PMG Mining Company formed part of the EmpowaYouth Week that was hosted in Upington in the Northern Cape. The event aims to gather young people to have a positive impact on unlocking job opportunities. Different business sectors and non-profit organisations were in attendance.

Mr. Solly Mahape, Huma Resources Manager, delivered the keynote address at the Mining & Energy stage. He said PMG Mining Company fully understand the issues that the youth in the Northern Cape are grappling with, and the company entered into a constructive collaboration to bridge the work experience gap needed in the unemployment market.

“There is a lot to say about the mining industry and the socioeconomic impact it has on transforming the country, especially among the youth. It has to be fully canvassed to the entire African Continent, that the socio-economic empowerment of the young people is not an option but a continental pressing imperative,” Mahape said.

He said the ever-increasing youth unemployment rate has been one of the most worrying socio-economic problems in the entire country. He said that he is concerned that most of the young work seekers do not possess sufficient skills and previous work experience, demanded by employers in the labour market. “What do we do as a country besides endless promises to address this?” he asked the audience.

“I do agree that the Mining sector which PMG Mining is part of is well positioned to create a platform for youth as it has a variety of different careers, but at what level or school grade do we exchange this information with the learners to make the right career decisions? We as the mining sector have a responsibility to adhere to and forcefully implement our Social Labour Plans (SLP’s) to assist mining communities and overcome the challenges they are faced with,” he remarked.

The mining sector is the second biggest contributor to the Northern Cape’s Gross domestic product.

Young people are playing a critical role in the mining sector and there are plenty of opportunities for them.