EPWP participants must use training received from Programme to set up businesses and assist in the creation of work for members of the public – Executive Mayor of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, Honourable Cllr M.F. Nkadimeng

The EPWP participants should use the training they receive from the programme to set up businesses and contribute to the creation of opportunities for other members of the public. This was said by the Executive Mayor of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, Honourable Councillor M.F. Nkadimeng during the graduation ceremony of EPWP participants who completed training in landscaping. The 20 learners (participants) are responsible for the upkeep, beautification, and maintenance of parks and cemeteries around the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality.

“Now that you have the skills from this training, we want you to look beyond employment…we want you to see yourselves as business owners who can contribute to the creation of work for other people,” Executive Mayor Nkadimeng said.

She pointed out that once they have set up businesses, participants can look for cleaning projects with various state and private entities.

Turning to talk about the cleaning work performed by participants at the municipality, Mayor Nkadimeng hailed participants for assisting to keep the municipality clean. She added that the work performed by participants contributed to local tourism as participants were instrumental in the cleaning, beautification, and upkeep of municipal facilities such as parks, and cemeteries.

Executive Mayor Nkadimeng congratulated all participants for completing the training.

“You have all made us proud and I wish you well for the future,” she added.

Earlier during the graduation, Executive Mayor Nkadimeng together with the MMC for Technical and Finance Services, Councillor P. B. Lawrence, joined the learners in song and dance to celebrate the learners’ academic achievement.

Executive Mayor Nkadimeng and MMC P.B. Lawrence also handed over certificates of competence to the graduating participants.

The graduation ceremony was attended by senior government officials from various entities such as the Nelspruit Regional Office of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

The Mbombela Regional Office of DPWI was represented by the Manager for Training, Ms. Fela Mashaba, the Manager for EPWP Environmental and Culture Sector, Mr. Isaac Mothapo as well as the Assistant Director for EPWP Training, Mr. Lesley Nthangeni.

In her presentation, Ms. Mashaba thanked the municipality for partnering with the Department to implement the project.

She indicated that the training is accredited by the Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority at NQF Level 3. The participants were trained by JNV Landscaping and Training.

“During training learners received theoretical, practical, and on-the-job training,” Mashaba said.

She detailed that the Certificate in Landscaping training covered a range of modules such as:

A module on how to mow and dethatch grass

A module on the safe way of cutting grass using different and appropriate equipment

A module on how to prune shrubs and trees

A module on how to apply biological and chemical control of alien invader plants. This training also focused on how to identify and control alien invader plants as well as how to identify indigent plants to replace invasive plants.

A module on health and safety in horticulture.

“What is great about this training is that the learners’ records will be registered on the SAQA national learner database. This will enable them to progress with their studies should they wish to,” Mashaba said.

Ms. Mashaba indicated that the training was funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training through the National Skills Fund.

“While on training, the learners received a daily allowance of R102 to cover food and transportation – this is in addition to the monthly stipend they are receiving from the municipality,” she stated

Concluding her presentation, Mashaba echoed Executive Mayor Nkadimeng’s statement that the participants can use the training to start their own landscaping businesses.

The Acting Director for Corporate Affairs at the Municipality, Ms. Magagula, encouraged participants to further their studies to become experts in their field.

“We wish for you to use this training as a foundation for your academic journey. It might not be easy, you need to push your way to the top. As a municipality, we congratulate you for your achievement today,” Magagula said.

In his message of support, Mr. Mothapo told participants that they were now members of the EPWP family.

“You are now our colleagues and we wish for you to be good ambassadors of the EPWP. DPWI is indeed proud of your academic achievement,” he said.

The Managing Director for JNV Landscaping and Training, Mr. Vhutshilo Madzunye commended the learners for performing well during training.

“Through this training, we have given you a skill that you can use to provide for yourselves. As the Executive Mayor Nkadimeng’s pointed out – go out there and make something of yourselves. Use this training to enter the business sector and create opportunities for fellow citizens,” Madzunye said.

He added that as a training provider, they remained committed to working with both DPWI and the municipality to train more EPWP learners in the future.

The graduation ceremony the EPWP participants took place on Friday, 12 May 2023.

Participants Testimonials

Ms. Lerato Mnisi who spoke on behalf of the learners, thanked the all role players who assisted them with both the training and the work opportunity.

“We wish to thank the municipality for providing us with an opportunity to be part of the EPWP. To both DPWI and JNV Landscaping and Training, we are thankful for the skills you have given us through this training,” she stated.

She added that “the training has given us skills that we can use both in the workplace and at home. The skills we have acquired from the training will help us to make money for ourselves,” she added.

Another learner – Mr. Goodman Malope – said that he has used part of the wages he received from the programme to buy landscaping equipment for himself.

“The lawn mower and pruning equipment I bought will assist me to set up a small landscaping business for myself,” he said.

Malope appealed to the government to continue to use the EPWP to provide hope and opportunities to many unemployed South Africans.

Source: Government of South Africa