Summary

Despite the overall economic growth in post- apartheid South Africa, poverty and unemployment remain pressing concerns. In response to these challenges, the South African government has established the Expanded Public Works Programme to provide temporary work opportunities and skill development to the most vulnerable. The EPWP was set up in 2003 to benefit the unskilled, unemployed, poor and vulnerable (including the disabled). Since its inception, the EPWP has generated over 8 million work opportunities.