H Yawa: Modimola EPWP learner contractors and learner farmers
graduation

23 August 2006

Programme Directors,
The Executive Mayor of the Central District Council, Councillor Themba
Gwabeni,
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Fezile Bhengu,
Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Works, Mahlakeng
Mahlakeng,
Honourable members of the Portfolio Committee on Public Works in the National
Assembly,
Honourable members of the Standing Committee on Public Works in the Provincial
Legislature,
Councillors of the Barolong Boo-Ratshidi Traditional Council,
Heads of departments,
Honourable councillors,
Senior government officials,
Distinguished guests,
Graduates,
Ladies and gentlemen:

Jose Marti once penned these words, “Man has no freedom to watch impassively
the slavery and dishonour of fellow men, nor their struggles for freedom and
honour.”

This instructive remark by the great Cuban revolutionary poet in a nutshell
captures the challenge that faces most of rural communities as a result of
inherited infrastructure backlog and apartheid deprivation. The challenge is
poverty and underdevelopment. Indeed as Jose Marti reflected, we cannot as
patriots turn a blind eye or watch from the sidelines as our compatriots
continue to suffer the degradation of not having access to water, electricity
and basic infrastructure.

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) launched by President Thabo Mbeki
on 18 May 2004, is one of the many government initiatives aimed at creating
work opportunities and improving the skills levels of our people. Its core
objectives are job creation, skills development and improved social
services.

An important element of the programme is a large-scale expansion of the use
of labour intensive construction methods to build, upgrade and maintain the
social and economic infrastructure in all the underdeveloped rural and urban
areas of our country and province that do not have such infrastructure.

The programme is aimed at workers and the unemployed particularly those who
are marginalised from the mainstream of our economy.

Indeed before the launch of the Modimola Expanded Public Works Project on 16
September 2004, many unemployed rural villagers in the impoverished village
went to sleep with hunger pangs. To them the next day had only one purpose that
is to find food, to survive and to have some energy.

Four hundred and ninety two beneficiaries from Modimola Village who
previously had no hope of participation in the economy have in the past two
years realised their opportunity to participate in the implementation of a
people’s contract to create work and fight poverty. The beneficiaries received
training road construction, brick making, plastering, financial management and
life skills.

In addition, 16 learner contractors were selected and participated in the
National Qualification Framework (NQF) level two construction contracting
learnership programme offered by the Construction Industry Education and
Training Services (CIETS). Their theoretical training included survey
techniques, implementation of environmental initiatives and various labour
intensive construction methods, business and construction management, site,
health and safety management, administration and quality control.

On completion of theoretical training, the young learner contractors who all
fall in the youth category implemented the following projects as part of their
practical training:
* Five contracts to the value of R450 000 each for road repairs and maintenance
covering 71 kilometres between Mafikeng and Setlagole. The work included grass
cutting, cleaning of culverts, fencing and edge repairs. The work was done over
a period of eight months.

* Five village roads construction contracts to the value of R600 000 each
for construction of eight kilometres of roads in the villages of Modimola and
3,5 kilometres in Madibe Makgabana. The roads were constructed to improve
access into the villages to schools and to clinics.

* Three contracts to the value of R350 000 for route patrols covering a
total length of 220 kilometres between Mafikeng and Taung. The work included
the chasing of stray animals in the road reserve, reporting damaged fence
lines, reporting road accidents etc. The work was done over a period of six
months and contributed significantly towards reduction of accidents on the road
between Mafikeng and Taung.

* Two Modimola farm infrastructure development contracts to the value of R2
million on 15 hectares farm for the 30-learner farmers. Each of the farmers is
to farm on half a hectare. The work was done over a period of nine months.

* One structures construction contract to the value of R450 000 for the
construction of major storm water structures along the village road constructed
in Modimola. The work was done over a period of 11 months.

The ‘age of hope’ has through the EPWP opened opportunities for women. As
part of bridging the gap between the first and the second economy, the
programme has also afforded women opportunities to venture into agriculture.
Twenty-two of the 30 learner farmers who participated in the NQF level one
farming learnership offered by the Agricultural Sector Education Training
Authority (AgriSeta) were women. They were trained by Taletso College in mixed
farming, plant production and maintenance, pest control, applied business in
agriculture, mathematics and communication.

While my Department funds project management through Africon, the
contribution of the following partners thus far need to be appreciated:
* the honourable Premier for her visionary leadership, guidance and support

* colleagues in the Executive Council and in the Economic Development and
Infrastructure Cluster for corporate governance, support and encouragement

* the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and the Standing Committee in the
provincial legislature for their unwavering support

* the Department of Transport, Roads and Community Safety funding for route
patrol contracts, road maintenance and road construction in Madibe Makgabana
Village

* the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment for mentoring
and logistical support for learner farmers through Africon

* the Central District Municipality for funding road construction and storm
water structures in Modimola Village

* Africon for overall technical, logistical, mentoring and administrative
support to the learner contractors. That this project received a gold award in
the 2005 Premier’s Public Service Excellence Award is through your
professionalism and commitment as a partner in infrastructure development.

* Taletso College for theoretical and practical training

* the Construction Industry Education and Training Services (CIETS) for
theoretical, practical training and assessment of learner contractors.

We are encouraged by the determination of the learner contractors 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.

In conclusion, I wish to echo the President’s words that “it is up to all of
us through our national effort to do all the things that will ensure that the
mountains and the hills of our country break forth into singing before all our
people and the trees of the field clap their hands to applaud the people’s
season of joy”.

Ke a leboga!

Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial
Government
23 August 2006
Source: North West Provincial Government (http://www.nwpg.gov.za/)