The Minister of Social Development, Ms Lindiwe Zulu, together with Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Ms Patricia de Lille will on 02 March 2020 open the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Social Sector Conference at Saint George Hotel and Conference Centre in Gauteng.

The three-day conference is a strategic platform which will bring together non-profit organisations, the private sector and community partners to share best practices on sector coordination and develop strategies on how the sector can graduate the participants from the EPWP programme.

Launched in 2004, this year’s conference will be held under the theme: “Towards Innovative Pathways and Exit Opportunities for Participants of the EPWP Social Sector”.

The Expanded Public Works Programme Social Sector aims to draw significant numbers of the unemployed, particularly the youth and women, into productive work in public sector social services and community safety initiatives. This enables them to earn an income. Participants are provided with training and skills that they can use to find employment or become entrepreneurs.

The conference will also assess the progress made by the EPWP Social Sector in the creation of work and training opportunities since the introduction of the EPWP Phase 4 in April 2019. The EPWP has a mandate of creating 5 million job opportunities by 2024. Of the 5 million job opportunities, the Social Sector is expected to deliver a minimum of 875 754.

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the Expanded Public Works Programme Social Sector Conference scheduled as follows:

Time: 09h00

Venue: Saint George Hotel and Conference Centre, Pretoria - Gauteng   

Date: 02 March 2020

Media can RSVP by contacting Ms Kgomotso Mathuloe on 082 957 3667 / Kgomotso.mathuloe@dpw.gov.za or Mr Moeketsi Khoaele on 066 286 2823 or MoeketsiK@dsd.gov.za

Media enquiries may be directed to Ms Nomfundo Xulu-Lentsoane on 066 480 6845 / NomfundoLe@dsd.gov.za

Issued by Government Communications (GCIS) on behalf of the National Department of Social Development