Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane has urged South African women in the built environment sector to unite and collaborate with each other to go this male-dominated economic sector.
Image: Department of Human Settlements / X
Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, urged women in the built environment sector to unite and collaborate, as they increasingly redefine their roles in a traditionally male-dominated industry. This inspiring message was delivered during the second annual summit hosted by the Housing Development Agency (HDA) at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton on Thursday, which celebrated the critical contributions women make to the sector.
Held under the theme "Women at the Centre of Development, Growth and Nation Building," the summit attracted a host of prominent women leaders including Dr Samke Ngcobo, Tamlyn Bouwer, Toni Gumede, Nicolette Mashile, and Nomfundo Fakudze. Their presence underscored the growing influence and leadership of women in shaping South Africa’s development agenda.
In her keynote address, Simelane highlighted the pressing need to not only unlock investment opportunities but also to foster innovation and create an environment where women can flourish within the human settlements sector.
"South Africa's housing and human settlements challenges are multi-contextual, multi-faceted and significantly complex," she acknowledged. "However, amid these challenges lie significant opportunities that could transform the sector into a catalyst for economic development."
She emphasised the importance of unity among women, stating that collaboration would lead to greater investment prospects, while fragmenting efforts could render them vulnerable.
The summit served as more than a celebration; it was positioned as a rallying point for greater collaboration, addressing pressing issues, funding challenges, cultural barriers, and other obstacles in the field. Discussions throughout the day touched on critical topics such as accelerated land release, funding mechanisms, and the historical barriers that have stifled women's progress in the industry.
Notably, Nomfundo Fakudze from the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) spoke about the need for improved access to funding for women in the built sector. "We do not need to shy away from demanding funding. There is a gap in securing concessionary funding for women," she stated. "Many women still face challenges, often being fronted by their husbands, which complicates their access to financial resources."
Vinolia Mashiane, the chief investment officer at HDA, echoed this sentiment, pointing out that funding institutions have largely excluded women in the property industry.
She advocated for a tailored funding model that addresses women’s specific needs while suggesting that saving through stokvels could serve as an alternative way to empower them economically, stating: "Funding is still a huge barrier for women. Funding institutions have excluded women when it comes to this industry. However, we need a funding model that speaks to our needs."
