EPWP EVALUATES PROGRESS AS THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE
Article by Nelisiwe Mkhize
Images by: Sibongile Dlangalala
From left, Mr S. Simelane from the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr B. Dlamini: Chief Director, KZN EPWP, Cllr. Z.A. Dladla: Speaker - Mpofana Local Municipality and Ms N. Mahlaba: Director Expanded Public Works Programme
ETHEKWINI: On Tuesday, 04 April 2023 the KwaZulu-Natal Expanded Public Works Programme’s Provincial Steering Committee convened a tactical engagement to evaluate service delivery related progress made during the 2022/2023 financial year.
This committee serves as a provincial structure which boasts representatives from a coordinating player, the KZN Department of Public Works, various municipalities and other government departments.
Setting the tone while outlining the purpose of the meeting, Chief Director, EPWP Directorate, Mr Bongani Dlamini said, the recent 2023 EPWP Focus Week programme surely created a conducive platform for the Department to easily identify municipalities which require prompt interventions. Adding that, such interventions will enable the EPWP Coordination component to meet its prescribed targets as per the government mandate on job creation.
The meeting also heard that, proper evaluation of work which has already been concluded by the provincial EPWP team paves a way for a looming emergence of innovative plans to be implemented in the new financial year.
Agenda items mooted a series of achievements and interventions which cut across a plethora of accomplishments presented during the KZN EPWP Focus Week programme held between the 20 February and 31 March 2023.
Such items stretched to the presentation of EPWP Framework on People with Disabilities, EPWP Policy, upcoming EPWP events and proposed interventions to be implemented moving forward.
Government officials who attended a meeting held at the Department of Public Works in Mayville, Durban
A total of 643 269 work opportunities under Phase IV of the EPWP provisions have been flagged as an overall target.
Atleast 600 390 work opportunities have been created which amount to 93% achievement successfully registered by the province.
For the 2023/24 financial year, the annual target set for job opportunities is 135 238 and 62 479 full time respectively.
Mpofana Local Municipality’s Speaker, Cllr Z.A Dladla reported on insightful strategies used by his municipality to meet the prescribed targets for the year. His remarks cited a good working relationship with relevant Ward Committees in ensuring proper identification of EPWP beneficiaries. He also extended a word of appreciation to the Department for fulfilling a government mandate around creation of job opportunities.
