Sandton, 30 August 2001
Chairperson
Honorable Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is with great humility that I greet you. It gives me pleasure to know that as I address you here, a new world order is being crafted within the shores of our beautiful country. As you are all aware, the whole world is converging in Durban in an attempt to deal with the scourge of racism and other related intolerances that we have grown accustomed to.
As we meet, brainstorm and deliberate, it should dawn to all of us that this workshop is an integral part of the government's strategy to eradicate any form of discrimination and intolerance. Since these conditions are prevalent in building industry, it is imperative that both men and women strive to rid the industry of all the vices of male chauvinism. This workshop by any measure is another milestone in a struggle for gender equality. After this workshop, I believe that the building industry will not be the same again.
Furthermore, it is also an important occasion in that it coincides with the last day of the women's month celebration in our country. In honor of women, Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to cite the expression of the philosopher and poet, Kahlil Gibran as a reminder of what women have selflessly bestowed upon humankind:
"I am indebted for all that I call "I" to women ever since I was an infant. Women opened windows of my eyes and the doors of my spirit. Had it not been for the woman-mother, woman-sister and the woman-friend, I would have been sleeping among those who disturb the serenity of the world with their snores"
As we observe the last day of the women's month, let us intensify the fight for liberation of women. While we appreciate the recognition and celebration of women struggle, we should not be lulled into a false belief that the fight for women emancipation ends when the month of August as women's month comes to an end. This struggle is not confined within the numbers of this year's calendar month.
It transcends such occasions. In fact, it is an ongoing campaign that should gain strength and build momentum for each day women remain shackled by male chauvinism.
The advent of democracy in our country seven years ago brought with it a new set of conditions under which the Gender and women empowerment issues are debated. These debates are now underpinned and guided by the ideal of human rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights. It is an ideal that promotes respect, dignity and equality for all irrespective of ones gender or station in society.
Moreover, today the gender equality program is at the center of the government-driven transformation process. This resulted in the formulation and adoption of a National Framework for Women Empowerment and Gender Equality as the government policy.
The Policy Framework, while advocating collective approach in addressing gender equality, it breaks away with the past in which the distribution of goods and services was once predicated along race and gender lines.
It underscores the importance of women empowerment so that a woman can become the "master" of herself as opposed to being a "subject" of man's control. Owing to this pressing need, the government has responded by establishing the National Gender Machinery, consisting such organs as Gender Commission and Office of the Status of Women amongst others to precipitate the process of women empowerment.
In whatever way one may choose to read the actions of the government within the context of gender discourse, the bottom line is that the present government has demonstrated beyond any shadow of doubt its willingness to improve the conditions of women. It is such veritable change that should spur women and men alike to proceed with more determination towards total emancipation of our society.
However, in spite of the establishment of progressive institutions and policies, women in this country still remain the poorest group. They are confined at the periphery of economic activities. This form of economic discrimination is even more rife within the building industry. With regard to its contribution to gross geographical product (GPP), the statistics reflect that in 1996 the construction industry in Gauteng alone contributed 3,4 percent and in 1999 the contribution was 3,1 percent. However, the status quo remains intact: men almost exclusively control and share the benefits accrued.
In the light of this, we cannot remain silent and hypocritical about the situation. In fact, we cannot continue speaking of economic growth and development when major areas of economic activities such as building remain the preserve of men.
This situation creates a wrong impression as though we are a nation without women quantity surveyors, engineers, developers and lawyers. Where are these women professionals in this industry? Why are women needs not adequately catered for?
Being conscious of these anomalies in our economy, the Department of Housing in Gauteng has identified the challenges as ranging from (1) a need to assess and prioritise the needs of women in housing, (2) affirming the role and contribution of women in the process of housing delivery (3) to the empowerment of women in building industry.
As a result, in July 2000 the Department commissioned a research project into women and housing. The aim was to ensure that any policy development around this issue was based on empirical data and needs of women as prioritised and articulated by women. The research project was completed in November 2000 and interesting findings were made resulting in sound policy decision being taken by the Department.
Instead of giving lip service to our intentions, we have resolved that the implementation of policy decisions regarding women empowerment should be accelerated. Once more, this is a clear indication of our determination to address the imbalances within the building industry.
Therefore, in line with those decisions we have reserved a sizeable amount of projects for women developers or contractors. In the implementation of these reserved projects, preference will be given to local-based women contractors or partnerships formed with local-based women contractors.
Before I mention the projects, let me place it on record that the value of the work allocated for women is within the region of R40 million for the current financial year. It is our strong belief that through this investment in projects earmarked for women, we can visibly reverse the imbalances that besiege the industry.
At this point, I would like to announce these projects as follows:
(1) Protea South - Soweto, City of Johannesburg.
In this project alone about 1 400 houses will be built.
(2) Vlakfontein - Emfuleni District Council
We are going to build 800 houses.
(3) Under New Wave Consolidation Subsidy Program
A minimum of 500 houses to be built in three extensions of the following areas:
In addition to these projects, we are in a process of establishing 10 Housing Support Centres. A minimum of 15 emerging contractors or builders will be trained. At least 30% of the trainee will be woman. The trainees will construct houses for beneficiaries who prefer an option of contributing financially or through sweat equity as members of a contractor team. This initiative will be implemented within the next two months.
I should also make mention of the fact that the commencement of these projects is dependent on the signing of the allocation of land availability agreement between the Housing Department and affected local authorities. Soon after the agreements have been reached, we will call for project proposal for the implementation of all the mentioned projects.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are at the threshold of socio-economic change. We are all equally responsible for ushering in this change. This workshop is a channel through which we can all precipitate and achieve change. As we seek answers to the challenges we are confronted with in the building industry, I therefore urge all of you to approach the task ahead with seriousness and dedication it deserves.
In conclusion, I want to thank all of you for attending this workshop and I hope you are all going to turn it into a history-making event. I wish you a productive and engaging workshop.
For Enquiries Contact:
Dumisani Zulu at (011) 355 4018 or 082 602 3532