The Community Work Programme (CWP) employees, known for cleaning up around the city and schools, swapped their famous orange overalls for stunning suits and dresses during their graduation at the Extension 6 indoor sports complex last Friday.
The Community Work Programme (CWP) employees, known for cleaning up around the city and schools, swapped their famous orange overalls for stunning suits and dresses during their graduation at the Extension 6 indoor sports complex last Friday.
There were cheers, laughter and song as the workers reaped the fruits of their labour during the much-anticipated ceremony.
Speaking at the event, CWP project manager, Xolani Simakuhle, described the employees as civil servants of a special kind.
"You are not appointed by any government department. You cut across all departments," he said.
Simakuhle told the jubilant bunch, "You are here because you are the role models of this project," he said.
The workers graduated in various fields, including welding, gardening and plumbing.
The Programme is one of the Department of Public Works projects aimed at alleviating poverty.
It started in 2013 with 1 000 unemployed local youth tasked with the job of beautifying Makana.
Schools, old age homes, parks and sport fields are some of the areas looked after by the men and women in orange overalls.
The workers are divided into different teams comprising around 25 workers.
Paul Notyawa, who was the guest speaker at the event, centred his talk around education.
Notyawa who has a B.Proc degree, LLB and a National Diploma in Education Law, motivated the workers to consider furthering their education.
He said, despite whatever challenges they faced, they could still achieve an education.
"Education is the foundation of success in society," he said.
Notyawa also encouraged the group to consider careers in politics.
"You can also become councillors. Imagine the difference that a qualified councillor would make to the community," he said.
Makana municipality executive mayor, Zamuxolo Peter, told the graduates that empowering themselves was critical.
"It's good to capacitate yourself and ensure that you take advantage of opportunities presented to you," he said.
Peter has recently been vocal about the dirty state of the Makana Municipality, and he raised this once again at the event.
"Makana is very dirty, that's no secret," he said.
Peter said he believed that if the different departments involved in cleaning the municipality signed a memorandum of understanding and worked together, a big difference could be made towards cleaning Makana.
The event was attended by various members of the CWP from across the province.
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