EPWP continues to uplifting the poor through the Youth Maintenance Programme…this time its Umkhanyakude District
Vusi Shabalala reports and pictures by Sibongile Dlangalala
The KwaZulu-Natal Public Works’ Umkhanyakude District offered a warm welcome to guests who hailed from all corners of the North Coast part of KwaZuluNatal Province with a view at participating at the KZN Public Works’ Youth Maintenance Programme organised and driven by Mr Xolani Xulu, Public Works’ Senior Manager for Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP).
Above is Mr TJ Motha: District Director from the
Provincial Department of Education
This time the briefing session was organised and held at the Hluhluwe Primary School, a school that celebrates its tenure since its establishment in 1957 and official opening on 20th of March 1964.
Above here is Mr Xolani Xulu, Senior Manager: EPWP
doing a presentation.
Programme Director, Mr Thabo Nkosi, from the Department of Education in Umgungundlovu gave the audacity to respective participating departments for introductions as the day’s programme proceeded. Mr Motha also from the Department of Education provided a pertinent briefing on the purpose of the briefing session before he formally introduced his colleagues.
Mr Bongani Manqele Deputy Manager: District Services,
North Coast Region introducing all Public Works
officials
Introduction of guests and representatives from various participating Departments and sectors was done by Mr Bongani Manqele from Public Works based at the North Coast Region. Amongst introduced representatives from Public Works was Mrs Majola responsible for Occupational Health and Safety: North Coast Region and Mrs Dludla who is responsible for EPWP North Coast Region.
Ms Nokuthula Dludla Assistant Manager: EPWP North
Coast Region
A brief background on the Youth Maintenance Programme is to target the manual clearance of schools through utilizing the unemployed youth as labour for the programme. The programme also focuses directly at poverty alleviation through the identification of unemployed youth from poorest of the poor communities as beneficiaries. The advantage of the programme serves for both the Provincial Government and the beneficiaries within the programme as the schools eventually get the land cleared that responds to environmental maintenance and the provisioning of a stipulated income to the beneficiaries in a form of a stipend.
Ms Gelly Majola Occupational Health and Safety Officer:
North Coast Region
The essence of the programme is to instilling the sense of pride and ownership in the communities through keeping a safe and clean environment. The programme has the following approach in entity for its full operation namely, the site criteria tools and equipment, payment, site monitoring and contract termination. The site criteria should be a school and ideally 3 hectares in size which will cater for approximately six beneficiaries. In addition, the site should be not more than 5 kilometers away from the community that the beneficiary serves in order to avoid transport costs.
Seated on the left is Programme Director, Mr Nkosi from the
Provincial Department of Education and based at Head
Office while Mr Manqele was making introduction with Mr
Xolani Xulu (seated on the right) listening attentively.
In respect of tools and machinery the
Department of Public Works commits to
provide hand tools and safety wear gear to
beneficiaries. Other additional protective
wear gear may be made available and
issued as deemed befitting and necessary by
the Department on funds availability. In
respect of payment, a monthly stipend of
approximately R960.00 is made payable to
beneficiaries through their respective
banking facilities.
The programme was almost similar to the
one conducted at Msinga. There was an
opportunity for questions and comments
from the appointees or beneficiaries. In a
nutshell and by the look of the situation, it
felt like this was a mere dream to witness
the manner in which this programme has
been applauded by the guests, especially the
beneficiaries. It was also interesting and to
realise that feeling of elation even amongst
the teachers and principals as this
programme would pave ways for the
betterment of the livelihood of poor people
around Umkhanyakude District.
Amongst the guests, there was a great deal
of need on the part of the community
members to continue with the project and it
has been introduced.
Above and below: Two group photo shots taken after the
briefing session
Above is the executive body that manages the progress
of the Youth Maintenance Programme
Mr Xolani Xulu during delivery of his presentation
The Provincial Department of Education was represented by Mr TJ Motha, the District Director; Ms SH Zulu from Hlabisa Circuit; Mr Nkosi from Head Office; Ms Shwala also from Head Office, Ms NB Miya from the District Office and Mr Mhlongo from Head Office.
Programme Director, Mr Nkosi on the note while other
colleagues were deep in thoughts and concentration
Ms Dludla (left) Mr Motha and Ms Majola (right)
