Upington
The Northern Cape Provincial Government, led by Premier Dr Zamani Saul and MEC for Roads and Public Works, Mme Fufe Makatong, successfully launched the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) Academic Empowerment Initiative on Friday, 6 September 2025, at the Tol Speelman Community Hall in Upington.
This landmark program marks a decisive step in transforming the EPWP from short-term employment into a platform for long-term empowerment. More than 600 EPWP participants across all five districts of the province will now have the opportunity to pursue second-chance education, matric completion, computer literacy, and vocational skills training.
The Northern Cape Community Education and Training College, which operates 80 satellite campuses and seven computer lab centres, will deliver accredited training under the auspices of the Department of Higher Education and Training. This partnership ensures participants receive nationally recognized qualifications while addressing skills shortages in the provincial economy.
The event was attended by Members of the Executive Council, including MEC Mase Manopole (Agriculture, Land Reform and Environment), MEC Maruping Lekwene (Health), and MEC Limakatso Koloi (Transport, Safety and Liaison). Other key partners included Northern Cape Department of Education, SALGA, training providers, and community stakeholders, reflecting a truly collaborative approach to development.
Premier Saul emphasized that the program is not simply about temporary work opportunities but about creating pathways into sustainable employment and entrepreneurship, aligned with the Northern Cape 60,000 Jobs Plan 2025–2029. “For too long, EPWP has been criticized as temporary relief. Today we prove that with innovation and collaboration, it can become a bridge to sustainable employment, skills, and entrepreneurship,” he said.
MEC Makatong hailed the initiative as “a global best practice model” that integrates education, skills development, and empowerment into EPWP delivery. “This is not just a provincial program; it is a model of global best practice. We are turning temporary work into permanent empowerment.”
In addition to formal education, the program incorporates entrepreneurship development, including the pioneering New Venture Creation Program for persons with disabilities, which has already seen 25 participants transition into a 12-month entrepreneurship development incubation stream.
This program will ensure that EPWP beneficiaries, especially women, youth, and people with disabilities, are empowered with the dignity of education and the skills to contribute meaningfully to the economy of the Northern Cape and beyond.
During the launch, several milestones of the program were celebrated:
– 25 participants from Disabled People South Africa received certificates under the New Venture Creation Program, empowering them with entrepreneurial skills.
– 7 EPWP learners, who began their journey last year, proudly received certificates in End-User Computing, demonstrating the program’s commitment to digital literacy.
– 15 women contractors under incubation through Great Solutions powered by the National Home Builders Regulator Council (NHBRC) were recognized, strengthening women’s participation in the construction and housing sector.
Premier Saul said these achievements are a clear demonstration of the program’s impact, ensuring that EPWP beneficiaries, especially women, youth, and people with disabilities, are empowered with the dignity of education and the skills to contribute meaningfully to the economy of the Northern Cape and beyond.
