The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) today held an empowerment workshop with the Community Development Workers (CDWs) in the Northern Cape. Championed by Deputy Minister Ayanda Dlodlo, the Community Worker’s Programme (CDWP) is one of the DPSA’s key and priority programmes.
The Deputy Minister made various observations regarding the Community Development Programme and the role of Community Development Workers (CDWS) in particular, in her budget vote speech to Parliament in 2011.
Addressing the CDWs, MEC for Local Government, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Mr M K Mmoiemang, touched on the Macro-Organisation of state as a government system in practice in accelerating service delivery and the review of the role of Community Development Workers (CDWs) as special cadres.
He emphasised that CDWs should be able to “relate policies and programmes of government” to enable them to carry out their work. The MEC also encouraged them to participate in the workshop and make it meaningful and successful, “cease this opportunity to give input on proposals on the table” he said.
A presentation on the provincial perspective of the Community Development Workers Programme (CDWP) highlighted the programmes the CDWs are involved in namely, Identity Document, Balelapa War on Poverty Programme, Social Grants, Human Rights, Education- Back to School Campaign and pauper funerals. Challenges faced in the province include an unfunded mandate, no service level agreement or MOU between SALGA and the department, the relationship between Community Development Workers, Ward Committees and Councillors and no Monitoring and Evaluations Tool.
The workshop aimed to share the Deputy Minister’s vision of the programme as articulated in her 2011 budget vote speech. The workshop also provided a platform to discuss the need for the realignment of programmes with key government priorities in order to strengthen the programme to ensure that it meets its obligations.
To identify issues that can contribute to the improvement of the image and institutionalisation of the Programme, to interface directly with CDWs and other field workers within government as a way of identifying issues that will contribute to better coordination and a positive relationship among department programmes responsible for community development and public participation, to listen to their experiences, opinions and share lessons learned in the implementation of their various programmes at operational level, to create a dialogue within government programmes and other stakeholders with the purpose of strengthening coordination and collaboration within government programmes and to enhance relationships between CDWs and other community workers in government.
Enquiries:
Dumisani Nkwamba
Tel: 012 336 1704
Cell: 082 885 9448
E-mail: dumisanin@dpsa.gov.za
Department of Public Service and Administration hosts an empowerment workshop with Community Development Workers in the Northern Cape
