Cape Town: The Public Empowerment and Development Branch of the Urban Waste Management Directorate of the City of Cape Town in partnership with the Atlantis Subcouncil and the Western Cape Government has launched a new Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and Community Development Worker (CDW) Hub in Mamre.
The hub is located at the corner of Adam and Liedeman streets, which is designed to make government services more accessible, responsive and people-centred. It directly addresses the needs of local residents who previously had to travel to Atlantis to access certain services.
EPWP and CDW programmes
The CDW Programme has been implemented in partnership with the Western Cape Government that helps in bridging the gap between communities and government.
CDWs act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of government are identifying local challenges early, facilitating referrals to the correct departments and ensuring that residents’ voices are heard in planning and decision-making processes. Their work focuses mainly on empowering individuals and communities to access available services and participate actively in local development initiatives.
And, the EPWP is a national government initiative that provides short-term work and skills development opportunities to unemployed residents, while also improving local infrastructure and service delivery. Participants gain valuable experience and training that can help them in transforming into longer-term employment or entrepreneurship.
Basket of services under one roof
Cape Town residents can visit the hub for a range of services, including:
- EPWP support: Register on the jobseeker database and access short-term work and training opportunities.
- CDW assistance: Guidance on social welfare and family support services, referrals to relevant departments, and reporting of service issues (C3 notifications).
- Customer relations and Smart Cape desks: Providing general assistance, digital literacy, and internet access.
The hub will be open from Monday to Friday, between 08:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. but will remain closed on weekends and public holidays.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral committee for Urban Waste Management – Alderman Grant Twigg said that the goal of the CDW programme has to make government more responsive, inclusive and people-centred.
With the launch of this hub, residents will now have a central place where they can access support, raise issues and participate in shaping their own development.
Twigg stated that this hub will help in restoring dignity and will create opportunities. It will ensure that every resident; particularly youth, women and people with disabilities can access services and programmes that are available to them. This day is not simply about opening a new facility, it is about bringing hope, opportunity and empowerment closer to the people.