The Department of Public Works in Limpopo hosted a two-day successful EPWP summit themed “Integrated planning for maximisation of sustainable jobs “. This was its second annual summit.
The aim of this summit was to bring together stakeholders from different implementing sectors and politicians from across the province to review progress made from resolutions taken at last year’s summit. In his keynote address, MEC for Public Works, Namane Dickson Masemola said, “Through this summit, let us use lessons learned to date to plan on aggressive up-scaling strategy and increase job creation, alleviating poverty in this province.”
The summit was held at Tivumbeni Multipurpose Centre, Nkowankowa in the Mopani District Municipality. Close to 500 delegates attended the summit.
Participants at this summit included representatives from NGOs, CBOs (Community Based Organisations), municipalities in Limpopo province, lead sector departments, representatives from the provincial, regional and national Public Works, representatives from International Labour Organisation and the Limpopo Office of the Premier.
The delegates broke into four commissions according to the EPWP Coordinating sectors namely, Social Sector, Environment and Culture Sector, Infrastructure Sector and Non-State Sector and the Institutional Arrangement commission. The commissions convened to look at among others, overall EPWP and EPWP Phase 3 implications, EPWP enterprise development (models and areas of support), incentive structure and performance, technical support, NYS/youth development, institutional arrangements (political support, administrative support and inclusion of EPWP in work plans) and training (National Skills Funds and Own Departmental Funding).
It was evident from the presentations by various speakers that there has been good progress, but more work needs to be done as the end of the EPWP Phase-2 is fast approaching. Presentations were on EPWP Phase-2 Provincial Performance, EPWP Phase-2 Mid Term Review and Plans for EPWP Phase-3, EPWP Global Performance, lessons learned on Compliance and Reporting, International lessons drawn on Up-scaling of job creation through EPWP.
In her closing remarks, Mayor of Tzaneen, Councillor Dikeledi Mmetle on behalf of MEC Namane Dickson Masemola said the 2nd EPWP Provincial Summit was a success and reminded delegates that “EPWP is a key government policy strategy aimed at alleviating poverty through creation of work opportunities and skills development through on job training.”
She also called upon all political heads in all spheres of government to assume their responsibility in ensuring that EPWP is not only a success in terms of the number of work opportunities created, but also in transferring the skills development to the people through on-job training.
For more information please contact:
Ms Nthabiseng Boya - Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 076 611 3456
Tel: 015 284 7215
E-mail: boyan@dpw.limpopo.gov.za
