{"id":79609,"date":"2023-06-23T21:32:46","date_gmt":"2023-06-23T19:32:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/?p=79609"},"modified":"2023-06-23T21:32:46","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T19:32:46","slug":"empowering-south-africans-to-find-pathways-out-of-unemployment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/empowering-south-africans-to-find-pathways-out-of-unemployment\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering South Africans to find pathways out of unemployment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

2-minute read
\n23 June 2023 | 18:24 CAT<\/p>\n

\"\"

Image: The Impact Catalyst | LinkedIn<\/p><\/div>\n

Unemployment remains a harsh reality in the country; South Africa’s unemployment rate in the first quarter of 2023 was recorded at 32.9% and is among the highest in the world. While multiple factors can be attributed to this high unemployment rate, inadequate education and training continue to be a stumbling block that hinders the eradication of poverty, inequality and unemployment.<\/p>\n

In response to this plight, the Impact Catalyst (IC), together with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), through the Social Employment Fund (SEF) programme, created 4 000 temporary jobs in the previous financial year as a response to the skills and unemployment crisis in South Africa.<\/p>\n

The Social Employment Fund is a grant that supports social and economic activities within communities to increase employment and the development of SMEs.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Impact Catalyst’s Social Employment Fund Programme manager, Rhiyaan Cupido, highlighted the fund’s initiative.<\/p>\n

According to Cupido, Impact Catalyst and 28 other strategic implementation partners and the IDC has created over 50 000 jobs in the last year.<\/p>\n

“Impact Catalyst deployed the 4 000 participants in six different provinces, including the Free State, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West under various activities,” Cupido said.<\/p>\n

The programme focuses on empowering unemployed people with skills.<\/p>\n

According to Cupido, there are two parts to the skills development of the program. One part focuses on functional and formal skills, while the other looks at informal or non-accredited skills.<\/p>\n

“Essentially, we wish to achieve in making participants employable as the program focuses on the development of skills in order to empower and take charge of their lives,” said Cupido.<\/p>\n

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with host Annisa Essack.<\/p>\n