Ehlanzeni shines in awards ceremony
Ehlanzeni District Municipality (EDM) did exceptionally well at the Provincial Kamoso Awards held in Secunda recently.
MBOMBELA – Ehlanzeni District Municipality (EDM) did exceptionally well at the Provincial Kamoso Awards held in Secunda recently.
It was held in preparation of the national awards and the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT) rewarded the best projects under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).
A total of 31 EPWP participants contended against one another in a fierce competition where the winners will represent the province in the national leg of the competition to be held later this year. The Provincial Kamoso Awards were introduced in 2010 to recognise the best projects under the EPWP. It is the brainchild of the National DPWRT and is held annually. The best projects are recognised under the four sectors of the EPWP, namely infrastructure, environmental, culture, social and non-state.
The EDM, together with the Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality, has proven to be the best implementers of the programme in the province as they scooped five and four awards respectively. Ehlanzeni received five accolades as the best branded project, best institutional arrangement, best marketed programme and best district municipality under the social sector as well as the best district municipality under the environmental and culture sectors. The Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality walked away with four trophies. They were the winners of the best programme within the environment and culture sectors. They also pocketed the best maintenance programme accolade and best quality data project.
They further received the award for the best local municipality in the infrastructure sector.
Other winners included, among others, the Food for Waste project of the DR JS Moroka Local Municipality which won the best local municipality category under the environment and culture sectors. The Provincial Department of Agriculture and Land Administration scooped two awards in the best provincial project within the environment and best innovative project categories.
In her keynote address, MEC for the DPWRT, Ms Dumisile Nhlengethwa expressed her satisfaction with the support given to the EPWP by various public bodies.
“I appreciate the cooperation and support we have been getting from the various municipalities, as well as non-profit organisations, after the signing of the declaration during the EPWP summit.
“The declaration compels all participants to contribute towards job creation in the province. We are optimistic that we will reach the EPWP Phase 3 target of 319 000 job opportunities,” she concluded.
