Speaking note for the Acting Premier of the North West Province, Honourable Patrick Dumile Nono Maloyi at the occasion of the Department of Public Works and Roads Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Summit gala dinner, The Pearl Guest House – Klerksdorp...

          Programme Director
          Members of the Executive Council (MECs)
          District Executive Mayor of Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality
          District Mayors for District Municipalities,
          Executive Mayors and Mayors of Local Municipalities
          Members of Mayoral Committees (MMCs)
          Deputy Director General – National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, responsible for EPWP, Ms Carmen-Joy Abrahams
          Head of Department (HOD), Mr Moses Kgantsi
          Senior Management and Staff of the Department
          Municipal Managers present
          Distinguished Guests
          Members of the Media
          Ladies and Gentlemen,
          Good evening,

I am humbled by the invitation from the MEC for Public Works and Roads, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi to attend the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Provincial Summit. This evening marks a critical milestone in the history of the EPWP programme in the province as it hosts its inaugural summit. Of great significance is that EPWP is celebrating its 20 years of existence this year. I therefore take this opportunity to commend the Department of Public Works and Roads for having convened this gathering. I believe that this platform will lead to positive improvements in the implementation of the programme moving forward.

Speaking at the occasion of the 5th EPWP National Summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa (then Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa) said that “The Expanded Public Works Programme is a driver and a potent force for social inclusion. It is a valued intervention aimed at creating work in an environment of chronic joblessness. It provides opportunities for our youth, women and rural poor, who bear the brunt of low economic growth and unemployment.”

To this end, it is fact that many of our people look forward to opportunities presented by this programme. At the centre of this summit is the understanding of the importance of collaborations and partnerships in the efforts to reverse social ills, but it is also a reminder that we still need to do more and work closer together to change lives of South Africans. The Translation of Political EPWP Protocol Agreements that will be presented by the Deputy Director General responsible for EPWP tomorrow; demonstrate will paint a vivid picture on an important role each and every one of us has to play. We must agree that in as much as the Department of Public Works and Roads is the lead and coordinator of this programme across all spheres of government, all of us need to dirty our hands to make it work. For we are committed to growing the North West Province together.

On behalf of the North West Provincial Government, I must also take this time to reiterate our commitment to the success of this progressive intervention. Politically, we will provide support, oversee and monitor progress in the its implementation.

During the State of the Province Address (SOPA), we said that “Youth, women and persons with disabilities are the primary beneficiaries of available work opportunities through public infrastructure”. Without any iota of doubt, Expanded Public Works Programme is an essential vehicle to arrive at the two-hundred thousand (200 000) job opportunities target we have set ourselves over next five years.

The annual report of the Department of Public Works and Roads reports that in the previous financial year, the department created over thirteen thousand (13 000) job opportunities. I must say that, MEC, I am over joyed by the pronouncement made during your Departments’ Budget Speech, when you said “a new intake of 15 000 participants will be recruited from August 2023”. I will be watching the implementation of this programme very closely, for me and you; understand what the programme means to the people our province, and how vital is to ensure its success for infrastructure development.

Programme Director, be that as it may we should be cognisant that we convened a month before the current EPWP group of participants is expected to exit the programme at the end of July 2023. I am hopeful that a solid exit strategy has been finalised for those exiting. All of us understand that the participants need to go implement the skills they have acquired at industry, be it public or the private sector. Participate in the economy of the country by becoming entrepreneurs of the future.

Ladies and Gentleman, tonight is about taking time to honour those who like us understand the purpose and impact of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP). Those who do not shift the blame on others but join our efforts to making South Africa a great country, full of opportunity for all. Taking you back to that historic summit addressed by President Ramaphosa, His Excellency stressed that “Public Employment Programmes (PEP) are not about changing the building landscape of our country. They are also about the wellbeing, education and safety of our people”. In this way, your deliberations over the two days should ensure we achieve the objectives of this programme as we prepare for the following phase.

We must labour tirelessly to reclaim the confidence of our people, for if we succeed? We will be able to command their trust on our capable leadership to realise a prosperous South Africa, free of triple challenges of poverty inequality and unemployment.

I thank you.

 Ends

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