Minister Dlamini tells EPWP Social Sector Conference to aim high
Without playing down the notable achievements of Expanded Public Work Programme (EPWP) Social Sector, the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini has urged that Phase 3 of the EPWP Social Sector must aim high and work more harder towards increasing current work opportunities set targets. She said this while addressing the three days EPWP conference held at Goudino Spa and Conference Centre, in Worcester.
Minister Dlamini said that in addition to more than four million work opportunities created during EPWP Phase 2, the emphasis should be more on the impact of the EPWP within the communities where these projects are being implemented.
The key government priorities which can be linked to the EPWP Social Sector include creation of work opportunities in the fields of Education, Health, Rural Development and Social Development. The social sector has a target of creating overall target of over one million work opportunities from the overall EPWP five year target of six million work opportunities by 2019. These employment targets would be met through EPWP social sector programmes such as the Early Childhood Development (ECD), School Nutrition Programme, Home Community Based Programme and Pharmaceutical Assistant Programme.
Minister Dlamini told conference delegates that despite challenges of the EPWP Social Sector, it is imperative to note that the sector has in the past received positive testimonies from EPWP volunteers who were very satisfied with the level of training and work experienced they gained through EPWP. Conference delegates were also reminded that EPWP employees are not driven by salaries but by the passion of ensuring that the EPWP services reach the communities.
“Such stories must not be seen as isolated cases but must be seen to be the dominant stories of the Sector. Initiatives such as those in North West where a big number of volunteers were trained to become auxiliary social workers must be replicated throughout the country and showcased as success stories. We must identify similar initiatives in other programmes and this can be achieved through alignment with relevant partners such as professional bodies, training institutions and relevant departments such as the Department of Higher Education and Training and other training institutions,” said Minister Dlamini.
“The decision of continuing training in the social sector remains a very correct one. It is through accredited training that we are able to achieve such goals as career-pathing and the mainstreaming of disability in some instances. We therefore need to continue to engage training providers and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) to assist in this regard. The gradual increase on the participation and reporting of municipalities is a positive move which needs a rapid scale up,” added the Minister.
The EPWP Social Sector conference, which ends on 26 February, will in the next two days look at Strategic policy initiatives, Government Priorities for the EPWP social sector, Rooting EPWP in communities as well as the Repositioning of Phase 3 of the Social Sector. The conference will also engage extensively on challenges facing the Orphaned, Vulnerable Children and Youth (OVCY) in South Africa and the role of the EPWP in addressing these challenges.
Media enquiries may be directed to:
Ms Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
