FROM SKILLS TO SOLUTIONS: EPWP DIGITAL SKILLS PARTICIPANTS SHOWCASE INNOVATION AT SOCIAL SECTOR CONFERENCE

By Nonhlakanipho Masola

• ⁠Young Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Digital Skills participants demonstrated how technology can strengthen accountability and improve community reporting systems.
• A youth-led digital platform prototype aims to connect communities directly with government services, enabling residents to log service-delivery challenges, track responses in real time, and provide government with data-driven insights to improve planning and responsiveness across sectors such as health, infrastructure and safety.
• Personal testimonies reflected how digital skills training is empowering young people to drive social innovation and inclusive solutions.

The voices of young innovators captured the spotlight at the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Social Sector Conference, as beneficiaries of the Digital Skills Programme shared powerful testimonies on how the initiative is translating training into practical solutions for communities.

Philasande Mathe (21), a participant from Umlazi, Durban, presented a digital innovation developed in collaboration with Sthembile Mkhize through the programme. Philasande described the concept as a website intended to establish a direct connection between communities and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government. The platform is designed to enhance efficiency and accountability by enabling community members to log reports and track progress on issues impacting them.

The proposed system incorporates multiple sectors, such as social services, infrastructure, security, and other governmental functions, illustrating the capacity of technology to address routine challenges faced by citizens.
By presenting practical examples, Philasande demonstrated the platform’s potential application in the social sector, with a particular focus on health services. The system would allow community members to report issues such as shortages of medication, equipment, or hospital staff, thereby enabling authorities to identify trends and respond more efficiently. Regarding infrastructure, he indicated that citizen reports on deteriorating roads and potholes could support government efforts to prioritise maintenance and enhance service delivery.

He emphasised that the project currently serves as a demonstration of what is possible, noting that the digital and software development skills gained through the EPWP Digital Skills Programme empowered him and his peers to conceptualise and build innovative solutions. “This platform could be a breakthrough for people who feel they have no power to raise issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

Sthembile Mkhize (30) of Marianhill, currently serving as Youth Crime Prevention Desk Treasurer and actively engaged as a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) activist in collaboration with the Department of Community Safety and Liaison, also contributed her testimony. She conveyed her satisfaction in participating in a project that supports her commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities.

Sthembile said the opportunity to contribute to a digital platform that could assist people in need was deeply personal to her, particularly as a GBV activist. She added that the programme inspired her to continue developing her digital skills so that she can broaden the support she offers to communities.

She further shared her long-term vision of creating digital learning tools for children on the autism spectrum, noting that children with special needs are often left behind when it comes to accessing innovative educational resources.
The testimonies presented at the EPWP Social Sector Conference underscored the human impact of the Digital Skills Programme, showcasing how investment in skills development can unlock innovation, empower young people and strengthen the link between communities and government.