INNOVATION HUB AND DRDGOLD SIGN MoU TO ADVANCE INNOVATION AND CREATE JOBS FOR UNEMPLOYED YOUTH IN GAUTENG
Pretoria – Wednesday , 23 September 2024: The Innovation Hub and DRDGOLD’s Ergo Mining Pty Ltd (Ergo) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train 50 unemployed youth to advance entrepreneurship and create of jobs in Gauteng townships.
The Innovation Hub, the innovation agency of Gauteng Province, is a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency. It was established by the Gauteng Provincial Government through its Department of Economic Development to promote economic development and competitiveness of Gauteng through fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Ergo, a subsidiary of DRDGOLD, is a major surface gold tailings retreatment operation extending from central Johannesburg to Ekurhuleni.
The training and business incubation programme is planned for Ekurhuleni (Duduza and Tsakane) and Soweto, and will focus on equipping 50 youth in the areas of mobile device repairs , data annotation and graphic design. These training course run from 6 – 9 months and will commence in October 2024. The Innovation Hub will run a participant selection process which will be communicated with the target groups imminently. Through its Social and Labour Plan, Ergo has committed R2,5million towards this programme.
Stats SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey for Q1:2024 reports an unemployment rate of 32.9% for South Africa as a whole, with an unemployment rate in Gauteng of 34.9%.
Youth aged 15-24 years and 25-34 years continue to have the highest unemployment rates at 59.7% and 40.7% respectively.
This strategic partnership between The Innovation Hub and Ergo demonstrates the shared commitment to promoting innovation, skills development and entrepreneurship in communities. The objective is to build technology-driven businesses that create sustainable jobs which can contribute to enhancing the economy of the Gauteng Province. It also aims to invest and build a skilled and capable workforce, support economic growth, and address socio-economic challenges through skills development programmes to support national priorities in line with South Africa’s National Skills Development Strategy of South Africa.
Bangani Mpangalasane, The Innovation Hub Chief Executive Officer said: “We are so excited to be entering into partnership with DRDGOLD as this collaboration will strengthen our commitment to advance the skills force and improve the lives of our youth in Gauteng to ensure that they are able to participate in the mainstream economy”.
Wayne Swanepoel, DRDGOLD’s Senior Manager: Human and Social Capital said: "Ergo Mining is deeply committed to meaningful social investment in our local and host communities. We recognise the importance of empowering the communities around our mining operations with essential 4IR skills to enable their participation in and benefit from future business opportunities. This programme is part of our social and labour plan aimed at reskilling our communities, reducing unemployment and ultimately alleviating poverty. We are proud to partner with The Innovation Hub to address the digital skills deficit in our area through innovative and forward-thinking programmes and solutions.
By combining our expertise, we are setting the tone for significant advancements in creation of jobs and the eradication of youth unemployment to improve the current unemployment statistics in South Africa. This partnership reflects our joint dedication to addressing youth unemployment that to ensure that they are able to participate in the economy.”
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For media queries and more information, please contact:
The Innovation Hub
Linah Nematandani
Email: lnematandani@theinnovationhub.com
Tel: +27 12 844 0030
Mobile: +27 71 673 9964
For DRDGOLD media relations queries, please contact:
R&A Strategic Communications
Jane Kamau
About The Innovation Hub
The Innovation Hub is a subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency . As the innovation agency of the Gauteng Province, it manages Africa's first internationally accredited Science and Technology Park of the same name. It is a full member of the International Association of Science Parks.
Strategically located in Tshwane, South Africa's executive capital in the 'smart' province of Gauteng, The Innovation Hub implements initiatives identified in the Gauteng Innovation Strategy and Green Economy strategy to advance the province's economic development and growth through innovation. The Innovation Hub has created unique spaces in Tshwane and the rest of the Gauteng Province for high-tech entrepreneurs, world-class businesses, academics, researchers and venture capitalists to meet, network and prosper.
For more information visit: www.theinnovationhub.com
X : @InnovHub
Facebook: InnovhubZA
Instagram: @Innovhub
LinkedIn: The Innovation Hub
About DRDGOLD’S Ergo Mining Proprietary Limited (Ergo)
DRDGOLD was established 128 years ago and is one of the oldest primary listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The Company’s secondary listing is on the New York Stock Exchange.
DRDGOLD focuses on the retreatment of surface gold tailings in the East Rand and far West Rand of Gauteng.
DRDGOLD’s Ergo is a major surface gold tailings retreatment operation extending from central Johannesburg to Ekurhuleni in the east.
The Ergo operation has a vast footprint adjacent to Johannesburg on the central and eastern Witwatersrand of South Africa. Its assets cover an area approximately 62km from east to west and 25km from north to south.
For more information visit: www.drdgold.com
