Hundreds of call centre jobs and easier public access to the Internet were among the plans outlined at the opening of the Gauteng Legislature this morning.
Premier Mbhazima Shilowa said at the opening of the Gauteng Legislature in Johannesburg this morning that Gauteng had continued to strengthen its position as an "economic engine of the country and the continent". It reached a growth rate of 5.6% in the fourth quarter of 2004, continuing the trend of sustained growth over the past 10 years, he said.
"We will continue to seek to expand investment and employment opportunities in our province. Through the Gauteng Economic Development Agency we have facilitated significant new investment in the province, including in the area of business process outsourcing (BPO)."
He noted that the SA Contact Centre Community predicts that SA will in the next few years be among the world`s top three offshore locations providing high value call centre services and that by 2008, we will increase the number of call centre seats by at least 50%.
"Together with the city of Johannesburg we have been engaged in discussions with Vodacom on a partnership that will involve the development of a call centre, learnerships involving the provincial government and SETA, and the creation of the necessary infrastructure. I am pleased to announce that we have now agreed on a partnership which will see Vodacom locate their new call centre in the Johannesburg CBD and creating a further 1 500 new jobs," said Shilowa.
In addition, he announced that the province`s call centre, which seats 150 people, will be expanded to accommodate 600 people by the end of July 2006, providing a "one call" service to all Gauteng citizens who want to access government.
The first 150-seat call centre in Wynberg will be launched by the end of March. The other two 150-seat centres in Sedibeng and the West Rand will be launched in July.
Shilowo also said the province was committed to rolling out 50 information kiosks within multi-purpose community centres in and around Gauteng, and 70 digital lounges within government departments to help make government information and services available to those who do not have access to the Internet.
Shilowa also noted that the Innovation Hub, launched in April 2005 as Africa`s first Science Park, had "become a landmark in Tshwane, boosting the local economy and exceeding expectations, with over 50 companies and 500 people on site".
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