The MEC for the Gauteng Department Infrastructure Development (DID), Mr Bheki Nkosi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the DPSA (Disabled People South Africa) represented by Mr Ernerst Tshipa and the South African Woman in Construction (SAWiC) in Johannesburg represented by Ms Kelekile Kwinana, earlier today.
According to MEC Nkosi, “The annual observance of the Disability Rights Awareness Month and International Day of Disabled Persons is informed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3 of 1992. The South African Government as signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Protocol developed National Policy, a Programme of Action (POA), which declared the 1st November to 3rd December annually as Disability Rights Awareness Month. It is therefore of particular significance that we gather during this month to sign an agreement which is envisioned to further the rights and allow greater access for women and people with disabilities to meaningfully contribute to the infrastructure sector.”
In the 2010/11 financial year DID created, 4 530 employment opportunities for young people, 1 976 women and 36 people with disabilities, bringing the total to 10 496 work opportunities created. According to MEC Nkosi “Our commitment to contribute to the overall national EPWP job creation tally for the 2011/12 financial year is on course. A total of 122 940 job opportunities will be created through EPWP in Gauteng are projected for the 2011/ 2012 financial year. The EPWP youth complement of beneficiaries is 59,714. The total number of women participants is 34,144 and, people with disabilities make up a total of 1,208 participants. These work opportunities will be created across 880 projects and spread over a total of 7,700 employment days or a full-time-equivalent of 230 work days”.
“In signing this MOU my Department aims to strengthen the recruitment processes and therein tangibly increase the economic opportunities available in Gauteng for people living with disabilities and woman in construction”, added MEC Nkosi.
All signatories have committed to join forces to actively mobilise people with disabilities to take part in EPWP and Capital Works projects, in a bid to accelerate the participation of Woman in the construction sector. This includes approved recruitment strategies and the transparent recruitment of participants, with a quarterly review on the level of response. The agreement will be effective for three years.
Essence of the Memorandum of Understanding
- It outlines the collaborative effort between the mentioned parties, records the terms and conditions governing the co-operation and supports the identified intervention areas/ strategies.
- It ensures that the mandate and objectives of the DID are implemented in relation to the designated groups of women and people with disabilities.
- It seeks to assist in the implementation of infrastructure delivery programmes and the EPWP mandate by engaging SAWiC and DPSA regarding training and placement and utilisingtheir platforms as part of the DID Exit strategy.
According to MEC Nkosi, post the signing, “A representative task team will be established to promote enhanced coordination and facilitation of access to economic opportunities and support services (training and development) within Government and Sector / Industry wide with regular evaluation of targets and equity.The agreement is envisioned to increasing the amount of economic opportunities available to the residents of Gauteng”.
Enquiries;
Philemon Motshwaedi
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