Jozi@Work rolls out more work packages

15 June 2015

 

More and more township residents are to have their lives changed for the better as the City of Johannesburg continues to roll out work packages to cooperatives and micro enterprises registered under Jozi@Work, a R3-billion mass mayoral empowerment and job creation programme.

 

Late last week Jozi@Work facilitators teamed up with members of the Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) – the City’s social housing entity – in Diepkloof and Naledi, Soweto, to present work opportunities running into tens of thousands of rands to local businesspeople.

 

The work packages involve the provision of cleaning and maintenance services at Orlando Women’s Hostel and Jabulani Hostel. The public response to the two meetings was overwhelming, with close to 2 000 people attending the Diepkloof gathering alone. Most of the local small businesspeople who attended were excited at the prospect of partnering with the City in the delivery of services to communities.

 

Lucky Sibiya, owner of cleaning company Lucky Cleaners, said if the company was awarded the cleaning contract at Jabulani Hostel the move would go a long way towards sustaining the business. Richard Khumalo, of the Lesedi Co-op, said it was encouraging to see the City doing its bit to empower the residents.
 

“One cannot help but ask why it took them so long time to come up with such a brilliant programme,” he said.

 

The closing date for the applications is Friday June 19. Forms must be hand-delivered at the Sophie Masite Building in Jabulani, Soweto.

 

Region D Jozi@Work Programme Coordinator Nomvula Dlame said residents had begun to warm up to the programme and were doing everything to access the business opportunities being made available. In one instance, she said, more than 2 000 companies applied for one work package.

 

“This is very encouraging but we will continue to roll out more work packages. Soweto, for instance, is big and more and more people are set to benefit as we roll out more regional work packages,” she said.

 

Earlier in the week 10 cooperatives and small businesses around Kliptown in Soweto were awarded work packages by JOSHCO totalling R1.5-million to undertake remedial work at the Pimville Golf Course. At least 50 jobs will be created.

 

JOSHCO alone has allocated cleaning packages worth more than R3-million to 24 micro businesses over the past six months. A further R3-million in cleaning packages will be awarded to 24 small businesses during the next six months.