President Jacob Zuma reiterated on Tuesday that the government intends to create 500 000 job opportunities by the end of the year through the expanded public works programme as part of our goal of creating about four million such opportunities by the end of this five-year term.

"Let me emphasise that these measures are not a substitute for the permanent jobs that must be created and sustained in the economy," he said replying to the debate on his State of the Nation Address.

The president explained that the key sectors of the expanded public works programme include the infrastructure sector programme.

"Key programmes are road construction, water reticulation, sewerage and waste water management," he said. "The second programme is the social sector, aimed at creating work opportunities through the provision of public social services.

"The key programmes in this sector include the home and community-based care programme which entails provision of care and support for those infected and affected by HIV and Aids, as well as personnel required for the expansion of the early childhood development programme.

"The third EPWP intervention is in the environment and culture sectors. Programmes include Working for Water, Working on Fire and Land Care. New initiatives on waste management, including the Food for Waste Programme, will be expanded."

Zuma said more details would be given by the Public Works Minister, Geoff Doidge, during his budget speech later this month.