Page 81 - IRMSA Risk Report 2023

It cannot be argued that there is a direct corelation approved curricula. Vodacom, in collaboration with
between persistently high and ever-increasing levels CISCO, Microsoft, and SETA, has launched initiatives
of unemployment, poverty and inequality, and the to train learners beginning in high school and equip
country’s crime rate, corruption, illicit economic them with industry-required skills. We then approach
activities, societal polarisation and even unrest. To our partners and clients about job opportunities, or
cite an example of this corelation, Vodacom has we simply employ them in our foundations where
Social and economic spent approximately 3 billion Rand to replace stolen these skills are required.
challenges driven by various Effective collaboration between the government, private sector and civil society batteries because of vandalism, which also resulted
macro factors continue could result in a pooling of resources to address unemployment, through sustainable in the death of some of security officers. These being We should also be cautious about encouraging
to rise further deepening means that reduce dependence on the State and free up financial resources to enable
structural unemployment and structural issues, they also need to be addressed entrepreneurship, because while we want more
exacerbating the poverty and government to reduce the country’s debt burden and provide basic services through sound structural reforms to break the cycle. entrepreneurs, we should also be aware of the
inequality challenges. challenges that come with accessing and managing
Regardless, Vodacom continues be exemplary in funds and therefore, there should be programmes
demonstrating the active role of the private sector aimed at equipping recipients with financial
Effective collaboration between the government, private sector and civil society in driving socio-economic transformation in the management skills to ensure sustainability”.
High fiscal deficit that continues could result in a pooling of resources to address unemployment, through sustainable country. Through various outreach programs that
to rise on a yearly basis. means that reduce dependence on the State and free up financial resources to enable focus on improving children’s mental well-being “Collaboration between the state and the private
government to reduce the country’s debt burden and provide basic services
and happiness index, the company targets children sector is the key to addressing this risk sustainably”,
affected by gender-based violence in schools. These said Taki. To effectively measure success in these
Increasing number of programs have resulted in improved academic partnerships, roles must be clearly defined,
unemployed graduates that Higher education institutions to prioritise entrepreneurship in their programme performance and a decrease in the dropout rate monitored, and evaluated. Businesses must work
depend on government offerings, as well as vocational skills training. among students in the schools to which they reach with the government to use their revenues to support
assistance. out. sustainable development and bring the NDP’s Vision
2030 one step closer to reality. Policies that hold
Taki Netshitenzhe said, “Education is the key to both businesses and governments accountable
The ongoing energy crisis and reaching vision 2030, and the problem at the moment must be developed. Communities must also protect
general risk of collapse of other is that we are producing more graduates in all levels infrastructure by reporting vandalism and theft
public infrastructure places a Development and implementation of sound country levels plans for new technologies than the economy can provide jobs for, and this is crimes, especially during times of societal unrest”.
huge operational cost burden that have the potential of being localised to spur economic growth through projects
on business and in particular, such as green hydrogen and storage. where private-public partnerships would assist. Our
SMEs who play a critical role in educational emphasis is on producing graduates In conclusion, education and collaboration between
stimulating economic activity. who will end up in an office job; the country lacks the government and the private sector are the only
low-level skills; we need more graduates who can ways to accelerate the process of addressing our
work with their hands. We need graduates who know societal issues. These collaborations will reduce the
Define a private sector participation framework while investing in building a capable how to work with electricity, as well as those who can number of young people who rely on government
state through the employment of skilled personnel in government. This should result build or do plumbing. We should balance the intake assistance to make ends meet, lowering the national
Government’s reluctance in a capable developmental state that works alongside a dynamic and agile private
to maximise private sector sector, complementing each other. Such a framework could include stepping up public of graduates from colleges and universities, which debt, increasing GDP, encouraging sustainable
participation to address socio- will help reduce the number of qualified graduates development, and improving the country’s social
economic challenges. private partnerships that include the transfer of skills from the private to the public sitting at home. We must also recognize that security system.
sector, as well as incentivising the return of skilled and experienced South Africans that
have emigrated. education is more than just following government-

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