KZN Public Works conclude two successful EPWP events

The Directorate: Provincial EPWP Coordination was hard at work on 11 and 12 October 2018 hosting two successful events – namely, the 4th Annual KZN EPWP Indaba held at Mayville Conference Centre and the 3rd KZN EPWP Kamoso Awards held at uMhlanga Coastlands Hotel in the evening of the 12 October 2018. In attendance were Mayors; Municipality Managers; National and Provincial Government officials as well as representatives from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and COSATU.

The objectives of the 4th KZN Expanded Public Works Programme Indaba 2018 was to reflect on EPWP Phase III, update on planning and consolidate Provincial inputs for EPWP Phase IV and also identify key challenges encountered in EPWP Phase III and develop mitigating strategies for EPWP Phase IV. The focus was to share best practices for job creation in Phase III and identify strategies to replicate them in the Province. Enforcing EPWP compliance with Audit requirements was also one of the main objectives of Indaba.

Welcoming delegates on Day 1 of the EPWP Indaba 2018 , eThekwini Municipality Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Fawzia Peer emphasised the importance of EPWP as an important avenue for labour absorption and income transfer for the poor households as it “employ workers on a temporary basis and provides temporary relief, it should not be seen as a permanent employment”. She said young people who are in the EPWP programme “must use it to empower themselves in order to get jobs and business opportunities”. Cllr Peer urged delegates to deliberate on best strategies for the implementation of EPWP in order to produce skilled workers.

Head of Department for KZN Public Works, Dr G.G. Sharpley reminded delegates to plan EPWP projects accordingly by ensuring the effective and maximum utilisation of the EPWP Incentive Grant allocation on job creation targets for the benefit of the poor households.

Addressing Day 2 session of the EPWP Indaba 2018, MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Mr R.R. Pillay emphasised the role and the character for EPWP as a vehicle for service delivery. He said he was encouraged to learn that “EPWP provides 220 work opportunities for the people of KwaZulu-Natal per annum”.

The MEC further stated that “EPWP gives hope to the poor, its selection and implementation must contribute to uniting the people than being a course of division”, he said. Mr Pillay was referring to fraudulent activities related to the selection and recruitment of EPWP beneficiaries, calling for it to be transparent and justifiable. He warned that this process should not be associated with corruption and urged delegates “to be alert, aware and to guard against their own integrity”. The MEC also encouraged delegates to be critical and continue to design and implement EPWP programmes that will benefit the poor - “you are the army in the battle for fighting poverty”.

In terms of discussions, there were six presentations deliberated upon and delegates broke into three commissions to discuss key aspects for consideration of EPWP Phase 4 Model, improving quality of work opportunities and sustainable livelihoods as well as data collection, quality and reporting. In relation to these discussions, 13 concrete resolutions with timelines were taking and EPWP Indaba 2018 concluded in earnest and delegates departed with speed to freshen-up for the evening event – the 3rd KZN KAMOSO Awards 2018.

4th Annual KZN EPWP Indaba

An interview with MEC Ravi Pillay at the 2018 KZN EPWP Indaba

2018 EPWP KZN Indaba Interview with Mr Xolani Xulu

An interview with Veli Jiyane Assistant Director - National Department of Public Works KZN Region

KZN EPWP Kamoso Awards

Message from the MEC


 

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