Government says it has created more than 550 000 jobs through its Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme that was launched last year. Phase one of the project has an overall target of creating 694 000 job opportunities.
Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele says several programmes are still in the implementation phase and they expect the number of job opportunities to increase. He was updating the media about the progress of phase one and the launch of phase two.
“This represents more than half a million South Africans who have already benefited directly from the stimulus, either through employment or receiving a grant to sustain their own economic activity. The first phase of employment stimulus has provided valuable lessons on what we can achieve if we set out ambitions higher and if we work together across government,” says Gungubele.
The Presidential Employment Stimulus was launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa in October last year in response to the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic on employment.
The stimulus has supported a portfolio of programs in public employment interventions, livelihood support to sustain self-employment and protecting existing jobs. Eleven national departments were responsible for implementing programs in phase one. The objective is to use public investment to create jobs and support incomes.
VIDEO:Gungubele briefs media on the outcomes of the cabinet meeting
