On Monday, 18 November, the City of Tshwane launched the EPWP Phase 4 job selection process since the beginning of this term of office.
EPWP is one of the efforts to reduce unemployment, alleviate poverty, and
provide residents with experience through labour-intensive work opportunities.
The random selection through a live lottery ensures that the DA-led
administration remains committed to fairness, compliance, equal opportunities
and empowerment. This is not possible if the system is prone to manipulation,
corruption and nepotism.
The City has set itself a target to create 110 000 jobs in this financial year
through the EPWP programme. This is done in a context to effect redress with
60% of the vacancies filled by women and a new 5% indigent target.
It’s a significant increase from Phase 3 target of 106 000 jobs and a 55%
women’s composition.
“Rising unemployment remains a concern, with a 29% rate nationally; the City’s
3.3. million resident population is marred with a 23.3% unemployment rate.
Without jobs, households risk falling into poverty as a result of constrained
resources,” said Mayor Mokgalapa.
As of November 2019, the database registered over 145 000 jobs. It’s clear that
the demand for work opportunities surpasses the City’s current capacity to meet
this need.
The enormous interest shown by job seekers highlights the urgency to continue
finding solutions to the country’s unemployment crisis, especially for the youth.
To continue improving the impact and efficiency of the programme, the City is
conducting ongoing assessment such as:
- technical support capacity in terms of designing labour-intensive projects;
- building capacity with regard to data capturing and reporting;
- dedicated capacity for coordination within the City
This will provide the City with more granular details of the impact of the
programme and its potential to secure a more positive future for Tshwane
residents.
Selection for placement will take place twice a month, largely depending on
internal auditing and verification processes.
Residents will now be more productive through a system that hasn’t been
compromised by individuals who intend to use it for political point scoring.