In recognition of Women’s Month, the City of Cape Town is pleased to report that 117 432 women have benefitted from short-term employment opportunities and skills development via the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) over the past five financial years, from 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2023.
EPWP provides valuable support to job seekers who have not been able to find formal employment. It provides an income as well as opportunities to develop skills and networks that could lead to formal employment in future.
Among the beneficiaries of this programme is Nontathu Dlephu who is now a permanent staff member working in the Water and Sanitation Directorate.
Ms Dlephu said the EPWP opportunity has benefited her ‘tremendously’.
‘It provided me with the platform to gain the necessary work experience, be able to identify my strengths and weaknesses, and gain important skills along the way. I will definitely encourage all job seekers to register on the database, and to keep their profiles updated with their latest work experience in case a suitable role for them comes up. I am aware of many people who have been successful following their registration on the Jobseekers Database. This will not only open up doors for you to be employed at the City of Cape Town but elsewhere as well as you will be equipped with the necessary work experience.’
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, Alderman Grant Twigg said the EPWP is an exciting and valuable initiative.
‘This programme essentially provides unemployed participants, including women, with a stepping stone to better opportunities within the City or externally.
‘During their short-term employment, we have mothers, daughters, sisters earning an income to put food on their table and also very importantly, developing and equipping many women with new skills in their respective sectors. This adds to their resumes which makes them more marketable when looking for further employment.
‘EPWP gives women the opportunity to work in various City services, which helps diversify their skills set and experience. Over the coming years, the City hopes to grow and refine our work to transfer skills to beneficiaries of the programme, the majority of whom are women, thereby empowering them to thrive in the city’s growing economy.
‘We encourage unemployed residents, including women, to register with the Jobseekers Database to be considered for future short-term employment opportunities,’ said Alderman Twigg.
