Construction has traditionally been thought of as a male-dominated industry and if one was asked to name a female role model in the sector, it would be hard to think of anyone.
A 2018 survey by the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) found just 11% of sector professionals were women. About a quarter of the biggest construction firms are at least 51% or more female-owned; 34% are black owned’’.
While the Covid-19 pandemic created general decrease in project opportunities and project completion timelines, the construction industry is also faced by monumental patriarchal challenges and unwelcomed challenges for women in the sector.
THE cidb ERWIC AWARDS
Thanks to the evolving concerted efforts to encourage women into the sector, today women are increasingly assuming positions once considered ‘male’ roles and overcoming outdated stereotypes.
Enterprise development and empowerment of the emerging sector is core to the Construction Industry Development Board’s (cidb) strategy towards fulfilling and implementing an integrated strategy for the reconstruction, growth, and development of the construction industry. The cidb has identified women as a critical target for development and has chosen to celebrate and encourage this target through an industry awards process.
The Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) awards were initiated in 2019 and the first awards ceremony was celebrated in August 2020 to draw attention to gender empowerment in transformation by recognising excellence among women in construction. It is no coincidence that these awards are celebrated during Women’s Month. They also aim to promote role models for women in lower cidb grades and motivate women in higher grades.
In his welcome speech at this year’s event, Bongani Dladla, cidb Chief Executive Officer (CEO), encouraged women to submit entries in 2023 to showcase the indelible mark that women are making on the industry.
DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
Statistics on the cidb Register of Contractors (RoCs) demonstrates a skewed picture where women still occupy low percentage of ownership in the higher grades of 7 to 9, while the bulk of participation is concentrated in lower grades. ‘’It is worrisome that the statistics indicate a decline of women ownership right across all grades between January 2021 and January 2022, added the Honourable Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Noxolo Kiviet during her address at the ERWIC awards”.
Through the ERWIC awards, women contractors have a platform to create networks and partnerships and to take up opportunities for development. “We are also delighted that these awards have grown in prestige and stature. We are already witnessing the fruitful results of this process as winners have organised themselves into a group and jointly explore opportunities to grow their companies. This will assist their businesses to expand and take smaller enterprises along with them
Continued growth and success of women in this industry calls for all role players to commit to the cause for women empowerment by providing tangible action, leadership, and opportunities for women contractors to grow and thrive in our industry”, the Deputy Minister said.
CEO Dladla also expressed his pride towards past ERWIC Awards winners who formed a network group as a professional support system for all awards winners, so that as women they can assist each other to stay on top of their game. “Over three years, the ERWIC awards have been a driving force for change, and we do this not just for the ceremony and the trophies, but to highlight to the industry that there are many competent women among us, and they are doing the work required”, Dladla said.
The ERWIC awards network group was addressed by the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube at its first seminar on 24 August 2022, who reinforced the importance of women to not only pursue excellence in their endeavours but to also support each other to succeed. She outlined plans to reshape the province’s economy and unlock opportunities for millions of emerging entrepreneurs, particularly women. ‘’We want them to be at the centre of the entire built environment value chain’’, she stressed.
2022 ERWIC AWARDS CATEGORIES AND WINNERS
The following women received awards accolades in the 2022 ERWIC awards:
Category: Project Delivery Excellence (Excellence in implementation, meeting clients’ requirements with sustainable and innovative solutions, led by an effective team.)
Winners:
- Grade 1: Masello Angelinah Nkosi [Projects cc for the Coega Feltex Trim factory Pretoria project]
- Grade 2 – 4: Flavia Tau [Tumagole Trading Enterprise, for renovations to the City of Johannesburg recreation centre]
- Grade 5 – 6: Matilda Nompumelelo Petse [Boitumelo Mokgatle Mampumi Trading for refurbishment of 13 classrooms at Buhlebuyeta Primary School]
- Grade 7 – 9: Tebogo Moloi [Oakantswe Construction and Projects for the Nellmapius ext. 22 project]
Category: Rural Project of the Year (Motivated individual responsible for a successful rural project)
Winner: Kgothatso Matsogo [Kgothatso Electrical for the electrification of 50 households in Boikhutsong]
Category: Innovative Entity of the Year (Use of new technology and showing innovation in approach to projects, as technology advances can lead to significant transformation in ways in which infrastructure is planned, delivered, and maintained.)
Winner: Rose Tsetsane [Bashoeshoe Investments and Projects]
Category: Woman-Owned Entity of the Year (Woman owning 51% or more of a construction entity who has managed and grown a successful business and contributed to the growth of the industry through dedication, commitment, conviction, vision, and leadership.)
Winner: Malebogo Lobelo [Lobelo Building Contractors]
Category: Business Resilience of the Year (Resilience, agility, and adaptability during the lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The entity will have survived, even thrived, kept staff employed and paid, fulfilled obligations, and completed projects.)
Winner: Mafani Nelly Dasheka [Quantum Leap Investments]
Category: Youth-Owned Enterprise of the Year (Business owner 35 or younger running a sustainable entity with soundtrack record over two years and contributing to the transformation of women.)
Winner: Yibanathi Mtirara [Magz Projects]
Category: The cidb challenged ERWIC entrants to match the tremendous achievements in 2021 of Lebogang Zulu of Tshitshirisang Construction and Projects, who won in four categories.
Itumeleng Mohoang of Thabomeleng Construction Group did just that. She described her first award of the night as ‘a shock’, but her shock soon turned to euphoria as she took trophy after trophy. The cidb congratulates Itumeleng on her awards in the following categories:
Mentoring of the Year (Contribution to the development and support of women in the industry; providing skills-based training, mentoring support and on-the-job training.)
Transformation Entity of the Year (Encouragement and nurturing of women employees and supporting the gender agenda through implementation of transformation policy to enhance sustainability of women in the industry.)
Woman Mentor of the Year (Woman who supports other women, who has contributed to nurturing talent to help other grows and mature in their fields.)
Exceptional Women in Construction: (Professional, ethical, and committed. Shows determination and promotes and highlights the contribution of women in the industry.)
It was strenuous to select the outstanding woman who has contributed to the development and transformation of women through her dedication, conviction, commitment, vision, and leadership. ‘’This was a difficult decision. All the candidates were worthy of the award. It took a while and a fair’’, cidb Board Chairperson Khulile Nzo told the audience. Portia Tau from Sekati Property Sector Charter Council won the 2022 ERWIC Chairman award.
The cidb is looking forward to conclusion of the national Procurement Bill which will strengthen policy coherence and empower agencies of government to be more direct and deliberate in their procurement targeting, particularly of vulnerable groups, such as women, youth and the disabled.
About the cidb
The cidb is a statutory body established under the Executive Authority of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and enabled by the Construction Industry Development Board Act 38 of 2000 (CIDB Act), from which it derives its mandate – to regulate and develop the construction industry through strategic interventions and partnerships.
The cidb’s vision reflects the importance of the organisation as a catalyst for economic growth and job creation in South Africa. The emphasis is to build an industry that is inclusive and reputable, where all participants equally drive the construction industry. Through this, the organisation has also been gratified to watch its Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) awards unfold.
HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH cidb ONLINE
Please follow cidb on the following digital and social media platforms:
Website: http://www.cidb.org.za/
Facebook: @cidbSouthAfrica
https://www.facebook.com/cidbSouthAfrica
Twitter: @cidb_sa
Instagram: No official account
LinkedIn: Construction Industry Development Board SA
