Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works Thandiswa Marawu will host a South African Network for Women in Transport (SANWIT) Consultative Session at the Walter Sisulu University Main Campus in Mthatha on Saturday, 29 October 2011 at 10h00.
SANWIT is an association of women who support the idea of strengthening the role of women in transport. It is a network aimed at recruiting women or woman groups as members and co-ordinate them into an umbrella body.
Its main aim is to champion and articulate aspirations and socio-economic development of women in transport and the reasons for its establishment include:
- To facilitate regional networking among women on critical issues in transport for development
- To assist women in transport sector deal with obstacles and challenges in their business operations
- To promote collaboration and coalition building among women in transport and women entrepreneurs for policy advocacy and action which recognises and support women’s contribution in transport development.
The organisation’s mission is to support, facilitate and monitor socio-economic advancement and their positive impact on the country’s economy, as well as supporting the growth of women owned enterprises by ensuring their access to relevant resources and support.
During the 2009/10 financial year the department approved and allocated a grant of R3 000, 000.00 to the Eastern Cape Women in Transport (ECWIT) under the auspices of SANWIT. These funds were mainly allocated to launch SANWIT in all districts, hold strategy workshops, conferences and training for members as well as awareness campaigns.
SANWIT in the province is led by 12 executive members and boasts more than 1 500 memberships in all districts and the objectives include:
- Coaching and mentorship
- Empowerment, training and skills transfer
- Research and development on women related issues
- Raising different components of transport within aviation, maritime, road and rail sectors
To encourage women to meaningfully enter the transport industry through:
- Networking and supporting women
- Facilitating enterprise development
- Lobbying and advocating for a policy environment that will enable the sustainability of women enterprises.
