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Kholiwe Skom (31) spent seven years unemployed after completing a business college diploma until she found work earlier this year as a school administrative assistant as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

Recalling the years she tried to get work while volunteering her services at various organisations, she says: “I cry when I think about it.”

With less money to go around, some Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) programmes, such as Sophakama (meaning “we will rise”), might provide a key lesson on how to do more with less.

The non-profit organisation was founded in 2005 in KwaZakhele township, Port Elizabeth, by a group of women with funding from Oxfam and some local corporate support. It began by providing home-based care to households affected by HIV and AIDS, with five volunteers.

In 2012, it was able to expand participant numbers when the private funders were joined by the Department of Public Works.

GOVERNMENT’S EXTENDED Public Works Programme (EPWP) has had a positive impact on the lives of many young people across the country.

Between its inception in 2004 and the end of the second phase in 2014, the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) produced more than 5.6 million work opportunities.

The third phase of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which kicked off in 2014, is expected to produce a further six million work opportunities by 2019, with a third of these already having been created by the end of June this year.

THE OLD SAYING,  light at the end of the tunnel holds true for residents for Vaal Huise in Reiger Park, Boksburg.

After spending almost a decade without electricity, 12 households in the informal settlement switched on lights for the first time.

To celebrate the special moment in their lives, Mayor of Ekurhuleni Mzwandile Masina joined the residents for the switch on.

For Lucille Ruiters (60) the days of using candles will be a thing of the past and having electricity in her house will improve her life. 

“As we get closer to the festive season people need to be aware of scams that could rob them of their money.”

City Power is warni-ng residents of Johan-nesburg to be on the lookout for three men pretending to be employees of the energy utility.

FROM THE UNION BUILDINGS a message from the President

Government has rolled up its sleeves and pulled up its socks to bring more services and opportunities to greater numbers of South Africans.

As South Africans, we should all be encouraged by a combination of indicators from government departments and provinces, on the one hand, and the Auditor-General, on the other, that shows we are steadily marching in the right direction.

Government is investing in programmes that fix the country’s wetlands and create jobs in the process.

The Department of Environmental Affairs’ Working for Wetlands Programme has invested R1 billion into the rehabilitation of 1 200 wetlands and created 25 000 jobs and much-needed training. 

The department said that during the 2015/16 financial year alone, the programme successfully managed to rehabilitate 123 wetlands.

South Africa is playing a leading role in HIV vaccine research.

As the world observes World AIDS Day on 1 December, South Africa will reflect on the great strides made in reducing the spread and impact of the epidemic.

In line with this, South Africa has started ground-breaking HIV vaccine trials to fight the disease.

Speaking in Parliament recently, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said the HIV vaccine trials are a major boost to the fight against AIDS.

“This vaccine trial is regarded by many as the most scientific study in the world on HIV.

The increase in domestic workers’ annual wages that came into effect on 1 December 2016 demonstrates government’s commitment to create decent work.

The latest relief ahead of the festive season will be applicable until 30 November 2017.

According to the Department of Labour, the minimum wage adjustment is in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, which is regulated through the Sectoral Determination.

The Festive Season is a time when many feel tempted to spend all their money.

As the festive season approaches consumers need to be smarter with how they spend their money and think about the deals that they get into.

The Credit Ombud, Nicky Lala Mohan says that many households rely on credit to cover their day-to-day expenses, which suggests that they are not living according to their means.