At the launch of Women Build 2006 in Orange Farm: Gauteng MEC for housing, Nomvula Mokonyane minister of housing Lindiwe Sisulu and Johannesburg executive mayor Amos Masondo

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Contractors Thato Lehlokoe and Patience Morapeli are overseeing the construction of 50 houses Docter Tsotesti and Matlakala Nxumalo celebrate the launch of Women Build 2006 in Orange Farm

Orange Farm welcomes women-built houses Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Women's March, women contractors are building 50 new houses for Orange Farm pensioners. August 15, 2006 By Thabang Mokoka THE need for women to be a part of the building industry was emphasised at the launch of the 2006 Women's Build in Orange Farm. The event - which will see 50 houses built for local pensioners - was officially launched on Monday, 14 August, amid much celebration and fanfare. Women's Build allows women who would like to be in construction to get hands-on experience building a house. Dressed in overalls, volunteers from banks and other corporate sponsors are currently in Stretford 9, Orange Farm, learning how to build. "It is important for women to become part of the building industry," Johannesburg executive mayor Amos Masondo told the crowd at the launch. Putting building skills to work The 2006 Women Build is a partnership between the private sector and various levels of government, including the City of Johannesburg. The construction of the 50 houses is intended to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Women's March, where 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the pass laws. These houses, according to the minister of housing Lindiwe Sisulu, are being built "out of gratitude to all the women and men who have given birth to the new democracy". All 50 houses are being built by volunteers and supervised by two women contractors, Thato Lehlokoe of Basadi Together and Patience Morapedi of Vukuz'bambe. Masondo said Women's Build added emphasis to women's equality and emancipation, while Sisulu said she felt privileged "to be part of the women who have helped the women [of Orange Farm] have houses". Sisulu urged the new homeowners to treat their homes with love so the value increases. "We want your children to benefit." The 50 houses are part of 4 000 houses currently being built in Orange Farm by Thubelisha, an institution that builds houses for municipalities. Gauteng MEC for housing, Nomvula Mokonyane used the opportunity to announce that a Women's Empowerment Contractors' Programme will be launched later in the month. This programme will allow woman-owned companies access to building contracts worth R200-million a year. This will also include support systems that will provide mentoring and coaching. Mokonyane said that for centuries, property rights in the country had been skewed in favour of men. No woman was allowed to own land, she added. Even in terms of traditional inheritance norms, women were not entitled to family heirlooms, which has resulted in the older generation renting or residing in shacks. "In your lifetime you shall be owners of your own houses and owners of your own land." The minister of housing said the government was reviewing a law that will allow a woman to get full rights to the title deeds of a government-subsidised house if she gets divorced from her husband. Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za