EAST LONDON - Human Settlements Minister Nomaindiya Mfeketo says her department is firmly instituting progressive policies that seek to empower women in the construction industry in dealing with historic gender and race imbalances.

Minister Mfeketo was speaking today at a workshop organised by the South African Women in Construction (SAWIC) at Gonubie, East London.

“These policies are commonly known as the ‘set aside’ policies where our condition states clearly that at least 30% of our Human Settlements Development Grant must be allocated to companies owned by women and youth.

“We will greatly rely on you as SAWIC as an important stakeholder to ensure that you take these opportunities and you report to us as a national department when provinces and municipalities are not fulfilling this policy resolution,” she said.

Minister Mfeketo also interacted with members of the community during her visit to various housing projects in the area, which included the Thembelihle Manyano, Emerald Sky and Duncan Village.

At Duncan Village, Minister Mfeketo handed over two Transitional Residential Units (TRUs) to elderly and destitute families following a promise made to them early this year.

“We are here to deliver and formalise a promise made by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the 8th January 2018, that the two ladies must be put on the TRUs for them to be prioritised when houses are allocated,” said Minister Mfeketo.

“Duncan Village is a focus area. We are going to develop this area, but we had to put these ladies in some safe shelter. This community must participate and be active in the decisions taken around this development,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, a 93-year-old Nomajojo Evelyn Mvalanti lived in a shack built in 1985 with her two children. Mvalanti struggles to walk on her own and she is in bed most of the time.

“At least there is hope that I will get my house one day. Although this not a proper house, I am told the next stage for me is moving into a decent house. I am very happy with the efforts that government is taking to help more especially us the elders,” said Mvalanti.

ISSUED BY THE MI MINISTRY OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

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