Finally, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works’ EPWP Team was on the home stretch with the Councillors’ Workshop that lasted almost a month. On the 1st of April 2019, Mr Xolani Xulu, Director for EPWP, led his team during the final leg of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Councillors’ workshop, which was convened at the Lakeside Community Hall in Vryheid, North Coast of the Province. Presentations by Mrs Nokwanda Dube together with Messrs Mazibuko and Mkhize served as guidelines towards a fruitful interrogation and deliberations amongst all attendees.
The Zululand District Municipality Mayor, His Worship, Cllr Thulasizwe Buthelezi accompanied by members of the Executive Council and all other Councillors honoured the invitation and fully participated during the workshop proceedings. The ‘question-and-answer’ session signalled a significant understanding that any workshop remains a very demanding job aimed at working in small or large groups – just as how the entire Councillors of the Zululand District Municipality were organised. The workshop included programme activities that involved the development of intellectual understanding of doing things right, abilities and skills in ensuring the appropriate coordination and management of EPWP within the municipality and sharing of best practices.
It is noted with understanding that Mayors and Councillors alike, are at the coalface of ‘service delivery’. A presupposition and common understanding is that the public want an elected member who deals with their problems and who consults with them and represents their views. Both are key roles of the elected member at ward level. Therefore, the key role of all elected members is to represent their wards and the people who live there.
Placing EPWP at the centre of the Councillors’ strategic deliberations, their cooperative and teamwork skills that involve leadership, planning, management and peer support, will be tested and destined to continue adding significant value to changing peoples’ lives. It is envisaged that such future engagements will directly and indirectly assist municipalities to navigate challenging times by increasing the EPWP participants’ ability to respond rapidly in unpredictable work environments and operations, particularly during critical times that seem to affect the needs of youth, women including People with Disabilities, taking into account political upheaval and community or individual needs.
Added benefits of the workshop include the long-term success to the management of EPWP within municipalities, optimization of Councilors’ expertise and preparing the next generation of well-rounded leaders. This will ultimately assist Public Works to invest in the communities we serve.
