The non-profit organisation known as Men at the Side of the Road (MSR) inaugurated their new office in Walvis Bay last week. The opening was officiated by the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, the Mayor of Walvis Bay, Trevino Forbes and the MD of Manica, Ralph Ruiters.
Klazen said the government is well aware of the unemployment situation. “I often see people sitting in the sun, everyday, hoping for an opportunity or a Samaritan to pick them so they can earn a bit of money to feed their families. The local fishing industry alone employs about 18,000 people, yet the unemployment rate is alarmingly high. And more people are flocking to Walvis Bay hoping to find jobs. Many fishermen lost their jobs due to various reasons, increasing the unemployment rate. In this case it will take efforts of the ministry of labour, the youth employment task force, corporates and business to combat unemployment.”
MSR was created in 2007 to change the everyday scene of young men waiting on the side of the road to be selected for quick menial jobs. MSR’s mission is to change lives by connecting the unemployed with job and training opportunities. The MSR links registered members with work opportunities and provides their members with skills to secure employment for themselves. The MSR also provides soft skills training, financial literacy, entrepreneurial skills and mentorship to assist these unemployed members in their job searching efforts. The MSR has some 2000 registered members.
Manica supported the MSR with the refurbishment and branding of the office building. As part of its sustainability efforts and drive to create employment opportunities, Manica will be partnering with MSR in the future to recruit members and provide them with industry required training.
