Women must make inroads in construction

By Khanyisa Tabata
30 January 2010

Deputy Minister of Public Works Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu has encouraged women contractors to make their mark in the industry.

Bogopane-Zulu is quoted as saying South Africa is a country that is transforming and every industry, including construction, should be part of that change.

She said her department was doing its bit too and putting together plans to establish a gender unit to help in understanding what it is that needs to be done differently and address issues such as the expectations of women in the industry.

The minister further challenged the women contractors to ensure that they get a slice of the R800 billion allocated by government for infrastructural development for the next three years.

A representative from South African Women in Construction, Kile Kwinana, said that while South Africa had won the battle of apartheid, the country was now facing the battle of sexes.

Bogopane-Zulu added that construction workers should take part in the Kharikhude campaign which teaches adults to read and write to that they can be part of building a better South Africa.