21 November 2006
The Department of Transport and Public Works hosted Women in Construction
Summit at the well-known Cape Town International Convention Centre, to develop
a policy that will accelerate and ensure sustainable participation of women in
the construction industry. Six companies which are 100 percent women owned have
already been awarded public works contracts worth over a million rand.
During his keynote address, MEC Marius Fransman said that contracts worth at
least R112 million would be earmarked for women in the road construction and
public works industries. "We are also focusing on empowering processes in the
property industry, where agencies have been contacted for training and
mentoring purposes." Minister for Public Works Thoko Didiza also urged men to
assist women by forming partnerships with women to build capacity and create
opportunities.
MEC Fransman emphasised the drive to change the face of the construction
industry in the Western Cape. "With this summit we strive for engagement from
all women including women in rural and metro areas. We are bringing our
policies to the table and finally we will produce a statement which will
provide direction towards making women part of the broad infrastructural
development process," he said.
The Western Cape's infrastructural development will include rural road
networks, harbours and airports, access roads into Cape Town as well as housing
and property development. The two-day summit drew participation from very
prominent ladies including the country's property icon, Pam Golding.
Enquiries:
Chris Prins
Manager: Communication
Tel: (021) 483 2132
E-mail: cwprins@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Transport and Public Works, Western Cape Provincial
Government
21 November 2006
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
