Smile FM has undertaken an ambitious mission to brighten the upcoming holiday season for thousands of families in need. The goal is to assist 10 000 unemployed individuals in Cape Town in finding gainful employment before 25 December 2023.
Despite a slight improvement in recent times, South Africa grapples with persistently high unemployment rates. Smile FM is committed to challenging this status quo by taking proactive steps to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives, staying true to its name by bringing smiles to the faces of those in need.
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Ryan O’Connor, the host of The Ryan O’Connor Breakfast Show on Smile FM, spearheads this endeavour. On a quest to secure jobs for those struggling with unemployment, O’Connor appeals to companies to notify them when job vacancies arise, and in turn, Smile FM will connect them with job seekers in their vicinity who possess the necessary skills.
‘We are calling on companies to let us know when they have jobs available, and we will connect them with job seekers in their area who have the required skills,’ says O’Connor.
He adds, ‘Having a job allows families to put meals on their table and a roof over their heads. It enables kids to go to school and get a good education while building self-esteem and regaining dignity – something that many of us all too often take for granted. This is the most powerful way to break the cycle of poverty.’
Over the next 12 weeks, Smile FM plans to showcase the companies participating in this life-changing campaign. They will also share stories of newly employed listeners who will finally receive their first paycheck in a long time.
This campaign receives support from Leelyn Management in collaboration with the City of Cape Town.
Cape Town’s mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, ‘The City is pleased to partner with Smile FM to facilitate thousands more employment opportunities for Capetonians using our Jobs Connect platform. We call on businesses to support this initiative and for job seekers to make use of the support on offer, including help with CV formulation.’
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Alderman James Vos further elaborated, ‘The City is working on multiple fronts to create an environment that gives businesses the space to grow while creating employment opportunities for Capetonians. The metro’s unemployment rate fell by 7% year-on-year thanks to the projects and programmes we have enacted, such as our work with partners in Cape Town’s high-growth industries to drive skills development that makes people more employable.’
Alderman Vos continued, ‘We are also proud to lead the Jobs Connect workforce development programme, in which unemployed people are able to find training and work opportunities on a platform that is easy to use and comes at a minimal cost. In the past three years, almost 89,000 people have signed up for the platform and completed the assessment. By working together with businesses and industries, the City can help thousands more Capetonians find the dignity of a job.’
Lois O’Brien, the managing director at Smile FM, expressed her enthusiasm for the campaign, saying, ‘Cape Town is gearing up for what promises to be a busy and exciting holiday season, which brings thousands of employment opportunities – specifically within the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors. As the go-to radio station in Cape Town, we’re proud to be able to leverage our network and audience to connect deserving job seekers with employers, helping improve the lives of families all across the Cape Town Metropole.’
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Picture: Supplied