Local Municipality
4 October 2007
Public Works Minister, Thoko Didiza encouraged Expanded Public Works
Programme (EPWP) and the National Youth Service (NYS) beneficiaries to take
advantage of the skills they acquire through such programmes.
Minister Didiza, her deputy, Ntopile Kganyago and MECs from nine provinces
including heads of departments converged onto Moses Kotane Local Municipality
where they interacted with EPWP and NYS beneficiaries on Thursday. The visit to
the five projects was a prelude to their two-day meeting (MinMec) held in
Bojanala Region near Rustenburg. Projects visited included visits to EPWP
infrastructure, social and culture projects.
"Work in the two programmes is labour intensive, and most find it difficult
to survive, but all beneficiaries need to be dedicated, have the right mind-set
and their commitment will take them to greater heights. Hard work never did
anyone any harm," Didiza told more than 100 young beneficiaries.
Projects in the infrastructure sector have already created 651 jobs through
the construction of the 200 bed Moses Kotane Hospital in Ledig, 427
beneficiaries received training in soft and hard skills through the R56 million
Boshoek-Sun City road project and 20 through the paving at Mogwase Public Works
Offices. Project manager, Itumeleng Modimola of the Pholo Modi Wa Setshaba, an
EPWP social project showed how the community of Welgeval embraced and supported
the project which has touched the lives of many rural communities in the Moses
Kotane Municipality.
The project is run by 14 women, nine youth and five men. Pholo Modi Wa
Sechaba offer Home-Based-Care, counselling, after-care programme, early
childhood development, poverty alleviation, soup kitchen and community outreach
to Lerome, Dikweipi and Sandfontein villages. "We are proud as government to
have members of the community that continue to provide excellent service to
their communities through EPWP. Indeed Pholo Modi Wa Sechaba project proves
that working together towards a common goal," Didiza said.
She said upon completion of projects, beneficiaries could still access
opportunities tailor-made for them by government which include bursaries to
further studies in the built environment. Beneficiaries could also apply for
finance from Umsobomvu to start small businesses.
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
4 October 2007
Source: North West Provincial Government (http://www.nwpg.gov.za)
