Women get their dignity restored through housing
Christmas came a bit early for four elderly women in Signal Hill village near Mahikeng after they received fully furnished houses, thanks to the Department of Local Government and Human Settlements in Bokone Bophirima in partnership with the Bokone Bophirima chapter of the South African Women in Construction (SAWIC).
The four beneficiaries, Anna Mosiane (45), Rossina Kesese (88), Martha Moabankwe (68) and Thoniko Matlho (78) had all been staying in appalling conditions with their respective families. Their houses are part of the Women’s Built programme which is responsible facilitating the implementation of the women in human settlements framework that looks at addressing the issues that affect women in human settlements sector by harnessing the resources and putting in place the systems and the processes that will facilitate the empowerment of women contractors
Speaking on behalf of the Acting MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements - Wendy Nelson, the Executive Mayor of Mahikeng, Gosiame Seatlholo last week Friday, said government’s efforts to empower women in construction was beginning to yield positive dividends. “Today we witness the sterling work carried out by SAWIC. The handing over of these houses, symbolically remains a step in a positive direction. Indeed, the Freedom Charter has asserted that there shall be houses, security and comfort. As government, we continue to be aware of the housing challenges that continue to face our people lament’’, she said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of SAWIC in the province, Connie Modiba reiterated its SAWIC’s commitment to working with the department to empower women contractors, through the ‘saam trek, saam werk’ notion. The department has committed to have built at least 1956 houses through SAWIC, by the end of the 2015/2016 financial year. “We are grateful of the support we are getting from government but we still believe they can do more. Women need to play a meaningful role in the industry that is dominated by men. The commitment by the department to award women contractors 1956 housing units displays the confidence that is growing to uplift women contractors” said Modiba.
For enquiries:
Mr Ben Bole (Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 388 4824
Cell: 071 566 1399
Fax: 018 391 0328
E-mail: MSBole@nwpg.gov.za
