08 Oct 2026

Ikageng Public Works Programme (IPWP) graduates have showcased their technical expertise by presenting two houses which they constructed, that being in demonstration of the skills they have acquired through the programme.

The two houses constructed on a Village Development Committee (VDC) plot in Nkoyaphiri ward in Mogoditshane feature the latest housing models with open-plan layouts, a separate toilet and bathroom, two bedrooms with fitted wardrobes, and finished flooring.

Presenting the programme overview on Tuesday, Mogoditshane-Thamaga council secretary Ms Iris Sitayelo noted that originally the houses were scheduled for construction in the 2023/2024 financial year with a nine-month implementation schedule.

According to Ms Sitayelo, the construction of the houses within the stipulated timeframe had then failed.

She said leading to their ultimate construction, the projects drew 56 participants, of whom 45 were graduating as others had dropped out of the programme before the completion of the houses.

The graduating class comprised a diverse group of trades people, including nine bricklayers and plasterers, six carpenters, nine tilers, nine electricians, seven plumbers and six painters.

Ms Sitayelo commended the Rapid Skills Development Centre, formerly Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF), for its foundational roles in the project, Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) for its prompt infrastructure delivery, noting that water was already running in the houses.

Ms Sitayelo assured graduates that the Mogoditshane-Thamaga District Council would reserve temporary positions for them as they became available, allowing them to maintain their skills while seeking full-time employment.

“Mogoditshane-Thamaga has already produced artisans through the programme as this is our second cohort,” she emphasised.

Giving a keynote address, Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs deputy permanent secretary - operations, Mr Kabo Moseki expressed contentment and excitement regarding Ikageng’ strategic progress.

Mr Moseki noted that the tangible success criteria achieved was a living testament to the importance of the programme.

Mr Moseki emphasised that locals were realising immense benefits when graduates on the one hand were getting equipped with practical industry-ready vocational capabilities.

He stressed that the gains highlighted at the event were made possible through coordinated infrastructure of the Ikageng Public Works Programme, a pillar initiative tasked with advancing community resilience, local employment creation, and social protection coordination.

“Partnerships bridging public resources with specialised skill transfer programmes continue to systematically close technical gaps in the construction industry,” he said.

Mr Moseki added that graduates entering the workforce must practice patience, stick to their trained vocations, and avoid being overly selective about initial employment opportunities to effectively build their foundational experience.

“Skilled trades are a highly rewarding field,” he concluded.

RSDC executive director, Mr Godiramodimo Kalaote attested that Ikageng was indeed a solution to persistent infrastructure and maintenance backlogs across the nation’s districts.

He said they were in the process of rolling out a mandatory registration system for all skilled tradespeople by launching a mobile application designed to connect local workers with nearby employers.

According to Mr Kalaote, the primary goal of the app was to bridge the employment gap by facilitating quick, radius-based hiring. The platform will allow businesses to instantly locate and hire certified tradespeople working within their immediate geographic area, streamlining the local recruitment process.

Mogoditshane-Thamaga District Council chairman, Mr Molatedi Selala stated that while the successful implementation of the initiative proves that the council’ Social and Community Development (S&CD) department delivers on its mandate, bureaucratic bottlenecks remained a hurdle.

He called for the relevant authorities to reconsider the current procurement process to streamline future project timelines. ENDS