Impact of expanded public works programme on social development within eThekwini municipality: a case of KwaMashu Hostel.

Abstract

Abstract The South African government launched the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in 2003.The programme is intended to provide communities with training and work experience in order to enhance their ability to earn a living in the future. In broad terms, EPWP is a poverty-alleviation mechanism through which people are provided with income and skills to sustain themselves in the future. The programme is implemented in all three spheres of government. Since its inception, unemployment and poverty in the country still remain rife. This study therefore provides an analysis of the EPWP and its failures to address unemployment and poverty in the country. From a methodological standpoint, the study was based on the information gathered through interviews in communities that are still trapped in poverty. Furthermore, questionnaires were administered with municipal and government officials and hostel dwellers in order to ascertain their perceptions about the programme. KwaMashu, within the eThekwini Municipality, was selected as a study area. The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, in conjunction with the municipality, identified this area as a recipient of the EPWP given the magnitude of the unemployment and poverty rate in the area. In the final analysis the study reflects a host of challenges regarding the implementation of the programme. The study therefore provides some recommendations for the improvement of the programme in order to have the desired effects.