despair says 55 years old woman
4 April 2006
A 55-year old Ditsobotla woman says the Expanded Public Works Programme has
closed the curtain of despair and opened a new chapter in her life.
Maria Tlhakanye was expressing gratitude to North West MEC for Public Works,
Honourable Mr Howard Yawa, at the Fifth Expanded Public Works Programme
Certificates Awarding Function held today at Barolong-Boo Ratshidi Community
Hall in Mafikeng. The excited beneficiary said that despite her age, she was
afforded an equal opportunity to acquire skills that would enable her make a
livelihood for herself and her family.
In his keynote address, MEC Yawa said that government's vision is that by
2014 South Africa should have a restructured and adoptive economy characterised
by growth, employment, equity, built on the full potential of all person,
communities and geographic areas.
MEC Yawa said that his department would need to work more closely with women
and youth in order to contribute towards the achievement of Accelerated and
Shared Growth Initiative for South Africaâs (AsgiSA) goal of halving
unemployment and poverty by 2014.
Some 110 beneficiaries received certificates for three months accredited
training in brick-making, building, electrification, painting, plastering,
tiling, landscaping and life-skills during the construction of Public Works
Storage Buildings at District Offices in Ditsobotla, Lehurutshe and Montshioa.
Some of the beneficiaries are engaged in Phase II of the R3 million Mmabatho
central business district (CBD) and Garona Gardens Landscaping Project.
Thus far government has created 3092 job and training opportunities through
34 EPWP projects in the Central Region. MEC Yawa said the skills and practical
training that the beneficiaries have acquired has increased the pool of much
needed skilled workers in the construction sector.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: (018) 387 2447
Cell: 083 629 1987
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
4 April 2006
