INCLUDE BLACK YOUTH IN ENERGY GENERATION INVESTMENTS – NAFCOC

The government’s decision to increase from I MW up to 100MW the threshold of power generation projects that can developed by Independent Power Producers (IPP), without the onerous process of securing a licence, has been lauded even by critics, who hope it is the ‘new dawn’ in the approach to addressing power cuts. This development will allow mining houses to invest in their own power generation plants. Hence, the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) Gauteng spokesperson, Refilwe Monageng, says he hopes that in the planned investments in power generation plant projects, mines should now consider supporting talented, young black entrepreneurs and mining communities through enterprise development initiatives.

Monageng explained: “The Government’s shift in policy will create a fertile environment for growth in the mining industry. We call on the mining industry to include young black entrepreneurs as it ramps up investments in energy projects.”

“Youth unemployment, especially in previously disadvantaged communities, is unacceptably high, and we cannot hope to achieve sustainable growth as a country, if it continues to be nearly impossible for black people to meaningfully participate in key industries like mining,” he added, highlighting that he sees no reason the private sector, which has the financial and technical resources, can fail to help break through the barriers that stifle black entrepreneurs in mining. “What’s missing is the will to drive broad based transformation.”

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