assurance donated 50 wheelchairs, specifically and individually built for disabled beneficiaries around the area.

The Minister, together with Premier Ramathuba and Chief Matsila, visited Tsakani Home for Disabled Persons as part of community outreach, to hand over a wide range of home care amenities.

ENDS//

Media enquiries:

Ms. Thobeka Magcai, Ministry Spokesperson. Email: Thobeka.Magcai@Labour.gov.za| Mobile: 072 737 2205.

Issued by: MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR​

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