‘Infrastructure investment key to tackling SA’s unemployment crisis’
Moyo says the construction sector has the potential to absorb large numbers of workers.
Methembeni Moyo, Head of Africa Practice at law firm NSDV, believes that investing in infrastructure could be crucial in tackling South Africa's unemployment crisis. He argues that improvements in roads, water, sanitation, and electricity infrastructure not only enhance service delivery but also spur economic growth and job creation.
Recently, Statistics SA revealed that the unemployment rate in South Africa slightly increased to 33.7% in the third quarter. Moyo underscores the potential of the construction sector to absorb a significant number of workers, including young individuals with limited skills and qualifications. "When you discuss the infrastructure deficit in South Africa, I perceive it as a tremendous opportunity," states Moyo, a construction lawyer.
"As a construction lawyer, when you encounter an infrastructure deficit, you envision vast opportunities for construction and infrastructure companies, along with the downstream industries they employ. Moreover, it is a highly labor-intensive sector that doesn't necessitate highly skilled or highly qualified workers. Consequently, all those young people with matric certificates, or no matric at all, and the vast youth employment gap we are discussing, can be addressed through substantial infrastructure capital expenditure."
Written by urgent.news from SABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
