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MEDIA RELEASE
Pretoria - The National Department of Public Works has set aside R4,1 million worth of building/construction projects specifically targeting women-owned businesses in the Northern Province as part of its initiative to economically empower women in construction industry.
Called the Strategic Empowerment Programme for Women in Construction, the R135 million programme was launched to the nation by the Minister of Public Works, Ms Stella Sigcau, on 9 August 2001 at Uitenhage during Women's Day Celebrations.
Tenders valued at more than R4 million have been advertised for government contracts at Pietersurg, Nylstroom, Bolobedu, Mokopane and Sekgosese.
Announcing about 50 projects nation-wide worth R135 million and targeting women business enterprises, Minister Sigcau said "the R34 billion a year construction industry is a national asset, playing a vital role in the realisation of reconstruction and development targets.
"Government through its procurement muscle, is the largest consumer (more than 40%) of the industry's annual output", concluded the Minister.
Strategic Empowerment Programme is an extension of the Strategic Projects Initiative (SPI) launched by the Department of Public Works in May 1998 as part of the Department's Affirmative Procurement Policy.
SPI aimed to accelerate the graduation of blacks from a sub-contractor to a prime contractor level on government construction contracts above R5 million.
Projects with a combined contract value of R600 million were identified under the SPI.
To date SPI has delivered some of the successful multi-million rand projects using blacks as prime contractors, including:
* R67 million Kokstad Medium Security Prison
* R24 million St Albans Prison Production Workshop
* R11 million Botshabelo Magistrate Court
* R8 million Butterworth Police Station
On the other hand, the Strategic Economic Empowerment Programme will accelerate the development and capacity of women-owned businesses to execute large-scale government contracts.
Since becoming the Minister of Public Works, Ms Sigcau has championed tirelessly for the advancement of women in construction as part of an overall strategy of construction industry development - to grow and transform the industry.
Issued by the National Department of Public Works, 5 September 2001