Zululand youth benefit from flagship programme

Some 100 youth from KwaHlabisa and Nongoma signed 24-month contracts to participate in a flagship programme under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

Cogta had set aside a budget of R10-million to employ 3 000 EPWP participants under this programme. Big 5 Hlabisa and Nongoma were the first municipalities out of six set to benefit.

KZN Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi oversaw the signings for this Local Government Support Flagship Programme which aims to support small municipalities in addressing the issues of waste collection and preserving the environment.

Buthelezi also handed over tools of trade and personal protective equipment to the youngsters recruited to participate.

He explained that most small municipalities were unable to render waste collection services to rural communities due to a shortage of funds, resulting in environmental damage to rivers and grazing fields.

“We employed 100 people in two municipalities who will start work on 1 July.

The programme will address the issues of waste collection, and we are working with the environmental affairs department which will provide bins and necessary expertise to deal with the environment.

“Most importantly, this programme will create much-needed jobs for the youth in rural areas. This is the first phase, other departments will also contribute and add more people to the programme,” he said.

The MEC added that the employed participants will educate and encourage communities to participate in recycling.

They will manage recycling sites and assist people who wish to collect refuse that can be recycled.

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