World Report

Stella Sigcau
Minister of Public works

“We will provide work experience and skills to as many people as possible ”

nemployment is among the greatest challenges facing the new South Africa and is closely linked to poverty. According to the Department of Labour, the national official unemployment average is 30.5 percent or 4.8 million people, although some independent analysts put it as high as 40 percent.

South Africa no longer needs cheap and unskilled workers if it is to build an economy that generates the wealth to meet the needs of all its people. It requires an educated and skilled labour force able to produce goods and services that compete successfully both at home and in international markets.

The government is acutely aware of the need for broader participation in economic activity and for relief from the poverty trap, and is focusing its efforts on an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

Officially launched by President Mbeki last year, and now operational in all nine provinces, the EPWP consists of a nationwide, inter-governmental series of projects designed to provide productive work for significant numbers of the unemployed.

The programme utilises labour-intensive construction methods to build, upgrade and maintain the social and economic infrastructure in underdeveloped rural and urban areas, while simultaneously creating work opportunities coupled with training.

The first nine months of the EPWP saw R2.4 billion (£194 million) spent on 1,900 projects and the creation of more than 144,000 job opportunities – exceeding the target of 130,000 opportunities for the first year. Forty-six percent of the beneficiaries were women.

Stella Sigcau, Minister of Public Works, is confident the EPWP can exceed its employment creation targets. “The programme can make a significant contribution to promoting ‘a nation at work’ and alleviating unemployment.”

By taking part in EPWP projects, the unemployed gain skills that will enable them to find other jobs once the projects are completed. “We need to be careful to train people as far as possible in areas where there are going to be work opportunities,” says Ms Sigcau. “The basic idea is to provide as many people as possible with work experience and the necessary skills to engage in the labour market or perhaps to start their own income generating activities.”

Although the EPWP is a national programme, it is largely being implemented by the provinces and municipalities and employing local people. The programme is focusing particularly on those who are marginalised from the mainstream of the economy, helping people to help themselves and develop their communities.

The private sector is being involved through public-private partnerships. Siemens and Anglo American are among companies contributing to EPWP projects.

Another important objective of the EPWP is improved social services. The Public Works department is working with the departments of Social Development, Education, Health and the National Treasury to put in place a comprehensive plan for the expansion of the EPWP in the social sector.

“There is great potential for training unemployed people for sustainable employment in the social sector, particularly in the area of early childhood development,” concludes Ms Sigcau.