Project Vuk'uhambe

Roadworks have been recognised as a vehicle for providing employment and empowerment opportunities, particularly in high unemployment areas like Tambo Village, Gugulethu (Cape Town). 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 local labour and  Affirmable Business Enterprises. Training enables the local people to play a significant role in the construction of the project, thereby creating a sense of community ownership and pride.  A separate  training model was developed to train local students in business and technical skills  and, through  mentorship, assist them to form their own construction companies, thereby ensuring sustainability of the programme.  Local labourers have also 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 and poverty Impact

The pilot project to upgrade roads in Tambo Village is well under way, with more than two thirds of those employed being local residents. Ten roads are under construction at the time of writing.  Local residents are also being employed in a precast concrete manufacturing yard, to construct the kerb and channel units required for the project.  Local Affirmable Business Enterprises are employed on the contract.  Over 21% of the contract value will be directly returned to the local community by way of wages and fees.  Fourteen technical and life skills training courses have been completed, and four 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), are jointly funding the work.
An additional amount of  R1,2m has also been approved 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 benefit from the experiences gained and ensure  replication.  Provision was 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
•    Local government - City of Cape Town
•    Consultants