“Youth Maintenance Programme”… a new leaf for Public Works’ EPWP as the Msinga communities benefit.

The major thrust and objective of this programme is to develop and benefit the poorer and unemployed community members of Msinga. However, the focus of this initiative is also to make provision of crucial service delivery to identified schools around Msinga area by the appointed candidates. Service delivery projects will be in a form of cleaning of school yards, repairing of dilapidated building infrastructure within the schools, cutting and management of garden and grass lands within identified school yards. This initiative is an effort between the Departments of Public Works and Education respectively, with Public Works being the spearhead of the programme driven and managed by Public Works’ EPWP directorate under the leadership of Mr Xulu. Initially of course this is a brainchild from the Office of the Premier.

“It should be emphasised that this programme is mainly for all those unemployed members of the community“said Mr Xulu. “I further urge you all as the chosen ones that in and with this programme, you will all bund to a e provided with the required resources such as appropriate uniform to render the required services” He alluded. “Further incentives will be the financial benefit in terms of an amount of R80.00 per day per person. You will be expected to render your services specifically only for three days which will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on weekly basis” added Mr Xulu. This remark made an ululation and applauds from the beneficiaries and guests during his presentation. From this presentation, it is observable that the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has made a commitment and assurance that a cash injection has been made available and committed for the programme. In this instance beneficiaries will be compensated in a form of “stipends”.

As the programme continued, Mr Xulu also stressed the fact that the programme will initially commence at the beginning of September 2012 once all logistical matters such as collating of sizes for uniform and other personal details of candidates have been concluded. Mr Xulu also made a serious emphasis that “all of you will be bound to a contractual obligation including a time sheet that will ascertain that all participating beneficiaries adhere to the agreement” he stressed.

In continuation, Mr S Mkhize, who serve as the Safety Officer from the Midlands Region also had an opportunity to deliver a presentation that reflected more on safety and other precautionary measures for beneficiaries to be knowledgeable and adhered to by all candidates. Mr Mkhize mentioned it explicitly clear and fathomable that all appointed candidates “must refrain form the use of alcohol and substance abuse while in the line of duty” he stressed. People should refrain from engaging themselves and interacting wrongfully with school children as the basis of the contract is the provision of services towards the Msinga area for the benefit of the Msinga communities.” He emphasised.

A presentation on contractual agreement was also delivered by Mr Musa Ngubane within the EPWP Directorate from the Midlands Region. The focus of this presentation was to ensure that all appointees indeed understood the importance of this programme as proffered for by the Provincial Government as championed by Public Works’ EPWP. The manner in which the presentations were structured was so professional in that it could ensure synergy and assurance that all participating candidates clearly understood the contents of the programme and its implications. Mr Ngubane indicated to all candidates that “should a person feel he or she wishes to terminate the contract he or she will be free to indicate and report as such to relevant structures of the programme” he said.

After all presentations were done, attendees were given opportunities for questions and comments. From the questions asked, it was indeed observable that people were really excited in the participation on this programme. In essence, there was an urge on the part of the candidates that this opportunity was indeed a sense of giving hope for the future and betterment of Umsinga and its people. In appreciation, there were positive compliments from some of the beneficiaries who commended Public Works in its efforts to alleviate poverty.

Equally so, all representatives who delivered the presentations were more than prepared to provide satisfactory answers to all. It was very impressing in understanding the explanations that were given by Mr Xulu that related the manner in which the programme has been structured for the provisioning of work opportunities with an emphasis of poverty alleviation. One other crucial element is that all candidates were clearly informed about their respective personal needs and urge in life and that the onus is on them to honour and respect the programme. This may also assist the programme managers to ensure that the programme could assist all participants to sustain their livelihood. All candidates were even motivated to ensure that they remain committed to the course as this programme qualifies to dealing with the eradication of poverty.