The deputy president of Build One South Africa (Bosa) and MP, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, is calling for the mass establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across South African townships.
This is after the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition revealed there are just nine SEZs currently operating across the country.
Expanding SEZs will boost the country’s township economy nationwide by stifling the staggering unemployment rate by mass job creation.
“The current nine SEZs have had little impact on unemployment over the past decade. There are now 11.57 million jobless South Africans, at least 3m more than 10 years ago,” said Hlazo-Webster.
Hlazo-Webster noted that SEZs will make economic strides for local establishments, enabling townships to be among the leading economic hubs in the country.
In addition, SEZs will provide a unique opportunity to undo one of apartheid’s legacies of spatial economic exclusion of the majority population through the policy of separate and unequal development.
“This legacy is still visible in townships across the country, where economic opportunities remain limited, and poverty and unemployment are rife. We believe that these very communities have the potential to become vibrant economic hubs, but this requires a fresh, bold approach to drive growth and development.
MSN
