Towards the effective implementation of the expanded public works programme in South African municipalities : a case study of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality

Abstract

The Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) is a government programme targeted at unemployed individuals. Public entities at the national, provincial and municipal level implement the EPWP. The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (CTMM) is one of the entities implementing the EPWP at the local level. This study investigated the implementation of the EPWP within the CTMM with a view to understand the current implementation approach. The CTMM has been unable to achieve their EPWP annual targets since 2009. The CTMM experienced the lack of attaining targets mainly in relation to persons with disabilities (2%), and indigents (50%). Other challenges include the lack of training EPWP participants in specialized skills; the unsustainable nature of the EPWP projects; and un-approval of the draft EPWP policy. This study proposes interventions with regard to the coordination of the EPWP, improved monitoring of projects, training, indigent criteria, and approval of the EPWP policy within the CTMM.