Central SA
Mangaung volunteers to be paid─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 09:40 Sun, 05 Jun 2022
Premier Sisi Ntombela has announced that volunteers who have been cleaning the streets of Mangaung will now receive stipends.
This follows after Ntombela visited the Lengau Testing and Traffic Centre to join volunteers - led by Stanley Molosia - in cleaning the facility.
She was joined by Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environmental Affairs, Maggie Sotyu, Health MEC Montseng Tsiu, and MEC for Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State - William Bulwane.
According to Ntombela, the volunteers began work nearly four months ago, and have since cleaned up cemeteries and parks among other areas. She said that she was encouraged to see the volunteers embark on a cleaning campaign without expecting anything in return. She further said the volunteers stepped up at a time when their province needs them the most, and did not ask what the province could do for them.
"This campaign could not come at a better time, as the condition of our cemeteries and parks in particular are unsatisfactory. South Park Cemetery, for instance is in a sorry state. Refuse has been dumped by the cemetery and working with our volunteers, we'll bring respectability to the cemetery," she said.
In a statement, Ntombela said that more than a hundred volunteers have been absorbed into the Public Works and Infrastructure's flagship program, the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). She adds the newly absorbed EPWP participants will continue with their work of cleaning the city.
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Meanwhile, Public Employment Programme (PEP) employees recently marched to the headquarters of the Mangaung Metro Municipality over late payment. The PEP was initially launched at the end of March this year by the metro’s Executive Mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana, and Ntombela. The programme was explained to be part of the presidential stimulus package to create public employment, in response to the impact of the Coronavirus (Covid-19). Those employed under the programme will focus on cleaning, clearing and beautifying central business districts (CBDs), cemeteries, parks and open spaces, as well as respond to water leaks.
