Latest news with #TheFutureofJobsSummit
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Turning G20 into a job-creation engine: Lessons from India's one million jobs project
Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) .He will be writing a regular column in Business Report. Image: Supplied As South Africa is gearing up to host the world's leaders at the G20 Plenary Summit in November 2025, one question looms large – how can we leverage the world's attention to boost job creation and grow the economy inclusively? There are many lessons to be applied in leveraging the G20 presidency for job creation - in particular India's 2023 hosting offers a compelling job creation blueprint for South Africa. By focusing on infrastructure, tourism, foreign investment, SME development, and workforce upskilling, India created over one million jobs before, during, and after the summit. South Africa can replicate and refine this model to leave a lasting economic impact. Here's how South Africa can maximize the G20 opportunity for job creation. 1. Infrastructure Development: A Boom for Construction and Urban Jobs Hosting the G20 required significant investments in infrastructure across major cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Varanasi. The Indian government fast-tracked projects such as: Expansion and beautification of New Delhi's Pragati Maidan, the primary summit venue. Airport upgrades, including Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, to accommodate global leaders. Smart city enhancements, including better waste management, green spaces, and street lighting. Job Creation Impact: Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Over 200 000 direct jobs were created in construction, engineering, and urban planning. Indirect employment opportunities emerged in cement, steel, logistics, and real estate. The hospitality sector also saw job growth, with hotels hiring additional staff for maintenance and event hosting. Long-Term Impact: Many of these infrastructure developments continue to benefit the economy, boosting real estate values and improving urban living standards. South Africa's Job Creation Opportunity Hosting the G20 provides a strong business case for accelerating infrastructure projects that will create thousands of jobs in: Transport & logistics – Road and rail expansion to improve trade routes. Energy sector – Renewable energy projects to tackle power shortages. Smart cities – Upgrading urban centers with better roads, housing, and tech hubs. By aligning G20 investments with South Africa's infrastructure development plan, we can create sustainable jobs at scale and boost investor confidence. 2. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) India strategically positioned the G20 Summit as an opportunity to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and expand corporate presence in key industries. The government: Held high-level investment summits alongside G20 meetings. Showcased India's manufacturing, digital economy, and green energy sectors. Launched the Invest India G20 Initiative, promoting India as a prime investment hub. Job Creation Impact India secured $100+ billion in investment pledges from global corporations. Expansion of foreign companies in India, particularly in EV manufacturing, fintech, and semiconductors, leading to 50 000+ high-skilled jobs. Indian startups gained visibility, attracting venture capital funding and supporting employment in the tech and digital sectors. Long-Term Impact: The influx of foreign investment strengthened India's industrial base, creating sustainable employment in automobile manufacturing, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence (AI). South Africa's FDI Opportunity The G20 is a powerful platform to attract investors in: Mining and Green Energy – A push for critical minerals like lithium and green hydrogen. Technology & AI – Positioning SA as a tech hub for Africa. Agriculture & Food Processing – Scaling up agribusiness to create jobs in rural areas. Job Impact: If South Africa secures just $10 billion (R175bn) in new investments, it could create 50 000+ direct and indirect jobs across these sectors. 3. Empowering Local Businesses & SMEs To ensure that small businesses benefited from G20 spending, the Indian government implemented a "Vocal for Local" procurement strategy. This included: Prioritising Indian manufacturers and suppliers for event-related procurement (furniture, decorations, and catering). Promoting regional cuisines and local textile industries during G20 events. Encouraging women-led and rural enterprises to provide handcrafted gifts for G20 delegates. Job Creation Impact Over 150 000 MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) gained new contracts, securing jobs for artisans, weavers, and food producers. Gig workers and freelancers saw increased demand in areas like content creation, marketing, and logistics. The growth of digital payment systems enabled small businesses to scale up and expand post-G20. Long-Term Impact: The G20 reinforced India's Make in India initiative, positioning local businesses for continued export growth and job sustainability. South Africa's SME Opportunity The G20 should be structured to benefit township businesses, informal traders, and local SMEs through: Local supplier contracts for catering, event planning, security, and transport. Promoting African-made products to delegates and investors. Digital platforms to connect global buyers with South African SMEs. Job Impact: If even 20% of G20 spending goes to SMEs, this could create tens of thousands of jobs in the informal and small business sector. Final Thoughts: The G20 as a Job Creation Catalyst for South Africa India's G20 presidency was not just a diplomatic success - it was an economic and employment driver. By focusing on infrastructure, tourism, investment, small businesses, and workforce upskilling, India created over one million jobs during and after the summit. With high unemployment and global economic shifts, South Africa must think big and act strategically. The G20 presidency is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs, attract investment, and position South Africa as a leader in Africa's economic future. Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) and author of Nation of Champions: How South Africa won the World Cup of Destination Branding BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
'SA Youth Must be Supported to Grow in the Content & Gig Economy'
Chairman of Sekunjalo and Independent Media Dr Iqbal Survé, delivers a keynote address during The Future of Jobs Summit, T20 South Africa 2025 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Dr Iqbal Survé delivered a compelling blueprint for youth employment at the Future of Jobs Summit, emphasising digital transformation as a pathway out of poverty. Dr Iqbal Survé, Chairman of Sekunjalo Group, delivered a passionate keynote address at the Future of Jobs Summit 2025, presenting a comprehensive vision for leveraging South Africa's digital potential to combat youth unemployment. Speaking to government officials and industry leaders, Dr Survé outlined how the content economy and technology sector could become lifelines for millions of unemployed young South Africans. With youth unemployment reaching a staggering 62.4% for those aged 15-24, Dr Survé painted a bleak picture of the crisis facing the nation. 'This isn't merely a statistic; it represents over 4.8 million young South Africans waking up daily without economic dignity or hope,' he emphasised, drawing from the latest Statistics South Africa report. However, rather than dwelling on challenges, the business leader presented an optimistic roadmap centred on digital transformation. He highlighted the success story of Thato Joseph Mashifane from Dennilton, Limpopo, who transformed unemployment into entrepreneurship through his viral TikTok character 'Sis Maria'. 'Armed with just a smartphone, an old broom, a second-hand laptop, and an unshakeable passion for storytelling, Sis Maria launched a 'solopreneur' journey that took him out of unemployment queues,' Dr Survé noted. 'If one young South African can transform his future through media and technology, imagine what millions could achieve.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Sekunjalo chairman, whose group employs over 8,000 people with 50% being black African youth under 35, demonstrated his commitment goes beyond rhetoric. The company is already nurturing young entrepreneurs at the secondary school level through initiatives like iAccelerate SA, a high school startup accelerator led by Deputy Chair Rayhaan Survé. Dr Survé's seven-point strategy focuses heavily on the creator economy, worth $104 billion globally. He proposed establishing 'Digital Content Creation Hubs' in townships and rural areas, equipped with professional equipment and training in video production, podcasting, and graphic design. 'We need a 'Township TikTok Academy' approach that could empower thousands to earn from global audiences,' he explained, emphasising South Africa's rich cultural heritage as a competitive advantage in the global digital marketplace. The technology apprenticeship programmes he outlined align with Microsoft South Africa's recent R5.4 billion investment commitment, which aims to train 50,000 people in AI, data science, and cybersecurity. Dr Survé sees this as a model for combining infrastructure investment with skills development. Addressing the gig economy, he noted that South African youth are already participating in global freelance platforms. 'Our youth are already teaching English online to students in China and working remotely on global platforms. We see them in McDonald's and Starbucks, intensely focused on laptops, doing business, and earning an income from anywhere in the world.' His vision extends to the gaming industry, where he sees untapped potential in South Africa's cultural narratives. 'Our cultural richness—from traditional stories to contemporary urban experiences—offers unique content that global audiences crave,' he said, referencing the $200 billion global gaming market.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cyril missed an opportunity to deal with youth unemployment
Chairman of Sekunjalo and Independent Media Dr Iqbal Survé, delivers a keynote address during The Future of Jobs Summit, T20 South Africa 2025 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers President Cyril Ramaphosa's Wednesday meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House has drawn criticism for not adequately addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment in South Africa, which affects a staggering 65% of young people. Dr Iqbal Survé, Chairman of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings and Independent Media, holds the view that Ramaphosa missed a crucial chance to address the country's serious problem of youth unemployment. He was delivering a speech at the 2025 Future of Jobs Summit held at the DP World Wanderers in Melrose North, Johannesburg on Thursday, where he spoke about how South Africa can create job opportunities for the youth and a thriving economy. 'If I was the President of South Africa, I would have sat in the Oval Office room last night (Wednesday) and I would have said 'President Trump we have 65% unemployment amongst the youth. Can you help the youth of South Africa to be able to help themselves as part of a technological programme, etcetera, etcetera',' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Ramaphosa's visit to the US was prompted by concerns raised by Trump about alleged violence targeting white South African farmers. Trump had granted refugee status to 49 Afrikaner farmers, escalating tensions between the two nations. Survé said while he agrees that the country needs to prioritise supporting farmers to ensure food security, it also needs to focus on tackling youth unemployment as a top priority. 'We can't have two-thirds of our youth having no hope, no future, no pathway to a career, no pathway to income and living in desperation. That is not acceptable, no matter what we say,' he said. He stressed that business leadership and public service leaders should do everything possible to prioritise youth employment. 'We have no choice otherwise we are going to live in our ivory towers, behind high walls, fearful of our lives,' he said. According to him, youth employment issues require more than just annual discussions; they demand concrete actions and sustainable solutions. 'This must be top of the agenda. It must be the President's priority to be able to say to the nation '65% is too much (and) within a decade we are going to get that down to 20% and this is how we are going to do it',' Survé said. He shot down the notion of South Africa's primary issue being a skills deficit, suggesting instead that the problem lies in the inability to create opportunities for young people. 'We have the skills set. What we need to do is to create opportunity for young people to participate in these programmes, both technological and otherwise,' he said He stressed the need for platforms that accommodate diverse skill sets, enabling individuals without tertiary qualifications to leverage their skills and earn a living. Survé noted that there were countless success stories of individuals thriving in the digital economy, where people leverage tech and media to earn a living.
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Celebrating Dr Iqbal Survé: A visionary leader honoured at the Future of Jobs Summit
Chairman of Sekunjalo and Independent Media Dr Iqbal Survé, received the Global Trailblazer Leadership Award from Dr Nik Eberl during The Future of Jobs Summit, T20 South Africa 2025 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium on Thursday. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers Dr Iqbal Survé, chair of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings and Independent Media, a visionary entrepreneur and innovator, has been honoured with a special Global Trailblazer Leadership Award. This took place on Thursday evening during the prestigious Future of Jobs Summit, a flagship event of the T20, the official think tank initiative under South Africa's G20 Presidency. In his acceptance speech, he said: 'All of us in our journeys are where we are because of the people that we work with and so I want to honour the 8,500 people in our group. I want to thank them for their contribution towards this award. And I think this award is really in honour of them.' He believed the award is a recognition for the role he played within the country and globally in fostering the interests of South Africa. 'I think for me it is only recognition of the work role I played in the World Economic Forum, in BRICS and in the Clinton Global Initiative and just generally trying to promote our country as chairman of different business councils between different countries for the last few decades. And I am optimistic about my country. I firmly believe you can change things,' he said. Survé talked about the importance of positioning South Africa on the global stage, advocating for a multi-polar world where the Global South plays a significant role. He emphasised his belief in fostering cooperation among nations of the Global South to promote mutual interests and development. 'I think South Africa must take its rightful place in the community and nations from an investment point of view, from a skills point of view and from a development point of view,' he said. He emphasised the need for a mindset shift, encouraging people to think differently and be more open-minded about collaboration, both within South Africa and with other countries. 'I haven't said we must work exclusively with the BRICS countries. I think there is a very strong place for us to work with the West. They are a big part of our history. They are a big part of our trade and economy and we just need to have a balanced approach to the world,' he said. He noted that people in different countries, such as the United States and China, have a strong sense of national pride and confidence in their systems, suggesting that South Africans should similarly believe in their own country and its potential. 'So we as South Africans should believe in our country and our rights. We must put our rights first and we must demand respect. We must demand that people respect our sovereignty and our independence,' he said. When he was chairman of the BRICS Business Council, Survé always made sure that South Africa was never a small state within BRICS. 'As much as our economy was a tiny portion compared to the other BRICS countries, I never allowed our delegation that attended these big meetings, either the business council meetings or the heads of state meetings to go there with a begging bowl. From the very first meeting I insisted, whether there were Chinese or Russians or Brazilians or Indians, that we are here as equal partners,' he said. He expressed deep disappointment with South Africa's approach during President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, describing it as a low moment in the country's 30 years of democracy. 'We looked like we were a banana republic. We didn't look like we were an independent sovereign country with a point of view. People should not interfere in what happens in our country. "Whatever our issues are around farmers, it is for us to sort them out. And not for us to go to another country and get them to sort them out. Why have we elected our leadership? They have been elected to solve these problems,' he said. [email protected]
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Dr Iqbal Survé says Ramaphosa missed an opportunity to deal with youth unemployment in South Africa
Chairman of Sekunjalo and Independent Media Dr Iqbal Survé, delivers a keynote address during The Future of Jobs Summit, T20 South Africa 2025 at the DP World Wanderers Stadium. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers President Cyril Ramaphosa's Wednesday meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House has drawn criticism for not adequately addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment in South Africa, which affects a staggering 65% of young people. Dr Iqbal Survé, Chairman of Sekunjalo Investment Holdings and Independent Media, holds a view that Ramaphosa missed a crucial chance to address the country's serious problem of youth unemployment. He was delivering a speech at the 2025 Future of Jobs Summit held at the DP World Wanderers in Melrose North, Johannesburg on Thursday, where he spoke about how South Africa can create job opportunities for the youth and a thriving economy. 'If I was the President of South Africa, I would have sat in the Oval Office room last night (Wednesday) and I would have said 'President Trump we have 65% unemployment amongst the youth. Can you help the youth of South Africa to be able to help themselves as part of a technological programme, etcetera, etcetera',' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ramaphosa's visit to the US was prompted by concerns raised by Trump about alleged violence targeting white South African farmers. Trump had granted refugee status to 49 Afrikaner farmers, escalating tensions between the two nations. Survé said while he agrees that the country needs to prioritise supporting farmers to ensure food security, it also needs to focus on tackling youth unemployment as a top priority. 'We can't have two-thirds of our youth having no hope, no future, no pathway to a career, no pathway to income and living in desperation. That is not acceptable, no matter what we say,' he said. He stressed that the business leadership and public service leaders should do everything possible to prioritise youth employment. 'We have no choice otherwise we are going to live in our ivory towers, behind high walls, fearful of our lives,' he said. According to him, youth employment issues require more than just annual discussions; they demand concrete actions and sustainable solutions. 'This must be top of the agenda. It must be the President's priority to be able to say to the nation '65% is too much (and) within a decade we are going to get that down to 20% and this is how we are going to do it',' Survé said. He shot down the notion that South Africa's primary issue being a skills deficit, suggesting instead that the problem lies in the inability to create opportunities for young people. 'We have the skills set. What we need to do is to create opportunity for young people to participate in these programmes, both technological and otherwise,' he said He stressed the need for platforms that accommodate diverse skill sets, enabling individuals without tertiary qualifications to leverage their skills and earn a living. Survé noted that there were countless success stories of individuals thriving in the digital economy, where people leverage tech and media to earn a living. 'Some of you call them influencers. It is a business in its own right. In the US at the moment someone can earn as high as 15 million dollars per year today in this particular space,' he said. He emphasised that business leaders and the public sector share a crucial responsibility to create platforms and opportunities, especially in the tech space, for young people. He criticised a delegate accompanying Ramaphosa for mentioning instances of violent crime resulting in throat slitting. 'How do you tell the world that someone is slitting someone's throat in this country? Never wash your dirty linen in public. That is the first rule. Leave it. Let them say what they want to say. Don't go and make the world think your country is a bunch of barbarians,' he said.
