The reason Gauteng Province has reached the 1 million mark in providing human settlements is largely due to working in partnerships with different stakeholders, which include private sector construction companies, said Local Government and Housing MEC Ntombi Mekgwe last night during the Govan Mbeki Human Settlements Awards in Emperor’s Place.

The Govan Mbeki Awards (GMA), named after ANC stalwart "Oom” Gov, are a showcase to recognize and demonstrate excellent work done by the department of housing in providing and accelerating access to human settlements. The GMA are also held to honour the different role-players in the Housing Value Chain, promote best practices, and create a healthy competition amongst provinces in terms of housing delivery. This is also a tool that gauges and ensures housing delivery with special emphasis on outcomes.

In recognising the legacy of Govan Mbeki, MEC Mekgwe said, "Our work is not only about mortar and brick, but also about restoration of the dignity of the people of South Africa. So from the officials in the department, the contractors, the engineers, the inspectors, the bricklayers, the town planners – each one of us in the housing value chain – we are all in the service of the nation and working to realize the vision of Govan Mbeki. These awards are about exceptional work; work in human settlement that embodies the values and vision of Govan Mbeki”.

The MEC went on to commemorate the 20^thanniversary of Chris Hani’s untimely death by requesting all stakeholders to recommit to Hani’s triple H campaign of Hunger, Housing and Health as some of key cornerstones in improving the lives of all South Africans.

The MEC honoured the contractors who had excelled in twelve stipulated categories which include the best priority project, best rural, best informal settlement upgrade project, best rental stock project, best peoples’ housing process project, best youth and best woman contractor, and recognised the best accredited municipality (Ekurhuleni). Kaya FM scooped the best media partner award. The winners of the awards will compete with their counterparts from other provinces in the national leg of theGovan Mbeki Awards.

he highlight of the day was Ubuhle Bethu, a woman led contractor that scooped two awards for best woman contractor and best informal settlement upgrade contractor in Kwa-Thema ext 1 and 2. The Gauteng Department of Housing is currently refining the business model of the women contractor’s incubator programme which targets and supports women in construction.

Issued by the Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing

For inquiries contact Motsamai Motlhaolwa on 079 897 2240 or e-mail to Motsamai.motlhaolwa@gauteng.gov.za