The Westonaria Local Municipality in conjunction with the Gauteng government hosted an awards ceremony at the municipality’s banquet hall on 26 June.
This was to recognize as well as honour the 179 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) employees who were tasked with the upkeep the town of Westonaria.
EPWP is a multi-sectored government initiative aimed at attracting both young and old people into intensive labour work.
During the programme, EPWP employees had the opportunitity to gain hands-on experience on theoretical and practical aspects of the job sector and earned a monthly stipend of R1 300.
According to EPWP Manager of Strategic Support Khaya Njingolo, the programme has been received with much criticism from people within societies but they have managed to go against all odds in implementing it.
He says that it is currently a success in alleviating poverty and unemployment.
“The beneficiaries are the best people to defend the significance of the EWP against those who have criticized it.
“People have always been quick to say that this programme has failed to address unemployment as it does not provide permanent jobs however we rubbish these critics.
“We are saying that these programmes were formed to provide unemployed people with an opportunity to learn and further their knowledge in more ways than one, while earning a stipend at the same time,” says Njingolo.
Westonaria Executive Mayor Councilor Nonkoliso Tundzi said that the initiative is proof that the government is actively working hard to increase job opportunities.
“We are confident that the beneficiaries are equipped with skills that will help them in the job market and even start their own businesses,” says Tundzi.
