Press Release – Immediate Release
W&RSETA launches Project Rave in Soweto
Project RAVE (Retrenchees and Victory for Entrepreneurs) was launched on Wednesday, 25 June 2005 in Soweto. More than 200 guests converged to Uncle’s Toms in Orlando West, to witness a historic and a ground-breaking initiative to combat unemployment and improving economic sustainability of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). Ms Adrian Bird, Deputy Director General of the Department Labour, reminded the guests that the “public have made an investment of R 68,6 million over the next three years for the funding of the project”. She further enthused that “the success of Project RAVE will be measured, amongst others, by the improvement in the economic sustainability of SMMEs participating in the Project”.
The objective of this project is to contribute to economic growth and employability through enabling:
· 5,000 owners of existing SMMEs to complete needs-based Business Performance Improvement programmes in the Wholesale & Retail Sector by May 2005, and
· 5,000 retrenchees/unemployed individuals to successfully complete Business Start-up programmes with the objective of starting their own businesses in the Wholesale and Retail Sector.
To date, 50 Learners (25 retrenchees/unemployed and 25 existing SMMEs) have participated in the pilot training that took place at the Vista University campus. The highlight of the occasion was the handing-out of certificates to the Learners who participated in the Pilot Project.
Mr Jonathan Brauns, the Project Manager in charge of Project Rave informed the audience that “strategic partnerships with various organizations, such as Khula, Umsombovu Youth Fund ad others, were formed to assist in the successful implementation of Project RAVE”. A colourful Exhibition was held parallel to the main event, which featured some of the major stakeholders involved in Project RAVE, such as Wholesale Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA), Department of Labour, Ntsika, Umsombovu Youth Fund Khula and other interest groups.
Mr Joel Dikgole, the Chief Executive Officer of the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority thanked the Department of Labour, particularly the National Skills Fund, for the investment of R 68,6 million in Project RAVE over the next two years. He promised the Nation that the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) “ is ready for the challenge”.
Enquiries:
Mr Mokopi Mokotedi
Communications Manager
Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority
Tel: 012 452 9200
Cell: 082 568 1189
NB: Photos available on request!!!