Two programmes, one for jobs and one for governance, are being financed by the EU in South Africa, to the tune of €62 million in total. They were launched in Pretoria on Friday 6 April during an official visit by International Cooperation and Development Commissioner Neven Mimica. South Africa signed a strategic partnership with the EU in 2007.
The new EU programme 'Employment Promotion through small, micro and medium enterprises Support Programme for South Africa', worth €52 million, will help to boost job creation in South Africa by supporting the country's National Development Plan 2030, which foresees that 90% of new jobs in the country should come from small and emerging business by 2030. The programme was signed by the Commissioner and South African small business minister Ms Lindiwe Zulu.
The new Enhancing Legislature Oversight Programme of €10 million will strengthen democracy and good governance through effective execution of the core mandate of the National Parliament and the Provincial Legislatures to legislate, exercise oversight and ensure public participation. The programme was signed by Mimica and the speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete.
The Commissioner had a meeting with South African finance minister, Nhlanhla Nene. They discussed the EU's investment plan for Africa. He visited a project financed by the EU to develop unemployed mothers' skills in retailing, and visited the historical site of Liliesleaf.
The visit takes place a month after the nomination of President Ramaphosa's new government. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)