TSHWANE residents have high hopes that the Crush noLova jobs and skills programme will open gates of opportunities for them.
This comes as scores of unemployed people flooded to different schools on Saturday, 13 April and Sunday, 14 April to register for the programme in hopes of getting a job.
People across Gauteng from different backgrounds came with one common goal, which was to turn their lives around.
Lesego Makhurana (21), who was registering at Bajabulile Primary School in Mamelodi, told Daily Sun she tried to maintain good grades in high school so she could matriculate and get a job because she knows how important it is to be financially independent.
Lesego has an older brother, and they live with their mother who no longer works. With basic needs piling up for the family of three, Lesego said she and her brother wanted to relieve their mother of all her stresses.
"My brother also registered for a job. We really just want to help out at home, make sure we pay for rent and groceries because I can see she has tried her best to take us to school. Her decision to take us to school was to allow us to one day be able to take care of her," she said.
Another unemployed young person, Palesa Mguni (21), said she has been trying to get a job since matriculating in 2023 with no luck. She said hopes God will be in her favour now.
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"When I saw this opportunity I knew I couldn't miss out on this chance. I came here with a positive spirit and hope that God will provide me with the chance of finally getting a job because sitting at home is really not nice," she said.
The programme is part of an initiative announced by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on 4 April.
At least R23,8 billion was allocated to implement this plan, the Labour Activation Programme (LAP) - Training for Employment and Entrepreneurship programme.
According to the Gauteng government, at least 500 000 people had registered for the Crush noLova jobs and skills programme.
Reacting to the past weekend, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the provincial government was pleased with the turn out over the weekend.
“The huge numbers that we witnessed over this past weekend are a testament that our people are struggling.
“We are indeed proud that through this programme, people who today are relying on social grants and handouts from other family members will get job opportunities and necessary skills to create jobs for themselves and others,” said Lesufi.
According to Lesufi, The Crush noLova jobs and skills programme is an extension of Nasi iSpani and seeks to bridge the gap between the skills supply and the demand of the evolving South African job market.
While registrations were only expected to happen between 13 April and 14 April, it has now been revealed that people have until 18 April to apply.
