The MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Mr Soviet Lekganyane and the Deputy National President of South African Women in Construction (SAWIC), Dr Thandi Ndlovu officially re-launched SAWIC Limpopo chapter, which took a dive after the previous launch due to internal challenges. SAWIC initiative was founded on June 1997, by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) special unit headed by the late Ms Stella Sigcawu, to empower women to gain access inbuilding environment, training includingfinance,networks and theconstruction industry.
The Limpopo chapter’s objectives is to increase SAWIC membership base by ensuring representation in all five districts, create platform for networking, enter into partnerships with stakeholders, and capacitate members in technical and entrepreneurial skills, amongst others.
The Department of Coorperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional affairs (CoGHSTA) has increased women participation from 30% to 40%. The department has committed itself to build capacity of SAWIC members.“We have not yet increased a quantum for a period of four years and we are not yet ready to do so. As government we must encourage fellow colleagues that the quantum has reached its parameter and we must find ways to build houses in a cost effective manner,” said the MEC.
He further advised SAWIC to use less expensive means of delivering houses, reminded women that the primary issue is service delivery and that contractors should move away from greediness.
For more information Kindly contact:
Dieketseng Diale
Cell: 083 652 5276
