Page 26 - KZN Top Business Portfolio 2018

“We need to attract investment to gradually develop
low-end tourism destinations in rural areas and the
periphery where the majority of our population live.
We must move beyond the point from where our
communities are mere observers in the tourism sector,
to where they can become active participants and true
tourism ambassadors for our Country and Province.”
The Province hosted the World Economic Forum on
Africa in May 2017. This event attracted 800 of the
largest companies in Africa as well as global Fortune
500 businesses and provided an unrivalled opportunity
to showcase investment and collaboration opportunities
in the Province.
“We are excited about prospects of growing a shared
economy in our tourism sector through strong public,
private collaboration in building the required tourism
infrastructure, to create an environment where local
and foreign visitors would love to work, live and play,”
Mchunu said.
Youth Unemployment
The province is firmly committed to radically reduce
unemployment and in particular youth unemployment.
A programme called Sukuma 10 000 will be launched
in the coming financial year. This programme, which
now built here, is proof that we are making progress. will be coordinated in the Office of the Premier, will cut-
The Provincial Maritime Incubator Programme is now across all departments, spheres of government, private
established and provides much needed business sector, tertiary institutions, parastatals and other
training, mentorship, guidance and business support, quasi-government organisations, aiming at creating
targeting previously disadvantaged individuals, women 10 000 new job opportunities. This programme
and youth.” targets the youth, women and people with disabilities
Tourism across the Province and participants have committed
to contribute to a portion of this target from their
The Province’s tourism sector has seen phenomenal various employment creation programmes.
growth with annual passenger throughput at King
Shaka International Airport registering an increase of The Province is also partnering with the Sustainable
more than one million, with international passenger National Youth Service (SNYS) project as a component
numbers increasing by 90% since 2010. The airport has of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
registered an overall passenger growth of 6.4% in 2017, The SNYS project focuses on the maintenance of
which is the highest among all South African Airports. government facilities, such as hospitals, schools, clinics
and other community buildings. Opportunities for
Of note, the development of the Durban Passenger young people to be skilled whilst they are employed
Cruise Terminal, in partnership between government, to perform much needed infrastructure maintenance
the private sector and state-owned enterprises, will will be created.
see the construction of a R215-million rand cruise
ship terminal at the Durban Harbour, which will have a A KwaZulu-Natal Youth Development Fund will be
profound impact on the province’s economic growth. launched in 2018. This Fund will provide seed funding
for qualifying youth business development and will
Mchunu commented on the onslaught on our wildlife be able to accept private sector corporate social
resources, such as rhino poaching and the unsustainable investment contributions.
harvesting of our marine resources. “These criminal
activities are not only posing a risk to our environment Human Resource Development
and bio resources, but also to our economy and the
livelihoods of our communities who rely on the tourism “We are excited about the prospects for economic
activities attracted by these natural resources.” growth in our Province, but we are equally concerned
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