Monday, June 9th, 2025
SA now in second week of Youth Month
Focus on jobs for young people
With Youth Month 2025 now in its second week, the focus falls on jobs and economic opportunities.
According to Emmanuel Kganakga, Director: Youth Policy and Legislation at the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the focus in week 2 is on creating inclusive employment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship.
The Department will engage with provincial offices, state-owned enterprises, and the private sector to ensure that growth opportunities are extended to all youth.
Week 3 will focus on financial and non-financial support for SMMEs, who the backbone of the SA economy.
“We will introduce expanded support mechanisms, providing not only funding but also vital training, mentorship, and market access to ensure these enterprises become powerful job creators and drivers of economic growth,” said Kganakga.
The final week of the month will zoom in on promoting physical and mental health, recognising that economic empowerment is most effective when the youth are healthy and resilient. Initiatives that reduce risky behaviours and improve access to quality healthcare, nutrition, and mental health services will be promoted. Source: SAnews.gov.za
Minister announces strategy fore food security
Transforming livestock sector
South Africa’s livestock sector is being transformed.
Agriculture minister John Steenhuisen outlined five strategic pillars to guide South Africa to food security and export growth in the red meat and dairy sectors at the inaugural Total Mixed Ration (TMR) Conference
These include biosecurity and disease resilience; structural transformation and inclusion; regulatory efficiency and trade enablement; climate adaptation and environmental stewardship; and public-private partnerships and institutional coordination.
The three-day conference, taking place from 8–10 June 2025 in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, brings together stakeholders from across the livestock industry, including dairy and red meat producers, intensive sheep farmers, feedlot operators, and veterinarians.
The event offers a unique networking opportunity for dairy and red meat producers, intensive sheep farmers, input suppliers, feedlot operators, and veterinarians, to engage with experts on key topics, including biosecurity, rumen health, feed management and nutrition, and performance optimisation.
The Minister further called for deeper collaboration between the public and private sectors – “not only on funding, but on policy alignment, research, and implementation.’
“We are committed to strengthening platforms such as the Red Meat and Dairy Master Plans, and working with industry partners to create offtake agreements, joint extension services, and coordinated disease control efforts,” he added. Source: SAnews.gov.za
Fund launched to boost social services sector
Caring for non-profits
The Cape Care Fund, an initiative aimed at boosting the resilience of organisations in the social services sector, was launched on Friday, 6 June 2025.
The Cape Care Fund is a Special Purpose Vehicle created between the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) and The Health Foundation of South Africa to raise funds to further support the work of DSD through vetted, registered, compliant, well-functioning non-profit organisations (NPOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with a proven track record of quality service delivery in the social services sector, in the Western Cape.
NPOs and NGOs in South Africa and the Western Cape are facing the combined impact of static or reduced government transfers and donor funding in the wake of South Africa’s post-Covid-19 economic downturn. Many funders, including government, have faced reduced income and have had to reduce or even cease funding NPOs altogether.
During the last three financial years (2022/23 – 2024/25), organisations across various sectors in the Western Cape have had to close their doors due to budget shortfalls, including:
- 12 NPO child protection branches rendering statutory services
- 3 Homes for Older Persons
- 18 community centres for older persons
- 4 NPO-run Child and Youth Care Centres
Organisations like these play an essential role alongside government in promoting the wellbeing of our communities, especially those operating in the social development sector.
Western Cape Minister of Social Development Jaco Londt said: “When I stepped into office last year, one of the first things I did was ask the Department of Social Development to do everything possible to strengthen support to this vital sector. Through the Cape Care Fund, we are hopeful to take NPOs and NGOs from surviving to thriving, for the benefit of our most vulnerable residents. I encourage businesses and residents that want to help create positive change by uplifting communities and individuals to support this initiative.”
Health Foundation CEO Harry Grainger said: “The Cape Care Fund exemplifies how innovative financing, and strategic collaboration can contribute to improved economic resilience and sustainable development. We invite all stakeholders to join us in this transformative journey—working together towards a sustainable, inclusive, and healthier society.”
For more information about the Cape Care Fund, visit www.capecarefund.org.za
Source: Western Cape Government