EPWP SOCIAL SECTOR CONFERENCE – FINDING NEW WAYS TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES

By Justice Malapane

• The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Social Sector Conference, currently underway in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, is reimagining how best to respond to realities facing communities.
• Delegates will develop practical resolutions aimed at accelerating the transition from vulnerability to resilience.
• The EPWP social sector remains a dynamic instrument for inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods.

More than 300 delegates from across South Africa have converged in Durban for the three-day Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Social Sector Conference, bringing together representatives from government, the private sector, and civil society organisations to chart a new path for inclusive development.

Delivering the welcome address on the opening day, 24 February 2026, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development, Mbali Shinga, described the conference as a decisive moment for the sector, anchored on the call to migrate “from vulnerability to resilience”.

She emphasised that the gathering is not just a policy discussion, but a place to rethink how the EPWP social sector responds to the socio-economic realities facing communities.

“The conference is about migrating from vulnerability to resilience,” she said, underscoring the need to strengthen communities through innovation, skills development, and sustainable work opportunities.

The three-day engagement seeks, among other priorities, to promote innovation in social service delivery through digital skills development and to strengthen partnerships across sectors to enhance programme implementation.

The MEC noted that the EPWP social sector must continuously adapt and “do things differently” to remain responsive and impactful.

She highlighted that the programme remains a critical pathway for unlocking work opportunities, particularly for unemployed youth.

Through strategic partnerships with the private sector and civil society, the sector aims to create innovative opportunities that empower individuals while strengthening community resilience.

Delivering the opening remarks and outlining the purpose of the conference, Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Peter Netshipale, described the EPWP Social Sector Conference as part of the democratic government’s enduring legacy.

“The EPWP Social Sector Conference is a legacy of a democratic government as it is linked to the current five-year Medium Term Development Plan 2024–2029 strategic framework,” he said.

He added that the conference aligns with the government’s broader developmental priorities, including job creation, poverty alleviation, and the strengthening of social protection systems.

The conference continues tomorrow under the theme: “Revolutionising access to social services through digital skills in the EPWP social sector,” with discussions expected to focus on leveraging technology to expand access, improve efficiency, and empower beneficiaries with future-ready skills.

As deliberations continue, delegates are expected to develop practical resolutions aimed at accelerating the transition from vulnerability to resilience, ensuring that the EPWP social sector remains a dynamic instrument for inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods.