GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - Anton Bredell, Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning announced that the Department of Local Government will be rolling out an R50 million support program in all the Western Cape municipalities in the coming months.

Bredell, in his address during the State of the Province debate, said: “The Department of Local Government is rolling out an R50million project where we will support existing and new EPWP projects in our municipalities throughout the province. In this manner, we are putting food on the table of those who need it most.”

Bredell said this investment will also stimulate entrepreneurship and skills development in the affected communities. 

The EPWP projects, such as cleaning up of public spaces, community safety, and alien clearing in river courses, will contribute towards making towns more attractive for investment and future job creation.

Bredell said all 24 local municipalities and the metro in the province have submitted business plans and the Department of Local Government will transfer the funds to municipalities from the beginning of March 2022. 

It is estimated that 3 247 short-term jobs will be created because of this investment.

This project also makes provision for the District Municipalities of the West Coast, Cape Winelands, Overberg, Garden Route, and Central Karoo to play a supporting role with administration, monitoring, and reporting on the individual projects. 

Each District Municipality will receive R200 000 to fulfill this role.

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