Launch of Community Works Programme (CWP)
The FNB Wadley stadium, in Edendale was abuzz with beneficiaries of the Community Works Programme (CWP) as the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs officially launched the programme.
The much awaited launch was attended by CoGTA Minister Lechesa Tsenoli, MEC for CoGTA, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, MEC for Treasury, Ina Cronje, Msunduzi Mayor, Chris Ndlela and Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in the province, Inkosi Phathisizwe Chiliza
Revved up to work and geared mostly in orange and yellow overalls beneficiaries from different municipalities in the province, packed the stadium, turning it into a seas of yellow and orange.
MEC of Treasury, Ina Cronje, said the Community Works Programme, is one of the provincial government’s greatest initiatives and that the initial launch of the programme shows that great strides have been made in creating jobs for people in the province.
“Since the beneficiaries of the CWP, started working the, Msunduzi Municipality, has become a much cleaner place. However, it is not only Msunduzi, said Cronje.
She also told beneficiaries to use the newly acquired skills effectively in order to make a better life for themselves.
According to MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube, of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the success of the CWP is a result of the hard work done by the African National Congress (ANC) government since 1994. “Government has changed the lives of most people in the country and the CWP, is one of those programmes that shows that the government tries by all means to bring a better life for all,” said Dube-Ncube.
Dube-Ncube, also urged national Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, LechesaTsenoli, who was present at the launch to allocate more money to the programme so that more people could be hired.
Minister Tsenoli stated that the government which has governed since 1994 is one that does not exclude anyone and the CWP is proof to that. He continued to say, most poverty stricken members of the community have benefited from the programme.
“The ANC governmemt is trying hard to close the gap between the poor and the rich. The towns are now accessible to all that live in the province as it is happening in Maritzburg, “said Tsenoli.
He concluded by saying that the opportunities offered to the beneficiaries will help them empower themselves and their families.
