JIM KONE - The Limpopo Department of Health and Welfare was impressed with the progress of the bakery project funded by Eskom at Jim Kone Village last Friday.

According to the 2001 national census, the unemployment rate in the Limpopo Province is 36,1% compared to the national percentage of 41,6%.

In her address, a member of parliament, Ms Sheila Sithole, said the Welfare Department has initiated 719 projects in rural areas to an amount of R94, 4 million over the past decade. Significant progress has been made in initiating projects such as bread making, poultry farming, juice making, candle making and fencing.

“We are promoting public private partnership by joining hands with other stakeholders, such as Eskom, the DBSA and other companies,” said Mrs Sithole.

“The department is making great strides to link poverty alleviation projects with local markets,” Sithole said. “The community gardens are able to supply local markets like Gants in Makhado and Goseame in Polokwane with fresh vegetables,” she said.

“All our collective efforts will work as pillars of our long and sustained struggle against poverty and starvation,” Mrs Sithole added.

Mr Shadrack Munyangane of Eskom said Eskom monitors the bakery project and it is progressing. “Eskom helped to design the comfortable shelter where women in the bakery project work in a conducive environment. We have donated bakery machines to the project, costing R125,900. We have also connected the electricity line for an amount of R40 000, and provided training of basic business skills, costing R9 000. Eskom also bought raw materials of R20 000 and are upgrading the building at the cost of R15 000.