Left, MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Mr Sboniso Duma handing over awards and certificates of recognition to the winners. Far right, Guest speaker, Dr Ngogi Mahaye who unpacked the theme for the ceremony

UMHLANGA: On Friday evening the 18 November 2022, the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba hosted the 5th annual KAMOSO Awards Ceremony, a national government initiative which dates back to its February 2007 inception.

The initiative serves as a catalyst vehicle to recognize Municipalities, Provinces, Departments and Public Bodies which have excelled in implementing the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), a key government intervention aimed at improving socio-economic conditions of all South Africans.

This year, the KZN Department of Public Works has managed to acknowledged the best performing stakeholders which have proven their selflessness and dedication over the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 financial years.

At an exclusive event held in Umhlanga Coastlands Hotel in Durban, MEC Mahlaba applauded the winners and further cautioned municipalities and government officials to stop reducing EPWP workers into non-entities and slaves.

“Let us not turn our EPWP workers into litter pickers, if someone has expertise in plumbing – deploy that person to the relevant section because our aim is to help people acquire relevant skills that will enable them to meaningfully sustain themselves moving forward,” the MEC remarked.

He further reminded all relevant stakeholders that, this is a government programme aimed at alleviating poverty and unemployment in our society so that each and everyone involved in the implementation of EPWP refrains from hiring people based on friendship, leaving downtrodden masses on the periphery.

“The EPWP Programme is not designed for rewarding friends and cronies. I am sending a strong message to everyone concerned, please do away with that culture, or face an aggressive sanction.” Mahlaba said.

Citing the importance of our history as Africans, a prominent education ace, Dr Ngogi Mahaye from the KZN Department of Education added some lustre when he unpacked the theme for this year’s ceremony, dubbed, Advocating for Sustainable Livelihoods.

He had this to say, "Advocating for Sustainable Livelihoods" as it is today associated with excellence and its tenets, whetted my appetite for superior logical thoughts. Sustainable livelihoods perch beyond our imaginations. These awards were driven by the attainment of the spirit 'Ntu'. Ntu is like 'weaving a cord of destiny, so that we may ascend to universes beyond the reach of spirit forms and colonial gaze, said Mahaye.

A topic of another daytime and its interval consent with us. The history of us as Alkebulas (Africans) is presented by aliens and has been encumbered with malicious myths, he concluded.

Kamoso is a SeSotho word which refers to the future. The ceremony saw 31 winners from public bodies, municipalities and provincial government agencies lifting the 5th annual KAMOSO Awards souvenirs which serve as rewards for hard work and pure excellence.

This august occasion attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, the likes of, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sboniso Duma, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Ms Makhosi Zungu, Mayors from various Municipalities, senior government officials and the fourth estate - media.

A couple of senior officials from the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure also graced this well-organized auspicious ceremony to witness recognition of excellence in EPWP implementation and related strides made over the past two financial years.

ELEGANTLY DRESSED: From left, Chief Director, EPWP Mr Bongani Dlamini, Deputy Director EPWP, Ms Nomcebo Lembethe, Director Programme Management Education Portfolio - Ethekwini Region Ms Yandisa Mzotsho, Director Southern Region, Ms Nokwanda  Dube, Gagasi FM’s radio guru Alex Mthiyane, UGU District’s EPWP Coordinator,  Ms Dudu Khowa, Director EPWP Coordination, Ms Nondumiso Mahlaba and Acting Head of Department Mr Sibonico Majola were taken here smiling for the camera during the 2022 KAMOSO Awards Ceremony

For two consecutive years, the Department could not afford to host this ceremony due to COVID 19 pandemic which dictated terms for social distancing and banning of indoor events, however, the government of KwaZulu Natal went an extra mile in execution of selfless service for the people of this province.

 Guests and dignitaries were in high spirits for the entire duration of the ceremony

The ceremony enjoyed maximum coverage in print and electronic media platforms which includes our Departmentally registered social media pages, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Our internal NEWSFLASH readers are urged to visit our social media pages, LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE the KwaZulu Natal Department of Public Works SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES as we always keep them posted of all Departmental programmes happening across the length and breadth of KwaZulu Natal.

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The KwaZulu Natal Cabinet led by the Premier, Honourable Nomusa Dube - Ncube focused its attention on the uThukela District Municipality in the western boundary of KwaZulu Natal Province on Wednesday, 26 October 2022 during the Provincial Government’s Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) programme.

OSS is a provincial government flagship programme aimed at fastracking service delivery in the province while directly confronting socio-economic challenges ranging from poverty, unemployment, crime and a myriad of social ills experienced by communities.

Such challenges get recorded at a war room level, this is where relevant community structures and public servants conduct interventions to address issues of concern raised by the general electorate in an endeavor to implement permanent solutions.

Against this backdrop, the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, MPL was deployed to execute strategic government work by visiting profiled community projects and tackle issues affecting communities located at Moyeni area in Ward 2, under the INkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality.

Prior to the community engagement, the MEC visited the families of Mr Wandile Mlangeni and Ms Zinhle Mkhonza whose dilapidated houses will be rectified under the government intervention initiative, dubbed the Operation Sukuma Sakhe Rectification Programme. These two families were overwhelmed with joy when the MEC extended a helping hand by donating some groceries as part of a humanitarian gesture and promotion of Ubuntu which cuts across all racial lines.

The MEC made a commitment when he assured these families that, their houses will be constructed in line with acceptable standard requirements embraced by government and be officially handed over to their beneficiaries immediately when they are ready for occupation. This directly speaks to the principles of the Freedom Charter which entirely envelope the element of decent houses, security and comfort.

Community Members of INkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality in Ward 2

The MEC accompanied by his entourage and government officials proceeded to inspect a Water Reticulation Upgrading Project (WRUP) at the Mqedandaba area where 25 local people are employed through the provincial Expanded Public Works Programme which is spearheaded by the KZN Department of Public Works.

Local community members expressed their appreciation to the Department for affording them an opportunity to form part of the above project which has, in a way, addressed their socio-economic challenges.

A mother of 3, who is a local project beneficiary, Ms Thobile Mngomezulu, says, she was employed to serve as a general worker for the WRUP from June 2021 to date. She claims that, she is now able to alleviate poverty and make ends meet. “I am grateful to the government for this life changing opportunity,” she concluded.

To this end, the project progress report confirms that, 55% of work has been done, with the actual completion date pointing to February 2023.

Above: Ms Thobile Mngomezulu – EPWP Beneficiary at Mqedandaba Water Reticulation Project

The day’s programme was concluded at Moyeni Community Hall with community members waiting on tenterhooks for the MEC and senior government management to address their service delivery-related issues.

It was during the ‘question and answer session’ when the community raised serious issues around the scarcity of water, poor road infrastructure and high rate of crime. Community members were pleased that most of the questions posed were addressed adequately to their satisfaction.

The MEC made an undertaking when he unambiguously assured the community that all other issues raised will be forwarded to relevant government departments for a prompt intervention.

“Let us Reignite Our Zeal to Serve the People,” MEC Mahlaba

Article & Images by Sibongile Dlangalala

MEC Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba and Head of Department, Mr Siboniso Majola

Last week, the Management of the KZN Department of Public Works gathered at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Mayville, Durban to assess interventions and progress made towards achieving strategic departmental objectives.

During the Annual Departmental Midterm Review session held from 27 – 28 October 2022, the Head of Department, Mr Siboniso Majola reflected on the main objectives the Department intends to achieve.

He also emphasised on the importance of providing feedback on accomplishments and opened a leeway for constructive criticism in areas where performance may be compromised.

The HOD further alluded to the fact that, the midterm review is not about reporting only, but a broader evaluation of our organisational performance which reflects on how we have achieved the organisational goals through measures in efficiency, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, within quality and within specific timelines.”

The MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba presided-over the session.

In his opening remarks, he stressed the importance of working as a collective in order to achieve improved end-results. “Working as a team will uplift the department as the implementing agent of choice, stability will only be realised if we are united,” said MEC.

He further went on to remind the team what it means to be a public servant, “We need to always remember that we are doing this for the betterment of the lives of our people, so let us reignite our zeal to serve the people, as mama Charlotte Maxeke commands us. We should adopt a culture where all staff dedicate themselves towards service delivery.”

MEC Mahlaba further applauded recent strides undertaken by the department to employ more women especially in management positions. He also expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support displayed by all categories of staff since his deployment to the Department.

The midterm review session became a huge success with a clear understanding amongst all senior officials committed to work towards clean governance, reclaiming the department’s mandate and changing the current operational status for the better

Written by Bheki Khawula.

Photos by Neliswa Nhlabathi.

On Monday, 03 October 2022 and Tuesday, 04 October 2022, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Public Works Southern Region went on a mission to further empower Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) beneficiaries with financial literacy training. On the first day, this event was held at Mzwandile Mhlawuli Community Hall in Mzimkhulu, Harry Gwala District and on the following day it continued at iXopo Public Works Office Training Room located at Ubuhlebezwe Municipality. As Mr Bongani Dlamini (Chief Director EPWP) says: “The EPWP employment is of a fixed-term contract but the skills that which are packaged with it are meant to last the beneficiaries for a lifetime benefit.”

This training aimed to further empower forty black Africans, made-up of among others, youth, males and females from poverty-stricken rural areas of uMzimkhulu. This revolutionary crusade takes place as a response to a call by our MEC Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba to have the poor people of our province unshackled from the chains of poverty and have them channelled to participate in the quest of economic freedom by equipping them with financial skills. “Let us enable our people to manage their finances properly.” Expressed Cindi.

 Mr Senzo Myeni is a Consumer Financial Training expert from First National Bank (FNB). As much as he is employed and tasked to the subject matter but he has a personal attachment and testimony on the importance of having great care in the use of money or being thrifty. He grew up without a father and only got to see him on his wedding day. He was single-parented by his mother who worked as a kitchen girl in the suburbs of Johannesburg. For the rest of his young age, he was in the care of his grandmother, in the absence of his parents.

Since he was in a poor background, Mdolomba had no choice but to make financial targets and save the money he earned from selling peanuts, pushing trollies and washing mini-bus taxis among other things. Although he did not earn much but he managed to save R16000.00 in the period of four years. It is this money that he physically carried along after these four years, with which to pay for his tuition and accommodation at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) for his tertiary education. “Saving money demands patience and discipline.” Says Mdolomba.

The mutual beneficial working relation between EPWP and FNB was forged in order to equip EPWP beneficiaries with Financial Management skills among other things. This specific workshop was packaged with the following modules: 1. Understanding my money (Principles of money management); 2. Budgeting, (How to correctly craft and draw a budget plan); 3. Banking products and services, (The different types of accounts one can open with the bank). Due to the importance attached to the program and the high need for this program by the target audience, the facilitator had to specially package it compactly.

The active interaction between the facilitator and the trainees was very fascinating. During this, it transpired that some of the trainees already have their own businesses. It was based on this fact that the facilitator spoke at length about the need prompted by the current challenging financial and economic conditions that people must adopt a habit of having more than one income. “We need to continuously find ways of improving our financial portfolio and not just depend on a single stream of income.” Concluded Mr Myeni.