In her address to the Human Settlements Women Indaba, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi emphasized the crucial role of women in South Africa’s economic transformation. Drawing inspiration from Michelle Obama’s statement about the importance of women’s potential for a country’s prosperity, Kubayi called for increased efforts to overcome barriers that women face in the human settlements sector.
Women Entrepreneurs: Challenges and Opportunities
The Human Settlements Women Indaba brought together various stakeholders to discuss challenges facing women entrepreneurs in the sector. These challenges include gender bias, lack of access to finance, difficulty in breaking into supportive networks, and work-life balance expectations.
Women’s Empowerment: A Key to Equality and Freedom
Kubayi stressed the importance of women’s empowerment for achieving equal status with their male counterparts. She shared a story of a trailblazing woman who spoke about the need to “kick open closed doors” and find strength amidst difficulties. This highlights the resilience and determination of women in the sector.
Grants for Women: A Step towards Transformation
The minister highlighted the need to allocate a higher percentage of grants to women, suggesting that the actual figure should be closer to R11 billion ($725 million) rather than the current R500 million ($33 million). This demonstrates the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and the transformation agenda.
Concrete Action: A Task Team for Policy Review
As part of the policy review process, Kubayi announced the establishment of a task team to report on progress by March 2024. She invited nominations from various sub-sectors, emphasizing the need for concrete action instead of discussions.
Transparency and Honesty: Key to Resolving Challenges
Kubayi also addressed the issue of transparency and honesty in the sector, highlighting some challenges faced in informal settlements. She mentioned the recent allocation of resources for the prevention of disasters in these areas, following a MINMEC resolution.
Innovative Solutions: Alternative Building Technology
The minister recognized the importance of Alternative Building Technology (ABT) in reducing carbon emissions and encouraged partnerships to explore these innovative methods. She announced the discontinuation of the use of Temporary Residential Units in favor of more permanent solutions like ABT, signaling a new direction for the sector.
A Call to Action: Lighting the Way towards a Brighter Future
Throughout her speech, Kubayi inspired the audience with her unwavering commitment to empowering women and fostering a brighter future for the nation. Quoting the words of Harriet Tubman, she reminded women that every great dream begins with a dreamer and that they possess the strength, patience, and passion to change the world.
In her powerful closing remarks, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi called for increased efforts to empower women in human settlements. With her commitment to women’s emancipation and the pursuit of economic transformation, she lights the way towards a brighter future for all.
