The City Council has approved the formalisation of a Memorandum of Agreement between the City’s Enterprise and Investment Department and Khulisa Social Solutions. This agreement concerns funding for the Presidential Employment Programme (PEP): CBD Regeneration Project for the fiscal year 2023/24.
This initiative, supported by the National Treasury, has been instrumental in aiding numerous homeless individuals in Cape Town. It is a component of the City’s Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy (IEGS), designed to tackle persisting challenges that hinder economic growth, exacerbate inequality and impede job creation.
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Alderman James Vos, the City’s mayoral committee member for economic growth, highlighted the PEP: CBD Regeneration Project’s efficacy in implementing expansive short-term employment creation programmes through existing collaborations.
‘The PEP: CBD Regeneration Project shows its ability to conduct short-term employment creation programmes at scale within existing partnerships and respond quickly to the potential for employment opportunities for homeless persons,’ he said.
Alderman Vos explained that over the last two financial years, the project has demonstrated remarkable progress. In the 2021/22 financial year, the initiative generated 667 temporary jobs, leading to the employment of 88 individuals post-programme completion. In the 2022/23 financial year, the project produced 638 temporary jobs, resulting in 25 individuals securing employment after the programme concluded.
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The range of work opportunities offered by the project encompasses a variety of tasks such as street cleaning, litter collection and sweeping, as well as tree watering, flower bed planting, gardening, park cleaning, retail support, laundry services, car guarding, parking attendance, window washing and business-related bin services.
The project also includes roles in safety monitoring for street patrols.
Currently, the project operates actively within several areas, including CBD, Foreshore, Green Point, Sea Point, Camps Bay, Vredehoek, Observatory, Woodstock, Parow, Bellville, Durbanville, Kuils River, Muizenberg, Kenilworth, Philippi and Strand.
Alderman Vos emphasised the core focus of the programme: to address and alleviate homelessness within the city by providing transient employment, developmental programmes and rehabilitation opportunities.
‘These employment opportunities have been structured to positively impact homeless households by increasing their income to improve their socio-economic conditions and overall well-being,’ he said.
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Picture: City of Cape Town / Facebook