DPWI MINMEC Highlights Progress and Impact of the Expanded Public Works Programm

Article & Pictures by: Masego Maselwanyane

Emaodire Youth Development is a youth empowerment project implemented by the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Social Sector in partnership with the North West Department of Social Development (NW-DSD). The project is based in Lokgabeng village within the Taung Local Municipality and focuses on sports activities and food security.

This is a one-year project which started in April 2026 and has created 16 work opportunities for young people from Lokgabeng village. The Chief of Lokgabeng village, Kgosi Moemedi, expressed his gratitude for the project and the support provided by government through the Department of Social Development and the EPWP. He mentioned that most young people do not explore manual labour work and are not interested in farming because of the intensive labour involved. He applauded the youth of the Emaodire Project for their hard work in contributing to poverty alleviation in the village, which has earned them recognition and support from various government institutions.

The Programme Manager for Community Development, who is also responsible for the EPWP Social Sector in the Department of Social Development, Ms Keitumetse Mabile, indicated that the hard work of these young people is what attracted the department to provide support to the project. The project has established a vegetable garden which provides fresh produce such as spinach and cabbage to 23 families every two weeks. The project also provides vegetables to three Early Childhood Development Centres and one Old Age Centre on a weekly basis.

The Emaodire Project Manager, Mr Tshiamo Sibinda, indicated that the project has managed to establish meaningful partnerships with institutions such as the Department of Agriculture (DOA), the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), Samkelo Soup Kitchen and the Pick n Pay Foundation. The Department of Agriculture provided a mentorship programme for participants and assisted the project with gardening equipment and fertilisers. The Department of Employment and Labour conducted Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) awareness campaigns in farming communities, while the Pick n Pay Foundation assisted with water provision through a borehole and additional gardening equipment. Mr Sibinda further outlined that the project has a vision to grow into a fully-fledged farm. He mentioned that the Chieftaincy has allocated five hectares of land for the project to expand and create more work opportunities for young people in Lokgabeng village.

The project has also been referred to the EPWP Enterprise Development Programme for further support in providing training in various elements of business and enterprise development.