August 10, 2005
By Tshepiso Seopa
CLAD in blue overalls, about 300 volunteers put their backs into mixing cement and packing bricks in preparation for building one of 13 houses in Soweto's Protea South in just one week.
They are part of a team of civilians - the new homeowners, community and corporate volunteers - taking part in the Women Build 2005 project. The build is being run by Habitat for Humanity South Africa in partnership with the national and provincial departments of housing.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-governmental organisation that works to house the homeless. It registers needy families, with those selected paying an amount towards their new houses. The bulk of the funds is raised through sponsorships.
"I have been looking for a house for a long time now," said one of the new homeowners, Constance Masike.
"At least my children will now start to settle down. We have moved from one place to the next - currently a friend of mine is accommodating us at her house. Now my children will have a home and I will have a house.
Minister of Housing Lindiwe Sisulu helping out
"Actually, I cannot believe this is true. Only when I clean the house for the first time will I believe it," Masike said.
Trevor Molefe, the resource and communications manager at Habitat for Humanity South Africa, said, "The families were selected on need and their desire to improve their lives and conditions.
"For these families their own new homes will not only be brick and mortar buildings but will reflect the pride of having their own homes built with their own hands."
The 13 houses in Protea South will be completed in just five days; work began on Monday, 8 August and Minister of Housing Lindiwe Sisulu will officially hand them over on Friday, 12 August.
"The houses will be painted the following week. The most important thing now is to make sure that all four walls are there, including the roofing," said Molefe.
The big build coincides with national Women's Day on 9 August. Sisulu was among the volunteers laying bricks on that day.
"I am happy and proud of the beneficiaries and the women volunteers who have given up time to come and help build these houses," she said.
"This is an effort for women; their children will have some dignity and pride because some have never owned homes before.
"In taking this step you have insured your children's future. A house has so many advantages to it. It can be put down as a collateral in future when you need to send your children to university," the minister pointed out to Masike.
Work began at 8am on Monday, with all the volunteers dressed in overalls, work boots and hard hats. Not even the dusty August wind could stop the builders meeting their deadline. Even neighbours joined in, handing out cups of water.
Construction is being overseen by Women for Housing, a non-governmental organisation that teaches women to build homes.
Executive director Elizabeth O'Leary, explained, "Most of the women here today have started their construction companies; they know what they are doing."
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