Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni Briefs the Media
South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, recently held a press briefing to update the media and the public on the progress of various projects under her portfolio. The briefing, held at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) headquarters in Pretoria, was well attended by journalists from various media houses, as well as representatives from government departments and parastatals.
Ntshavheni, who was appointed as Minister in the Presidency by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2019, is responsible for monitoring and evaluation, planning, and youth development. She also serves as the spokesperson for the Presidency. With a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors, Ntshavheni has been a driving force in the government’s efforts to improve service delivery and create opportunities for South Africa’s youth.
In her opening remarks, Ntshavheni highlighted the importance of communication in ensuring that the government’s plans and achievements are effectively communicated to the public. She emphasized that the media plays a crucial role in this process and thanked them for their continued support in disseminating government information to the public.
One of the main topics of discussion at the briefing was the progress of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI). As the Minister responsible for youth development, Ntshavheni has been at the forefront of this initiative, which aims to create job opportunities for young people and address the high unemployment rate in the country.
Ntshavheni announced that the PYEI has been successful in creating over 650,000 job opportunities since its launch in April 2021. These opportunities are spread across various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, and the digital economy. The Minister also highlighted that the PYEI has a strong focus on skills development, with over 300,000 young people receiving training through various programs.
“We are committed to equipping our youth with the necessary skills and experience to thrive in the job market. This is not just about creating temporary job opportunities, but also about empowering our youth to become future leaders and entrepreneurs,” Ntshavheni stated.
Another key project under Ntshavheni’s portfolio is the District Development Model (DDM), which aims to bring all spheres of government together to work collaboratively in addressing service delivery challenges in specific districts. The Minister highlighted that the implementation of the DDM is already yielding positive results, with various departments working together to provide basic services such as water, sanitation, and electricity in targeted districts.
“We have seen tremendous progress in the districts where the DDM has been implemented. This model has enabled us to identify and address service delivery gaps more efficiently, ultimately improving the lives of our people,” Ntshavheni explained.
The Minister also spoke about the efforts of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in developing a National Implementation Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The framework, which was adopted by Cabinet in August 2021, provides a roadmap for the country to achieve the SDGs by 2030. Ntshavheni emphasized that the SDGs are not only the responsibility of the government but also require the participation of all sectors of society.
In conclusion, Minister Ntshavheni reiterated the government’s commitment to improving service delivery and creating opportunities for all South Africans, especially the youth. She encouraged the media and the public to continue to engage with the government and hold them accountable for their actions.
“As we work towards a better South Africa for all, we must remember that effective communication and collaboration are key. Let us continue to work together to build a country that we can all be proud of,” Ntshavheni concluded.
The press briefing was a clear demonstration of Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni’s dedication and passion for her work. Her leadership and tireless efforts in driving various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of South Africans are commendable. With her at the helm, we can be confident that the government is on the right track towards achieving its goals and creating a better, more prosperous nation for all.
