Evaluation of the expanded public works programme as poverty reduction strategy in Buffalo City Municipality
- Authors: Ngumbela, Xolisile Gideon
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Public works -- South Africa , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54242 , vital:46379
- Description: One socio-economic problem that South Africa is currently facing is the youth and women unemployment rate, which is among the highest in the world. The Government of South Africa has been involved in a number of initiatives, along with the advancement of a labour-intensive Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) to reduce unemployment and poverty. The EPWP was initiated in 2004 with the aim of putting the unemployed into productive work in the social services of the public sector where relevant training and transfer of appropriate skills are provided to EPWP beneficiaries. However, the EPWP provides only temporary job opportunities that have little impact on the beneficiaries' lives. The main objective of the study was to analyse the Expanded Public Works Programme as a strategy for poverty reduction in order to assess its effectiveness on poverty reduction in Buffalo City Municipality, and to learn best practices that can be emulated by other municipalities or other programmes of Buffalo City Municipality. The secondary aim of the study was to suggest possible solutions and ways to overcome the problems and challenges faced by the metropolitan municipality of Buffalo City in tackling poverty reduction. Another goal was to explore whether the job prospects in Public Works would improve participants' future employability after they leave EPWP. Lastly, the study forwards suggestions on how best to use the EPWP as a tool to provide disadvantaged youth and women with sustainable job opportunities. The sample comprised of ten (10) individuals, and it was arrived at using purposive sampling. The self-administered questionnaire was sent to two (2) councilors and eight (8) EPWP managers involved in the EPWP management in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The data was collected through the self-administered questionnaire, followed by telephone follow-ups for points of clarity, because the study took place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which took everyone by surprise and left the whole world astonished as it seemed no one was fully prepared for the disaster. The study found that, overall, the design elements and implementation aspects of EPWP are not ideal for helping the unemployed to become more employable on a large scale. Other issues include the absence of advanced skills training for EPWP participants; the unsustainable essence of the administration of the EPWP, and the non-approval of the draft EPWP policy. This study suggests measures with regard to EPWP coordination, enhanced project monitoring, preparation, indigent requirements and acceptance of the EPWP regulation under the BCMM. The study also recommends, in addition to the above, properly consulted management framework according to international best practices of programme management and evaluation to allow the EPWP to achieve its goals more effectively. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
- Authors: Ngumbela, Xolisile Gideon
- Date: 2021-12
- Subjects: Public works -- South Africa , Poverty -- Government policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/54242 , vital:46379
- Description: One socio-economic problem that South Africa is currently facing is the youth and women unemployment rate, which is among the highest in the world. The Government of South Africa has been involved in a number of initiatives, along with the advancement of a labour-intensive Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) to reduce unemployment and poverty. The EPWP was initiated in 2004 with the aim of putting the unemployed into productive work in the social services of the public sector where relevant training and transfer of appropriate skills are provided to EPWP beneficiaries. However, the EPWP provides only temporary job opportunities that have little impact on the beneficiaries' lives. The main objective of the study was to analyse the Expanded Public Works Programme as a strategy for poverty reduction in order to assess its effectiveness on poverty reduction in Buffalo City Municipality, and to learn best practices that can be emulated by other municipalities or other programmes of Buffalo City Municipality. The secondary aim of the study was to suggest possible solutions and ways to overcome the problems and challenges faced by the metropolitan municipality of Buffalo City in tackling poverty reduction. Another goal was to explore whether the job prospects in Public Works would improve participants' future employability after they leave EPWP. Lastly, the study forwards suggestions on how best to use the EPWP as a tool to provide disadvantaged youth and women with sustainable job opportunities. The sample comprised of ten (10) individuals, and it was arrived at using purposive sampling. The self-administered questionnaire was sent to two (2) councilors and eight (8) EPWP managers involved in the EPWP management in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. The data was collected through the self-administered questionnaire, followed by telephone follow-ups for points of clarity, because the study took place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which took everyone by surprise and left the whole world astonished as it seemed no one was fully prepared for the disaster. The study found that, overall, the design elements and implementation aspects of EPWP are not ideal for helping the unemployed to become more employable on a large scale. Other issues include the absence of advanced skills training for EPWP participants; the unsustainable essence of the administration of the EPWP, and the non-approval of the draft EPWP policy. This study suggests measures with regard to EPWP coordination, enhanced project monitoring, preparation, indigent requirements and acceptance of the EPWP regulation under the BCMM. The study also recommends, in addition to the above, properly consulted management framework according to international best practices of programme management and evaluation to allow the EPWP to achieve its goals more effectively. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-12
An investigation of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to enhance community development in Mount Ayliff village
- Authors: Pindo, Abongile
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Expanded Public Works Programme , Public works -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58146 , vital:58613
- Description: Lack of community development which includes poverty, unemployment and inequality is still prevalent in South Africa, even after the country has gained its independency in April 1994. South Africa has the highest unemployment and poverty rate, especially in rural areas like Mount Ayliff. This high unemployment, inequality and poverty within the country is an indication that the government is not doing enough in terms of dealing with these triple challenges. The South African government has introduced numerous development and economic policies, programmes and strategies to address unemployment, poverty and enhance community development. These initiatives include Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR), National Growth Plan (NGP), National Development Plan (NDP) and the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The EPWP’s vision is to enhance community development in South African communities through temporary employment and skills development for unemployed youth. EPWP has been unemployment relief in many communities and has employed over five million people since its introduction. This study aims to investigate the role played by the EPWP to enhance community development and employment creation in Mount Ayliff Village. The study followed a qualitative descriptive approach, where secondary sources of data were reviewed to address the research objectives and questions. The main research findings are that the EPWP has played a significant role in enhancing community development in Mount Ayliff Village through provision of employment opportunities, development projects, introducing and empowering youth with skills and training for future permanent employment. Based on the findings, the study recommends that there must be frequent monitoring and evaluation of the EPWP projects to ensure that its goal is achieved and guidelines for recruitment of participants are followed. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
- Authors: Pindo, Abongile
- Date: 2022-04
- Subjects: Expanded Public Works Programme , Public works -- South Africa , Rural development -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/58146 , vital:58613
- Description: Lack of community development which includes poverty, unemployment and inequality is still prevalent in South Africa, even after the country has gained its independency in April 1994. South Africa has the highest unemployment and poverty rate, especially in rural areas like Mount Ayliff. This high unemployment, inequality and poverty within the country is an indication that the government is not doing enough in terms of dealing with these triple challenges. The South African government has introduced numerous development and economic policies, programmes and strategies to address unemployment, poverty and enhance community development. These initiatives include Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR), National Growth Plan (NGP), National Development Plan (NDP) and the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The EPWP’s vision is to enhance community development in South African communities through temporary employment and skills development for unemployed youth. EPWP has been unemployment relief in many communities and has employed over five million people since its introduction. This study aims to investigate the role played by the EPWP to enhance community development and employment creation in Mount Ayliff Village. The study followed a qualitative descriptive approach, where secondary sources of data were reviewed to address the research objectives and questions. The main research findings are that the EPWP has played a significant role in enhancing community development in Mount Ayliff Village through provision of employment opportunities, development projects, introducing and empowering youth with skills and training for future permanent employment. Based on the findings, the study recommends that there must be frequent monitoring and evaluation of the EPWP projects to ensure that its goal is achieved and guidelines for recruitment of participants are followed. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Business and Economic science, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04
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