Programme director
Head of Department, Dr F B Madlopha
Senior Management of the department
Educators
Learners
Members of the media
Ladies and gentlemen
I greet you all
We have gathered here today to celebrate a very crucial occasion where our department showcases its commitment to protection of children and empowerment of women in general. The ruling party has re-iterated its commitment to address the challenge of gender inequalities in our democratic society. The government acknowledges that despite advances in legislation, the majority of women in South Africa still suffer from gender inequality. Women have been at the receiving end of various forms of abuse and this has negatively affected their self esteem. Girl children have been hard hit by our gender stereotypes to an extent that others were denied their basic right to education. Lack of access to education prohibited them from showcasing their skills and talents. They were unable to pursue certain career paths. This has resulted to women being under-represented in the formal economy and in corporate leadership positions.
Furthermore, the female South African Children are faced with many constraints including the following:
* Teenage pregnancies leading to school drop outs (statistics show that four out of ten girls become pregnant at least once before the age of 20)
* HIV and AIDS and child headed families
* High levels of sexual abuse, rape and violence against women girls.
* Under representation within the corporate world.
* Child labour
Taking a Girl Child to Work Day is an annual corporate social investment event, held in South Africa since 2003.
This event seeks to make a contribution in addressing the above challenges. The goal of the Taking a Girl Child to Works Day initiative is to “deepen the thinking of the girl child with regards to their infinite roles in society, enhance their self-esteem, inspire and motivate them to reach their full potential.
The underlying theme for this year is “Change your world”. It encourages girls to seize all opportunities available to them and empower themselves. The Department of Human Settlements and Public Works has shown commitment in participating in this initiative hence we have been awarded a certificate of appreciation from Cell C in 2006. During the period 2006 to 2009 our department has invited 181 girls to visit our offices in different regions.
Furthermore, our Department has awarded bursaries to 153 students of which 73 (47%) are female students who specialise in engineering, construction project management, architecture, quantity surveying and property valuation. The bursary is awarded to students who have passed their first years at a tertiary institution.
Learners who obtain excellent matric results in science and mathematics also benefit. The departmental bursary programme has benefited many students especially those from the previously disadvantaged communities. The bursary pays for tuition and accommodation. The bursary is advertised through radio talk shows, newspapers, departmental website and career exhibitions. We want to see more female engineers being produced. Girls should try by all means to choose careers which will address the challenge of scarce skills in our country.
Therefore, I wish to encourage all learners, girls in particular, from Mathomela High School and other schools within Bulwer to work hard so that you seize the opportunities offered by our department. Learners from rural communities learn under challenging conditions due to high rates of unemployment. Many learners come from families who live below the poverty line. It is therefore very crucial that you work hard so that you rescue your families from the quagmire of poverty.
The government has made significant strides in improving the lives of women in our country.
Government and civil society organisations are implementing various programmes to promote children’s rights and create a nurturing environment. The new
Ministry of Women, Youth and Children have been created specifically to address these challenges.
All South African citizens have a responsibility to participate in increasing awareness of gender based violence and violence directed at children, particularly those living in rural and other traditionally marginalised communities. We need to uphold the rights and restore the dignity of the most vulnerable in our society.
All government departments have initiated programmes which are aimed at responding to challenges facing women. The government will use an integrated approach whereby all departments will work towards achieving a common goal which is ensuring a better life for all.
Lastly, I would like to thank Cell C for their remarkable contribution in the empowerment of women through this programme. Public-Private Partnerships are critical if we are serious about creating an environment for rapid development in our country. I believe that other business organisations will also come on board and contribute.
We progress report in terms of delivering on our mandate.
Today we pride ourselves as the department that we have successfully implemented government programmes as expected. The government has committed itself to upliftment of all communities especially the previously disadvantaged communities. This can be achieved through robust infrastructure delivery.
The infrastructure forms the foundation for economic growth and development. Adequate infrastructure delivery is a crucial incentive for investment. Therefore our department plays a very strategic role for the development of our country.
There is more commitment to excellent service among the staff and the focus has shifted to end users. We ensure adherence to Batho Pele principles. The people must come first. We have adopted a people cantered approach. We hold a view that people have a right to be served in a dignified manner.
The department has introduced various programmes and policies which are aimed at improving our service delivery. To make a meaningful contribution in terms of development of our communities, the department has responded by ensuring proper implementation of national initiatives. For instance with regards to Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), the department has managed to meet its target. Many families have benefited from EPWP defined projects.
This is achieved mainly by ensuring that local people are prioritised when there are projects in their areas. In the financial year 2007/08 the department had a target of 16 000 jobs the total number of jobs actually created is 17 499.
The National Youth Service Programme which is also under EPWP has also been successfully implemented. This programme is aimed at providing construction related skills, mainly plastering and bricklaying to our youth. The youth receive theoretical training for six months while receiving a stipend of R600 and practical training under a well established contractor for six months and receive a stipend for R1 000.
Currently there are 178 learners undergoing classroom training. Even here at Ilembe we have learners who have benefited.
In responding to a call by our government to invest more in education, the department introduced the bursary and internship programmes. For bursaries a students should specialise in architecture, construction project management, property valuation, engineering and quantity surveying and must have passed their first years in a tertiary institution. The internship is meant for students who have completed their degrees in the above disciplines who require practical experience. In 2009 the department will fund 36 learners. To date the total number of learners funded by the department is 71 including those funded from previous years. The learners who obtained excellent results in matric have also benefited.
Twelve learners benefited in 2009.
The department has also initiated a programme called Masakhe Emerging Contractor
Development Programme (ECDP) which provides support to emerging contractors so that they progress to high grades. With this programme emerging contractors stand a better chance to secure tenders as they fall within the same grade. This programme responds directly to the issue of Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment as the PPG groups are prioritised.
Entering the construction industry has been made even easier as the department has facilitated for the establishment of Construction Industrial Development Board (CIDB) offices in Mayville, Durban. This centre supports contractor development by growing contractor capacity, promoting equity, encouraging continuity and improving industry standards.
Our department has also formed contractor forums in all districts. These forums are used as platform for constructive engagements and enhanced consultation. Issues pertaining to construction industry are discussed and inputs are made regarding the partnership between the department and contractors.
Another programme is called “Izandla Ziyagezana”. In this programme all vacant sites are cleared using local unemployed youth. This is a poverty alleviation and labour intensive programme. This programme has been launched in Harmmersdale, Portshepstone, Margate and Ezakheni. Through this programme many families will be able to put ends meat on their tables.
The above programmes have brought the department closer to the people. In the light of the above I would like to highlight just a few projects which have been delivered within Ilembe District.
The province has experienced severe natural disasters which have caused serious damages to government properties mainly schools. The Department of Public Works intervened and repaired those schools. Those schools involve the following
Therefore with those words I wish to encourage you to ensure that you protect government properties in your communities. These are your properties. “Phansi nokucekelwa phansi kwezakhiwo zikahulumeni phansi” You must support the government by using the infrastructure responsibly. We should be patriotic and progressive so that the future generations will also benefit from these properties “Phambili nentuthuko phambili.”
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Human Settlements and Public Works, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
27 May 2009
Source: Department of Human Settlements and Public Works, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kznworks.gov.za)
