MEC for Roads and Public Works, Mme Fufe Makatong
Kimberley
The MEC for Roads and Public Works, Mme Fufe Makatong, has officially launched a ground-breaking program aimed at assisting more than 1000 female beneficiaries of the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) in the Northern Cape to complete their matric education. This transformative initiative is collaboration between the Department of Roads and Public Works and the Northern Cape Community Education and Training College, a subsidiary of the Department of Higher Education.
The program was launched on Friday in Kimberley, in the Frances Baard District Municipality, where over 300 beneficiaries attended the event
“So far, the college has successfully registered about 207 beneficiaries in various categories. We are expecting more to enroll as there is space more. Some of these women have already participated in the introduction to lessons and completed an end-user computing crush course this week. This computing skill will be essential for our beneficiaries as they navigate the evolving landscape of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said MEC Makatong.
The beneficiary’s enrolment is as follows; Matric (72), Level 4- 31, Computer (38), Early Childhood Development (38) and Sewing (28). MEC Makatong emphasized that the initiative, starting with the 300 women in the Frances Baard District, is only the beginning, with plans to expand the program to other districts in the near future.
“We are embarking on a groundbreaking journey to train over 300 female EPWP participants here, giving them a second chance to complete their matric. My dream is to see more than 1,000 of our beneficiaries across the province participating in this life-changing opportunity,” she said.
The programs offer various education opportunities, including Grade 9 and ABET (Adult Basic Education and Training), Level 4 for those who are literate but have not completed formal schooling. Additionally, a literacy program is available for women needing foundational education in reading and writing, offering levels 1, 2, and 3. Highlighting the importance of the initiative in improving employability for EPWP beneficiaries, MEC Makatong said,
‘As a coordinating body of EPWP in the province, the department is committed to tapping into available resources to empower our participants. We want to see them absorbed into both government and private sector employment. Currently, the minimum educational requirement for Level 2 positions in the department is Grade 9, but many of our beneficiaries do not meet this criterion. This program will bridge that gap and increase their employability.”
The program is designed to be flexible, allowing EPWP participants to attend classes in the afternoons after completing their morning tasks.
“EPWP is task-based, with beneficiaries working in the mornings and finishing by lunchtime. This schedule allows us to design a program where they can attend school in the afternoons. We will provide all the necessary support to ensure they succeed in this invaluable opportunity to complete their matric,” said MEC Makatong.
She concluded with a message of encouragement to the women embarking on this educational journey, emphasizing the significance of their bold step toward self-empowerment.
“As you progress through this program, you may face challenges but remember that every obstacle is an opportunity to grow. The landing, I assure you, will be soft, and the rewards will be great.”
This groundbreaking program is a steppingstone that not only opens doors to sustainable employment but also fosters personal growth, self-sufficiency, and empowerment for women across the Northern Cape Province.
