160 Beneficiaries Graduates from KZN Public Works EPWP Training


EPWP graduates listening to Minister Nxesi's address during the ceremony

KZN Public Works celebrated the graduation of 160 EPWP participants from uMdoni and uMzumbe Municipalities held at UGU Sports and Recreation Centre on the 28 June 2018. The ceremony coincided with the launch of National EPWP Recruitment and Selection Guidelines by Minister of Public Works Thembelani “Thulas” Nxesi; Deputy Minister Jeremy Cronin; International Labour Organisation. (ILO) representative Dr J. Musabayana; Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Mayor, Cnllr. Bongi Mqwebu; Chairperson of the House of KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Leaders, iNkosi PDH Chiliza; Mayor of uMsinga Local Municipality, Cnllr. Buyiswa Ngcobo and Wildlands Conservation Trust, Dr R. Kloppers.


Minister Nxesi congratulates EPWP beneficiaries for their NQF 3 qualification


Minister Nxesi congratulates EPWP beneficiaries for their NQF 3 qualification

The graduates participated in the Youth Environmental Services (YES) Programme accredited Agri-Seta training in Plant production NQF level 3 implemented by KZN Public Works and Wildlands Trust in the 2017/2018 financial year. They received training in management of soil fertility and plant propagation; monitoring pests, weeds, diseases in crops – as well as managing alien invasive plants; planning and scheduling of tasks in a production environment; planning for conservation and rainwater harvesting; as well as, vegetable gardening.


Above is Mrs Sindi Linda, Acting HOD for KZN Public Works with Cnllr Nomusa Mqwebu, Mayor for the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality

During the programme, participants received a stipend which covered training and transport to the training venues. The stipend was part of the R 6, 588 million grant allocation for KZN Public Works by the National Department of Public Works to promote agricultural production through EPWP implemented programmes in rural communities.


Proud Achievement: Mpiyakhe Israel Radebe (left) displays his certificates and other EPWP graduates (right) give the YES programme the “thumbs-up”.


Proud Achievement: Mpiyakhe Israel Radebe (left) displays his certificates and other EPWP graduates (right) give the YES programme the “thumbs-up”.

As part of the exit strategy and the legacy of the programme, the Department assisted the interested beneficiaries to form and establish 13 Cooperatives to produce and sell agricultural produce to the local markets through the intervention of other stakeholders such as the KZN Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.


(Fltr) DDG: IMTS Mr Thulani Mdadane; KZN Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo and Deputy Minister for Public Works Jeremy Cronin are flanked by EPWP graduates


Public Works Deputy Minister Jeremy Cronin celebrates the achievement with the beneficiaries



Head Office and Regional EPWP officials worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the success of the event

The implementation of the YES programme instils the culture of taking pride and ownership towards the management of the environment. Young people participating in the programme acquire skills which are required to improve the economy through farming, permaculture, tree planting and nature conservation for future generations; eradication of alien vegetation to improving ecological integrity of the natural system; environmental education in terms of awareness towards improving the quality of the environment and environmental problems and conservation among people within their respective areas or residence.

 

Message from the MEC


 

Contacts

Private Bag X9142, Pietermaritzburg, 3200

Tel no: 033 355 5500

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.