DAFF has been awarding bursaries since 2004, after introducing an external bursary scheme in response to government's call to bridge the skills gap, promote rural development and to eliminate skewed participation in South Africa. Rural development focus is on improving both economic infrastructure (such as roads, community gardens, food production, fencing for agriculture, etc.) The imbizo provided a platform for the youth to engage with government on youth development matters including education, skills and entrepreneurial programmes. The visit forms part of the Premier's Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) enterprise development economic forum engagements. The National Imbizo Focus Week forms part of a wide range of Government programmes displaying a Government at work to eliminate poverty, unemployment and reduce inequality by 2030 as envisaged in the National Development Plan.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 25, 2017 09:11 UTC