The message was clear in Randfontein that the Community Work Programme (CWP) continues to provide communities with a renewed hope, whilst changing their lives to the better.
This was the sentiment expressed by the Deputy Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), honourable Andries Nel, the councillors, SALGA Deputy Chair, CWP participants and beneficiaries yesterday (09 November 2016) during their visit.
The Deputy Minister visited the CWP sites in Randfontein as part of the Imbizo focus week programme. “This visit provide us an opportunity to engage communities, the participants and beneficiaries in this projects. It is also gives us an opportunity to ensure oversight and check progress with the implementation of the projects in various sites”, said DM Nel.
The Deputy Minister was briefed by the role players and the Local Municipality council chambers before proceeding to visiting the project sites at the Jabulani Informal Settlement:
- Food garden tunnels funded
- Jabulani Early Childhood Centre
The DM was able to engage CWP participants and other stakeholders who are part of the projects. The CWP is an area-based programme, designed as an employment ‘safety net’ offering a minimum level of regular and predictable work to poor communities. The CWP is anchored within the community development approaches and community participation.
The DM emphasised that CWP is part of government’s public employment programme aimed at addressing the current high levels of unemployment and poverty while addressing some of the deep seated problems that relaters to lack of skills and opportunities.
The focus on direct employment creation initiatives by government represents our resolve as a country to create an income stream to the poorest. The DM committed that CoGTA will continue supporting the CWP programme.
The message was loud and clear, CWP is indeed making a difference in the lives of ordinary communities across the country.