Project Vuk'iuhambe (Get Up and Go)

In response to this challenge, Project Vuk'iuhambe (Get Up and Go) was initiated in May 2002 by the City of Cape Town's Transport, Roads and Stormwater Directorate with the objectives of providing employment, training and empowerment opportunities to historically disadvantaged individuals through the mechanism of road construction and maintenance.

Innovation

A unique contract model was introduced that ensures maximum use of labour and local Affirmable Business Enterprises.  The provision of training with the aim of empowering the local community to play a significant role in the construction of the project thereby creates a sense of community ownership and pride of their infrastructure.  A training model that identifies enthusiastic local individuals and through training and mentorship assists them to form their own construction companies, thereby ensuring sustainability of the programme.  Local labourers showing talent and enthusiasm have been identified for a mentoring programme.  They will receive accredited training towards a qualification in Construction Management and the contractor and consultant will mentor them on site.

Effectiveness

The pilot project, Upgrading of Roads in Tambo Village is well under way with following goals having been achieved: 68 local residents are employed on the contract and they will receive approximately 15% of the contract value in wages; 6 local women employed; 10 roads currently under construction.  Local residents are being employed in a precast concrete manufacturing yard, to construct the kerb and channel units required for the project.  Local Affrimable Business Enterprises are employed on the contract. 

Poverty Impact

Over 21% of the contract value will be directly returned to the local community by way of wages and fees.  14 technical and life skills training courses have been completed.  4 local labourers have been identified for the mentoring programme.

Sustainability

Once the individual has completed the mentorship programme, he tenders for Vuk'uhambe contracts thus ensuring sustainability of a project unit. The pilot project in Tambo Village has an estimated project cost of R9,5m.  The City of Cape Town and the Provincial Government Western Cape, via the Consolidated Municipal Infrastructure Programme (CMIP), will be jointly funding the work. CMIP have also approved an additional amount of  R1,2m for the pilot project in Tambo Village.  Several other projects have been identified and funding is being sourced from Provincial and Central Government.

Replication

Other municipalities and government institutions can easily replicate the project.  Provision has been made in the Cape Town City Council's 2003/2004 budget to expand the project to the rehabilitation of Concrete Roads in Guguletu, Upgrading of Roads in Langa, Cycle track constructions in Khayelitsha and footway construction in Mitchell's Plain.  A Monitoring Committee has been established to review and recommend improvements to the following aspects of the pilot project: contract documentation, training, procurement targets, task-based payment and labour intensive methods of construction.

Partnerships

• Provincial government - CMIP-PAWC 10% funds
• Local government - City of Cape Town 90% funds
• Consultants - Steven Brand (De Vos Paxton)
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