MEC Nkonyeni rewards EPWP excellence through Kamoso Awards

It was the evening of high expectations for EPWP implementing stakeholders as they hoped to grab home one of the Kamoso Awards at a glittering ceremony hosted by MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Ms Peggy Nkonyeni on Tuesday, 10 March 2020 at eBandla Hotel. COGTA MEC, Mr Sipho Hlomuka, Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Municipal Managers, Heads of Provincial Government Departments and Senior Government officials attended the 4th KZN EPWP Kamoso Awards. These wards recognises and reward excellence and innovation in the implementation of EPWP across three sectors by Provincial Departments, Municipalities, Public entities and Non-Government Organisations. The atmosphere was good and invited guests dressed elegantly for the occasion.

Competetition was tough and the stakes were high for twenty-four Kamoso Awards Categories for EPWP Environment and Culture , Infrastructure, Social, and Non-State Sectors. Four Public bodies – KZN Health, KZN Social Development, King Cetshwayo District Municipality and uMsinga Local Municipality scopped two awards each for Best Construction Project, Best Maintenance Project, Best District Municipality, Best Innivative Project, Best Programme, Best Project and Best Local Municipality.

Addressing the gathering, MEC Nkonyeni acknowledged the critical role and the impact registered by EPWP in changing the lives for ordinary communities for the better. She said EPWP continues to improve the lives of the poor by providing wide rane of services and assets such as road infrastructure for better acees to markets, schools and clinics. The MEC further emphasised fairness in the selection and recruitment of EPWP participants stating that, “we must remove corruption in the appointment of EPWP workers and help families to survive hardships they felt under racist regime”. She said it was distressing to hear reports on corruption linked to beneficairy selection and spending and warned that “ corruption will be met with consequences”.