G4J Strategy turns 1: 1680 businesses supported, 28000 upskilled &15300+ jobs

Officially approved by the provincial cabinet on 19 April 2023, the Western Cape Government’s (WCG) ambitious plan, ‘Growth For Jobs’ (G4J) has been in action for one year.

“Our mission through G4J is very clear: to enable a thriving private sector that attracts investment capable of creating jobs and lifting our citizens from poverty to prosperity. By 2035 and through seven core focus areas, we are determined to transform our provincial economy into a R1 trillion jobs-rich, thriving, sustainable, and diverse economy, that is growing between four and six per cent. This vision is not just about economic growth; it's about creating meaningful opportunities that can truly change the lives of residents for the better,” Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, explained.

In its first year of implementation, just some of the impacts and achievements of the transversal work across departments of the WCG include:  

• 1 684 businesses supported;
• 15 304 jobs created or sustained;
• R7.5 billion in new investments facilitated;
• R2.8 billion export declarations reached, of which R1 billion was for export to Africa;
• 28 348 citizens supported with at least 1 economic opportunity pathway
• 5 new air routes direct into Cape Town International Airport established; and
• 14 Ease of Doing Business improvement interventions supported.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said, “What is critical to the success of our G4J growth strategy is that we as government create an enabling environment for the private sector and other role-players to thrive and create jobs; and we are seeing the results in the investment flowing into the Western Cape and in our jobs’ numbers. We have more work to do, but I know that this strategy has put us on the right path.”

Minister Wenger continued, “This is just the start and the early signs of G4J’s promise becoming evident. But we know we have much more work to do to increase opportunities and to spread prosperity to every corner of this province and beyond. Guided by G4J and the encouraging impacts achieved in just one year, we are on the right track to reach our ambitious goals.”

“These successes show that our plan is sound and the aim within reach. This is why we are more determined than ever to work harder and smarter together with the private sector, to achieve the kind of breakout economic growth our residents need to live a life full of opportunity, dignity, hope and success,” concluded Minister Wenger.

Read the full ‘Growth For Jobs’ Strategy and the Executive Summary here - https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/western-cape-growth-jobs-strategy