Contractor Development Programme better positions beneficiaries in Sekhukhune.
JANE FURSE – In a move to help empower local contractors in the district, Sekhukhune Executive Mayor, Stanley Ramaila, officially launched Sekhukhune District Municipality learner contract development programme at Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality chamber in Jane Furse on Friday.
According to the district municipality the programme has helped empower with contractor skills 49 trainees from across the district who partook in the six months long proramme.
The beneficiaries of the programme which was conceived for year as an initiative of the Executive Mayor Ramaila are expected to do business within the district municipality.
It further seeks to create jobs in particular for youth and women through the district development programme.
Speaking to the beneficiaries of the programme, Ramaila emphasized on the need to have financial education as a contractor to be able to sustain themselves for years and the danger of not being able to invest and save money when working on projects.
Ramaila said the contracts given to the beneficiaries of the programme were above R500 000 which might leave the contractor with just above R100 000 when managed well.
“We have given them a number of toilet units to be erected based on the needs of the local municipalities they are from. That is the reason some have 50 units to be built and some more. In the main, the contracts are not less than R500 000,” said Ramaila.
Lesedi Madisha, a beneficiary, thank the opportunity that the district municipality gave them through the programme in that it would help better their lives and fight the scourge of unemployment faced by many in the district.
Madisha further thanked those who made it possible for the programme to be a success and better position the local contractor.
“We thank our teachers for putting efforts in ensuring that we are better equipped for the future as contractors in the district,” said Madisha.
Thembani Mackaukau, a representative from national Department of Public Works, encouraged the beneficiaries to be dedicated to work and always be on site when they are awarded contracts.
