By Rolivhuwa Munyai

Meet Nomalanga Tshatsha, the Youth Placement Program Manager who manages the internship program designed to support the Province’s commitment to empowering young people. The primary objective of this program is to provide unemployed youth in Gauteng with on-the-job skills development and training opportunities at different host companies.

The Youth Placement Program offers a twelve (12) month placement opportunity for unemployed youth with an annual intake of 100 young people as per the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller’s APP target.

The recruitment process commences once the unit receives its budget allocation, with a particular focus on graduates in fields of study required by the host company.

Selected interns undergo induction which takes place on the day of contract signing. As a Program Manager, Nomalanga prides herself with seeing Gauteng youth acquire on-the-job skills, making them more attractive to future employers.

Nomalanga Tshatsha has further highlighted plans to expand the program by increasing participant intake and duration subject to a budget allocation increase. The program is aligned to Gauteng’s developmental agenda, seeing the youth learn new skills that match their qualifications and gain work experience that will propel their future careers.

South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) GDP increased by 0,6% in the fourth quarter of 2024. Growth was led by agriculture, finance and trade on the supply (production) side of the economy.

Gross Domestic Product (measured by production)
Three industries recorded positive growth in the fourth quarter of 2024:
Agriculture had the most significant positive impact on GDP growth on the supply side of the economy. Following a sharp decline in the third quarter, the industry rebounded by 17,2%, lifting GDP growth by 0,4 of a percentage point. This was mainly due to a rise in the production of field crops and animal products.

The finance, real estate & businesses services industry grew for an eighth consecutive quarter, with financial intermediation, real estate activities and other business services the largest positive contributors to growth. The industry increased by 1,1%, contributing 0,3 of a percentage point.

The trade, catering and accommodation industry expanded on the back of increased retail, wholesale and motor trade sales. This reflected positively on the demand side of the economy, with household consumption spending rising in the fourth quarter. The industry increased by 1,4%, contributing 0,2 of a percentage point.

Seven industries recorded negative growth:
Seven industries performed poorly, with manufacturing and transport, storage & communication the most significant negative contributors to growth.

Manufacturing was mainly pulled lower by weaker production levels in the metals & machinery and automotive divisions. The industry decreased by 0,6%, contributing -0,1 of a percentage point. Six of the ten manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates. The largest negative contributions were reported for the basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery division and the motor vehicles, parts and accessories and other transport equipment division.

Transport, storage & communication recorded a fourth consecutive quarter of decline. The industry witnessed a pullback in land transport and transport support services. The industry decreased by 1,0%, contributing -0,1 of a percentage point.

Mining activity was down on weaker production levels for manganese ore, iron ore, gold, chromium ore, nickel and copper. Coal and platinum group metals were positive, but not enough to keep the industry above water. The industry decreased by 0,2%.

The construction industry decreased by 0,4%. Decreases were reported for residential and non-residential buildings.

The electricity, gas and water industry decreased by 1,4%. This was largely due to decreases in electricity production and consumption.

General government services decreased by 0,5%. This was mainly due to decreased employment in national and provincial government and extra-budgetary institutions.

The personal services industry decreased by 0,2%. Decreased economic activities were reported for health and education.

The Statistics South Africa results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) released on 18 February indicate the official unemployment rate was 31,9% in the fourth quarter of 2024.

According to the QLFS Q4: 2024 results, there was an increase of 132 000 in the number of employed persons to 17,1 million in Q4: 2024, while there was a decrease of 20 000 in the number of unemployed persons to 8,0 million. This resulted in an increase of 112 000 (up by 0,4%) in the labour force during the same period. Discouraged work-seekers increased by 111 000 (up by 3,3%), and the number of persons who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement decreased by 93 000 (down by 0,7%) between the third quarter and fourth quarter of 2024. This led to an increase of 18 000 in the number of the not economically active population to 16,5 million.

The above changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate decreasing by 0,2 of a percentage point from 32,1% in the third quarter of 2024 to 31,9% in the fourth quarter of 2024. The expanded unemployment rate in the fourth quarter of 2024 remained unchanged at 41,9% when compared with the third quarter of 2024.

Employment by Industry

Between Q3: 2024 and Q4: 2024, the number of employed persons increased in four of the ten industries. The increases in employment were recorded in Finance (232 000), followed by Manufacturing (41 000), Private Households (18 000) and Transport (17 000) industries. The largest decreases in employment were recorded in Community and Social Services (63 000), followed by Trade (48 000) and Construction (22 000) industries.

Compared with the same period last year, a net increase of 355 000 in total employment in Q4: 2024 was largely due to increases in the number of people employed in Manufacturing (168 000), Trade (59 000), Community and Social Services (46 000) and Transport (41 000) industries. The industries that recorded decreases were Finance (16 000) and Utilities (12 000).

Formal Sector
Employment in the formal sector increased by 90 000 in Q4: 2024 compared with Q3: 2024.

The fourth quarter of 2024 recorded formal sector employment increases in Finance (179 000), Manufacturing (15 000) and Construction (12 000) industries compared with the third quarter of 2024. During the same period, decreases in the formal sector employment were recorded in Trade (41 000), Transport (30 000), Community and Social Services (29 000), Mining (13 000) and Utilities (4 000).

Compared with a year ago, a net gain of 192 000 jobs in the formal sector employment was mainly driven by Manufacturing (119 000), Community and Social Services (59 000) and Trade (27 000) industries in Q4: 2024. Employment losses were observed in Finance (53 000) and Utilities (8 000) industries during the same period.

Formal Sector by Industry

Informal Sector

Following an increase of 165 000 in Q3: 2024, informal sector employment increased by 34 000 in Q4: 2024.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, informal sector employment increased by 34 000 persons compared with the previous quarter. Gains in the informal sector employment were driven by Finance (53 000), Transport (47 000) and Manufacturing (26 000) industries.

Compared with Q4: 2023, the employment increase in the informal sector was mainly driven by Manufacturing (49 000), Finance (37 000) and Trade (32 000) industries. Losses in employment were recorded in the Community and Social Services (13 000) and Utilities (4 000) industries during the same period.

Informal Sector by Industry

Employment by Province

The number of employed persons increased in six provinces between Q3: 2024 and Q4: 2024. Employment gains were recorded in Western Cape (62 000), KwaZulu-Natal (52 000), Gauteng (45 000), Northern Cape (18 000), Mpumalanga (13 000) and Eastern Cape (4 000). Employment decreases were recorded in Free State (25 000), North-West (20 000) and Limpopo (16 000) during the same period.

Compared with Q4: 2023, the largest increases in employment were recorded in Eastern Cape (108 000), Western Cape (55 000), Gauteng (47 000) and Limpopo (45 000). Mpumalanga recorded the lowest increase in employment with 4 000 during the same period. Northern Cape had the largest year-on-year percentage change increase in employment of 8,5%.

It’s been a while since GEP hosted a face-to-face staff meeting, and many of us may not be familiar with each other’s names and faces after such a long period. On Wednesday, 14 August 2024 GEP held its Quarter Two: Staff Engagement, it was fitting therefore to kick off the gathering with an icebreaker to help us connect in a fun and engaging manner

Upon arrival, each colleague was instructed to pick a labelled cup from a selection of descriptors like “hardworking,” “productive,” “creative,” “multi-tasking,” and more. These labels were more than words; they served as a personal touchpoint for each participant.

After an opening prayer by Mr Tello May the Manager: Product and Capacity Development. Mr Dominic Maimela, the Programme Director requested that each person introduce themselves and share the reason behind their choice of descriptors. Whether it was because they saw themselves as “creative” or identified as being “multi-tasking,” this exercise offered a glimpse into each individual’s self-perception. It allowed us all to learn a bit more about our colleagues in a light-hearted manner. The activity was simple yet impactful.

Following our engaging icebreaker, the staff meeting proceeded with each executive sharing key updates and highlights from their respective units. Here is a summary of the main points discussed:

Mr Imraan Khan – Chief Operating Officer:

· Investment Analysts: Finding other means for funding is a priority such as partnerships to boost the investment team.
· Information and Communication Technologies(ICT) Systems: There will be efforts to enhance and upgrade our ICT systems for better performance.
· Recapitalisation: There are plans to strengthen financial resources.

Ms Nosipho Khonkwane – General Manager: Monitoring & Evaluation:

· Performance Achievement: GEP reached a 100% performance rating against the Annual Performance Plan, the best in three years!
· Audit Concerns: GEP received an unqualified audit due to irregular expenditure. This is a chance to learn and make improvements.
· Strategic Planning: It is the end of the five-year strategic plan for 2020-2025, plans to start planning the next one to set our future goals are in place.

Mr Tinevimbo Gondo – Acting Chief Financial Officer:

· Irregular Expenditure: The reason for irregular expenditure was attributed to poor contract management, therefore new controls will be put in place to avert this.
· Budget Cuts: With ongoing budget cuts, there is a need for creative ideas to improve debt collections, for that reason everyone is invited to share their suggestions.
· Audit Outcome: Unqualified audit with no material misstatement. Reduction of audit findings from the previous years. Improvement on irregular expenditure reported and all 2023/2024 audit action plans are being implemented.

Mr Sello Manoto – Acting General Manager for Corporate Support & Administration:

· Leave Liability: GEP is currently facing a significant leave liability , thus it becomes crucial for both employees and managers to ensure that leave is taken as needed to help address this concern.
· Performance Bonus: Employees who have demonstrated strong performance will receive a performance bonus of 6%.
· Employee Development Plan: This has been drafted and is aimed to provide opportunities for employees to strengthen their skills in various roles within the organisation, aligning with their career aspirations and supporting their studies and qualifications. At the end of the meeting, Ms Nono Kali the Acting Manager: Office of the Chief Executive Officer thanked all for their participation and contribution. Then Ms Thenjiwe Msomi the Manager: Organisational Development and Human Resource Development closed the session with prayer.

The key takeaway from this session was that engagement is encouraged, new ideas are welcomed, and the best way to move forward is to work together. Let’s continue to build on our successes and tackle our challenges with determination and creativity.

Link to Images

Q2 staff meeting photos

Retirement Celebration Honouring Ntate Nad and Aunty V

Retirement is not just the end of an era; it’s the beginning of a new chapter, filled with endless possibilities and newfound freedom. On Wednesday, 6 March 2024, we bid farewell to two of our valued GEP family members, with a mix of emotions, we said goodbye to Mr Nadas Pillay who was the Manager of incubation and Cooperative who served the organisation for 15 years. As well as Ms Valencia Anthony who was a Company Secretary Administrator and served the organisation for 16 years.

They have been an integral part of our organisation and have exemplified our values, leaving an indelible mark on everyone they’ve worked with. Colleagues spoke about their unwavering commitment to excellence and how their positive attitude have left a lasting impression on them. Though they may be retiring from their role within our organisation. Their presence will be greatly missed, but their legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all who had the pleasure of knowing them.