LAUNCH OF THE LIMPOPO YOUTH AGRIBUSINESS CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED
15 Mar 2005
THEME:
Together enhancing meaningful participation of youth & women in the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Framework in Agriculture
GUEST SPEAKER
Honourable MEC for Agriculture: Limpopo Province
Ms Dikeledi Magadzi
The integrated programme to ensure meaningful participation of youth and women in the broader framework of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment within Agriculture is to gain momentum. In witness of this envisaged milestone will be the official launch of the Limpopo Youth Agribusiness Co-operative, on the 18th March 2005 and will be overseen by the Honourable MEC for Agriculture in the Limpopo Province Ms Dikeledi Magadzi.
The launch is subsequent to the campaign driven by the National Emergent Red Meat Producers Organisation (NERPO), a founder and leading member of the South African Youth Agribusiness Co-operative (SAYA Co-op), which is committed to socio-economic empowerment of historical disadvantaged farming communities, youth & women through creation & expansion of job and agribusiness opportunities while enhancing objectives of the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Framework
This momentous event will be held at Marco Estate, Polokwane, Limpopo Province at 18h00. It is the second provincial launch preceding the launch of the Eastern Cape Youth Agribusiness Co-operative that came after the national launch of the South African Youth Agribusiness Co-operative (SAYA-Co-op) by the National Minister of Labour Honourable Membathisi Mdladlana in January this year. The initiative is in line with government’s new Integrated Skills Development Strategy and takes advantage of the Presidential call for youth empowerment through skills development and SMME support.
In his State of the Nation address, the Honourable President has recommitted government on the implementation of the new Integrated National Skills Development Strategy and the review of the policy framework on business registration, tax, and levy payments in order to create an enabling environment for establishment & growth of viable small and medium enterprises. Although the ultimate beneficiaries of this programme are unemployed South African agricultural graduates, NERPO has drawn in professionals, established business corporates, financial institutions, government, community developers to be partners of the co-operative so as to ensure viability and sustainability of the projects that would be identified and managed by the co-operatives.
The initiative is a strategic combination of persons and/or business corporates who are to bring forth a variety of required adequate resources to run viable agricultural projects, and these resources ranges from sound expertise or skills, capacity, financial track record and infrastructure. These co-operatives are expected to eradicate rocketing unemployment, alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS infection, and crime rates whose statistics are most emphasized by disgruntled youth who ought to be custodians of sustainable development. Food security, elimination of poverty, and rural development are also amongst key priorities of the initiative as projects will be sourced from government and established business corporates to benefit historical disadvantaged communities.
This historic event will amongst a range of high profile guests be graced by the MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs & Tourism Mr. C. Chabane, MEC for Education Dr. Aäron Motsoaledi, Non-Executive Chairperson of the SAYA Co-op Mr. Aggrey Mahanjana, Chairperson of the Limpopo Youth Commission Mr. R. Tshivasha, Executive Mayors, Traditional Leaders, Financial Institutions and Industry role players.
End
Enquiries
Mr. Aggrey Mahanjana
Group Managing Director: NERPO
Tel : +27 (0) 12 361 9127
Fax : +27 (0) 12 361 4430
Cell : +27 (0) 82 556 7297
Email : aggreym@nerpo.org.za
Or
Siyabulela Makunga
Manager: Institutional Capacity Building, Marketing and Corporate Communications
Tel : +27 (0) 12 328 8566
Cell : +27 (0) 82 483 7155 / +27 (0) 83 677 86 31
E-mail : siyabulelam@nerpo.org.za
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