OFM News had earlier reported that the department invited potential, emerging and well-established businesswomen in the city to attend the workshop which through various ways promoted the entry of women in the construction and water sectors. OFM News’ Pulane Choane reports that the workshop, which took place from 10:00 to 14:00 earlier today, had many interesting themes such as compliance with regards to tax and some of the factors that lead to unsuccessful tender bidding, among other matters addressed.

Various presenters from the department delivered presentations ranging from factors the department places into consideration before awarding a tender to a bidder, as well as the various opportunities available for tendering within the department as well as how to break into some of the industries mentioned as well as maintain good relations with the department once on their database and after doing business with them. While less than 50 women attended, it proved to be an informative session for both the department and those in attendance as both exchanged notes on how they can do business better and together in future.

The workshop was held under the theme “25 Years of Democracy: Growing South Africa together for Women’s Emancipation”, in line with Women’s Month Activities. Following this workshop, as it celebrates Women’s Month, the Department’s Moji Kumang explains that teams will later this week take to various towns in the province to further promote and encourage women, including those currently attending school, to pursue careers in the water sector. 

“On the 21st, we will take to HTS Louis Botha Technical High School, where we will be engaging with female Grade 10 learners at the school and capacitate them on the opportunities available in Water and Sanitation. While we are there, we will also be advocating for these learners to take Mathematics and Science as part of their school subjects, so that they’ll be able to pursue careers as water technicians, scientists and engineers, as these currently have a shortage of women in them,” Kumang elaborates.

As part of the Department’s visit to the Bloemfontein School, she also adds that the learners will be introduced to the graduates, who are currently in training at the provincial department, so that they offer their personal accounts on what courses they took and how working in the industry is. A day later, Kumang says the departmental team will then take to Springfontein, where they will embark on an awareness campaign on the dangers of illegal water connections and water leaks. 

“We are again specifically targeting women, because we’ve found that women are some of the main users of water and on this day, we are hoping to show the women of that community that illegal water connections are not good for the community and have far-reaching consequences. Through this session, we hope to minimise and reducing this scourge, using women as the main drivers for this campaign,” Kumang says. 

As the provincial department concludes its month-long campaign, Kumang adds that on Monday, 26 August, the last town that the department will visit is Bothaville, where members of the farming community will be engaged. “Female farmers will be given information on water rights, usage and application licences. Emerging farmers, commercial farmers and prospective farmers will all receive information on the importance of receiving water rights, how to apply for licences and all that information will be provided,” Kumang adds. 

She concludes that there will also be a programme that will promote the use of rainwater harvesting as a substitute to using tap water provided by the local municipalities from which these farmers operate. She says this final event, will be held in conjunction with the provincial department of Agriculture.

OFM News