SIPHELELE NKETO
SPEAKERS at the one-day G20 stakeholder engagement session in Kokstad called for more local beneficiation to create job opportunities and promote inclusive growth and sustainable development. The dialogue at Esayidi TVET College, Kokstad campus, was part of South Africa’s G20 presidency, under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”. Its aim was to ensure that the voices of communities and stakeholders within the Harry Gwala district are meaningfully included in conversations around global governance, development and inclusive economic growth.
The dialogue raised awareness about South Africa’s G20 membership and leadership. Ndala Mngadi, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial director for the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said the engagement also presented G20 opportunities to stakeholders.
“The aim was to gather local inputs and perspectives to contribute to broader G20 discussions and recommendations. Lots of dialogues are being conducted across South Africa, not only in big cities but in remote areas to get everyone involved,” she said, adding that behind these dialogues was the intention to create awareness, as many people don’t know much about what the G20 brings.
She said the aim was to solicit views from the people in terms of what President Ramaphosa must make as a contribution when he meets world leaders at the G20 summit in November.
The Greater Kokstad Municipality mayor Lwanda Madikizela was pleased with the session as it offered a platform for community members to share their opinions.
He said the G20 summit will address issues of policy development, economic growth and global challenges such as climate change.
Other discussions involved the championing of the rural and township economy and support of start-up businesses.
Since the Harry Gwala district is mostly rural, Zamo Nxumalo, the Harry Gwala District Municipality mayor, said the dialogue provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share recommendations on how to support the rural and informal economy to generate job opportunities.
