The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management Alderman Grant Twigg recently visited Eerste River to see the Mowing and Landscaping Maintenance Project, employing 294 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers, in action. This initiative complements the City’s in-house resources to do mowing and landscape maintenance of public open spaces, play parks, cemeteries, road reserves, community halls and resorts across the city.

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is one of government’s programmes aimed at alleviating poverty and reducing unemployment. It involves creating temporary work opportunities for unemployed persons registered on the Jobseekers Database.

‘I had the opportunity to observe the invaluable work that the 294 EPWP workers are doing to complement the City’s in-house resource capacity to do mowing and landscape maintenance of public open spaces, play parks, cemeteries, road reserves, community halls and resorts citywide. During my interaction with some of the workers, I was told of their appreciation for the job opportunities. This project will run for a duration of 12 months and these workers will also undergo relevant skills development training to better their prospects within a challenging workforce,’ said Alderman Twigg.

The City’s Mayoral Committee recently approved the new implementation EPWP Phase 4 Protocol Agreement, which proposes that the City of Cape Town create 129 516 temporary work opportunities over a five-year period ending 30 June 2024.

‘The Recreation and Parks Department is responsible for thousands of hectares of land that require mowing each season. The department welcomes the EPWP teams that will help us maintain the city and at the same time give work experience to residents. Residents are reminded that they can apply that their local park or open land not be mowed to allow for the growth of spring flowers by emailing recreation.enquiries@capetown.gov.za,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien Mayoral Committee Member for Community Service and Health.

To register with the EPWP Jobseekers Database, residents can visit their local subcouncil with their ID and proof of address. Participants are selected via a randomised, electronic-based, process for projects within the geographical boundaries of their local sub-council.

Source: City Of Cape Town