Pretoria – Women will no longer be known for collecting water from the rivers, but will be the suppliers of the pipes and managers of reservoirs, says Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane.
“We want to shake the water and sanitation sector to say that women are not just those that must go and collect water from the rivers and bring water that you share with animals.
“They must also be suppliers of the pipes, they must manage reservoirs and help us look after this scarce resource. Its all about making women part of the entire water and sanitation value chain,” the Minister said on Monday.
She was speaking during the National Women in Water Consultative Conference 2015, currently taking place at the CSIR International Convention Centre.
She announced that for the next three years, the department will identify two or three dams that will specifically be built by women owned companies.
“Many of the dams, starting from the design, feasibility, costing and construction have been done by male-owned companies. Part of how we break away from issues of inequality is to dedicate some of the projects to women owned companies.
“They will be incubating others for growth, working with others that are established and affording those who are studying in tertiary institutions an opportunity to be part of the project,” said Minister Mokonyane.
She said one of the key things that the department will do is to allocate 30 percent of its resources to women owned companies.
The Minister emphasised that the country has gone beyond policies and what has been lacking is boldness.
“South Africa needs a long term water plan and we can’t exclude women with bright ideas we need women in those different categories. We also want to create prosperity and wealth through women owned companies,” Minister Mokonyane insisted.
CEO of Motheo Construction Group, Thandi Ndlovu, commended the Minister for her boldness and dedication in ensuring that women also benefit in the country’s economy.
“We are ready to support you and mentor the women who will be working in those projects,” said Ndlovu.
The National Women in Water Consultative Conference is aimed at empowering women in the efficient and equitable management of scarce water resources through their involvement in decision making, developing technologies and befitting as water entrepreneurs.
Delegates will also interrogate the progress made over the past 20 years, ascertain gaps and develop a roadmap for the implementation of the Women in Water Agenda. – SAnews.gov.za
