Mixed reactions from politicians and economists on KZN government's job creation initiative
Job seekers wait on the side of a road holding placards advertising their trades. The KwaZulu-Natal premier has unveiled an action plan aims to create 12,734 direct jobs and support 43,005 indirect jobs, with a projected economic impact of R56 billion.
Image: AFP
There are mixed views to the KwaZulu-Natal government's Provincial Jobs and Economic Growth Action Plan to create jobs. Politicians have welcomed the announcement, while an economist said it is not the job of the government to create jobs.
Premier Thami Ntuli unveiled the action plan on Saturday. In a statement, the premier's office noted that KZN has endured multiple shocks in recent years—devastating floods, the Covid-19 pandemic, energy insecurity, and logistics disruptions. Looting and crime waves have further eroded investor trust and placed strain on communities and businesses, it said.
The action plan aims to create 12,734 direct jobs and support 43,005 indirect jobs, with a projected economic impact of R56 billion. It also includes 11,616 training opportunities and 10,569 internships.
“The plan acknowledges key risks such as energy and water constraints, crime, planning delays, global uncertainties, and climate-related challenges. At the same time, it seizes new opportunities, including cassava farming, post-FMD (foot and mouth disease outbreak) beef exports, renewable energy projects, RBIDZ (Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone) expansion, new breweries, Dube TradePort throughput, hotel developments, tourism ventures, and regulated revenue streams such as gambling and liquor licensing,” said the statement.
Mafika Mndebele, chairperson of the economic development portfolio committee in the KZN Legislature, stated that the plan was a step in the right direction.
“As the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, we welcome any programme that expands opportunities for young people, addresses unemployment, and strengthens our provincial economy. However, we must also emphasise that for such plans to succeed, they need to be implemented with urgency, transparency, and proper monitoring. Job creation cannot just be about numbers—it must translate into sustainable livelihoods, skills development, and pathways into permanent employment.”
He added that the ANC-led government has long stressed that economic transformation must empower communities, support township and rural enterprises, and drive industrialisation.
“In this regard, the committee will play its oversight role to ensure that the government's initiatives are aligned with these priorities and that ordinary people—particularly the youth and women—benefit directly from the announced interventions.”
Finance committee member Tim Brautesh said the DA also welcomed the plan. “However, we emphasise that the government's primary role is not to create jobs directly, but to foster an enabling environment for private sector-led growth.
“This requires cutting red tape, streamlining bureaucracy, investing in infrastructure, and cultivating a business-friendly ecosystem that attracts investment and stimulates entrepreneurship. In KZN, we need, for example, to boost tourism by ensuring that our beaches are not fouled up by sewage,” he said.
Economist Dawie Roodt said the private sector, not government, must drive job creation.
“This is not going to make a difference. The only way you can really make a difference in unemployment in the country is if you get the economy to grow, and the only institution that can grow the economy is the private sector. Job creation should never be an aim or objective; it must be economic growth, and the jobs will take care of themselves.”