NW women make great strides in building sector
Posted 1st July 2008 at 05:54 PM by NewsTracker
By Kagiso Metswamere
Mafikeng – The North West Department of Local Government and Housing has awarded tenders worth R234 million, to five women in the construction industry, to build 6 000 low-cost houses.
One of the recipients, Thandi Poncana, 29, is the owner of a company called KeeWave Developers based in Klerksdorp at the Matlosana Local Municipality.
She told BuaNews that working in the male dominated industry is a challenge for every woman but determination and commitment can make one to survive.
“It was a difficult challenge to start our company two years back as many people did not believe that we can make it.
“I started our company even though people had little faith in what I was doing,” Ms Poncana said.
She said many male workers in the industry initially had a problem working with her.
“Many men who are working with me had a problem of reporting to me initially,” she said, adding that they are not getting used to the fact that women are now involved in construction.
Ms Poncana’s company specialises in project management of low-cost housing, feasibility studies in municipalities and commercial business profile for small contractor.
Managing her company with pride, Ms Poncana said she had successfully completed projects and was still working on other projects throughout the province.
“Through my company I have successfully completed other projects of building low-cost houses around areas of Taung in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.
“We have projects which are still ongoing such as building 2000 units of low-costs houses at Matlosana Local Municipality, 2000 units at Venterdorp Local municipality and 344 units at Greater Taung Local municipality,” she said.
She further highlighted that getting another tender this year to build 2000 houses in the Tlokwe local municipality from the department, shows that she is doing something right in the building industry.
“I am happy to have received this tender and as always we will do everything in our power to make sure that we complete the job that has being given to us.
“I want to thank our government for having confidence in the women of this country, it shows that we are living in a country that has changed a lot,” she said.
The North West Department of Local Government and Housing has set aside R506 million to meet a target of 30 percent for the participation of women in the contraction industry for this current financial year.
In addition, the department has budgeted R924 088 million for the alleviation of housing shortage across the province during this financial year.
Presenting his departmental budget vote in May this year, MEC Howard Yawa said a committee has being established to deal specifically with the empowerment of women in the construction industry.
“Steering Committees have been established in all four districts and one at provincial to coordinate the empowerment, sharing of best practices and the work of women contractors provincially.”
During this financial year, MEC Yawa said each woman contractor will be given at least, a house to construct as part of practical training.
“This year I want to reiterate once more, our commitment to have more women involved in housing delivery,” he said at the time. - BuaNews
Mafikeng – The North West Department of Local Government and Housing has awarded tenders worth R234 million, to five women in the construction industry, to build 6 000 low-cost houses.
One of the recipients, Thandi Poncana, 29, is the owner of a company called KeeWave Developers based in Klerksdorp at the Matlosana Local Municipality.
She told BuaNews that working in the male dominated industry is a challenge for every woman but determination and commitment can make one to survive.
“It was a difficult challenge to start our company two years back as many people did not believe that we can make it.
“I started our company even though people had little faith in what I was doing,” Ms Poncana said.
She said many male workers in the industry initially had a problem working with her.
“Many men who are working with me had a problem of reporting to me initially,” she said, adding that they are not getting used to the fact that women are now involved in construction.
Ms Poncana’s company specialises in project management of low-cost housing, feasibility studies in municipalities and commercial business profile for small contractor.
Managing her company with pride, Ms Poncana said she had successfully completed projects and was still working on other projects throughout the province.
“Through my company I have successfully completed other projects of building low-cost houses around areas of Taung in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.
“We have projects which are still ongoing such as building 2000 units of low-costs houses at Matlosana Local Municipality, 2000 units at Venterdorp Local municipality and 344 units at Greater Taung Local municipality,” she said.
She further highlighted that getting another tender this year to build 2000 houses in the Tlokwe local municipality from the department, shows that she is doing something right in the building industry.
“I am happy to have received this tender and as always we will do everything in our power to make sure that we complete the job that has being given to us.
“I want to thank our government for having confidence in the women of this country, it shows that we are living in a country that has changed a lot,” she said.
The North West Department of Local Government and Housing has set aside R506 million to meet a target of 30 percent for the participation of women in the contraction industry for this current financial year.
In addition, the department has budgeted R924 088 million for the alleviation of housing shortage across the province during this financial year.
Presenting his departmental budget vote in May this year, MEC Howard Yawa said a committee has being established to deal specifically with the empowerment of women in the construction industry.
“Steering Committees have been established in all four districts and one at provincial to coordinate the empowerment, sharing of best practices and the work of women contractors provincially.”
During this financial year, MEC Yawa said each woman contractor will be given at least, a house to construct as part of practical training.
“This year I want to reiterate once more, our commitment to have more women involved in housing delivery,” he said at the time. - BuaNews
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