By Seshoane Masitha

THE Western Cape has released details of a five-year plan to create 120,000 job opportunities and training as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

The programme, known as 'Saamstaan' is the province's contribution to the national plan implemented by provinces and municipalities to create one million jobs through labour intensive projects.

The public works department has budgeted R400 million for EPWP this year alone.

Head of the department Thami Manyathi said Saamstaan projects would include suitable projects identified across provincial government departments and municipalities.

"The EPWP will not only focus on infrastructure but also community services, including community health workers, agricultural land reform and community safety," he explained.

All spheres of government and social partners such as organised labour, civil society and business would be included.

"The key focus for us is to make sure that the business community does attend to its responsibility of creating long-term jobs so that people trained are taken up in the formal economy," he said.

Manyathi added that the construction and maintenance of roads would be undertaken using labour intensive methods.

He also announced that his department would make use of a help desk to give people advice, assistance and support about learnerships and reporting to the Presidency on progress made on the EPWP.

The provincial department has also set aside R10 million funding for projects initiated by members of the community.

Other projects include an estimated R195 million upgrading of the Gansbaai-Bredasdorp Road expected to create jobs for 1,000 local unemployed youth and women.

About R3.7 million has been budgeted for nine building maintenance programmes, as well as the Zenzele Road Maintenance Programme, which will generate 1967 employment opportunities.

Forty labour intensive emerging contractor learnerships are currently registered with the EPWP, this includes 20 learnerships for the road maintenance programme and 20 for the Klipfontein Corridor.

"Twenty-One beneficiaries have already been selected to start with theoretical training and the first contract will be awarded in October for the start of the practical training," Mr Manyathi said.

MEC for Transport and Public Works Mcebisi Skwatsha said the EPWP was a response of government to "the needs of the second economy", job creation and provision of skills for the people to enter the first economy.

He added that the EPWP was about restoring dignity and keeping hope alive among the unemployed.

"For people who cannot provide for their basic needs, life is hard and degrading. If you can enable them to deal with some of those difficulties, while preparing them for a more sustainable, stable environment in the main economy is a great deal," MEC Skwatsha said.

President Thabo Mbeki will officially launch the Western Cape's EPWP in Guguletu on Thursday.
Source: Buanews