Lesufi’s Green Army ready to hit the streets

Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi is aiming to create at least 80 000 jobs by the end of his administration term, with more employment projects in the pipeline to counter the unemployment rate.

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Premier Lesufi and MEC of Agriculture, Rural development and Environment Mbali Hlophe introduced 6000 men and women at the launch of the Cleaning and Greening Expanded Public Works programme (EPWP) in Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday.

The 6000 EPWP workers will be the province’s first batch of the ‘green army’ programme, which will tackle sustainability across the province.

It follows the recent recruitment of 4 000 crime prevention wardens across Gauteng and recruitment process currently underway for 6000 young people for the skills and training solar installation programme.

Lesufi, on Sunday, further announced that the province would embark on a recruitment process of a further 6000 people to fix potholes on Gauteng roads.

“Our strategy is to identify a problem of society and use unemployment to solve that problem. The fourth one we will be taking an extra 6000 to fix potholes in our province,” he said.

“We have got five amasing new projects that we are lining up. We really believe that we will not get less than 80 000 young people, who were previously unemployed when we started to lead this administration, and when we end this administration, there will be 80 000 people who have opportunities to feed their families, and survive in life,” he said, addressing the media.

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This is the latest programme by the office of the premier, in response to the waste management and food insecurity challenges in the province, while also addressing the high unemployment rate.

The 6000 workers will be deployed in Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH) across the province. This according to the Premier is in line with provincial government’s commitments to accelerate service delivery, to ensure development and improvement to living conditions of the targeted communities.

The extended programme will be on a 12 month rotation basis, however, Premier Lesufi said he was committed to extending the programme by a further six months, which was welcomed with roaring cheers.

“We’ve got a budget for food parcels but I believe, as much as there are people who need it, if we can give people opportunities and use that or part of it to ensure that they are self-sustainable rather than rely on handouts, they can be in a position to do the work and have their own salary.

“We are repackaging those things, but for now we are giving them an extra six months to demonstrate that they are ready and capable to clean their townships, and if they are committed, we will be in a position to absorb them.”

During his address to the workers, he said he was employing additional people, who were also in attendance, to join the group as of immediately.

Lesufi said while the EPWP was currently a temporary programme, the provincial government’s vision was focused on creating permanent jobs.

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Siphelele Qubeka from Snake Park who has remained unemployed post completing his matric, welcomed the Premier’s address and said, “Many people didn’t think this was true but seeing myself amongst the chosen today, I have hope that I will be able to turn the situation around for my family. I am ecstatic because I’ll be able to support my parents and because I want to further my studies, I’ll be able to ensure that through the salary, that happens.”

While a jubilant mother of four, Thembisa Ngxathu from Thokoza in the East Rand said she was thrilled to work for the province.

“I feel happy. As a person who was unemployed, the opportunity means I will be able to put food on the table for my children. I was depending on a government grant to support my children but now my first salary will go towards doing a lot for us.”