A delegation of six EPWP senior staff members led by HOD Obakeng Mongale from Limpopo recently visited the department on an insight initiative. The visit was as a result of Eastern Cape’s best performance based on verified national information in the implementation of EPWP.

“The Eastern Cape is doing well in using its roads to create jobs, so we want to go back home and implement some of the innovations that can help us push up our performance in the roads implementation programme”, said Mongale.

Below are the sites that were visited by the Limpopo delegation:

· Household Contractor site in Amathole Region – showcasing maintenance work done by Household Contractors.
· Eastern Cape Brail and Printing in Dimbaza – EPWP funded project focusing on the blind.
· Siyakholwa Community Works Programme in Kieskammahoek – the project won a National Kamoso Award which recognises excellence in the implementation of EPWP.
· Mzantsi library in Queenstown­- social sector EPWP project which focuses on computer training for communities.

EPWP General Manager, Qengeba Mageza, highlighted work undertaken by the department in co-ordinating and implementing EPWP across the Province and challenges experienced. Challenges he identified include lack of funding for SMME contractors, insufficient projects for learners to get experiential training, shortages of mentors to train learners and budget constraints leading to inadequate provision of tools, materials and protective clothing for learners.

He mentioned proudly that, during the month of March 2017, EPWP had enrolled 615 learners into the National Youth Service (NYS)  The learners will be trained in a range of disciplines including Building, Road Maintenance, Road Mechanical, Property Management and Administration.

Appreciating the reception and information sharing sessions, the Limpopo HOD said “We would also like to appreciate EPWP in the province for exposing us to a variety of programmes not just those within the sector of infrastructure but we got exposed to a lot of programmes. We clearly did not waste our time coming here”, added Mon.

By: Chumisa Vimbani