SARChi Chair
SUSTAINABLE LOCAL(RURAL) LIVELIHOODS

Lungani Dladla’s research aims to critically assess and evaluate the role of Public Employment Programmes (PEPs) in contributing to service delivery and improving livelihoods in rural communities in South Africa. PEPs are considered an important and widespread social protection tool used during challenges of persistent unemployment and dire poverty to provide ‘win-win’ policy options through job creation, while ensuring that assets are created and that related public services are delivered. In South Africa, as part of the global PEPs, Government implements the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) – a countrywide initiative led by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. 

The main aim of the programme is to provide job opportunities and income transfer to unemployed and poor people through productive work in the delivery of community services and creation of public assets, while contributing to community development. The impact of PEPs in South Africa has mostly been measured quantitatively in terms of the number of people employed. Thus, creating a gap in the holistic measurement of the EPWP.

This study, therefore, seeks to enrich our understanding of the contribution of the PEPs by focusing on qualitative aspects of PEPs and their implementation. It will also make visible other dimensions through an examination of their contribution to public service delivery and the creation of physical assets by which people make a living and sustain their livelihoods.