The Provincial Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Directorate in close collaboration with the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPW&I) hosted a-two-day Provincial Steering Committee Meeting to reflect on its operational mandate in line with relevant government prescripts.
From left: Mr Sduduzo Simelane, Ms Carmen-Joy Abrahams, Ms Lindiwe Nkuna, Mr Bongani Dlamini, Ms Nondumiso Mahlaba, Mr Devan Govender, Mr Gamelihle Sibanda and Mr Steve Siziba
This committee meeting held from the 22 - 23 June 2023 at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre comprises of various strategic stakeholders which among others include, Government Departments, Public Bodies, local and district Municipalities.
Meetings of this nature take place on a quarterly basis to discuss EPWP matters which directly speak to service delivery in KwaZulu-Natal. Over a period of 2 consecutive days, the focus was centred around the Reflections of Phase IV Performance, EPWP Coordination Structures, EPWP Wages, Increasing the Impact of EPWP and Planning for Development of Phase V.
All the attendees were filled with enthusiasm when the first session got underway as the deliberations taking place on these two-days were significant milestones that began to reshape the provincial government towards changing peoples’ lives for the better. Mr Thabani Mazibuko from the National Public Works and Infrastructure served as a programme director and subject presenter for the duration of the entire programme.
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Left: DPW&I EPWP Deputy Director General Ms Carmen-Joy Abrahams. Right Mr Bongani Dlamini, Ms Delisile Mncube and Ms Nondumiso Mahlaba – KZN Department of Public Works
Representing the DPW&I, Deputy Director-General, Ms Carmen-Joy Abrahams provided a detailed presentation on the EPWP Phase V Planning Process and its related activities. She revealed that DPW&I is conducting consultation sessions on EPWP Phase V with all the provinces with KwaZulu-Natal being the first province to have this kind of session. Encouraging delegates, she spoke eloquently about prioritizing making a difference in peoples’ lives “If you did not achieve your target, people will not take you serious, so you need to deliver.” Said Ms Abrahams.
Breakaway sessions formed part of the proceedings which led to extensive deliberations on the aforementioned aspects.
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Delegates during EPWP Steering Committee Session
On the second day of the programme, a throng of delegates who attended the session raised a series of critical issues which eventually formed part of resolutions - unanimously adopted and captured for prompt implementation. Sessions of this nature will indeed produce fruitful results as EPWP remains an extraordinary essence of changing a persons’ life, especially the poor of the poorest.