The role of the expanded public works programme in reducing unemployment in Grahamstown

Unemployment is a global threat and has been identified as a crucial factor affecting South Africa s economy. Unemployment rate is one of the key indicators of South Africa s economy and reports by Statistics South Africa have indicated an increase in the unemployment rate. Studies done by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has ranked South Africa amongst the worst in the world for unemployment and that poverty manifests not as a financial indicator but as a result of lack of employment opportunities. In response to the challenge of unemployment, South Africa has introduced numerous policies and strategies to combat unemployment and alleviate poverty. The vision of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is to assist South Africa with its challenge of poverty eradication and to ease the unemployment statistics while simultaneously promoting skills development for its participants and the main focus of this policy is to provide income relief for the unemployment. The aim of this research was to assess the impact of EPWP in alleviating unemployment in Grahamstown, by assessing whether or not the EPWP has had any significant influence on job creation and skills development. This study focused on programmes implemented during the period 2014-2017 which is under phase 3 of the EPWP. This study adopted a qualitative research method and followed a descriptive approach. The research method did not seek to prove a true cause-effect relationship between the variables but rather demonstrate the correlation by means of case studies, archival research and content analysis. The research results revealed the potential of the EPWP projects in job creation in the area, and that there are areas of development and challenges in order to achieve the overall purpose of the EPWP