Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Spot Coverage >> November 2002

SACOB in transition

Gauging from developments at the SACOB annual convention on 15 and 16 October in East London, it is clear that SACOB is in a transitory process, although the organization is still fully in tact. The sudden resignation of CEO Colin Wakeford did rock the organization, while it has also been hurt with the disaffiliation of heavyweight members such as the chambers of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. However, at the convention, Mr. James Lennox, an experienced professional chamber official, was appointed acting CEO, while incumbent president Christoph Köpke was nominated to continue for another unprecedented term. These steps should enhance continuity in the operational capacity of SACOB.

As for the future, it is clear that the four biggest challenges facing SACOB would be:
• To maintain a credible voice of business vis-à-vis the disaffiliation of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
• To orientate itself as regards the unification of Nafcoc and its alliance with the AHI and Fabcos.
• To position itself as regards the new alliance between Business SA (BSA) and the Black Business Council (BBC).
• To successfully bridge the gap between corporate business and the emerging SMME sector.

All in all, it's evidently trying, but exciting times.

Skills Development Conference in Bloemfontein highlights key guidelines for road ahead

A Provincial Skills Development Conference held in Bloemfontein on 15 and 16 October 2002 at the Protea Hotel revealed a number of guidelines critical to the implementation of the National Skills Development Strategy - not only in the Free State but also for the rest of the country. These guidelines came out in addresses delivered by various speakers at the conference.

In his opening address, the Provincial Executive Manager of the Department of Labour in the Free State, Mr. Richmond Ntuli, summed up out experience gained thus far as follows:

"The skills deficit is one of the major handicaps to the growth of our economy and is a discouraging factor to potential foreign investors. The National Skills Development Strategy that was launched last year seeks to develop a culture of life long learning, foster skills development in the formal economy for productivity and economic growth, stimulate and support skills development in small business, promote skills development for employability and sustainable livelihoods through social development initiatives; as well as assist young new entrants into employment. With this policy framework now in place, our focus will shift to ensure that the skills development structures that are set up, respond adequately and speedily to market demands and imperatives.

The strategy also outlines the contribution that skills development will make to our emerging national human resources development strategy. The Government is committed to the development of the people of South Africa. All Government Departments are working together closely to ensure that our people have education and skills.

Please note that the Skills Development Strategy is a national strategy and that the Department of Labour in the Free State does not have a strategy that differs from the national strategy. The Skills Development Strategy is titled “Skills for productive citizenship for all.” This summarises the vision for the future. This vision includes:

- Skills financial and other support should be directed towards the acquisition of skills that are needed by employers and communities and that increasingly will reflect qualifications and standards that are part of the National Qualifications Framework. Skills development is about enabling and empowering individuals through the acquisition of competencies that are in demand. It is not about the provision of diversionary activities simply to keep unemployed people active for short periods of time or about merely filling programmes offered by training providers. Skills must be lined to quality provision and qualifications that hold currency throughout the country.

- Productive citizenship the concept of citizenship in South Africa has been understood mainly in political terms. But as poor people, particularly, have discovered the ability to vote is not enough on its own. Citizenship must also include the right to actively contribute to and participate in making decisions that affect investment and work. Skills development is as much about building the capacity of people to engage in these decisions as to execute the roles and functions that will flow from them. In the workplace the decisions are about productivity, the organization of work and technology; in new and small enterprises they are about entrepreneurship, sustainability and growth and in communities they are about the focus, pace and trade-offs linked to local economic development.

- For all the vision is an inclusive one. The intention is to create opportunities for those in work as well as for the unemployed; for new entrants to the world of work as well as for older people, for women as well as for men and for people with disabilities who for too long have not been valued for their capabilities.

A mission statement has been adopted to encapsulate the goals of the National Skills Development Strategy. That is to equip South Africa with the skills to succeed in the global market and to offer opportunities to individuals and communities for self-advancement to enable them to play a productive role in society.

To fulfill this mission, five objectives have been identified to drive the National Skills Strategy. They are:

1. To develop a culture of high quality lifelong learning
2. To foster skills development in the formal economy for productivity and employability
3. To stimulate and support skills development in small businesses
4. To promote skills development for employability and sustainable livelihoods through social development initiatives
5. To assist new entrants into employment.

These objectives will frame the work of the Department of Labour and the Sector Education and Training Authorities. They will also define the uses of the National Skills Fund and the skills development levies. The objectives offer priorities around which government, employers, trade unions and the wider community can unite to achieve the skills revolution our country so badly requires.

The Skills Development Strategy charts the ways in which South Africa can build its skills to enable it to compete more successfully in the global economy; attract investment; enable individuals and communities to grow to eradicate poverty and to build a more inclusive and equal society. It is based on the conviction that we have the means and the will to make progress to ensure a better life for all.
The Department of Labour in the Free State funded projects in the Mangaung Motheo district. A total of 2987 people were trained and R1 531 619.00 was allocated for training. From those trained, 61% were women and 30% youth. Placement from these projects was 98%. In line with Objectives of the National Skills Development Strategy, 202 projects were funded by the Department of Labour in the Free State Province, to the amount of R19 880 059.00. A total of 7074 people have been trained. From those trained 72% were women and 12% youth. Overall placement is 98%. Projects for target group, Disabled, were funded to the amount of R217 049 and 59 people were trained. Strategies addressed are Poverty Alleviation, Job Creation and Rural Development.
With strategies, visions and missions in place we are committed to increase the supply of higher quality skills and “maximize the potential of people through the acquisition of skills and knowledge”. I urge employers, workers and education and training providers to commit yourselves to a programme that will revolutionise South Africa's skills, economy and prospects for its people. With these words, ladies and gentlemen, I officially welcome you to the first Provincial Skills Conference in the Free State Province. May what you are to learn not only benefit yourselves but also the communities that you are to return to."

Contribution of Labour to development in the Free State

Interview with Provincial Executive Manager of the Department of Labour, Mr. Richmond Ntuli

How would you summarize in a nutshell the contribution of your Department towards general economic and human development in the FS Province ?
The Government policy framework enables the Department of Labour to co-ordinate processes within, but also collaborate on Human Resource Development initiatives and interventions. We ensure, via Inter-Departmental Structures, that we are informed of the various Provincial Plans e.g. the Inter Departmental Plans.

The recent Imbizo by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Membathisi Mdladlana, in the Free State province - what would you briefly highlight as the main tangible outflow ?
Imperative show-casing of the value of R19 million that we invested in the social development programme and the 7024 beneficiaries, the emphasize on sound labour relations at employee and employer levels e.g. farm workers and domestic workers, and the importance of safety in working environments.

The Skills Development Conference on 15 and 16 October in Bloemfontein - how would you summarize its impact on the province ?
More awareness by our stakeholders and all relevant Strategic Partners. An informed citizenry on self development initiatives. Secondly, the crucial role of SETA's and NGO's on their mandates as per legislation. Lastly, to be able to account to our Free State government and citizens on what we have achieved as against national goals set by the Ministry.

On a personal note - how long have you been living in the Free State and what is your main impression of the province ?
Six years. The challenge on poverty, illiteracy, domestic and workplace violence, lack of enabling skills for optimal productivity and strategic positioning of the Free State Province to compete regionally (SADC) and internationally on services and product range. More importantly, a mindshift by all of us to start doing things differently, adopting the "revolutionary approach". Time is not on our side !

FDC injects million into SMME's

The Free State Development Corporation (FDC) has announced that it has recently injected R17,4 million in business loans with a view to facilitating a significant impact on economic development in the province. A further R64 million is due for disbursement during the remainder of the financial year.
The Corporation's SMME financing programme, aimed at developing small business, particularly previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs, provided loan capital finance to 60 beneficiaries, which include 17 women. A substantial number of the loans granted, are in agro-processing industries, manufacturing, construction, retail and services, which through forward and backwards linkages, have created 632 direct jobs.
MD Max Makhubalo observed at a media briefing on 23 October 2002: “While we do not necessarily marginalize other types of small businesses, our efforts are focused on enterprises that enhance the maximization of the Free State's resources and can provide quality products or services both locally and internationally.”