Question NW1727 to the Minister of Tourism
14 June 2021 - NW1727
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)What (a)(i) specific projects are anticipated for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) of her department known as the Social Responsibility Implementation Programme (SRIP) in the 2021-22 financial year and (ii) are their details in each case, (b) amount has been budgeted for each project, (c) number of persons are to be employed in each project and (d) is the duration of each project; (2) what has she found will each project contribute to the skills development of the persons employed in the SRIP?
Reply:
(1)(a) and (d) The Member is kindly referred to the Annual Performance Plan for 2021/22-2023/24 that was tabled on 25 March 2021 (ATC no 43 of 2021) as well as the Presentation of 4 May 2021 to the Portfolio Committee on Tourism. Details of projects are reflected in the above-mentioned documents. As the member knows infrastructure projects will be implemented through the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and they are currently in the planning phase.
(b) The skills projects are in an advanced procurement process. No budget can be disclosed until finalisation of such processes which include competitive bidding and price negotiations in some cases, as it will compromise the requisite competitiveness and could influence market prices. The member’s attention is drawn to slide 65 of the above-mentioned presentation where the overall budget for EPWP projects is reflected under Working for Tourism. This budget is also reflected in the Estimates of National Expenditure (ENE) page 779 as tabled by the Minister of Finance on 24 February 2021.
(c) No projects, are yet concluded for this Financial Year, thus the final number of persons employed/ gaining experiential work experience is not yet available. Slide 40 of the abovementioned presentation give an indication of the number of people that are targeted for the Work Opportunities of Infrastructure Projects and the target numbers for the Capacity Building projects are indicated in the presentation (Food Safety Programme, Chefs- Professional cookery, Wine Service Training Programme (Sommelier), Hospitality Youth Programme (HYP), Data Collectors and Tourism Safety Monitors)
(2) The participants in these projects are provided with accredited and non-accredited training and in some projects full accredited qualifications.