Expanded Public Works Programme
The Expanded Public Works Programme is one of government's array of programmes aimed at providing poverty and income relief through temporary work for the unemployed.
The Department of Public Works provide the lead into the implementation of Phase 3 of the programme towards achieving its target of creating 6 million work opportunities by 2019. R150 billion have been allocated to the implementation of the EPWP over the next 5 years (2014/15-2018/19).
The key approach for Phase 3 is to drive Public Employment Programmes (PEPs) through community participation to ensure that poor people become actively involved in government programmes within their communities.
Government has committed to ensuring 6 million public employment work opportunities by 2019. This target is in line with that set in the National Development Plan.
By the end of March2015 1,24 million work opportunities had been created, against a target of 1,04 million. In other words, a 119% achievement.
In April 2015 StatsSA released data from its 2014 Labour Market Dynamics survey. It found that: “In 2014, seven out of ten of those who participated in the EPWP and other government job creation programmes were employed.” This was up from 56,9% in 2011. The survey also found that 4 out of every 5 participants who were employed had a formal sector job.
Measuring the outputs of PEPs
DPW monitorsg and evaluates what the work in these programmes actually produces.
DPW has now started to record outputs more systematically, and these indicators are for the first three quarters of the 2014/15:
- By the end of December in the infrastructure sector 33 070 km fencing had been erected; 109 923 km pipelines laid down; 450 km storm water drains constructed; 64 632 kms, roads maintained
- In the environment and culture sector 1 366 ha had been treated for invasive alien vegetation; 92 677 households had been serviced through waste collection; 20 045 trees planted; nearly 4 000 square metres of dumping sites cleaned; and 6 860 cemeteries cleaned.
- In the social sector – nearly 20 000 home based care practitioners were deployed and trained; 1 542 830 learners were benefiting from the National School Nutrition Programme which employed significant numbers of EPWP participants; and 184 321 learners were supported through the Teacher Assistant EPWP Programme.
History of the EPWP
Government launched the Programme in April 2004 to promote economic growth and create sustainable development.
During Phase 1, the Programme surpassed its Cabinet mandated target of 1 million work opportunities a year ahead of schedule, with 1.6 million work opportunities created at the end of the scheduled initial five year period (2004-2009).
The programme aims to achieve its objectives and targets through the delivery of public and community services. Public bodies from the national, provincial and local spheres of government are expected to collaborate with the national Department of Public Works (DPW).
EPWP Phase 2, which covers the period 2009/10 – 2013/14 aims to create 4.5 million work opportunities for poor and unemployed people of South Africa, thereby contributing to the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving unemployment by 2014.
Beneficiaries' stories
The programme made a positive change in many people's lives. These are some of their stories:
- Ntombi Dlamini: Sustainability is key
- Sifiso Shandu: Fighting fire
- When she opened her first–ever bank account, 31 year old Happiness Notwane from North West was over the moon to have got an opportunity as an EPWP beneficiary in 2010. She was employed by the EPWP Non State Sector to clean pavements and eradicate alien plants around the communities. “I was very happy when we got our bank cards from FNB, with the help of EPWP. The stipend made sure I could take of my child”.
- ‘Partners in Development’ was established to empower the people of Stedham to re-cultivate their land so that in the long-term the beneficiaries can farm their own maize fields and sustain themselves through selling of maize. The project employs 150 EPWP Non-State Sector (NSS) beneficiaries.
Ms Buyisile Zulu, a beneficiary of the project said “I’m happy that I’m working for something that will sustain all of us. We are removing alien plants and roots so that we can farm our own fields. We have been working on this land for two years and are looking forward to fencing the fields in preparation for planting season”.
For more beneficiary stories, go to the EPWP website.
Achievements
- The Programme has achieved over 5 million work opportunities in the past 10 years.
- Since its inception in 2004, the EPWP has alleviated the social and economic living conditions of struggling families by creating over 5 million work opportunities for poor and unemployed South Africans.
- In the first Phase (2004/05 to 2008/09) the Programme created 1.6 million work opportunities, surpassing the 1 million Cabinet-mandated target a year ahead of schedule.
- During the implementation of the EPWP Phase 2, (2009/10 to 2013/14) the EPWP created 4 069 640 work opportunities.
- The EPWP is implemented by all spheres of government and civil society organisations across four sectors, namely Infrastructure, Non-State, Environment & Culture and Social Sectors.
- Some highlights of the EPWP Phase 2:
- The incentive grant model was revised to give rural municipalities easier access to grants in order to increase labour intensive work opportunities through the EPWP projects.
- The Programme reached its target for women and youth participating, with 60% of the participants being women and 50% being youth, compared to the targets of 55% women and 40% youth.
- All 278 municipalities across the country have signed protocol agreements, committing them to achieve their EPWP targets.
- The government has collaborated with civil society organisations to create work opportunities and provide services at grass roots level.
