UMZANSI Youth in Property, Construction and Manufacturing Association (UYIPCM) is calling the youth to join the association as this will empower them in property, construction and manufacturing opportunities.
Organisation chairperson Mbongeni Zuma said at a media launch of the association, that most young people from disadvantaged communities are a generation of consumers and don’t have the correct information to enter lucrative markets. They also don’t take advantage of opportunities presented in these three sectors, which are key strategic points of a country’s economic development.
The association was started by Slondile Mkhize, Nkosi Malema, Zuma, Snqobile Ngqulunga, Thokozane Gcaba and Zazi Nxele.
UYIPCM’s media liaison personnel, Nxele, said that information and a change in mindset will help youth attain financial literacy and economic freedom.
“A lot of young people do not own property and we are a generation of landlords. The property sector is monopolised and South Africa needs skilled people in this area.
Manufacturing is another sector that has many opportunities. A lot of consumer goods are manufactured in China and if we can create our own factories and have a competitive edge, a lot of young South Africans will get jobs.
“There are a lot of people at the bottom part of the construction industry. The higher grades are mainly dominated by the minority.
“One way of turning things around is by making information available to the youth,” said Nxele.
The UYICPM membership seeks to enable ordinary young people or youth companies to access industrial focus information, access to industrial focus network, access to industrial focus business trainings and access to industrial focus funding assistance.
Zuma said that the association welcomes people who already work within these three sectors and those who intend to be in them. The association has strategic partners including the Msunduzi Municipality, uMgungundlovu Municipality, Sector Education and Training Authorities, the National Youth Development Agency, Small and Medium Enterprise Department, the Department of Public Works and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Zuma said that UYIPCM will also scrutinise municipal development plans to ensure that key community projects are carried out as stipulated.
On 2 March UYIPCM will host a stakeholder engagement event at the city hall and on 3 March will host a youth conference at Cedara College.
Ngqulunga said that they are expecting 500 delegates.
