01/10/2024
*DEPUTY MINISTER ZIKALALA VISITS A PROJECT BENEFITTING COMMUNITIES OF ZANGOMA AND MARIVENI*
Atleast 117 local men and women, are participating in the road project upgrade in their community of Muriveni village in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality. The Zangoma to Muriveni road paving project which is a 6km stretch has created sustainable labour intensive jobs that has assisted local labourers to participate in the local economy through the stipends received under Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
The Deputy Minister responsible for the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, visited the project today as part of operation Siyahlola.
“we are here today to pay a visit to this wonderful project that has started, and highlight the need to remodel EPWP and empower participants through rigorous training and support to become entrepreneurs and also be absorbed in the labour market.”
The phase 1 of the project was done on the R36 in Zangoma village and has since been completed. Phase 2, is currently under implementation from D3766 junction to D5011 the Nkowankowa to Letsitele Road. It is to be completed in May 2025.
During the course of the project implementation atleast 26 SMME’s were contracted to provide various services.
This operation Siyahlola coincides with the Transport month observed during the month of October each year. The theme for this year is “Doing more together”: Building better transport infrastructure and services through collaboration. Exactly what is being done today.
The MEC responsible for Public Works Roads and infrastructure in the province, Ernest Rachoene indicated that this visit is appreciated by the province as it highlights the work done in the province amid serious financial challenges, he also appreciated the timing of the event, " This comes at a time when the Province is gearing up to launch phase 5 of the Expanded Public Works Programme and it is good that the deputy minister has interest in what the EPWP participants are doing in the province."
The launch for phase 5 of EPWP is scheduled for 11 October 2024 in Polokwane.
Today's event was attended by the Mayor of Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality, Cllr Gerson Molapisane, Speaker of Greater Tzaneen Municipality, Cllr Muhlavasi Tiva, and representative of the royal family including the EPWP participants.
