Expanded Public Works Programme Participants: Transitioning to Tourism in South Africa

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) was developed in South Africa as a strategy for job creation amongst poor people. However, this desired outcome of EPWP is often not achieved. This research follows an action research approach to analyse the potential of two organisations to collectively help overcome development gaps and improve living, learning and working conditions for EPWP participants. A new framework is proposed that will support all collaborating organizations to achieve their common objectives of overcoming poverty and unemployment and providing opportunities in rural areas for vulnerable people to earn an income. The research assesses the opportunities for collaboration between the organizations to help create business opportunities in tourism once participants exit the EPWP programme. This study included some primary data collection and adds new insights to the body of knowledge that deals with effectiveness of EPWP programmes in achieving objectives of poverty alleviation and job creation.