Namwala Town Council has successfully oriented 32 Data Entry Clerks who will be deployed across the district’s 16 wards to support the implementation of the Revised Cash for Work (R-CFW) Programme. The orientation, which took place on Monday, 30 March 2026, is part of a broader effort aimed at strengthening transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the management of beneficiary data.
The orientation is particularly significant as the Revised Cash for Work Programme introduces a new digital approach to beneficiary registration, screening, and verification—marking a shift from the manual processes that characterised the initial phase of the programme. At the centre of this reform is the role of Data Entry Clerks, whose responsibilities are critical to ensuring that the programme reaches the intended beneficiaries.
During the training, the clerks were equipped with practical skills to capture and manage beneficiary information using the R-CFW Application Tool developed by SMART Zambia. Their duties will include encoding and screening key beneficiary details such as names, mobile numbers, and National Registration Card (NRC) information, as well as uploading this data into the system for verification. They will also play a key role in supporting the validation process by ensuring that only eligible individuals are captured, thereby helping to eliminate duplication and prevent double-dipping.
Officials emphasised that the introduction of Data Entry Clerks under the revised programme is a deliberate measure to address challenges experienced during Phase I, including inaccurate data capture and weaknesses in beneficiary targeting. By digitising the process and assigning dedicated personnel to manage data, the programme is expected to significantly improve its credibility and effectiveness.
The training was described as critical in preparing the clerks for their role, given the technical and sensitive nature of their responsibilities. Emphasis was placed on accuracy, consistency, and confidentiality in handling beneficiary information, as errors at the point of data entry could result in the exclusion of deserving individuals or inclusion of ineligible beneficiaries. The orientation therefore ensures that all clerks are adequately prepared to carry out their duties in a professional and uniform manner across the district.
The Revised Cash for Work Programme was introduced following the severe drought experienced during the 2023/2024 farming season, which led to the declaration of a national disaster by President Hakainde Hichilema on February 29, 2024. The programme has since been expanded to cover all 116 districts nationwide, providing temporary employment opportunities to vulnerable individuals while contributing to community development through labour-intensive public works.
With the integration of technology and the deployment of trained Data Entry Clerks, Namwala Town Council is confident that the implementation of the programme will be more transparent, efficient, and inclusive, ultimately ensuring that support reaches the most vulnerable households while promoting accountability in the use of public resources.
