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The panel discussion on the role of skills development in the Fourth
Industrial Revolution was addressed by the Minister of Higher
Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande who
shared his departments’ initiatives on skills and technology. Dr
Nzimande called on black businesses to partner with government
on its programmes to address skills gaps and support the ERRP
Skills Strategy. The Minister reiterated his clarion call on business,
particularly small businesses, to provide workplace experience
for young people to obtain their qualifications and employment.
“Skills development is a joint effort between government and
industry,” said Dr Nzimande.

W&RSETA CEO, Tom Mkhwanazi highlighted that the SETA
Reggie Sibiya, W&RSETA Chairperson provides funding through various grants to assist companies,
including small businesses, to increase and improve their capacity
Delivering a message of support, the W&RSETA Chairperson, on 4IR skills. Mkhwanazi indicated that while 4IR will result in job
Reggie Sibiya highlighted the importance of the partnership with losses; there are opportunities for reskilling and upskilling which
the Black Business Council as one of the W&RSETA’s constituent will provide new job opportunities.
organisations. He provided an overview of the SETA’s SMME and
entrepreneurship development, and shared some of the success
stories from these programmes as a contribution to job creation.
Sibiya also mentioned that the W&RSETA’s long-term vision to
support localisation through the construction of the R146-million
Sekhukhune Skills Development Centre in Limpopo will forge
collaborations for the retailing of locally produced goods in retail
stores.

Dr Pali Lehohla’s prelude to The Big Political Corner made a
correlation of the poor education system to the high unemployment
which is driving high unemployment rates in South Africa. This
session focused on the political leadership that is required as a W&RSETA CEO participated in the Skills Development and
the Fourth Industrial Revolution - Their Roles in Economic
catalyst to grow the economy.
Growth panel discussion led by Minister Nzimande
The African National Congress, represented by Dr Gwen
Ramokgopa, reflected on the key components of the Economic Special addresses were delivered by the Chairperson of the
Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP) and the urgency to Economic Cluster and Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko
produce relevant skills for the economy. The party acknowledged Kubayi who called on businesses to act in the best interest of South
the impact of energy challenges on the economy. From the Africa for the ERRP to be successful. Minister of Trade, Industry and
Democratic Alliance, Ashor Sarupen emphasised that the role of Competition, Ebrahim Patel Minister highlighted challenges that
government is to create an enabling environment for economic impede on South Africa’s economic growth and the government
growth through quality services to enable citizens thrive and interventions to promote black and women industrialists as well as
create businesses which would reduce unemployment significantly. supplier development for small businesses.
General Bantu Holomisa of the United Democratic Party
acknowledged government’s plans and programmes to address
the country’s challenges; however posed a question on how these
would be funded. The key message from the Economic Freedom
Fighters’ Floyd Shivambu was that government should focus on
education for citizens to become innovators and inventors. The
leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party challenged government and
business to think about how the country can be cushioned from
another disaster following the COVID-19 pandemic, unrests and
floods. Government Ministers addressed delegates during
the two-day summit

Statistician-General, Risenga Maluleke painted a grim picture
of South Africa’s education and unemployment levels which was
an introduction on a panel discussion focusing on interventions
to address youth unemployment and developing youth-owned
businesses.

The reverberating message that all stakeholders agreed on was
the urgent need to focus on skills development and job creation
through entrepreneurship.

Panelists of The Big Political Corner
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W&RSETA | May 2022