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Over 300 young people are benefitting from job opportunities created as a result of a public-private partnership between the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and various companies.

Busisiwe Buthelezi, 24, is among the 335 youth placed in private and public institutions by the partnership, which is aimed at helping graduates hone their skills as well as acquire experience in order to be employable.

“I am so excited by the opportunity I have been offered. I am glad to be working in the department of physiotherapy, speech and audio therapy. I enjoy getting up in the morning to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Buthelezi, who has a degree in Biomedicine.

After completing her studies, she became part of the unemployed graduates’ stats, until the City of Ekurhuleni gave her an opportunity to work at the Far East Hospital as part of the city’s job placement programme.

The companies involved include, among others, Transnet, Imperial Logistics, Phoenix Film, TNT, BidairCargo and OR Tambo International Airport.

The metro’s spokesperson, Sam Modiba, said the young people placed in private and public institutions exclude the 600 youths absorbed by various departments within the City of Ekurhuleni.

“The municipality pays a stipend of up to R2 500 to all these graduates. We know that some graduates completed their qualifications under very difficult situations. Some have become the only hope for their families and we understand that it must be demotivating to complete your studies and still be unemployed,” Modiba said on Sunday.

The job placement programme follows the municipality’s job summit in June, where Ekurhuleni received over 10 000 CVs from unemployed youth in order to place them at companies as opportunities arise.

It is envisaged that before the end of the year, a further 3 000 work opportunities will be created as part of the Lungile Mtshali Poverty Alleviation Programme. – SAnews.gov.za