Youth unemployment, recognition of the informal sector, and persistent gender gaps are among the key challenges that the National Budget has been criticised for failing to adequately address.

The Eighth Rural Women's Parliament commenced today under the theme, Breaking Barriers to Economic Inclusion: Advancing Sustainable Support and Opportunities for Rural Women and Men.

The just-concluded 3rd Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting has called for support and strengthening of SMEs and MSMEs for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and least developed countries within the Commonwealth. 

The residents of Noordoewer also petitioned !Haib Minerals (PTY) Ltd and Ferrodrill Namibia for overlooking locals when there are job opportunities.

They demanded the company present a well-defined social responsibility plan for the Noordoewer settlement.