Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to tackle unemployment in South Africa. The R650 million Labour Activation Programme (#LAP), launched in Cape Town, aims to create over 17,330 jobs across key sectors, including retail, agriculture, hospitality, tourism, ICT, and transportation.
Supported by Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya and departmental senior management, Meth signed employment creation contracts with 12 labour partners during the event. These partnerships aim to foster socio-economic growth and provide tangible employment opportunities for South Africans.
Key Labour Partners
Prominent organisations like Caliber Solutions, Elgin Community College, and Furn Tech are among the programme’s partners. They bring expertise and innovation to address unemployment challenges and uplift communities.
“The Labour Activation Programme has grown immensely from its humble beginnings. Initially created to support Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributors, it has become a powerful tool for socio-economic transformation,” Meth stated during the launch.
Ambitious Job Creation Targets
Meth shared the broader vision of the LAP, highlighting the national goal of creating over 350,000 jobs across all nine provinces. She confirmed that 29 partnership agreements have already been formalised, benefiting over 107,764 individuals.
In the Western Cape alone, the government has invested R651.5 million in the programme. Meth emphasised that these investments showcase the government’s commitment to addressing the country’s unemployment crisis.
“Each partner contributes essential expertise and innovative solutions, forming the backbone of this transformative initiative,” said Meth. “This collaboration demonstrates the extraordinary outcomes we can achieve, even in challenging times.”
Oversight and Accountability
The minister reiterated the importance of oversight, transparency, and cooperation as the programme progresses. She pledged to maintain a collaborative framework to assess progress, troubleshoot obstacles, and ensure the programme delivers on its promises.
Context of the Initiative
This bold initiative follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent implementation of the Employment Equity (EE) Amendment Act, effective January 1, 2025. The amendment exempts small businesses with fewer than 50 employees from certain compliance requirements, such as submitting EE reports. This move is expected to reduce administrative burdens for small enterprises while focusing resources on larger employers to promote equity.
A Step Towards Socio-Economic Recovery
The Labour Activation Programme represents a significant step toward job creation and economic recovery in South Africa. With a focus on collaboration and sustainable growth, Meth’s initiative offers hope to many unemployed South Africans and lays the groundwork for long-term development.
