​The one-day workshop hosted on Thursday, 29 June 2023, by City’s Opportunity Centre at the Joburg Market in City Deep, Johannesburg, created a platform for job seekers and small businesses to be exposed to various opportunities offered at the centre. It follows previously held workshops aimed at assisting residents with information on how to start businesses, compliance advice, business development training, facilitation of access to finance and support to run sustainable businesses.

It featured various stakeholders including Department of Labour, Gauteng Treasury and the University of Johannesburg who shared information that ranged from how to write an appealing CV, applying for government jobs, financial literacy including personal financial management, budgeting to grant funding opportunities.

Humphrey Mjikeliso, the Assistant Director for Gauteng Provincial Treasury, spoke of e-government services that offer citizens access to job services, tenders and online government forms. 

Songezo Sijinga of Employment Service of South Africa said many job seekers have the required qualifications but lack the necessary skills to secure their ideal job. He urged job seekers to register with Employment Services of South Africa to connect with potential employers.

Akhona Bovula, the Opportunity Centre Manager at the Joburg Market, said the objective of the workshop was to encourage, motivate and empower small business and job seekers. 

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“Securing a job and challenges faced by many small business owners might be a stressful experience. Our immediate goal is to provide effective small business support through the creation of an enabling environment with multiple, relevant service offerings, we want to help them tap into the opportunities that will help them to jump-start their careers by equipping them with necessity skills and tools,” said Bovula.

Written by Getrude Mamabolo

30/06/2023