Ugu scoops 10 awards for public works programme
EPWP programmes changes lives of the youth in Ugu District
Ugu District Municipality scooped 10 accolades at the recent KZN Department of Human Settlements Kamoso Awards held in Durban, for its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) initiatives.
The awards aimed to recognise the best performing public bodies in the implementation of the EPWP by the Department of Human Settlements.
Ugu also placed first for achieving a Clean Audit in the overall spending of its grant monies for the EPWP, an initiative that seeks to uplift the poorest of the poor.
Other accolades included, Best Performance and going beyond the call of duty during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as Best Social, Environmental and Culture sector, among others.
Acting municipal spokesperson, Mondli Ngcobo said many communities are confronted with poverty and a high unemployment rate, and the Ugu Special Programmes Unit has done an outstanding job of ensuring bread is put on the tables of many households, whose sons and daughters are employed via the EPWP.
“Many have improved their home situations, especially after having been incorporated into the Ugu team. Apart from Ugu, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality also walked away with three awards, while Umdoni and Umzumbe municipalities received one award each,” Ngcobo added.
He also highlighted the story of Manqoba Dlamini from Gamalakhe whose mother is a domestic worker, and he has a child who is disabled.
“Manqoba joined the EPWP a couple of years ago and was able to obtain his driver’s licence with a stipend. He is now employed as a driver and is able to provide for his daughter and mother.
“This is proof that the EPWP which is meant to better the lives of ordinary communities is run like a well-oiled machine,” Ngcobo said.
A proud special programmes manager, Dudu Khowa thanked internal and external stakeholders for their hard work as well as her EPWP team for their resolute efforts.
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