The Govan Mbeki awards should inspire contractors to work with government in building sustainable communities, in creating new and all-inclusive areas of residence with shared access to all services and easy access to economic opportunities.
This was emphasized by the Gauteng MEC of Human Settlements Jacob Mamabolo at the provincial Govan Mbeki Awards ceremony held last week in Krugersdorp. “Hopefully the awards will inspire other stakeholders in the Housing supply chain and individuals alike, to work together with our Government to perform this mammoth task of providing not only houses but sustainable communities to the ever-growing housing demand in the province,” he said.
The late Govan Mbeki, affectionately known as Oom Gov, is a struggle veteran and these awards are held annually to honour his name and his selfless struggle and legacy of working towards a better society where each and every citizen is looked after and protected by government, particularly the poor and the vulnerable.
The Govan Mbeki Awards (GMA) seek to showcase, recognize and demonstrate excellent work done by the department and contractors in providing and accelerating access to human settlements. The awards also seek to honor the role-players in the Housing Value Chain, promote best practices, create a healthy competition amongst contractors in terms of housing delivery and have become a tool to ensure housing delivery with special emphasis on quality outcomes.
CALGRO-M3 Holdings scooped four of the nine awards and recognized for being a formidable player in the built industry. CALGRO-M3’s awards include Best Integrated Residential Development, Best Eradication of Informal Settlements, Best Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme or FLISP (all for Fleurhof residential development) and Best Social Housing for Jabulani Views.
The other winners include Maluleke Luthuli (Best Priority Project – Obed Mthombeni-Nkosi), Ultrasonic Express (Best Youth Contractor – Mohlakeng Ext 11), Uvuko Civils (Best Female Contractor – M2 Nobuhle, Alexandra), JR Sekwele and Associates (Best Rural Development – Ithembalethu) and Makgotamishe (Best Community Residential Units – Sethokga). The winners will participate at the national level next month with other winners from other provinces.
As part of this recognition, MEC Mamabolo will soon visit the Fleurhof project which is an example of a prototype of housing development that Gauteng will follow.
MEC Mamabolo also recognized and honoured two community leaders for their outstanding leadership in their communities. MEC Mamabolo lauded Rosinah Mabotha and Jerry Aphane for their exemplary leadership and constructive engagement with the government when it comes to issues affecting their respective communities.
“Theirs is a remarkable leadership style that acknowledges that problems can only be solved effectively if they are shared and debated constructively to produce the greater good. What is outstanding about these two leaders is their resolve to deal and address matters without turning to violence. With many leaders like these in Gauteng, we can continue to make Gauteng even a better place to live in”, Mamabolo concluded.
For more information:
Motsamai Motlhaolwa
Cell: 079 897 2240
