By Rise Mzansi in the Free State has outlines some of its immediate matters it will address should the party be victorious in the upcoming elections; these include job creation, growing the economy, uninterrupted supply of energy amongst others.
The Free State Province made national headlines last year when Stats SA released its Labour Force Survey report of the third quarter of 2023, which showed that the province was the only one in the country that regressed in employment, with 3000 job losses reaching 38.5% unemployment rate in the period of July to September 2023.
Nomsa Marchesi, the Free State Provincial Convenor for Rise Mzansi says, though there has been some improvement in the unemployment rate in the province, an improvement from 38.5% in the third quarter to 37% in the fourth quarter of 2023; more needs to be done by provincial government to create sustainable jobs.
“The provincial government led by Premier Mxolisi Dukwana has failed to ensure that the hopes and dreams of citizens are fulfilled. Dukwana and his cronies have let maladministration; fraud and corruption rob the people of the Free State of their dreams and hope.
RISE Mzansi has solutions to job creation and is committed to creating economic growth and fostering job creation in the Free State. Our vision entails a comprehensive strategy aimed at transforming the province into a thriving hub of opportunity and prosperity for all its residents,” said Nomsa Marchesi
According to the Minister for the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Mr Gwede Mantashe, load-shedding has costed the economy of South Africa over R1 billion a day, affecting numerous sectors, and mining felt the impact the most. Marchesi says, in order to grow the economy and create the much needed jobs, Rise Mzansi will ensure energy security for the Free State.
Marchesi says her party’s foremost priority is to elevate the province’s economic growth from its current rate of 0.6% to a robust 6%.
“We propose a multifaceted approach, including the decentralisation of electricity through the integration of solar, gas, and nuclear energy sources. Each household will be equipped with a solar panel, thereby reducing reliance on traditional providers like Eskom and ultimately lowering electricity costs. This initiative will not only grow confidence from investors, but help stimulate job creation across various sectors,” she said.
“Recognising water security as paramount for economic prosperity, RISE Mzansi will embark on repairing water leakages and enhancing water infrastructure throughout the Free State. This initiative not only addresses a critical need but also presents substantial job creation opportunities, paving the way for sustainable growth,” continued Nomsa Marchesi.
Education is key to any economy, to this; Nomsa Marchesi says Rise Mzansi acknowledges the shortcomings of the current education system in providing market-relevant skills.
“To bridge this gap, RISE Mzansi pledges to train one million young people, including those without matric, unemployed, or not in training, thereby preparing them for emerging job opportunities. Additionally, we will scale up the National Youth Service and introduce skills development programs for Grade 9 students, focusing on sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and trade,” said the Free State Convenor.
“As the breadbasket of the nation, the Free State holds immense potential for job creation, particularly in agriculture. RISE Mzansi will implement land reforms to facilitate farming initiatives, establish “green zones” for agricultural production, and incentivise water efficiency projects and drought-resistant crop varieties. Moreover, we will revitalise the wool industry and repurpose defunct mines into engineering industries, further expanding job opportunities,” she concluded.
