The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure call on the community of the Free State to participate in the ongoing Community Consultation Meetings on the EPWP Policy
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is calling on the community of the Free State to participate in the ongoing community consultation meeting on the EPWP Policy. These public consultation meetings are part of the broader public consultation process that the Department is implementing to solicit the inputs of South Africans in shaping the Country’s Policy on the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
“We call on all members of the public in the Free State to attend these consultation meetings so that they can submit their inputs and comments on this Policy. We wish to stress that their view in the formulation of this Policy is critical in the enrichment of this Policy. Their view is part of a critical process for participatory democracy,” the National EPWP Coordinator in DPWI, Mr. Lungisani Dladla said.
Dladla is part of a team of DPWI officials who are driving the implementation of these public consultation meetings in the Free State. In the Free State these public consultation meetings will be hosted in all Districts.
The Community Consultation on the EPWP Policy will take place at the following venues:
• Welkom – Thabong Indoor Sports Centre in Thabong on 21 September 2022
• Bloemfontein – Batho Community Hall in Batho Location in Mangaung on 23 September 2022
In the Free State, the community consultation meetings on the EPWP started on Monday in Bloemfontein with DPWI officials engaging officials from various provincial departments on the Policy. Today (Tuesday) the DPWI officials engaged the community of Kroonstad on the Policy. Some of the people who attended the Kroonstad meeting include councillors from Moqhaka Local Municipality, officials from Metsimaholo Local Municipality, Non-Profit Organisation from various town in the province as well as community members from Kroonstad.
The Deputy Director for EPWP Enterprise Development in the Province, Mr. Selaocwe Kabelo said that the Policy will assist the Government to speak in one voice on EPWP matters.
Some of the managers who are leading the rollout of these public consultations meetings in the Free Ste include the Deputy Director for EPWP NYS, Ms. Karabo Malebese, and the Manager for EPWP Training in the Province, Ms. Rose Dichakane, the Deputy Director Environment and Culture, Ms. Julia Seitheisho, the Deputy Director: EPWP Technical Support: Mr Mahlodi Sebola, as well as the Deputy Director: EPWP Social Sector: Mr Thapelo Sedupane.
Brief Background of the EPWP
The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is one of the government’s medium to long-term strategies to reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty through the creation of work opportunities using labour-intensive methods. The EPWP is implemented in four sectors namely: Infrastructure, Social, Environment & Culture, and Non-State. All spheres of government and State-Owned Entities are expected to implement the Programme.
The EPWP Participants (beneficiaries) work in different projects such as Community Work Programme (CWP), Early Childhood Development Programmes, Home Community Based Care Programmes, Extra School Support Programmes, Working on Fire, Working for Water, Roads Maintenance Projects, etc.
Through various skills and training that the participants receive from the EPWP, they (participants) stand a better chance to enter the formal job market and/or become entrepreneurs.
Source: Government of South Africa