Left, MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Mr Sboniso Duma handing over awards and certificates of recognition to the winners. Far right, Guest speaker, Dr Ngogi Mahaye who unpacked the theme for the ceremony
UMHLANGA: On Friday evening the 18 November 2022, the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba hosted the 5th annual KAMOSO Awards Ceremony, a national government initiative which dates back to its February 2007 inception.
The initiative serves as a catalyst vehicle to recognize Municipalities, Provinces, Departments and Public Bodies which have excelled in implementing the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), a key government intervention aimed at improving socio-economic conditions of all South Africans.
This year, the KZN Department of Public Works has managed to acknowledged the best performing stakeholders which have proven their selflessness and dedication over the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 financial years.
At an exclusive event held in Umhlanga Coastlands Hotel in Durban, MEC Mahlaba applauded the winners and further cautioned municipalities and government officials to stop reducing EPWP workers into non-entities and slaves.
“Let us not turn our EPWP workers into litter pickers, if someone has expertise in plumbing – deploy that person to the relevant section because our aim is to help people acquire relevant skills that will enable them to meaningfully sustain themselves moving forward,” the MEC remarked.
He further reminded all relevant stakeholders that, this is a government programme aimed at alleviating poverty and unemployment in our society so that each and everyone involved in the implementation of EPWP refrains from hiring people based on friendship, leaving downtrodden masses on the periphery.
“The EPWP Programme is not designed for rewarding friends and cronies. I am sending a strong message to everyone concerned, please do away with that culture, or face an aggressive sanction.” Mahlaba said.
Citing the importance of our history as Africans, a prominent education ace, Dr Ngogi Mahaye from the KZN Department of Education added some lustre when he unpacked the theme for this year’s ceremony, dubbed, Advocating for Sustainable Livelihoods.
He had this to say, "Advocating for Sustainable Livelihoods" as it is today associated with excellence and its tenets, whetted my appetite for superior logical thoughts. Sustainable livelihoods perch beyond our imaginations. These awards were driven by the attainment of the spirit 'Ntu'. Ntu is like 'weaving a cord of destiny, so that we may ascend to universes beyond the reach of spirit forms and colonial gaze, said Mahaye.
A topic of another daytime and its interval consent with us. The history of us as Alkebulas (Africans) is presented by aliens and has been encumbered with malicious myths, he concluded.
Kamoso is a SeSotho word which refers to the future. The ceremony saw 31 winners from public bodies, municipalities and provincial government agencies lifting the 5th annual KAMOSO Awards souvenirs which serve as rewards for hard work and pure excellence.
This august occasion attracted dignitaries from all walks of life, the likes of, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Sboniso Duma, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Ms Makhosi Zungu, Mayors from various Municipalities, senior government officials and the fourth estate - media.
A couple of senior officials from the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure also graced this well-organized auspicious ceremony to witness recognition of excellence in EPWP implementation and related strides made over the past two financial years.
ELEGANTLY DRESSED: From left, Chief Director, EPWP Mr Bongani Dlamini, Deputy Director EPWP, Ms Nomcebo Lembethe, Director Programme Management Education Portfolio - Ethekwini Region Ms Yandisa Mzotsho, Director Southern Region, Ms Nokwanda Dube, Gagasi FM’s radio guru Alex Mthiyane, UGU District’s EPWP Coordinator, Ms Dudu Khowa, Director EPWP Coordination, Ms Nondumiso Mahlaba and Acting Head of Department Mr Sibonico Majola were taken here smiling for the camera during the 2022 KAMOSO Awards Ceremony
For two consecutive years, the Department could not afford to host this ceremony due to COVID 19 pandemic which dictated terms for social distancing and banning of indoor events, however, the government of KwaZulu Natal went an extra mile in execution of selfless service for the people of this province.
Guests and dignitaries were in high spirits for the entire duration of the ceremony
The ceremony enjoyed maximum coverage in print and electronic media platforms which includes our Departmentally registered social media pages, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Our internal NEWSFLASH readers are urged to visit our social media pages, LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE the KwaZulu Natal Department of Public Works SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES as we always keep them posted of all Departmental programmes happening across the length and breadth of KwaZulu Natal.
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