FEATURE
public schools and hospitals were turning away potential investors. As such, these are the things he wants to see improve immediately. The province has 150 operational mines but this number could grow by another 450 if the mining licences issued by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy are operationalised, Dr Saul said. He said if half of the licences were operationalised, over 70 000 jobs could be created
Premier of t he Nor t hern Cape Dr Zamani Saul.
in the Northern Cape alone.
workers and help combat the
of skilled workers. The reason for
current bleeding of skilled and
that is a reflection of the structure
experienced personnel to other
of our economy in the Northern
provinces.
Cape. The biggest contributor
The Premier said he is concerned about the lack of skills among the
Dr Saul is very passionate about
to our GDP is agriculture and
education. He has a Doctorate in
mining. Agriculture and mining
Law, Constitutional Law and Juris-
youth of the province but said a skills plan is in place to ensure youngsters are more responsive to the needs of potential investors. The Northern Cape, Dr Saul said, has massive opportunities for unskilled and semi-skilled labour. He said though the province had recorded job losses in the skilled jobs category, there was growth
prudence, from the University of the Western Cape; and in January
“We need a modern province with a high degree of connectivity.”
this year started studying towards a Doctorate of Philosophy in MultiDisciplinary Studies. He recently led Kimberley-based senior government managers and volunteers on a door-to-door campaign to find unemployed matriculants. Of the 400 youngsters identified, 90 started their training
in the unskilled and semi-skilled labour sector. Dr Saul said a report had
Education and training are allimportant
need more semi-skilled and un-
at a technical and vocational
skilled workers.”
education and training college in July.
recently shown that there is an
The former Pixley ka Seme mu-
increase in employment in the
nicipal manager said to attract
Northern Cape for semi-skilled
potential investments, the state
planning on establishing a state-
and unskilled workers. “Over the
has to get the basics right. Dr Saul
owned construction company
past three years, we have lost
said that things such as potholes
which would train young people in
over 6 000 jobs in the category
and a need for additional good
artisan skills.
40
Dr Saul said his administration is
Public Sector Manager • September 2019
