Ipelegeng supervisors currently earn P701 per month while labourers get P617 each. Monthly wages for the Ipelegeng were last increased by P50 in April 2023.
In the build-up to the 2024 General Election, President Duma Boko promised to pay Ipelegeng workers a minimum wage of P2500 if he won in the polls. Boko who led the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) to victory last month had promised in the party manifesto that his government will launch Ipelegeng as a National Community Service and the latter will be government formal employment. At the time Boko indicated that the workers were drowning in poverty while top officials of the then government were living lavish lifestyles. This week Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, disclosed that the government intends to review remuneration for the programme. He added that this will be advised by recommendations following the transformation process to be completed by March 2025. “I do confirm that the government intends to retain the Ipelegeng Programme. On this basis, my Ministry initiated an exercise that aims at transforming the programme,” Motshegwa told Parliament this week.
“The objective is to equip the Ipelegeng beneficiaries with skills applicable to other sectors of the economy, beyond the current focus on skills development in the construction sector. This transformation process will also involve extensive stakeholder consultations and engagement.” The minister was responding to a question from Bobirwa legislator, Taolo Lucas who had asked whether the new regime intends to keep the Ipelegeng Programme and if so, how it will be transformed so that it accrues maximum benefit to its participants. The Member of Parliament had also asked if the government would consider reviewing the remuneration upward for those working for the programme. Ipelegeng is a government programme that offers short-term employment for unemployed citizens who are at least 18 years old. It lasts up to one calendar month, and participants can reapply after completing the month. To register, participants can visit the Village Development Committee (VDC) at the district level or the Urban Development Committee (UDC) at the city or town level. President Boko told a Kgotla meeting in Mahalapye recently that Choppies has promised to start paying P4,000 minimum wage in January 2025 for its workers. Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware, had earlier revealed that Choppies Group is working on implementing the new minimum wage.
