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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