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The City of Cape Town hosted the third annual EPWP Awards ceremony on Friday, 2 June 2023. The City has been an active player in the National government initiative since it started implementing the programme in 2008, and implementation has gone from strength to strength over the years. 

The City is set to provide over 35 000 temporary work opportunities for residents who are registered on the Jobseekers Database in this financial year. There is much planning, organising and administration involved with running such a large-scale programme. 

The awards are an opportunity to showcase the achievements of the teams of City officials across 23 departments dedicated to high standards, and who constantly improve their public employment project design and operations to get the maximum benefit for participants. 

The City’s EPWP has evolved to include a stronger focus on training for EPWP workers, which means that these work opportunities have greater value in terms of helping to prepare participants for future employment at the City or elsewhere. 

Some examples of awarded projects that have had a meaningful and positive impact include:  

The Youth Literacy programme, which employs young adults to tutor children who have challenges with learning to read and write. These sessions with school learners are done at schools and libraries, providing them with the help they need to build their confidence. The EPWP youth gain accredited training towards a qualification as child and youth care workers.

The Beach Buddies project, which employs persons with disabilities to raise awareness and educate residents about the consequences of diving recklessly and other dangerous water activities promotes safety practices.

This year, the City awarded more than 30 officials in 16 different award categories. These awards recognise best practices and innovation in projects that facilitate improved integration, practical partnerships and a more meaningful impact for communities and project participants who are beneficiaries.

‘Our officials continue to show that EPWP can provide opportunities for much more than street sweeping.  It is an effective way to give marginalised residents an opportunity to develop skills and networks while at the same time, providing a valuable public service in exchange for income support. Cape Town continues to lead the way nationally in the EPWP programme.

‘In recognition of the City’s exemplary performance in EPWP implementation, the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has increased its grant allocation to the City by 50% for the new financial year,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.

Issued by the City of Cape Town