Hon Speaker, the ANC's commitment to encouraging the creation of new businesses and co-operatives and the expansion of small business has borne fruit. This was evident when four co-operatives established and owned by youth received certificates for the registration of their co-operatives at a youth empowerment outreach event that was hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry on Friday, 4 October 2013, at Welgeval in the North West province.
The setting up of these co-operatives has been made possible by the ANC North West government working together with the National Youth Development Agency, NYDA, and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission to assist the youth to realise their dreams of becoming fully fledged entrepreneurs, as well as inspiring other young people in the area and beyond.
The ANC is encouraged by this initiative. It is in line with its economic policy assertions of supporting and expanding small businesses and co- operatives as one of the critical vehicles in creating youth employment as well as absorbing the young unemployed into the job market.
Moreover, the ANC urges the youth to make use of NYDA's services so that they may also start up their own businesses. We know that this is not only for the youth, but also applies to the nation at large. I thank you. [Applause.]