Women getting a fairer
Women getting a fairer share in the North West construction industry National and provincial initiatives are paying off. By Kesaobaka Phatudi The construction industry has for a long time been perceived as a male-dominated industry. This is gradually becoming a thing of the past as government strives to create equal opportunities for both men and women in the workplace. Research by MasterCard Index of Women Entrepreneurs (MIWE) indicates that South Africa has made progress in reducing gender bias against women engaging in the early stages of entrepreneurial activities. This statement can be proved by those women who have infiltrated the construction industry despite popular opinion. The South African Women In Construction (SAWIC) organisation has also made a significant impact in developing women to be more involved in the construction industry. SAWIC is the national association seeking to empower women to gain access to business opportunities, training and networks in the construction industry. In a meeting with SAWIC, North West MEC for Public Works and Roads Johanna Maluleke announced that the department intends to strengthen relations with women’s organisations. SAWIC has had a successful partnership with National Department of Public Works over the years. Maluleke emphasised that the partnership is necessary to assist women to fully play their role and contribute in government as well as society. “My wish is to see more women participating in the construction industry which is our core mandate as the department,” said Maluleke. Dorcas Molefi is a woman contractor currently working on the construction of a new sub-district office in Atamelang near Delareyville in Ngaka Modiri Molema District. She is among the women who are constantly defeating the odds. Molefi joined the construction industry in 2012 after she realised that the number of women in construction was very low. Her interest was also sparked after government called for women interested in construction to come forward. Molefi acknowledges efforts made by government in involving women in construction. “It is really encouraging to see government ensuring that more women participate in the industry." Molefi further said, “I wish to see more women infiltrating this space. It is also a call for me to rope in more women." Director for Project Implementation, Sifiso Diko, said although the number of women in the industry is still relatively low, the department is pulling out all the stops to ensure the participation of women in the construction industry. “In the 2018/19 financial year the department intends developing 20 SMMEs of which 11 will constitute women, people living with disabilities and youth sectors. The targeted Construction Development Industry Board (CIDB) grading for the development is 1CE to 3CE over a period of 36 months on construction-related projects such as roads and building maintenance and grass-cutting,” said Diko. Pinky Gaobuse from Dihatshwane village is also a woman contractor who is currently sub-contracted North West Provincial Government
to erect a fence at the dual-carriage road project in Rooigrond near Mahikeng in Ngaka Modiri Molema district. Gaobuse is one of the few women who developed an interest in construction and opened her own company in 2015 after receiving training in construction. Gaobuse acknowledges that starting her own company was not a walk in the park but none of the obstacles she came across were enough to deter her from her goals. Although she says she is grateful for the opportunity, she says being in the construction industry as a new-comer is very challenging as a woman. “Honestly doing the actual work is very hard because it is labour-intensive. I have employed a couple of men, but I also have to get my hands dirty,” said Gaobuse. She indicated that even though the job is tough, she is determined to work hard and grow her company. “At the moment I am not much interested in making so much money, my main interest is to improve my CIDB grading. I would also like to see more women, especially within my locality, getting involved in construction and taking part in the economic activities of the county. I will find ways to involve them in my projects as well,” she said.
