13 November 2007
Minister of Housing Ms Lindiwe Sisulu was so moved by the enthusiasm and
commitment of a group of 200 women volunteer builders during Women's Month she
resolved government needed to invest in their growth and development.
Last night in Cape Town, the women's commitment was rewarded with the launch
of a new women's construction consortium, called Silindiwe.
This is a major achievement in the development of women in the construction
sector.
Silindiwe is owned and operated by women who built 26 homes in a couple of
weeks in the New Rest Informal Settlement in August. New Rest is one of the
construction sites on the N2 Gateway Pilot Project.
We were particularly touched by their support for government programmes, and
the example they were setting to all other communities that they too have a
responsibility to assist in providing themselves with houses.
The initiative is also aimed at skilling women in construction as government
has a 30% quota for women.
The spark of the idea to form the consortium was the 2007 Women's Build when
we were building at New Rest. But the spirit is certainly yours, individually
and collectively. You took the initiative to volunteer to build for others,
thereby indicating that you are available to serve the people, was her message
to the women.
South African Women in Construction (Sawic) and the National Homebuilders
Registration Council (NHBRC) have taken responsibility for training the women
and providing bridging finance for the initiative.
Sawic Western Cape chairperson Nomsa Skweyiya said the 200 women owners of
Silindiwe would be divided into 10 co-operatives of twenty members each. One
leader from each co-operative will serve on the new board of Silindile.
These women have never owned, or even dreamed of, owning their own company.
"It is our role to empower them. If you empower a woman, you empower a nation,"
said Skweyiya.
The N2 Gateway Pilot Project is a pioneering exercise by government to test
its new integrated housing policy, called Breaking New Ground.
It is a model that moves away from one-size-fits-all housing to deliver a
combination of affordable, rental and free subsidised homes. It is a model that
seeks to deliver communities conducive to human development.
Enquiries:
Mr Mabaya
Cell: 083 645 7838
Issued by: Department of Housing
13 November 2007
Source: SAPA
