KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
Sector
Development Finance
Public Sector Entity
DED spearheading economic growth through skills development
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development is responsible for the promotion and acceleration of economic advancement in the province. This is reflected in its vision which seeks to position the province as a leader in economic development and to be globally competitive in ensuring an improved quality of life for all its citizens. In an attempt to transform this vision into practicality, the Department has developed a strategic plan that is subject to continuous annual reviews to accommodate changes in the global economy and government policies. This is further undertaken to reflect the contributions made by other social partners that include industry and the civil society.
However, one of the most pressing challenges to fully realising the province's economic potential is the scarcity of skills, especially in some of the most critical sectors with the real potential to contribute significantly to the province's socio-economic transformation. In reversing this, the Department has forged alliances with various stakeholders to try and boost skills capacity in areas such as information technology, manufacturing and clothing, and textiles. With the latter being one of the key employment-generating business operations, the Department is in the process of assisting in the revitalisation of the textiles sector that had taken a pounding following the liberalisation of the country’s economy and led to cheap imports flooding the local market.
International partnerships
The idea is not to suppress open competition by preventing imports entering the local market, but rather to strengthen the province's competitiveness against other nations that produce a variety of apparel for diversified markets. Technical and entrepreneurial skills have been identified as the answer to revive the province's clothing and textile industry and hence the Department has entered into a partnership with the Technical University of Liberec in the Czech Republic which is renowned internationally for producing experts and professionals in the textile industry.
The two parties signed an agreement which will see young KwaZulu-Natal men and women pursuing their studies in this highly respected technical institution. The partnership is the brainchild of the Provincial MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Dr Zweli Mkhize who has introduced various strategies to help fast-track growth in all key sectors in the provincial economy. He recently visited this former Eastern Bloc nation and was impressed with their standard of education – particularly in specific economic sectors.
First intake covered by DED
The first intake of ten students will be jetting out to commence their two year programme of intense study at an advanced masters level. The total cost of the programme would be covered by the Department and includes travel costs, tuition fees, text books, accommodation, medical cover and a monthly allowance for living expenses. The beneficiaries of this initiative are Thembelihle Masubelele, Mlando Mvumbu, Sibusiso Dlamini, Mavela Luthuli, Ashwin Sheolal, Tholakele Khuzwayo, Chantelle Bekker, Ntsuleng Ndlovu, Langalakhe Ngcobo and Thokozani Mncube. Management College of South Africa (MANCOSA) has helped in the process of identifying and inducting these highly capable candidates that come from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
In their farewell function hosted by the Department in Durban, the students were addressed by Dr Mkhize and his education counterpart, Mrs Ina Cronje, as well as Czech Republic Ambassador, Mr Martin Pohl. The programme is believed to be the start for more skills development exchange initiatives between the province and the Czech Republic – a move that is expected to improve trade linkages between the two.
Contact the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development:
Boyce Mntambo, Manager for Information & Communication Technology
Postal address:
Private Bag X001
Bishopsgate
4008
Physical address:
270 Jabu Ndlovu Street
Pietermaritzburg
3201
Tel.: +27 33 264 2500
Fax: +27 86 679 6404
Email: mntambob@kznded.gov.za
Website: www.kznded.gov.za
