​The City of Johannesburg can give itself a pat on the back for successfully opening its fourth Opportunity Centre Region E this week.

The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Herman Mashaba, and the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development Cllr Leah Knott launched Thusanang Opportunity Centre in Klipfontein View yesterday, 19 June 2019.

This centre will be a huge boost for small businesses and entrepreneurs in Klipfontein View and surrounding areas as a single point of entry for mentorship and holistic guidance on starting and running an enterprise.

This is the fourth Opportunity Centre to be launched following that of the inner city, Roodepoort, and Diepsloot. A business centre also services the Orange Farm community in partnership with Discovery.

Speaking to community member at the launch of Thusanag Opportunity Centre, Mayor Mashaba said he was pleased to officially open the City of Johannesburg's fifth Opportunity Centre in Klipfontein View, north Johannesburg. He credited the success to MMC for Economic Development, Cllr Leah Knott, for her vision in driving one of the City's priorities of achieving the aimed 5% economic growth by 2021. 

“The City's Department of Economic Development understands the reality and consequences of rising unemployment and the desperation for real job opportunities, especially among young people. The Opportunity Centre seeks to provide not only resources but most importantly an enabling environment for both new and existing small businesses and entrepreneurs to explore their potential and find creative ways of participating in the economy," said Mayor Mashaba.

He said the City has recognised the stumbling blocks faced by young people who want to bring their ideas to life and venture into the world of business. Some of the major challenges for the youth in the townships include the absence of relevant institutions to assist with information.

He said the centre represents the fight-back strategy against the crisis of unemployment that has left almost 38% of South Africans without a job. 

The official opening of the Thusanang opportunity Centre has changed the life of Duncan a matric student who won the competition for naming the centre. He received a laptop and a goody bag.

Youth activist Ndimphiwe Ntshentshe said Klipfontein is a community hungry for success and ready for opportunities. “We are united against one enemy – poverty. This opportunity will unlock our economic potential. Like all other communities we also have challenges which we raised during the IDP consultation and we hope they have been budgeted for in the new financial year," said Ntshentshe.

He assured the mayor that as youth of Klipfontein View they will guard and protect this centre as well as make sure that job-seekers and emerging businesses are able to access vital resources to ensure their future success.