This research measures and evaluates the impact of the Expanded Public Works Programmes on job creation in the Zululand District in order to guide government in developing a policy that will assist future job creation programmes. The Provincial government has prioritized poverty reduction and job creation as key focus areas in Kwazulu - Natal. This study attempts to determine whether the Expanded Public Works Programme contributes towards job creation and economic growth. The study was limited to the area of the Zululand District Municipality. This research was quantitative in nature in order to meet the objectives of the study which relates to impacts of the Expanded Public Works Programme on job creation. Statistics will be used to justify the conclusions drawn about the percentage increase in employment creation in the area. . The sample was a representative of the population of the area under study. Efforts were made to eliminate any ambiguity in the questionnaires. As training of people on the Expanded Public Works Programme is often conducted in less than six months and as the training is often not accredited, it is concluded that the jobs created by the Expanded Public Works Programme in the Zululand District Municipality are not sustainable. A high percentage of people worked on the Expanded Public Works Programme projects. Although these jobs are not sustainable, they do contribute towards the reduction of unemployment during the construction phase of the project. Most people agree with and support the Expanded Public Works Programme as a successful programme that gives hope for job creationThe output and impact of the Expanded Public Works Programme on skills training, monthly gross household income, daily wage, sustainable jobs and reduction in unemployment is shown to be minimal or not having a very noticeable impact.. Registered institutions under the Department of Education should be used to conduct training on these projects so that the level of training received can be consistent for all people trained / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

In 2001 the South African government established the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) as a national youth development initiative to promote employment opportunities for young people and enhance entrepreneurship amongst them for sustainable livelihoods. The UYF focused on three areas: contact, information and counselling; skills development and transfer, and youth entrepreneurship. This study aimed to explore the relationship between job creation and the UYF's skills development and transfer programme. It investigated the impact of the UYF training programmes in helping youth establish business enterprises and the creation of jobs. Using a nonexperimental approach, qualitative and quantitative data was collected from purposively selected UYF personnel and a sample of UYF beneficiaries. The data was thematically and statistically analysed to determine the programme's role on new firm formation, job creation, and the quality of life of beneficiaries and their families. The study found a positive impact of UYF's entrepreneurship education and training programme on new firm formation (self-employment), disposable income and the quality of life of the beneficiaries and their families. At the same time, there was a negative impact towards reducing unemployment and creating jobs. Also, the entrepreneurship education programme did not attract adequate participation by beneficiaries and its curriculum content did not cover critical entrepreneurship skills. The findings show that more interventions are required to enable to the Umsobomvu Youth Fund to deliver on its skills development and job creation mandate better. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Durban, 2011.

This research is an evaluation of labour-based methods and techniques that are used in rural road construction and maintenance. The study places emphasis on the Zibambele rural road maintenance programme in Umbumbulu, which is based on a lengthmen (male or female) system. The research is an attempt to determine how strategies such as Zibambele can be used for the social and economic upliftment of impoverished rural areas as well as contribute to adequate road access for rural communities to address the legacy of apartheid, with special reference to the empowerment of women-headed households. Rural road networks in South Africa are underdeveloped and characterised by its poor state, lack of maintenance and lack of provision, thereby having little impact on the lives of the rural poor Black population. It is evident in the study that development and maintenance of physical infrastructure are keys to rapid economic growth and poverty reduction. The study examined the impacts of labour-based rural road maintenance on accessibility and poverty alleviation in the Umbumbulu community through the use of quantitative methods (specifically a questionnaire survey) and qualitative methods (specifically focus group discussions, ranking exercises, mental mapping and venn/ chapatti diagrams). The_findings of the study indicated that the Zibambele poverty alleviation and rural road maintenance programme impacted positively on the livelihoods of many women-headed households by providing an income, facilitating skills development, and improving their social environment. It was also determined that through the introduction of new programmes such as Zibambele, the transport infrastructure within a community and the quality of life immediately improves, thus alleviating many affects of poverty / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

The focal point of the case study is based on the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) as one of the initiatives agreed to at the Growth and Development Summit (GDS) in June 2003. The goal of the EPWP is to bridge the gap between the growing economy and the large numbers of unskilled and unemployed people who have not yet enjoyed the benefits of economic development. Taking into consideration that most of the unemployed are unskilled, the importance is on relatively unskilled work opportunities. This case study sought to understand the conceptualisation and operation of the EPWP in the eThekwini Municipality. It attempted to establish the extent to which the beneficiaries of the EPWP have been able to sustain decent jobs after the implementation of the EPWP within the Municipality. Against this backdrop, this case study drew conclusions on the conceptualisation and implementation of EPWP and made recommendations on how best to implement the programme. The study was largely qualitative seeking to establish people’s views and perceptions on the programme. In addition however, the study was enriched with one-on-one interviews which were held with selected officials so as to gain deeper understanding of the situation. / Thesis (MPA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2012.