DELMAS – On its outreach drive to visit all municipalities within the Nkangala District Municipality, the district met with the Victor Khanye Local Municipality (VKLM) community at Simon Gondwe Sports Centre on Friday, April 12, for a well-attended event. Executive Mayor of Nkangala District Municipality, Thomas Ngwenya, highlighted the purpose of the meeting. “The purpose of the meeting is to present a draft budget from Nkangala District Municipality to the community, outlining the projects planned for Delmas. We are accompanied by various government departments that will present their plans for the next financial year,” he explained. Ngwenya further elaborated on projects aimed at uplifting the unemployed in Delmas. “Our first programme offers bursaries to matriculants who have successfully passed their exams. The allocated budget for these bursaries is R4.2 million. Our second programme focuses on entrepreneurship, assisting unemployed individuals in starting their own businesses, with a budget of R5 million. Each aspiring entrepreneur with a viable business idea will receive tools worth R300,000 to kick-start their venture,” he added.
He continued to highlight upcoming community projects. “Our third programme involves collaboration with SETAs, specifically the EPWP SETAs for Security. This financial year, we’ve enrolled 50 young unemployed individuals from the six municipalities in Nkangala District. These learners have graduated from Bidvest Security Academy and are now employed in Gauteng,” he noted.
“Our final programme supports emerging agricultural farmers with a budget of R5 million. We encourage black individuals to venture into farming and assist them in procuring farming materials. Additionally, we can assist in procuring cattle. Our goal is to foster more young farmers in our community,” Ngwenya emphasised. He also urged youth unable to attend higher institutions to enhance their skills through these SETA programmes and training.
