Article and Images by Sibongile Dlangalala
Far right, MEC Sipho Nkosi is seen here together with the KZN Community Education and Training (CET) College’s Deputy Principal – Finance, Ms NN Khumalo (left) handing over a Certificate of Attendance to one of the beneficiaries who successfully completed a relevant practical course offered under the banner of the Provincial EPWP Sewing Training Project
ETHEKWINI: The MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Mr Sipho Nkosi on Tuesday, 19 September 2023 presided-over the Expanded Public Works (EPWP) Sewing Certificate Handover Ceremony where the first group of 93 participants showcased their craft to the world for the first time.
This group of world-class seamstresses and seamsters have successfully completed extensive practical training under the inaugural EPWP Sewing Training Project (STP) held in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal Community Education and Training (CET) College, an accredited academic institution which operates under the auspices of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in terms of the Continuing Education and Training Act, Act 16 of 2006, as amended.
At a ceremony held at the Archie Gumede Conference Centre in Durban, it came to light that, the success of the programme is a catalyst which is expected to catapult both government and the private sector. Such a move will save billions of rands by producing locally-manufactured Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at a reasonable cost, instead of sourcing from abroad.
This complements a recent study which concluded that imported PPE is still popular and consists of a chunk of the market share in the province. The inception of the initiative is also another critical milestone in the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - BRICS list of commitments which seek to explore and boost trade among member states in the textile sector in future.
The EPWP- STP is a programme earmarked by the Department of Public Works to provide training to the current cohort of EPWP beneficiaries who presently fall under the Izandla Ziyagezana and the EPWP Maintenance programmes. Such programmes specifically cater for the people of KwaZulu-Natal as part of a government’s drive towards promotion of skills development.
Beneficiaries have been trained on the sewing skills programme which is aligned with global material standards. Learners also gained valuable knowledge in sketch design, production of face masks and overalls to be utilised by EPWP participants placed in other Government Departments. This well-calculated intervention will surely extend to all KZN Municipalities as strategic stakeholders in this fundamental government business.
The Department will further take beneficiaries through an Entrepreneurship Programme hailed as, "How to Start Your Own Business," which is administered by the relevant Regional Office of the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (NDPW&I).
This programme is set to encourage learners to use the skills and knowledge gained from this programme profitably and to earn a living.
In a jovial mood, the first group of participants representing various Districts were captured here displaying their certificates following completion of a programme held under the Expanded Public Works (EPWP) Sewing Project, a well-calculated intervention of the KZN Department of Public Works
MEC Nkosi expressed his excitement of the anticipated potential outcomes of this project. "I wish to congratulate all of you and I cannot wait for you to go back to your respective communities and impart knowledge and skills you have gained which will surely alleviate poverty across the province," said the MEC.
Speaking on various SABC news channels, the MEC asserted that, the KZN Department of Public Works (DPW) will recruit at least 110 more participants to undergo the very same training programme next year.
As part of addressing the imbalances of the past, the MEC further alluded to the fact that, the DPW will work hand-in-glove with the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) in ensuring that, these beneficiaries receive a conducive platform to trade directly with Provincial government departments in the near future.