A delegation from KwaZulu-Natal EPWP Provincial Coordination - including Communication attended the 6th Public Employment Programme (PEP) Summit under the banner of Expanded Public Works Programme held at Saint George Hotel in Pretoria on the 13 and 14 November 2018. The theme of the summit was “PEPs – Past, Present and the Future”.
EPWP Provincial Coordination Director, Mr Xolani Xulu is flanked by Director for Internal EPWP, Ms Yandisa Mzotsho (left) and Deputy Director for EPWP Provincial EPWP Coordination, Mrs Nokwanda Dube (right).
Mrs Nokwanda Dube and Ms Yandisa Mzotsho paying attention during the presentation by Mr Henderson.
The Summit noted the KZN contribution for achieving targets. According to the presentation by DDG for EPWP at National Public Works, Mr Stanley Henderson, the Province of KwaZulu- Natal led with the highest number of audited and verified EPWP projects for 2017-2018 reported on the National EPWP Reporting System, followed by the Eastern Cape out of 65 EPWP implementing public bodies (government departments and municipalities) audited.
The summit noted progress in the implementation of EPWP in the Province where three Municipalities have achieved more than 100 percent target in the creation of Work Opportunities for the EPWP. These Municipalities are eMadlangeni (118%), Impendle (106%), and UKhahlamba (103%).
In addition, KwaZulu-Natal achieved more targets in terms of training EPWP beneficiaries as accredited Full Time Equivalents at the Local Municipalities of uLundi (116%), uMsinga (105%), followed by uPhongolo (94%), uMhlabuyilanga (81%), Mthonjaneni (80%) and the Big Five Hlabisa (56%). In terms of performance by Metropolitan Cities, eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal is on the lead with 58% Work Opportunities (WO) created and 44% of Full Time Equivalents (FTEs), followed by the City of Cape Town with 44%WO and 23% FTE’s. Other Metros reported 32% WO and the lower number of FTE’s.
Dr. Michael Samson - Research Director of the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI)
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Michael Samson - Research Director of the Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI), a global research institute – hailed South Africa’s EPWP as the best programme of poverty alleviation in the world. He made comparisons with countries such as Indonesia, India and Ethiopia who also has similar programmes.
In an exclusive interview with Communication, Dr Samson expressed gratitude on the achievements of EPWP in KwaZulu-Natal and indicated his willingness to visit the Province to learn and observe EPWP Provincial Coordination strategies which results to KZN achieving so much in the implementation of the programme. Samson has 34 years of experience working in social protection, and specialises in designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating social protection programmes and policies, with a focus on developmental initiatives (including labour markets and public works.
Since 2015, EPWP Provincial Coordination has reported 807 334 WO against the National Target of 839 120 and 331 439 FTE’s against the target of 314 741 as a contribution of KwaZulu-Natal towards achieving the National Target of creating six (6) million Work Opportunities and 2.5 million Full Time Equivalents by 2019. These numbers include the targets for 2018/2019. It is anticipated that the Province will overachieve on WO figures as it is currently at 99% (189 594 WO) against the target of 191 423. During this financial year, 44 882 FTE’s were achieved against the target of 69112 translating to 65%.
The summit objectives was to create a strategic platform for public bodies from all government spheres to share ideas on best practices for the Implementation of EPWP with a view of advancing PEP’s initiatives of drawing significant numbers of unemployed people into productive work while receiving practical skills training and development. Strategies for advancing EPWP implementation in Phase 4 commencing in 2019, also formed part of the agenda.