In a continued effort to tackle unemployment and build sustainable livelihoods, the Matatiele Local Municipality, in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, recently held a comprehensive three-day training programme for Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers. The sessions took place at the Maggie Tsiu-Resha Building, drawing close to 100 participants from the municipality’s wattle-clearing project across various wards.
The training forms part of the municipality’s broader commitment to ensuring that EPWP beneficiaries gain not only temporary work opportunities but also the skills and capacity needed to create long-term economic stability. The programme focused on practical business skills such as entrepreneurship basics, financial management, cooperative development, marketing strategies, and how to identify viable income-generating activities within local communities.
Municipal officials said the goal is to ensure that participants can transition from contract-based work to self-sustaining ventures, contributing to the local economy and reducing dependency on short-term government programmes.
“Empowering our EPWP workers is an investment in the future of Matatiele,” officials noted. “When people have the knowledge and tools to create their own opportunities, the entire community benefits through increased economic activity and reduced unemployment.”
Many participants welcomed the initiative, describing it as a meaningful step toward personal growth and financial independence.
One of the beneficiaries, Andiswa Mfolozi, expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity.
“This training has opened our eyes. We now understand how to start small businesses and sustain ourselves beyond EPWP. We feel valued and motivated because the municipality is showing real commitment to our future,” said Mfolozi.
Municipal leadership emphasised that such programmes are key to building resilient communities and ensuring that public works initiatives leave a long-lasting impact. The municipality plans to continue rolling out similar capacity-building sessions and expand opportunities for more EPWP participants in the future.
With unemployment remaining a pressing challenge across the region, the initiative stands out as a proactive step toward equipping residents with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to participate meaningfully in the economy — long after their EPWP contracts end.
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