Ekhephini, 11 May 2026–The Joe Gqabi District Municipality(JGDM) has recorded an outstanding achievement in the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) for the 2025/2026 financial year, reinforcing the municipality’s commitment to job creation, poverty alleviation, and community upliftment.
According to the latest validated EPWP performance report from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), JGDM achieved:
• 845 Work Opportunities against a target of 762, representing 110% attainment.
• 262 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) against a target of 253, representing 103% attainment.
The municipality’s achievement was formally acknowledged by the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, which commended JGDM for its overachievement and consistent data management and reporting.
This milestone reflects the municipality’s deliberate investment in labour-intensive infrastructure and community development programmes aimed at improving the quality of life of residents across the district.
The EPWP opportunities created through various municipal projects have provided critical income support to vulnerable households, particularly women, young people, and unemployed community members in rural and underdeveloped areas.
Of the 845 work opportunities created:
• 314 opportunities benefited women;
• 341 opportunities benefited youth; and
• Employment opportunities were generated across water, sanitation, environmental management, community safety, and infrastructure development projects.
The programme further contributed to skills transfer, workplace exposure, and local economic stimulation through wages paid to participating beneficiaries.
Among the projects contributing to the municipality’s strong EPWP performance were:
• Senqu Rural Water Supply projects;
• Elundini Rural Water Supply Scheme;
• Rural sanitation programmes;
• Water treatment works upgrades;
• Community safety initiatives; and
• Municipal environmental and cleaning programmes.
The municipality emphasized that the EPWP remains a critical intervention in addressing unemployment and restoring dignity to communities through temporary work opportunities linked to service delivery.
Executive Mayor, Councillor (Cllr) Nomvuyo Mposelwa, said the municipality remains committed to ensuring that development projects directly benefit local communities.
“This achievement demonstrates the impact that targeted public employment programmes can have in improving livelihoods while simultaneously accelerating service delivery. Through the EPWP, we are not only creating work opportunities but also empowering communities, supporting vulnerable households, and investing in the future of our district,” she said.
The municipality also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of project teams, data capturers, implementing departments, and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful implementation and reporting of EPWP projects.
JGDM noted that sustained EPWP performance strengthens the municipality’s prospects for increased incentive grant allocations, which would further enhance its ability to expand labour-intensive projects and create additional opportunities for local communities.
The municipality has encouraged residents to continue supporting municipal development programmes aimed at advancing inclusive growth and socio-economic development throughout the district.
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