He said all South Africans had a responsibility to work hard to make this a reality.

“Everyone must think of how they can contribute to the jobs campaign through creating opportunities for themselves and others.”

Amongst others, government will:

• Establish a jobs fund of R9 billion over the next three years to finance new job-creation initiatives.
• Set aside R20 billion in tax allowances or tax breaks to promote investments, expansions and upgrades in the manufacturing sector. 
• Continue to provide financial and non-financial support to small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), small scale agriculture as well as cooperatives.
• Finalise and adopt the beneficiation strategy as the official policy of government, so that we can start reaping the full benefits of our commodities.

In addition, the Industrial Development Corporation has set aside R10 billion over the next five years for investment in such economic activities with a high jobs potential.

Government has also endorsed the African Exploration, Mining and Finance Corporation as the State Owned Mining Company that will undertake the mining of minerals of strategic significance.

All government departments will align their programmes with the job creation imperative. The provincial and local government spheres have also been requested to do the same.