Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has called for bold digital action to accelerate youth employment, urging delegates at the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Social Sector Conference to respond decisively to the country’s unemployment crisis.
Addressing more than 300 delegates gathered in Durban on Tuesday, the Minister emphasised that job creation remains a top priority of the 7th Administration under the Government of National Unity.
She stressed that the EPWP must rise to the challenge, particularly in addressing youth unemployment.
“We must be able to respond directly to the challenge of creating over one million job opportunities by 2030,” the Minister said. She added that the conference provides a strategic platform to harness the talent, imagination and energy of young people while repositioning the social sector to be digitally skilled, inclusive and future-ready.
The three-day conference brought together representatives from government, the private sector and civil society organisations to chart a new path for inclusive development.
Delivering the welcome address on the opening day, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, described the conference as a decisive moment for the sector, anchored on the call to migrate “from vulnerability to resilience.”
“The conference is about migrating from vulnerability to resilience,” she said, underscoring the need to strengthen communities through innovation, skills development and sustainable work opportunities.
Shinga emphasised that the gathering is not merely a policy discussion, but an opportunity to rethink how the EPWP social sector responds to the socio-economic realities facing communities. She noted that the programme remains a critical pathway for unlocking work opportunities, particularly for unemployed youth.
Through strategic partnerships with the private sector and civil society, the sector aims to create innovative opportunities that empower individuals while strengthening community resilience.
The MEC added that the EPWP social sector must continuously adapt and “do things differently” to remain responsive and impactful.
Delivering the opening remarks and outlining the purpose of the conference, Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Peter Netshipale, described the EPWP Social Sector Conference as part of the democratic government’s enduring legacy.
“The EPWP Social Sector Conference is a legacy of a democratic government as it is linked to the current five-year Medium Term Development Plan 2024–2029 strategic framework,” he said.
He added that the conference aligns with government’s broader developmental priorities, including job creation, poverty alleviation and the strengthening of social protection systems.
The conference continues under the theme: “Revolutionising access to social services through digital skills in the EPWP social sector,” with discussions expected to focus on leveraging technology to expand access, improve efficiency and empower beneficiaries with future-ready skills.
As deliberations continue, delegates are expected to develop practical resolutions aimed at accelerating the transition from vulnerability to resilience, ensuring that the EPWP social sector remains a dynamic instrument for inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods. - SAnews.gov.za
