He says this as the department wants to revise the township and rural economy but more importantly to leverage these stokvels' purchasing power in order to accelerate their participation in the economy.

He says this will entail support mechanisms such as the acquisition of necessary licenses to formalise them and to ensure it is best utilised to liberate people economically. Mohale says the incorporation of these stokvels seek to do away with the culture of the stokvels being the bulk-buying consumers.

Tabling his 2019/20 budget vote in the Provincial Legislature on Wednesday 10 July 2019, Mohale says considerable efforts are continuously being made by the provincial Development Corporation (FDC) to ensure that it works closely with stakeholders in the Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME).

Mohale indicates that for 2019/20 his department aims to resuscitate tourism, institutional arrangements, and strategic partnerships with the private sector, district and local municipalities.

He also says this ensures the synergy of tourism plans, and the improved coordination of tourism development and marketing through the Provincial Tourism Council and Provincial Tourism Forum.

He says despite the budgetary limitations, through various programmes initiated by the department, it was able to create and save a significant number of jobs.

"In 2018/19 our programmes jointly saved 472 jobs and created 3 159 jobs. In 2019/20 our programmes will save 469 jobs and collectively create 20 467 new jobs," Mohale says.

The Department earlier vowed to absorb and incorporate bursary graduates with relevant skills in the environmental, economic and tourism fields into the department. Mohala says this as the department wants to make sure that the province becomes a leader in driving socio-economic freedom, amongst others.

He says 2019/20 tabling of the budget vote will be futile to the department if some of the commitments being made on Wednesday are not fulfilled and adhered to by the department.

OFM News