MEC Reward EPWP Excellence Through Honorary Awards

MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Mr Ravi Pillay presented new honorary awards to seven EPWP implementing public bodies as a token of appreciation for their contribution to the objectives of the EPWP across all sectors (infrastructure, social, non-state, environmental).  Mr Pillay presented these awards at the glittering 2018 KZN EPWP Kamoso Awards held at uMhlanga Coastlands hotel on the 12 October 2018. DDG: IMTS, Mr Thulani Mdadane co-directed the programme with Comedian, Felix Hlophe who left guests in stiches throughout the event proceedings.

The objectives of the 3rd KZN EPWP Kamoso Awards was to showcase progress and the  impact and successes of the EPWP as a key government programme by rewarding best performing Public Bodies who work tirelessly and push boundaries to implement and excel in achieving EPWP performance targets. These awards also aim to encourage, motivate, recognise and reward National, Provincial and Municipalities – including the Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) and the State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) for their excellence in the implementation of the Expanded Public Work Programme. In general, these awards serve as a platform to mobilise government stakeholders to increase their efforts around EPWP implementation & strive towards greater heights while also enhancing the visibility of the EPWP and reinforce its objectives to a broader audience.

The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs scooped the award for the Department that has played a pivotal role in the coordination of the EPWP within Municipalities in the Province. This Department became a gateway into Municipalities and provided the required technical inputs and guidance to the KZN Public Works as the Provincial EPWP Coordinator regarding the implementation of EPWP. Beyond this Intervention, COGTA also hosted its own workshops that seek to aid in the implementation of EPWP and job creation initiatives. The Department also forms part of District Forum Meetings that are functional across all Districts within the Province

The award for the provision of Strategic Support in the coordination of EPWP within Municipalities went to EThekwini Municipality for implementing 181 projects across EPWP Sectors in the 2017/18 financial year and was the biggest Municipal contributor to the EPWP. The Municipality produced 20 508 Work Opportunities focusing mainly on the employment of women and the youth. The municipality has been consistent in complying with the Division of Revenue Act (DORA) requirements

The MEC honorary award for EPWP DORA Compliance went to KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for compliance with all requirements and timeframes as stipulated by the Division of Revenue Act.  During the 2017/18 financial year, this public body did not receive a withholding of any of the tranche disbursements and reported all its projects including the monthly expenditure, quarterly non-financial evaluation reports and the final evaluation report for the financial year all in the required timeframes

The KZN Department of Education received an honorary award for the Best Department across all sectors for creating 11 740 Work Opportunities, 99% of which were for women. The Department also utilised 99% of reported expenditure towards wages for participants, hence achieving 99% labour intensity through its projects for the 2017/18 financial year.

Best Local Municipality across all sectors went to UMhlathuze Local Municipality for implementing 47 projects across all sectors of the EPWP and produced 934 Work Opportunities focusing mainly on the employment of the youth. All projects were compliant with the Ministerial Determination wage rate for the financial year and the municipality has been consistent in complying with DORA requirements. Above all, this Municipality is on track with no deficit against its targets for EPWP Phase III. It is anticipated that the Municipality will reach all Phase III targets by the end of the 2018/19 financial year.

UMkhanyakude District Municipality scooped the Best District Municipality for implementing 10 projects across EPWP sectors and produced 882 Work Opportunities focusing mainly on the employment of the youth. All projects were compliant with the Ministerial Determination wage rate for the financial year and the municipality has been consistent in complying with DORA requirements.

UMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality scooped the Honorary Award for Audit Compliance during the final audit of EPWP by Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) in the 2017/18 financial year. AGSA sampled 9 Public Bodies including KZN Department of Public Works and National Department of Public Works for auditing. Of all audited Public Bodies, only one was outstanding in terms of data quality and records management, this was so even before the Provincial Coordinator introduced the plan and implementation of Quarterly Data Quality and Records Management Sessions

During the ceremony, the awards listed below were also presented to deserving public bodies. The adjudication process for these awards was held on the 3rd and 4th of September 2018. It involved a variety of stakeholders such as National Department of Public Works, KZN Premier, KZN Treasury, South African Local Government Association (SALGA), Independent Development Trust (IDT), KZN Department of Public Works, KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs.