Expanded public works programme's contribution to social development : opportunities and challenges.

Abstract

Despite its economic growth, South Africa continues to face social challenges such as inequality, unemployment and poverty. In response to these challenges, the South African government has instituted a number of intervention strategies which include the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The aim of this research study was to explore the perceptions of stakeholders regarding the contributions made by the EPWP towards alleviating the above mentioned social challenges. Their perceptions about the challenges and opportunities to improve the programme were also explored. An exploratory-descriptive approach rooted within a qualitative paradigm was used in the study and the participants were selected using purposive-convenient sampling method. The sample consisted of fourteen participants of whom four were EPWP managers and ten EPWP beneficiaries. Data was collected through semi-structured interview schedules and analysed using the thematic content analysis. The findings of the study indicated that the Expanded Publics Works Programme (EPWP) is contributing to social development not only of the beneficiaries of the programme, but also of communities in which the EPWP projects are being implemented. The EPWP projects have enabled beneficiaries to earn a salary in the form of stipends, acquire and perfect skills such as plumbing, and to gain work experience. The stipend, though minimum, is helping them meet their basic needs while skills development improve their chances of getting better and more permanent jobs and to be self-employed. However, challenges such as failure to accommodate people living with disabilities and lack of skills training in some of the EPWP projects are curtailing the programme’s effectiveness.