The Deputy Minister of Public Works, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, MP, has inducted 105 learners during the launch of the Water Care and Treatment Project of the National Department of Public Works (NDPW) in Msinga yesterday ( Monday, 22 August 2011).
The launch of the programme follows an undertaking by the Minister of Public Works during the Presidential Anti-Poverty campaign in Msinga in April this year. At that campaign the Minister committed the department to contributing to poverty alleviation, job creation and providing critical skills to the youth of Msinga.
The National Department of Public Works identified areas of contribution to the National Skills Development strategy by adding value to the department’s skills requirements and skilling the youth between the ages of 18 and 35.
The decision of the NDPW to execute departmental projects internally, without the use of consultants in the Water Care and Treatment unit has provided this opportunity to address the skills deficiencies affecting the country and the department.
The National Department of Public Works has an extended responsibility to provide waste treatment and management services on facilities that are not connected to municipality infrastructure. Such facilities are mainly in prisons, border posts, police stations and military bases. These operations of sewerage plants and water purification have been managed largely by private contractors.
After realising that some contractors are neglecting their work which resulted in poor quality of effluent flowing into rivers and streams, the department decided to take over the operations itself.
The Department of Public Works is bound to comply with regulations of the National Water Act of 1998, especially Section E which demands that all effluent that flows into rivers and streams be of acceptable quality and should be constantly monitored.
The learners that have been appointed will be given the opportunity to learn and improve their lives. As one of the learners’ representatives captured their joy, he said that the programme had already injected three Es in their lives: enjoyment, enthusiasm and energy. He said that the programme has the potential to banish the scourge of poverty and underdevelopment in their area.
The learners will be trained and mentored by fully qualified water treatment artisans and professionals who have also been identified. The Deputy Minister has met with these Professionals at a Gala Dinner in Durban held last night, (22 August 2011).
Thami Mchunu
Tel: 012 337 2039
Cell: 079 519 6997
E-mail: thami.mchunu@dpw.gov.za
Public Works Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu launches the Water Care and Treatment Project and inducts 105 learners in Msinga
