South Africa, Johannesburg. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) hosted a pivotal Community of Practice (CoP) event, marking a significant milestone in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The event, themed "Transformative Impact of the EPWP through Entrepreneurship and Skills Development," aimed to foster inclusive dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders to drive sustainable socio-economic change.
The EPWP, a flagship Public Employment Programme (PEP) of the South African government, has been operational for 20 years, positively impacting the lives of countless South Africans. Building on this success, the Community of Practice seeks to expand the programme's reach and effectiveness, focusing on long-term economic empowerment through innovative approaches.
This year of 2025, it was an honour for Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to host the delegation from Tanzania, participating in the Community of Practice. The delegation from Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), was led by Hon. Minister in the President’s Office, Mr George Boniface Simbachawene and senior officials from various government departments, including Tanzania National Treasury and Public Works.
Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Minister Dean Macpherson, welcomed the delegation, welcoming the new partnership and collaboration for the 2 countries to share and learn from each other.
Minister Macpherson then announced:
We will be renewing our partnership with the International Labour Organisation, to support our work for many years”
The CoP serves as an interactive platform for stakeholders to share information, best practices, and discuss key matters concerning the policy, strategy, and implementation of the EPWP. The event will feature a range of activities designed to capture, highlight, and disseminate the transformative impact of the EPWP.
These include expanding listening tours to all nine provinces, developing multimedia content, engaging the private sector, and collaborating with media to create compelling stories of individual and community transformation.
The theme for the CoP reflected the evolving priorities of the EPWP in Phase V, emphasizing entrepreneurship and skills development as critical exit pathways for participants.
The Community of Practice brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government departments, private sector partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international partners, academia, and EPWP participants and alumni. This inclusive approach ensures a comprehensive understanding of the programme's impact and fosters collaboration to drive actionable strategies for enhancing the EPWP's effectiveness.
This session gave stakeholders an opportunity to align stakeholders around the critical priorities of EPWP Phase V. By emphasizing entrepreneurship and skills development, the event aims to facilitate meaningful dialogue, foster collaboration, and inspire actionable strategies to address the socio-economic challenges faced by EPWP participants.
Through collective learning and stakeholder engagement, the CoP is set to reinforce the EPWP's commitment to driving sustainable livelihoods and lasting socio-economic impact, positioning it as a catalyst for empowerment and inclusive growth in South Africa.
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