By Akani Nkuna
As South Africa commemorates Youth Day, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has called on young people to take the lead in shaping a future-ready economy.
It has urged the youth to play an active role in building a nation that is inclusive, innovative and globally competitive.
“We encourage today’s youth to seize opportunities in key sectors, including manufacturing, agro-processing, the digital economy, green industries and automotive. Innovate products and produce goods that satisfy both domestic demands and international standards,” DTIC spokesperson Yamkela Fanisi said in a statement.
He said they must aspire to become export-ready entrepreneurs who actively contributed to South Africa’s trade and industrial development, and leverage the available support across the department and its entities, including funding, mentorship, market access and skills development.
Fanisi encouraged young people to champion economic transformation and localisation by fostering resilient industries and creating sustainable jobs.
He said there was a need to continue supporting young South Africans so that they could lead the country’s industrial growth and help create a country that was fair and beneficial to all its people.
The department highlighted the need to pay tribute to the bravery and determination of the 1976 generation whose actions it said helped secure the freedoms enjoyed today.
“The youth of 1976 aspired to political freedom. Today’s youth must strive for economic freedom through ownership, innovation and industrial excellence,” he added.
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