Durban — Women in construction have expressed their hope for inclusion and sustainable development in their industry.
This was after KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, addressed their issues at Monday’s women-only Construction Workshop to commemorate Women’s Month at the department’s head office in Pietermaritzburg.
Close to 150 women in construction gathered at the workshop, where they were given an opportunity to voice their concerns and ask questions.
Meyer said the purpose of the event was to listen to the women who are in the industry. He said he is passionate about building KZN back better but he cannot do this alone, adding that more than half of the people in KZN are women.
He said this was part of interventions which seek to showcase the department’s continued commitment towards women’s empowerment.
“The truth of the matter is that women are a foundation in any society – without them life and any opportunities cease to exist. It is therefore important that we play our part, both as a department and society, in ensuring that opportunity continues to exist.”
The women came from various organisations from across the province, including the South African Women in Construction (Sawic), women landlords, property consultants, internship recruits, and contractors.
DA Women’s Network executive and senior financial planner, Geshy Reddy, said she wishes that the department engages with local municipality representatives such as councillors on their projects and events such as these, to keep the public informed and potentially play a role in contributing to development.
Umzansi Youth in Business leader, Nonjabulo Khuzwayo, requested that the department work with NGOs to revamp areas that have been left vacant or destroyed into functioning youth training centres or other development facilities as she has in KwaDukuza.
KZN Sawic chairperson Tholie Cibane said she has hope that the MEC will listen to their concerns and provide solutions, because women face many challenges in the industry, such as being bullied and non-payment.
Cibane also urged the MEC to review the red tape that women have to go through before receiving a tender or payments. Last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that he had committed to allocate at least 40% of public procurement to women-owned businesses, of which they still need information on how this will benefit them, she said.
Meyer also made announcements with regard to the construction mafia issue and on immediate steps to be implemented by the department to make working conditions favourable and investor-friendly.
He said: “First, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal will be acquiring a team of experts who will form part of a consultative and advisory body on issues affecting the built environment, including the construction sector.”
Last week, he met the Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry in his office, he said. During the engagement, they raised a number of concerning developments within the sector that have prompted them to urgently band with law enforcement to counter the ongoing co-ordinated disruptions at construction sites. However, they still face a mammoth fight and have asked for his help.
“To this end, I have committed that my office will be part of planned ongoing monthly meetings which will see part of the blueprint drawn up on how to better co-ordinate successfully while utilising the integration of state-of-the-art technology and law enforcement units,” said Meyer.
The MEC also announced that he will be meeting the forum, which has been vocal and at the centre of construction-related disruptions, on Tuesday (today).
“This will be a closed-door engagement due to the sensitivity of the issues to be discussed. This round-table meeting is, without a doubt, a significant step in the right direction in getting down to the crux of issues plaguing the construction sector.
“I am hopeful that soon after there will be some feedback from my office on areas where we have been able to find common ground,” he said.
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Daily News