The national women’s build for 2009 currently underway at Thekwane North near Nelspruit, Mpumalanga has delivered 25 housing units to date. The project was launched by provincial MEC for Human Settlements, Madala Masuku on 14 August 2009. The build seeks to ensure women participation and the acceleration of service delivery by constructing houses for the vulnerable groups from the 14 to 28 August 2009 in the area. Various government departments and partners within the built industry are making contributions towards the project.
Upon completion, the project will have 53 housing units constructed by a local woman contractor, volunteers and sponsors within the industry. Some institutions are also hosting houses that they are constructing with their staff members for the duration of the build. The South African Women in Construction (SAWIC) is also imparting skills to the volunteers at the site. The skills are expected to benefit them in future carers. The project will have properly installed water, sanitation, roads and other amenities upon completion. The Department of Agriculture will green the area and provide seedlings for the community.
The women’s build is a Letsema Project which entails construction of housing units for vulnerable and marginalised groups (i.e. elderly, women with disabilities, etc). It is a partnership project of the national, provincial Departments of Human Settlements, with sector stakeholders and is hosted annually in commemorating the Women’s Month. The campaign has committed to deliver 20 000 houses by all provinces in commemoration the thousands women who marched to the Union Building in 1956 protesting against pass-laws. The Mpumalanga province is hosting the national women’s build for 2009 where it has committed to build 1 956 housing units, of which 53 of them are being constructed during the build at Thekwane North near Nelspruit in the Mbombela Local Municipality.
There are two constructions currently underway on site, namely a community hall, child care centre and the farm dweller programmes. These amenities are envisaged to be handed over during the closing ceremony of the build. The remaining days will see churches, celebrities and sponsors playing a part during the build. Human Settlements Minister, Tokyo Sexwale is expected to officially close the activities on 28 August 2009 at Thekwane North.
Enquiries:
Freddy Ngobe
Cell: 082 859 4630
Tel: 013 766 6014
Issued by: Department of Human Settlements, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
24 August 2009
