1 August 2007
Two hundred women volunteers, and a few men, will gather in New Rest,
Gugulethu, on Wednesday to help build 10 houses in nine days to celebrate
Women's Month.
Women's Build 2007 is an initiative of the National Department of Housing,
the Western Cape Department of Housing and Local Government, state housing
agency Thubelisha, the National Home Builders' Registration Council and South
African Women in Construction (Sawic). Corporate sponsors include Standard Bank
and BP Gypsum.
The 10 houses to be constructed during Women's Build will contribute to a
total of 1 155 houses planned to convert the sprawling settlement of New Rest
from a slum into a suburb.
The 40 square metre two-bedroom 'Breaking New Ground' (BNG) homes will be
handed over to beneficiaries on Women's Day, 9 August. BNG houses replace the
old 27 square metres, single-bedroom, Reconstruction and Development Programme
(RDP) subsidised standard. Beneficiaries, chosen by the community, include
elderly and disabled women, as well as those caring for orphans and vulnerable
children.
Build volunteers, including women from the New Rest community, will work
under the guidance of professional contractors and team leaders, with Sawic
members playing a leading role in their guidance and training.
The event aims to highlight the role of women in construction, and to offer
opportunities to new women entrants in the construction industry.
2007 marks the 51st anniversary of the Women's March to the Union Buildings
in 1956 to protest against apartheid pass laws. The national theme for Women's
Month is: 'Emancipation, Empowerment, Equality and Eradication of Poverty�
Now!'
Media are invited to attend the ceremonial start of Women's Build 2007 in
New Rest on Wednesday at 10h00, when Zou Khota MP, chairperson of the Housing
Portfolio Committee, will join beneficiaries � presently living in shacks � in
laying the first bricks.
To get to New Rest, take the N2 towards the airport, turn left at the
Modderdam Road exit, right at the first robot, and follow the signs to your
right as you enter Gugulethu.
For more information please call:
Monwabisi Maclean
Cell: 082 882 2962
Issued by: Department of Housing
1 August 2007
