# Deputy minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Letsike, has called for the social and solidarity economy to become a key vehicle for creating jobs, expanding ownership and delivering more inclusive economic growth. She cited economic growth of 0.5-percent in the first quarter of this year, while in the second quarter, 8.5 million South Africans were officially unemployed. Letsike says the country needs to build economic institutions that translate the constitutional values of dignity, equality, freedom and democratic participation into people’s everyday lives.
Deputy minister Letsike calls for social and solidarity economy to drive inclusive growth and create jobs