Date: 02/09/2004
Source: Department of Public Works
Title: S Sigcau: Launch of W Cape Expanded Public Works Programme


THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS, MS STELLA SIGCAU INTRODUCES THE PRESIDENT, MR THABO MBEKI, AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF EXPANDED PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME IN THE WESTERN CAPE, Gugulethu, 2 September 2004

The President, Mr Thabo Mbeki
The Premier, Mr Ebrahim Rasool
The Deputy Minister of Public Works, Mr Ntopile Kganyago
All National Minister present
The MEC for Transport and Public Works, Mr Skwatsha
All other MEC's present today
Members of the National Parliament and Provincial Legislature here today
The Mayor of Cape Town Unicity, Ms Mfeketho
Other Mayors present
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

We gather here to day to fulfil the directive that the President issued on the occasion of his State of the Nation Address on 21 May 2004. Acknowledging the mandate that was overwhelmingly re issued by the people of South Africa following the 14 April General Elections and the ensuing results, you Mr President made a call to all the Provinces to launch their Expanded Public Works Programme frameworks and implement EPWP related projects and sub programmes that would eradicate poverty through job creation, skills development and improvement of social and other services. The above are the fundamental objectives of the Programme and as such shall have been embraced, enhanced and will be achieved in order to contribute to the overall realization of the socio-economic goals of your government.

The Expanded Public Works Programme represents a product of ten years of organic thinking, fine tuning, countless reviews and realignment of various government efforts to eradicate poverty, improve the standard of life, reverse the effects of apartheid social planning and overturn apartheid economic policies. Rather we in government like to see it as one of may initiatives to alleviate the effects of poverty.

Because it is based on our experiences over the past ten years, Expanded Public Works is a living programme and is succeeding. All spheres of government, all government departments and state-owned businesses are committed to its effectiveness. As a result we have reached the following milestones, in summary:

* Top government officials have formed the Director-General Steering Committee and meet regularly to review progress
* A fully-fledged EPWP Unit was established in my Department to drive the programme
* All Provinces have committed to setting up their Steering Committees for implementation, review, monitoring and evaluation using best available systems
* A training steering Committee has been established by the Department of Labour to develop training courses, qualifications and implementation of learnerships
* A Prominent Bank has committed to facilitating easy credit access for infrastructure contractors and assist them with financial management without unreasonable conditions
* A budget of R20 billion has been identified to take the programme into the next five years successfully
* As witnessed today, most provinces, municipalities and community development organizations have already started with their labour-intensive projects to create jobs, develop skills and improve our communities.

Our contract with the people of South Africa is to demonstrate responsive governance and reveal the side of government that cares, protects and serves. Our philosophy is to facilitate equal access for all to opportunities designed to benefit every citizen. Access to job opportunities is central to participative nation building because jobs lessen dependency on welfare of the state and ensure that we become productive participants in our own development and human fulfilment.

It is against this background that I like to introduce and call upon the President of South Africa, Mr Thabo Mbeki to address the audience. Mzizi!!!

Issued by: Department of Public Works
2 September 2004