29 August 2007
To encourage more participation of women in the construction industry
Gauteng MEC for Housing Nomvula Mokonyane will tomorrow convene the Women in
Housing Indaba in celebration of Women's Month at the Emperors Palace, Kempton
Park.
The Indaba is set to explore mechanisms of bridging the gap of gender
inequality in the construction industry. Furthermore the Indaba will critically
look at the opportunities for women in the building of sustainable settlements
by looking at current initiatives by the department, as well as expanding the
opportunities in partnership with other sister departments.
But also the Indaba will review the Women contractor's programme, with
special focus on the department's quota and sustainability of the programme and
skills development for women with interest in the housing construction industry
to broaden the viable local economies in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises
(SMMEs).
Last year the department awarded 10 women owned construction companies work
to the value of R200 million. And the awarding of this contract last year
coincided with the 50th Anniversary of the Women's March to the Union Buildings
in Pretoria. The 10 women have been tasked with the building of low cost houses
around the province over a period of three years.
Speaking at the launch of the 'Women In Construction' last year, Mokonyane
said: "the department's investment in the Women In Construction project clearly
demonstrates that Gauteng Housing is not paying lip service to women
empowerment. Rather this programme forms the basis of other programmes that are
meant to empower women."
The 10 women contractors who were awarded contracts on the eve of Women's
Day last year include the following: Bellacasa Realtors whose project is in
Soshanguve, Reatha Property Group (Rethabiseng), Patricia G (Tshepong Proper),
Silango Management (Mayfield Ext 8), Uvuko Civils Maintenance Construction
(Tshepiso), Diana and Joyce Business Enterprise (Eden Park Ext 4), Moloagadi a
Nape Business (Tinasonke).
As well as the three companies who have teamed up for the Doornkop project
in Soweto, Ndilekazuko cc, Kopano Creatives Concepts and L&R Weldings. In
Doornkop about 50 houses were handed over to beneficiaries during this month of
August.
The Indaba will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 30 August 2007
Time: 09h00
Venue: Emperor's Palace
Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 August 2007
