Chair, there are about 14 programmes in the EPWP, including the Working for Water programme which will ensure that over 750 000 ha of land are cleared of invasive alien plants. The Working for Wetlands programme will rehabilitate 115 wetlands across the country. The Working for Land programme will ensure that over 30 000 ha of land are rehabilitated, and the Working for the Coast programme will ensure that conservation work is done along 2 113 km of the coastline.
All these programmes are among the most successful initiatives of the government, as referred to by the President in his state of the nation address. The returns on investment are extremely high, and this also exemplifies the government's commitment to sustainable development. A budget of R2,83 billion has been allocated to these EPWP-aligned programmes for this financial year.
Angikhumbuze abahlonishwa abakule Ndlu ukuthi balikhumbule usuku olumenyezelwe nguMongameli la ehlabe khona ikhwelo wathi masihambe siye ngasezindaweni zethu siyosusa imfucuza ezindaweni esihlala kuzona nasemadolobheni ethu. Ngibonga kakhulu. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Let me remind all the hon members in this House that they must not forget the special day announced by the President when he encouraged us to go to our local communities and our towns to clean up. Thank you very much. [Applause.]]