[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

CAPE TOWN - For the second year running, the Department of Public Works has successfully spent 100% of the budget allocated to poverty alleviation and rural infrastructure development.

The Minister of Public Works, Ms Stella Sigcau, announced this today during the tabling of her Department's budget for the financial year 2002/2003.

In 2001/2002 the Department succeeded to spend the entire R374 million for the building of 561 community infrastructure projects, positively affecting the lives of thousands of rural poor communities in the 27 District Councils spread through the six provinces.

About 25 124 job opportunities were created with 10 627 of those taken by women, 10 300 by youth and 527 by people with disabilities, in line with the government's policy to target and empower vulnerable sectors of the society.

"At KwaMadlala community near Port Shepstone the intervention by the Department to build four additional classrooms and a hall, and to renovate existing classrooms at Sozabe High School, not only reduced overcrowding, but contributed to an increased pass rate of 51% in 2001 compared to the 21% of a year before", cited Minister Sigcau.

Through their flagship rural infrastructure development initiative called the Community Based Public Works Programme (CBPWP), the Department annually builds essential infrastructure in the form of schools, rural access roads, rural clinics, community gardens, market stalls, community halls and many more. This is to improve the quality of life and bring other social benefits where none existed before.

The Community Based Public Works Programme (CBPWP) is an important part of the government's contribution to the Integrated and Sustainable Rural Development Programme designed to improve social and economic conditions in the rural areas.

Contact: Lucky Mochalibane at (012) 337 2057, Fax: (012) 323 3856, 082 899 9775

Issued by Ministry of Public Works

09 May 2002