Premier announces extension of due date for youth fund applications

04 March 2023

Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has announced the extension of the deadline for the Premier’s Youth Development Fund. This decision seeks to attract the youth to apply in large numbers for the grant and is regarded as a decisive step and an aggressive strategy, to realize the objectives of the fund.

Initially, the due date was set for 24 of February 2023 and has now been extended to 17 of March 2023. The Development Fund was established to support youth-led enterprises in Mpumalanga, amid the high unemployment rate.

The extension follows a two week outreach programme, in which the Office of the Premier in collaboration with several local municipalities, visited the youth to guide them on the application process. Mtshweni-Tsipane says the extension is a vital cog to afford the youth sufficient time to apply. “We have allowed this extension so that we try and make sure that most of our young people do apply. We don’t want to leave anyone who has the potential to grow our economy, to participate in the programme,” she emphasized.

A total of ninety seven (97) businesses owned by the youth have been supported since the fund was established. R140 million was allocated in this regard. In the current financial year about thirty six (36) businesses have been approved for funding, with a total amount of ninety two-point-three million (R92,3 million), disbursed.

The beneficiaries represent the youth from the three (3) Districts, based in the seventeen (17) local municipalities.

Mtshweni-Tsipane says the highest ethical standard of adjudication will be maintained to ensure that only legitimate applications are approved. “The process will be subjected to a rigorous process of adjudication and verification. We will ensure

that only the youth from Mpumalanga, with legitimate businesses, are approved for financial support,” she stated.

Application forms are available on the Mpumalanga Provincial Government website. For enquiries contact Bheka Ntandane (Manager for the Youth Desk in the Office of the Premier) on 013 766 2108 or send e-mail to: MYDF@mpg.gov.za.

ENDS...


Issued by the Mpumalanga Provincial Government

Provincial Government’s Spokesperson: George Mthethwa
Tel: (013) 766 2242
Mobile: 083 302 2774
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za