Presidential Job Summit is held

In response to a call by President Nelson Mandela, representatives of government, business, labour and other community and development organisations meet at the Presidential Job Summit to discuss ways to create jobs in the country. The Summit proposed the revival of South Africa's three most economically deprived areas, St Lucia, the Wild Coast and Algoa Bay. It further announced a R2, 5-billion housing project to be funded jointly by the Government and business, which will create employment and address the backlog in affordable housing. Despite this and other efforts, lack of employment is still considered as the biggest problem in South Africa, matched only by the high rate of crime and violence. Click here to read Mandela's message at the opening of the Summit.