How many EPWP jobs did Cape Town’s R32 million investments yield?

Over 2000 jobs were created through Cape Town’s R32 million investments in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), benefiting 14,547 unemployed residents since the 2019-2020 financial year, according to the City of Cape Town.

Cape Town’s investments creates jobs

From 1 July 2023 to 29 February the City’s Environment Management department generated 2,172 job opportunities through various projects.

• Kader Asmal Skills Development programme
• Carbon Smart Skills Development programme
• Invasive Species Management programme
• River Warden programme
• Rehabilitation of ecological infrastructure
• Operational functions at the City nature reserves across the metro
• People and Conservation Skills Development programme

The City allocated a sum of R32 million toward these employment opportunities.

‘These hard-working teams perform an array of functions within the natural environment of our City,’ says mayoral committee (Mayco) member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Eddie Andrews.

‘Key focus areas for the EPWP workers are to ensure that invasive species are removed from our nature reserves, critical biodiversity sites, waterbodies and catchment areas; that the firebreaks on our nature reserves are cleared and maintained and that solid waste is removed from our vleis and wetlands for example.

‘We ensure that the teams are equipped with the necessary tools and gear to perform their functions. Informing and educating communities on environmental issues also form part of the programme.’

According to Cape Town etc, since July 2023, approximately 126 trainees have been enlisted and underwent training through the department’s skills development initiatives. 

Among them, 27 trainees have transitioned to permanent, long-term positions. 

Additionally, in the previous financial year (2022-2023), 129 EPWP trainees completed theoretical and practical training, with 36 securing mainstream employment opportunities.

This cohort concentrated on honing skills like project management, project administration, quality control, data collection and management, environmental awareness and stakeholder engagement.

Watch out for EPWP job scam circulating on WhatsApp

The City of Cape Town is cautioning job seekers about an ongoing scam related to the EPWP.

According to IOL, the fraudulent scheme, spreading through WhatsApp, falsely advertised a large-scale recruitment drive for the EPWP in 2023.

 It prompts individuals to apply through an external link, promising work opportunities with monthly stipends ranging from R7,000 to R20,000.

Alderman Grant Twigg, the mayoral committee member for Urban Waste Management, stated that the deceptive link had been shut down. 

Nonetheless, there are worries that comparable scams may still ensnare some job seekers.

He has reiterated that residents need to know how to distinguish a real job opportunity from a fake one.

“‘We appeal to job seekers to please be extra vigilant. It is very important to note that the City would never ask community members to pay for job opportunities, or to pay to apply for a job,” Twigg said.

According to the South African Government News Agency, President Cyril Ramaphosa views the EPWP as a vital tool in addressing unemployment and alleviating poverty amidst high levels of joblessness in South Africa.

The president has committed the government to enhancing the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and providing five million work opportunities over the next five years. 

He made this pledge during the 20-year celebration of the EPWP and the launch of Phase 5 in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape.

The president highlighted the EPWP as a success story, emphasising its role in empowering communities to address local needs and enhance resilience.

 He noted that since 2004, the programme has generated over 14 million work opportunities across various sectors, involving more than 300 public bodies and non-profit organisations as implementing agents.

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