Critical analysis of Modimolle local municipality labour-intensive projects (2002-2007)
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Date
2013-02-05
Authors
Hlabela, Thabo Zacharia
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Abstract
The 2002 Stellenbosch African National Congress Policy Conference discussed and agreed
on a short- to medium-term programme aimed at reducing unemployment and alleviating
poverty. Subsequently, the Republic of South Africa’s ruling political party, the African
National Congress, announced the Expanded Public Works Programme through
President Thabo Mbeki’s “State of the Nation” address in February 2003. The President’s
announcement endorsed the Government’s adoption of the position towards correcting
unemployment levels in South Africa. However, during November 2002 Modimolle Local
Municipality (formerly known as “Nylstroom”) had already embarked on an on-the-job
labour-intensive programme. The programme was intended to introduce and implement
labour-intensive construction methods in all the Municipality’s infrastructure projects. The
above background formed the basis for the purpose of this research project which aims to
discuss, analyse and evaluate Modimolle Local Municipality’s nine (9) – six (6) water
projects (including the pilot project) and three (3) sewer projects – labour-intensive
infrastructure projects undertaken between November 2002 and March 2007 in comparison
with experience gained on similar projects in Africa, with specific reference to their
contribution to job creation. The research found that the success of Modimolle’s programme
was due to long-term political support; adequate training; the availability and willingness of
unskilled people to be employed as casual labourers; the pilot project that was carried-out
before the main or core programme, and the ability to transfer experience and lessons learnt
from the pilot project to the other projects. The research concludes that labour-intensive
construction methods are economically feasible for water and sewer infrastructure projects
and can reduce unemployment and alleviate poverty.
KEYWORDS:
Expanded Public Works Programme, Modimolle labour-intensive work programme,
construction projects, construction methods.