Central SA
Northern Cape government celebrates 20 years of EPWP─── CASEY-LEE ANTHONY 07:44 Fri, 24 May 2024
“The programme has created around a million jobs for the youth in the province since it was established in 2004,”
The Department of Roads and Public Works celebrates 20 years of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP). The department launched phase 5 of the programme, focusing on expanding the skills base through better education and vocational training.
MEC Fufe Makatong opened the session in Kimberley by acknowledging some EPWP employees have not yet received their stipends but assured them they will get it by the end of this month.
EPWP workers will be paid by the end of May. Picture: Katleho Twala
She also praised them for their great work towards making the Northern Cape a modern, growing and successful province. “The entrepreneurship development programme aims to aid, and sustain the growth and development of medium and micro enterprises,” said Makatong.
She said 80 young artisans in the Northern Cape have successfully completed the programme – 23 in Frances Baard district, 24 in John Taolo Gaetsewe district, 13 in the ZF Mgcawu district, seven in Pixley Ka Seme district and 13 in the Namaqua district
“I feel we were given an opportunity to work in a world that is predominantly men, but the Department of Roads and Public Works gave us (women) this opportunity to gain the skills to work in this field,” said the recipient of the Merseta apprenticeship programme, Tshiamo Mmolawa (26).
Saskia Field and Fatima Cloete graduated from the Phakamile Mabija Artisianship program, Picture: Casey-Lee Anthony
Emily Moseki from the John Tau Gaetsewe district thanked the government for the opportunity, and the growth she’s seen within herself through the opportunity. She also asked the MEC that the opportunity they received should be given to the rest of the EPWP employees.
In his keynote speech before the certificate ceremony, Premier Dr Zamani Saul spoke to the graduates and told them their achievement could not have been easy and they should be proud of this achievement.
Thalithakumi Co-Op Chilli stall. Picture: Casey-Lee Anthony
“So far the program has created almost a million jobs for the youth in the province since it was established in 2004,” Saul told OFM News. “The first objective of the EPWP phase 5 is to create 112,995 job opportunities and we firmly believe we will be able to reach this target.”
