City earns another EPWP accolade

26 November 2014

On Thursday, 26 November 2014, our Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) was recognised at the national Kamoso Awards, being named Best Municipality for Excellence in the Implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme: EPWP Social Sector. The National Department of Public Works introduced the Kamoso awards in 2007 to recognise public sector bodies that have excelled in the implementation of EPWP.

Our City outperformed other municipalities in the category of development-related temporary work such as home-based care, awareness drives, substance abuse programmes, rehabilitation of street people through employment, early childhood development, holiday programmes and provision of TB assistants. Another category we excelled in was sports and recreation activity.

We last achieved an award at the 2013 National Kamoso Awards Ceremony where we were awarded for Best Municipality in the Social Sector and Best Metropolitan in the Environment & Culture Sector. These achievements are a reflection of our commitment to maximising the use of available funding and programmes for training and skills development across a broad range of sectors.

‘These achievements show the City’s hard work and effort in implementing this national government programme. We have taken the blueprint and built on it through innovation that includes not only increasing the daily stipend from R75 to R100, but also being the first municipality to introduce an induction booklet, standard operating procedure, and internal contract management and payroll process,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Social Development and Early Childhood Development, Councillor Suzette Little.

Since 2011, we have created more than 140 000 temporary work opportunities for unemployed community members through the EPWP. By the end of June 2016, it is envisaged that this number will increase to just over 180 000.

Our Expanded Public Works Programme is designed to provide temporary employment opportunities to as many unemployed residents as possible. This creates opportunity and provide experience for the residents and in turn creates an up-turn in our economy.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office