Analysing public employment programmes as an intervention strategy towards the creation of employment opportunities: the case of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in Thandukukhanya Township, Mkhondo Local Municipality.

Abstract

Unemployment remains one of the most persistent social challenges globally, with consequences that extend beyond financial deprivation to include broader socio-economic vulnerabilities. Various public employment programmes have been implemented as interventions to mitigate long-term unemployment and extreme poverty. These programmes are widely regarded as significant mechanisms for expanding access to short-term employment opportunities among disadvantaged communities. However, their effectiveness in generating sustainable employment remains contested. This study aimed to provide an in-depth analysis of the Public Employment Programmes as an intervention strategy towards the creation of employment opportunities using the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in Thandukukhanya Township, within the Mkhondo Local Municipality, as a case study. The Rational Choice Theory was applied as the underpinning theoretical framework for this qualitative study. The participants were selected through convenience sampling for EPWP participants and community members, while purposive sampling was employed to identify key informants. The total sample comprised 35 participants, including 15 EPWP employees, 4 EPWP officials, and 16 community members who had resided in Thandukukhanya for more than five years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that while the EPWP plays a significant role in providing short-term income relief and temporary employment, its capacity to facilitate long-term employability is severely constrained by limited skills development, weak post-programme pathways, and the exclusion of communities from decision-making processes. The key contribution of this study lies in demonstrating how structural and implementation limitations at the local level undermine the transformative potential of PEPs, thereby challenging assumptions about their developmental impact. The study recommends that the EPWP form partnerships with local businesses and NGOs to provide opportunities for mentorship, apprenticeships and job placement. The study also recommends that EPWP officials involve community members in the planning and programme implementation stage. Additionally, the government needs to consider employing double-blessed policies where they can promote economic growth and economic development of the beneficiaries while improving infrastructure and service delivery.