Growth Initiative of South Africa (AsgiSA)
23 March 2006
North West MEC for Public Works, Honourable Howard Yawa, says his Department
has spend more than R1,2 million to train 304 Expanded Public Works Programme
(EPWP) beneficiaries involved in public infrastructure renovation in the
Southern Region.
MEC Yawa was speaking at the Certificates Awarding Function for EPWP
beneficiaries held today at the Witrand Hospital Hall in Potchefstroom.
He said his Department has also spent over R700 000 towards salaries for
payment of the beneficiaries.
MEC Yawa highlighted that according to the EPWP Third Quarterly Report, the
57 projects executed in the Southern Region created 2687 job and training
opportunities.
Yawa applauded the beneficiaries for their determination and achievement and
committed his department to work closely with women and youth to achieve the
goal of the AsgiSA Programme of halving unemployment and poverty by 2014.
"We will increase women participation in Expanded Public Works Programme and
ensure their significant participation beyond small, medium and
micro-enterprise (SMME) economy to fast track them out of the Second Economy,"
said MEC Yawa.
MEC Yawa further said, "We are encouraged by the determination of our
beneficiaries to succeed. All of us as individuals and collectively can make a
difference and should contribute to give new content to our Age of Hope.Through
our collective effort we can make poverty history. The time is always ripe to
do right."
An overjoyed Mr Matthews Kubu, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries,
commended the Department of Public Works for the opportunity to acquire skills
to make them employable.
National Federated Chamber of Commerce (NAFCOC) Regional Chairperson, Mr
Abdullah Wanyane, pledged to assist the beneficiaries to register as
cooperatives or close corporation and to link them with funders.
Enquiries please contact:
Departmental Spokesperson
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: (018) 387 2447
Cell: 083 629 1987
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
23 March 2006
