YOUNG WOMEN MAKING THEIR MARK IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION

Construction workers preparing a road for priming/surfacing.

In celebrating Women's Month, Igalelo spoke to young women who are changing the road construction landscape and redefining the history of civil engineering in KwaZulu-Natal. One such woman is Ms. Makhosi Nyandeni (25) from Ulundi who originally studied First Aid and obtained her drivers licence to become a paramedic, but despite her qualifications she did not get the job. When she failed to secure the job she always wanted, she didn't give up and pursued other career fields until she was employed by a Vukuzakhe emerging contractor. Nyandeni currently works for Uthulwane Construction who is responsible for the construction of V-drains on Main Road 700 (P700) at Ulundi.

P700 is part of the KZN Transport Department's African Renaissance Roads Upgrading Programme (ARRUP) and Nyandeni bears testimony to the fact that the new democratic government is steadily empowering rural young women through programmes such as ARRUP. "I have been a Supervisor for the second time on such a project and I enjoy working with my male colleagues. It's good to see how our government policies are designed to effectively address the imbalances of the past. But more importantly, it gives me courage to see women grabbing opportunities afforded to them. I am certain that through the experience gained here, I will definitely own my construction company one day," Nyandeni said.

Mr Bonginkosi Nkomonde - Proprietor of Uthulwane Construction says gone are the days when the road construction industry was dominated by males. "Nowadays our young women in rural areas are fast becoming transformation history makers. Men should assist the Department in its efforts to empower our women," said Nkomonde.

"Makhosi has shown that young women are ready for leadership in the construction industry. She has seven men under her supervision and with her driving skills she even uses our truck to transport materials as and when required. Another good thing about her is that she is computer literate which makes our administration effective," Nkomonde said.

Since 1994 the KZN Department of Transport has formulated policies to ensure that opportunities are provided to the previously disadvantaged sectors of society and many people are coming forward to testify that their lives have indeed improved.
 

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