Rustenburg: The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with municipalities and stakeholders to generate crucial employment opportunities for impoverished and jobless South Africans via the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Deputy Minister Bernice Swarts underscored this commitment following a recent three-day assessment of DFFE-funded projects in the North West province.
According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy Minister Swarts visited several key sites, including the Rustenburg Waste Tyre Depot in Tlhabane, where she participated in a community clean-up initiative and inspected tree planting efforts at St. Stephen's Anglican Church in Mogwase. These visits align with the objectives of EPWP Phase V, which emphasizes exit strategies for participants, ensuring they acquire skills to enter the formal job market or secure sustainable livelihoods after their tenure in the program.
Cabinet's approval of EPWP Phase V in February 2024 aims to create five million work opportunities between April 2024 and March 2029, supported by a R178 billion budget. Swarts highlighted the importance of partnerships with SETAs to equip participants with practical skills, enhancing their employability.
During her visit to St. Stephen's, Swarts reiterated the department's dedication to supporting President Cyril Ramaphosa's initiative to plant trees. Following the success of planting one million trees in a single day last year, plans are underway to increase this number to five million trees in a single day this year. Swarts emphasized the role of trees in mitigating climate change impacts and the importance of involving diverse sectors, including faith communities, in environmental efforts.
Swarts also inspected operations at the Rustenburg Waste Tyre Depot, where she evaluated efforts to engage black-owned SMMEs and improve operational efficiency. The Waste Bureau, acting as a specialist implementing agent within the DFFE, supports these initiatives by monitoring waste management plans and their impacts.
At the Tlhabane clean-up campaign, Swarts urged South Africans to participate in maintaining clean communities, highlighting the socio-economic benefits of waste management. She noted that waste can be a valuable resource, encouraging residents to engage in recycling activities that can create jobs and business opportunities within their communities.