FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09 December 2020
The Northern Cape MEC for the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform, and Rural Development, Ms. Mase Manopole, urges the youth of the Province to apply for employment as verification officers, as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme.
This comes after the Minister, Ms. Thoko Didiza announced recently that, about R1 billion has been set aside to support 75 000 small-scale farmers whose production was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the Economic Recovery Plan tabled by President Cyril Ramaphosa in October, the President announced the employment stimulus for job creation and the support of livelihoods. One billion rand was assigned to support 75 000 small-scale farmers who were negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The implementation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus is aimed at sustaining and increasing employment in the agricultural sector by supporting around 75 000 subsistence farmers in the whole country, with farming input vouchers.
Successful applicants will be employed as verification officers and will assist in the implementation of the Presidential Employment Stimulus programme.
The principle of first come first serve will apply per Province and thus MEC Manopole calls on all qualifying youth to take advantage of this opportunity and start applying on 10 December 2020.
The MEC further mentioned that the recruitment process will be centralised at national office, however, Provinces will benefit in the initiative.
WHO CAN APPLY:
During the implementation of this programme unemployed Narysec youth and unemployed agricultural graduates are encouraged to apply. This youth employment initiative will support the creation of almost 6 000 temporary jobs.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Cell phones are the simplest, affordable and accessible way to access all South Africans and it is the reason why the application process will be done in an automated fashion.
Applications will be done via a USSD code which is*134*4536# and will be free. Application forms will also be available and accessible in all 11 official languages once you enter the USSD code.
Applicants who will be considered are:
- 18 years and older
- In possession of a South African ID
- Not employed by government
- Currently actively involved in agricultural production
- Have not received DALRRD support in the current financial year
Applicants should note that only one application per household will be accepted.
OPENING AND CLOSING DATES FOR APPLICATIONS
Applications will be open from 10 December 2020 and will close on 22 December 2020. Applicants will then receive notices regarding their applications in January 2021.
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For media enquiries contact Zandisile Luphahla, Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the MEC on 083 391 5388
ISSUED BY THE NORTHERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Mr. Zandisile Luphahla
Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson to the MEC
Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform and Rural Development. Northern Cape