By Siphiwe Nyathi
Mbombela - More than 170 000 people were employed through government’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in Mpumalanga in the past five years.
Provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport spokesman David Nkambule said the work opportunities created were highlighted during a three-day roadshow held across various municipalities in the province.
“The province created a total of 174 718 work opportunities under the EPWP during phase two of the programme which covers the five-year period from 2009-2014,” said Nkambule on Wednesday.
He said the main objective of the roadshow was to report back to all public sector bodies which include municipalities, provincial departments and NGOs on the performance of EPWP within the province.
According to a report, which was presented by the national Department of Public Works, the infrastructure sector created 74 364 job opportunities, while 43 883 jobs were created under the environmental and culture sectors. The social sector contributed 56 471 work opportunities.
Nkambule said the national Department of Public Works, which is spearheading the programme, is expected to launch the third phase of the programme later this year.
He said there would be greater focus on youth employment and project-based training during phase three.
“A total target of 55% youth employment has been set for phase three. The province is expected to create at least 187 394 within phase three. This will be implemented under the theme, 'EPWP changing many lives for the better',” said Nkambule.
One person who benefitted from the EPWP is Nomasibulele Mgikwa, who got a job as a general worker.
“I was unemployed for more than eight years. Working at the construction site has made a huge difference in my life as I am now able to buy food and basic needs for my family,” said Mgikwa, who works for Lonerock, a company contracted by the department to rehabilitate roads in the province.
The EPWP is a nationwide programme established in 2003 to create job opportunities for the poor and unemployed. – SAnews.gov.za
