Thursday, May 02, 2024

The 20 Years of the EPWP since its launch in 2004 speaks to the vision of a caring, pro-poor developmental state that addresses the underlying causes of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. Recently, on 24 April 2024, we had the distinct honour to have His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa officiate during the national celebration of the 20 year milestone of the EPWP and launching Phase V of the programme in Buffalo City Metro, Eastern Cape. Today, as the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, we join the leadership of the Northwest Provincial Government, district municipalities, and the Madibeng Local Municipality to launch the phase V in this province. We wish to pay tribute to all government departments and agencies for their contribution in making this programme a success...[Read more]

Thursday, May 02, 2024

We are gathered to celebrate two decades of governments’ massive employment creation and skills development initiative. The programme is celebrating two decades under the theme “EPWP – 20 Years of Changing Lives and Building Better Communities”. It is a fact that many of us know one or more individuals that have benefited from the Expanded Public Works Programme since its inception in 2004. I am confident that the as we unveil the new cohort of EPWP we will get a better understanding of what the programme entails and how it has been improved and rebranded over the years to achieve its objectives. Our participants will also share their lived journey and experiences in the programme so that we get to understand impact of EPWP in our lives. The Department of Public Works and roads has committed to contribute OVER 15 000 PARTICIPANTS for the year under review....[Read more]

Thursday, March 07, 2024

An investment of R6,98 billion in roads infrastructure was made over the last five (5) years. This allocation was utilised to upgrade roads from gravel to surface, expansion of existing roads, re-gravelling of certain roads, restoration of roads damaged by force majeure across the province. As a result of the improvements to the road infrastructure, communities have better access to services including health care facilities, schools and shopping centres. An additional allocation of R70 million is made to Public Works and Roads for resealing and pothole patching including the re-establishment of Asphalt Material Factory in all four districts of our province. This funding is to supplement the R1.567 billion allocation for Provincial Road Maintenance Grant (PRMG) to make provision for resurfacing, patching and pothole repairs. Included in the allocation for PRMG is an additional...[Read more]

Wednesday, January 21, 2024

Despite the improved global outlook for 2024, South Africa’s near-term growth remains hamstrung by lower commodity prices and structural constraints. We estimate real GDP growth of 0.6 per cent in 2023. This is down from 0.8 per cent growth estimated during the 2023 MTBPS. The revision is due to weaker-than-expected outcomes in the third quarter of 2023, particularly in household consumption and fixed investment. Between 2024 and 2026, growth is projected to average 1.6 per cent. The growth outlook is supported by the expected easing of power cuts as new energy projects begin production, and as lower inflation supports household consumption and credit extension. But, there are also risks to the domestic outlook. These include persistent constraints in electricity supply, freight rail and ports; and a high sovereign credit risk. Our challenge, honourable members, is that the size of the pie is not growing fast enough to meet our developmental needs...[Read more]

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Since 2019 to date, we have completed seventy-seven road projects to the total value of just over two billion rands. These roads cut across four districts of the province, and they form a larger part of our road network of over 19 000 km. We have connected rural communities with the province’s main towns and economic hubs in Lokaleng in Mahikeng, Kgomo-Kgomo in Moretele and Manokwane in Taung. During the 2023/24 financial year, twenty-five maintenance projects across the four districts were implemented as part of the Routine Road Maintenance strategy, with a budget of two hundred and fifty-six million rand (R256m). The rehabilitation and widening of the Phelindaba to Pecanwood road is progressing well and due for completion in December 2026. The Hartbeesfontein to Ottosdal road is envisioned to be completed ahead of schedule in June this year. We apologise for the delays in the construction of Nelson Mandela Drive in Mahikeng. This has impacted negatively on businesses along the road and the public who use the road daily...[Read more]

Thursday, January 18, 2024

The story of the first 30 years of our democracy can be best told through the life of a child called Tintswalo born at the dawn of freedom in 1994. Tintswalo – democracy’s child – grew up in a society that was worlds apart from the South Africa of her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. She grew up in a society governed by a constitution rooted in equality, the rule of law, and affirmation of the inherent dignity of every citizen. Tintswalo, and many others born at the same time as her, were beneficiaries of the first policies of the democratic state to provide free health care for pregnant women and children under the age of six. Tintswalo’s formative years were spent in a house provided by the state, one of millions of houses built to shelter the poor. Tintswalo grew up in a household provided with basic water and electricity, in a house where her parents were likely to have lived without electricity before 1994. Tintswalo was enrolled in a school in which her parents did not have to pay school fees, and each school day she received a nutritious meal...[Read more]