The State of Expanded Public Works Programmes in South African Cities 2013-2014

This report is the latest in the State of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) reports produced periodically by the SACN. These reports reflect on how the SACN member cities have performed and map out challenges experienced and lessons learnt. The report outlines the progress and implementation of the EPWP by the cities over the 2013/14 period. This reporting period corresponds to the fifth year of Phase II of the EPWP. This report will also summarise the key challenges and features of Phase II.

 

The SACN’s core members are eight of South Africa’s largest cities: Buffalo City, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Johannesburg, Mangaung, Msunduzi, Nelson Mandela and Tshwane. The eight cities collectively occupy 1.7% of the country’s land area (approximately 21 828 km2 ) and are home to 40% (40.5%) of South Africa’s population. Together, they contribute more than 60% of the country’s gross domestic product and offer employment opportunities that attract individuals of different cultural backgrounds from all the provinces of South Africa. According to the 2011 Census, the number of employed people increased in all the cities, while the number of unemployed (including ‘discouraged’ work seekers) decreased. In 2011, all eight cities had employment rates that were higher than the country’s average of 56.5%, with Buffalo City, Johannesburg, Tshwane, eThekwini and Cape Town exceeding 73%.