Dept. of Economic Development and Tourism 2019/2020 Budget Adjustments (Vote 12)

I am pleased today to table the adjusted estimates of Vote 12: The Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism plays a critical role in creating an enabling environment for the private sector and for the markets to drive economic growth and create jobs in the Western Cape.

Allocations and adjustments

The main appropriation of R523,367 million has been adjusted down by R12,104 million to R511,263 million for the 2019/20 financial year.

I will not deal in detail with all the adjustments, which are set out in the Adjusted Estimates of Provincial Revenue and Expenditure for 2019.

I do, however, believe it is important to highlight some of these and how they link to our continued programme to “back business” in the Western Cape.

We will

• shift R 1 million to Programme 2 for the Oudtshoorn Aerodrome Project - an important upgrade required so it can retain its CAA licence and status as a back-up airport to George airport.

We will

• shift R 1.4 million to Programme 2 in support of the Violence Prevention Through Urban Upgrading organisation.

This funding will be utilised specifically for the creation of six additional “active-boxes”, or small multifunctional community buildings, which will be utilised for a business incubator programme, providing 10 innovative businesses with workspaces.

We will

• shift R 100 000 shifted to Programme 2 for the provision of formal trading spaces for informal trading in Green Point market. This funding is provided at the request of the City of Cape Town and the South African Informal Trading Association. 

We will

• shift R 100 000 to Programme 3 to assist Halal Certification Bodies to become globally accredited as certification bodies. This will allow them to certify Halal products and companies for important Halal export markets.

We will

• shift R 496 000 to Programme 7 in support of the Competency Based Modular Training project which aims to ensure that young people in technical vocations are equipped with relevant training so they get jobs.

This has already resulted in an increased uptake of students completing training with companies like Imperial Motor, Golden Arrow and MyCiti.

Finally, we received an additional R471 000 for Programme 7 from the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Sectoral Education and Training Authorities.

These funds are in support of the work and skills projects undertaken by the department and will be voted in during the 2019 Adjustment Estimate process.

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting a number of innovative and impactful Western Cape entrepreneurs and business owners at the Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards.

These awards are an annual event organised by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism to celebrate the hard work of entrepreneurs and their contribution to job creation and economic growth in the Western Cape.

The title of “Business of the Year” was awarded to Ziyahlanjwa Laundry Services, which started in 2010 by Sivu Nobulali as a home-based laundry service in Khayelitsha, but today employs 18 people, servicing clients such as Shosholoza Meyl and De Beers Marine.

Sivu, like many of the other businesses owners who received awards last week play an important role by creating jobs and supporting skills development in their communities and in so doing, help to grow the economy in the Western Cape.

We support and encourage these entrepreneurs, because the brave leap into the unknown, that is required to start a new business, often results in innovation, in competition, in the disruption of industries and in the new ideas that we need to grow the economy and create jobs in the Western Cape.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Head of the Department for Economic Opportunities and Tourism, Solly Fourie, and his team for their efforts to develop plans that will “get things done” in the Western Cape.

We will, going forward, back business by being responsive to business, by being open for the business, so that we can, together, continue to grow the economy and create jobs, and give hope to people, who do not have jobs, or who have given up looking for jobs, in the Western Cape.