THE Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), Nomakhosazana Meth, launched the Eastern Cape leg of the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) and hosted a Jobs and Career Fair at Mthatha Stadium in Mthatha, last week. About 23 000 jobs are to be created on a budget of R229 million.
The LAP positions DEL as a key catalyst in job creation by supporting businesses in employment initiatives, re-skilling the youth, and providing training through Skills Programmes, Learnerships, and Apprenticeships with the aim of alleviating poverty.
Through the LAP initiative, employers and job seekers interact to ensure that unemployed and underemployed individuals can access both work and learning opportunities.
The department and its entities will provide services to assist clients with the registration of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claims and inquiries, registration of injury-on-duty and disease claims, and information on the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the National Minimum Wage Act. Additionally, they will offer assistance with the registration of job seekers in the Employment Services South Africa (ESSA) database.
MEC for the Department of Human Settlement, Siphokazi Mani Lusithi, emphasised the importance of bringing job opportunities to the province.
“We are here to fulfil the promises we made when we were campaigning last year,” she said. “We want to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living because we understand the challenges faced by the people of the Eastern Cape. We want to change the situation and minimise the cost of living. This LAP investment demonstrates how this department and government can work together to ensure that we fulfil our promises.”
She highlighted that the programme is a step toward delivering on their commitments —changing lives, one job at a time. According to her, these efforts by the department demonstrate a collective commitment to working together to improve the lives of people in the province.
The Minister for the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), Nomakhosazana Meth, expressed her pride in launching the 12 Labour Activation Programme (LAP) partnerships, which are expected to create approximately 23,000 jobs in the Eastern Cape. She noted that launching this programme in the O.R. Tambo District Municipality was significant, as the district carries the name of one of the country’s greatest leaders, Oliver Reginald Tambo.
“This land, the Eastern Cape, is the birthplace of legends. It is home to Tambo, and just a short distance from here lies Mvezo, the village where Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born. This region has untapped Wild Coast reserves, making it a strategically important area for both the province and the country. As we continue to fight not only for political freedom but also for economic liberation, we draw strength from this legacy. Too many of our people, especially the youth, remain trapped in poverty because they lack access to jobs,” said Meth.
She stressed that high unemployment is not just a statistic but a crisis affecting families, communities, and the nation’s future. Meth pointed out that unemployment remains one of the country’s biggest challenges.
“Even during periods of high economic growth, young people have been left behind. Each year, approximately one million young South Africans enter the labour market, but only 400,000 find steady work.”
To address this, she outlined five key sectors her department will focus on for job creation:
The Waste Economy – This programme will implement the President’s call for Good Green Deeds, which includes cleaning and greening cities, with a strong focus on recycling, landscaping, and gentrification.
Oceans Economy – Given South Africa’s vast 1.5 million-square-kilometre ocean space, this sector will focus on marine tourism, fisheries, mining, maritime transport, and manufacturing.
Green Economy – This sector provides opportunities to repurpose skills and jobs in the automotive industry, particularly in the manufacturing of electric vehicles. It will also expand job opportunities in the construction sector, focusing on sustainable green technologies.
Water Engineering and Services – This programme will focus on water resources, water engineering, fixing water leakages, and artisanal skills in water piping.
She emphasised that the employability interventions launched last week are structured through contracts that guarantee jobs for beneficiaries.
Meth added that she has made it a requirement for all LAP partners to recruit at least 70% of participants from the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) platform — a government system designed to connect job seekers with available opportunities across multiple economic sectors.
“This approach ensures that no one is excluded and that every qualifying individual has an equal chance to benefit. A total of 23 493 beneficiaries will participate through these 12 partners. This handover is proof of what we can achieve when we harness partnerships and persist despite challenges. The success of these initiatives relies on robust monitoring, evaluation, and continued collaboration. Our department will work hand in hand with these 12 entities to track progress, identify challenges, and craft solutions that ensure transparency and accountability. We are not here to simply fund projects; we are here to build a sustainable future.”
She concluded by stressing that this approach aligns with national policy frameworks, including the National Development Plan, and promotes inter-departmental collaboration.
By prioritising synergy among government, private enterprises, and civil society, they aim to ensure a unified and impactful approach to job creation and social upliftment.
