July 31, 2006
By Ndaba Dlamini
AN art teacher at the Mashati Art Centre, a visual art project in Ebony Park, which operates from a temporary structure and lacks funds to develop its potential, Godfrey Marumo was one of many who benefited from a two-day roadshow highlighting economic opportunities in Gauteng.
The first of its kind, the roadshow was held at the nearby Lord Khanyile Multi-Purpose Community Centre in Ivory Park on Friday, 28 July and Saturday, 29 July and gave him and some of his 32 pupils the opportunity to showcase their talents, gain knowledge and discover services offered by various government departments.
Part of the Gauteng provincial government's Public Service Week "to boost service delivery in the province", the project was hosted by members of government and non-governmental agencies who gave local residents advice on how to participate in the economy.
The Gauteng MEC for finance and economic affairs, Paul Mashatile, who opened the event, urged residents, especially the young, to utilise the opportunity to gain as much information as they can in order to become entrepreneurs.
He said the roadshow aimed to equip people with information about tendering, business support and other business opportunities, as well as giving the public direct access to information on how to access economic opportunities in the province.
By 2014, Gauteng envisages that communities will have access to various government products and services designed to accelerate economic empowerment and contribute to the halving of poverty and unemployment.
Among the many organisations handing out information packs and conducting consultations from exhibition stands were the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP), Umsobomvu Youth Fund, the provincial department of agriculture, Gauteng Tourism, the expanded works programme and the Sector Education and Training Authority.
The last day of the event was entertainment galore with poetry, song and dance being dished out by youth groups from Ivory Park, Ebony Park and Thembisa.
Marumo said the roadshow gave him important information how to access funds and possibly expand the Mashati Arts Centre.
"I had the opportunity to know more about getting skills training from the Sector Education and Training Authority in order to gain more knowledge and experience in the field of art," he said.
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