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30 September 2008

Programme director
Government officials
Municipal officials
Ladies and gentlemen

Thank you so much for allowing me to address you on this special occasion. First, give me the opportunity to congratulate all the public bodies present tonight, which are going to receive EPWP recognition awards.

The Eastern Cape has just concluded their second successful EPWP month. During the course of September provincial officials interacted with communities to share the highlights and challenges of the EPWP. They communicated the huge strides of the EPWP which have been achieved since its inception in 2004. I have learnt the Eastern Cape has created 161 000 employment opportunities to date and that the provincial target of 176 163 jobs will certainly be reached by the end of the second quarter. I can only say well-done to MEC Martin and his EPWP team. You are contributing towards our service delivery mandate to create a "better life for all."

Programme director, with another few months left in the lifespan of the first phase of EPWP, I can confidently say we have outdone ourselves in implementing this important national programme. As a national department we are busy working on proposals for the implementation of the second phase of the programme, which will influence the adaptation of the programme and set targets for the next five years to 2014. Cabinet has given us the go ahead to develop these proposals and to present the details by January 2009.

It is with enthusiasm to indicate that during the last financial year, performance by public bodies in the implementation of the EPWP in the Eastern Cape increased substantially. This is an indication that public bodies are beginning to appreciate labour intensive methods of service delivery. Although the Eastern Cape doubled their target of forty thousand job opportunities, poverty in the province is still a big challenge. Hence discussions on the next phase of the EPWP, indications are that targets should be set such public bodies significantly contribute towards halving unemployment by 2014.

During the course of the last financial year some public bodies in the province won national and international awards in the implementation of the EPWP. It is the view of the Department of Public Works, as a co-co-ordinating body of the EPWP that such achievements require also to be recognised by the Eastern Cape.

This occasion is to give recognition and celebrating their success. Given the fact that September in the province has been declared the EPWP month, it is within this background that these awards have been timed to be within September.

Once again, congratulations to all the public bodies for receiving EPWP recognition awards. You really deserve it.

I thank you.

Issued by: Department of Public Works
30 September 2008