Winners of the ERWIC Awards

The Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) Awards were developed by the the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to celebrate and encourage women in the construction industry, and showcase woman-led projects and achievements.

The awards categories recognised construction entities and individuals that develop and support gender transformation and the mentorship of women in the industry.

The following categories and award winners were:

Project Delivery Excellence – Woman-owned Construction Entity

Recognising woman-owned projects that have demonstrated overall excellence in project implementation, met the client’s requirements and have been led by an effective project team. Project criteria include sustainability and the provision of innovative solutions for the client. • Winner: Perseverence Mashale, Ke Nale

Modisa Construction and Projects • Second Place: Nonhlanhla Esen,

NOS Group • Third Place: Mikateko Rosemary

Mabunda, Mikateko Trading Enterprise

Rural Project

Recognising woman-owned construction entities that have motivated and completed a successful project within the rural environment. ‘Rural’ is defined as a district or small settlement outside urban areas. • Winner: Thobekile Ndlovu, Thobethulani

Trading

Mentoring Entity

Recognising an entity within the construction industry that is positively contributing to the development and support of women in the construction industry. The entity provides skills-based training, formal mentorship programmes, and on-the-job support for women in the organisation. • Winner: Lebogang Zulu, Tshitshirisang

Construction and Projects • Second Place: Lettie Mashau, Motheo

Construction Group • Third Place: Murendeni Ernest Mabada,

Mabert Electrical Solutions

Transformation Entity

Recognising an entity that has supported and continues to support its woman employees and nurtures talent in a way that has helped them to grow and mature within their fields. The entity must display support of the gender agenda through the implementation of a transformation policy. • Winner: Lebogang Zulu, Tshitshirisang

Construction and Projects • Second Place: Buang Moloto,

Linhleko Projects • Third Place: Dr Nkgomeleng Julia Petla,

Amedzo Trading and Projects

Innovative Entity

Recognising an entity utilising new technologies and showing innovation in their approach to projects and/or their business. • Winner: Lebogang Zulu, Tshitshirisang

Construction and Projects • Second Place: Lettie Mashau, Motheo

Construction Group • Third Place: Rose Ntabiseng Tsenase,

Bashoeshoe Housing System

Business Resilience – Covid-19

Recognising an entity that showed resilience, agility and adaptability in 2020 during the pandemic. The entity will have survived and may even have thrived during this period, kept staff employed or paid, fulfilled client obligations and, where possible, completed projects. • Winner: Nokuthula Mahlangu,

Elezulu Construction • Second Place: Faith Tshepiso Mabena,

Nokhanya Services • Third Place: Lettie Mashau, Motheo

Construction Group

Youth-owned Woman Construction Entity

Recognising an entity owned by a female aged 35 years or younger. The entity must be sustainable, display a good track record for over two years, and be contributing to the empowerment of women and the industry. • Winner: Tshepiso Ingrid Ngwenya,

KwaMarona • Second Place: Kgothatso Doris Matsogo,

Kgothatso Electrical • Third Place: Phindile Hlongwane,

Injabulo Suppliers

Woman-owned Construction Entity

Recognising a key woman player with 51% or more ownership of a construction entity. The individual has managed and grown a successful entity in the industry.

Winner of Project Delivery Excellence: Perseverence Mashale, Ke Nale Modisa Construction and Projects

Winner of the Rural Project of the Year: Thobekile Ndlovu, Thobethulani Trading

Winner of Mentoring Entity of the Year: Lebogang Zulu, Tshitshirisang Construction and Projects

Winner of the Transformation Entity of the Year: Lebogang Zulu, Tshitshirisang Construction and Projects

The importance of shining the light on the excellent work that women do cannot be overemphasised, especially in a patriarchal society. The year 2021 is dedicated to the memory of a pioneer and freedom stalwart, uMama Charlotte Maxeke who – through all her work and efforts – sought to contribute to a South Africa that is united, prosperous and at peace with itself. She proved that women were capable, effective leaders.”

The individual has contributed significantly to the development of the South African construction industry, through her dedication, conviction, vision, commitment and leadership. • Winner: Celeste Margo Le Roux,

React 24 • Second Place: Faith Tshepiso Mabena,

Nokhanya Services • Third Place: Nokuthula Mahlangu,

Elezulu Construction

Woman Mentor

Recognising women who have supported and continue to support other women working within the construction industry, who have contributed to nurturing talent in a way that has helped them to grow and mature within their fields. • Winner: Vuyiswa Ndzakana, Ms3

Property & Investments • Second Place: Celeste Margo Le Roux,

React 24 • Third Place: Thobekile Ndlovu,

Thobethulani Trading

Exceptional Woman in Construction

Recognising a woman working within any sector of the construction industry who is professional, ethical and committed. The recipient shows determination and skill to advance within her field, while at the same time promoting and highlighting the contribution by women in the industry. • Winner: Celeste Margo Le Roux,

React 24 • Second Place: Nelisiwe Joyce Radebe,

NJ Radebe General Projects • Third Place: Nokuthula Mahlangu,

Elezulu Construction

Chairman’s Award

Recognising an outstanding woman-owned entity within the construction industry that has contributed significantly to the development and transformation of women in the South African construction industry, through dedication, conviction, vision, commitment and leadership. The CIDB chairperson reserves the right to bestow this award on a worthy recipient of their choosing. • Winner: Lebogang Zulu, Tshitshirisang

Construction and Projects

Embracing gender diversity and transformation

In his opening address, Bongani Dladla, acting CEO of the CIDB, said, “We have a strong focus on supporting the gender agenda and are working hard at encouraging all entities registered with the CIDB to embrace gender diversity and transformation within their organisations to enhance the sustainability of women within the construction industry.”

He added that the CIDB will use the generous donation received from its parent entity, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), to further enhance business skills of women in construction through a formalised business coaching process.

Feziwe Mpaku, founder of Independent Girls Business Enterprise, spoke on behalf of the ERWIC judges. “The quality of the entries this year was extremely high. They rose above the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic with resilience and tenacity, and did everything possible to retain staff and keep their businesses running. We hope that the ERWIC Awards are used as a platform to inspire woman entrepreneurs and prove that it is possible to have a successful business in the construction industry.”

In her keynote address, the DPWI’s deputy minister, Noxolo Kiviet, confirmed government’s commitment to transformation, stating, “Our affirmative

Winner of Innovative Entity of the Year: Lebogang Zulu, Tshitshirisang Construction and Projects

Winner of Business Resilience of the Year – Covid-19: Nokuthula Mahlangu, Elezulu Construction

Winner of Youth-owned Woman Construction Entity of the Year: Tshepiso Ingrid Ngwenya, KwaMarona

Winner of the Womanowned Construction Entity of the Year: Celeste Margo Le Roux, React 24

action policies are directed at the empowerment and emancipation of women, among other designated groups. The Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan indicates government’s will to ensure effective gender mainstreaming in all aspects of the plan through the participation and mobilisation of women at all levels. This includes mechanisms like the 40% set aside for women in public procurement, legal remedies to close the gender pay gap, women’s participation in key economic sectors, access to assets such as land, and women’s financial inclusion and empowerment.

“The importance of shining the light on the excellent work that women do cannot be overemphasised, especially in a patriarchal society. The year 2021 is dedicated to the memory of a pioneer and freedom stalwart, uMama Charlotte Maxeke who – through all her work and efforts – sought to contribute to a South Africa that is united, prosperous and at peace with itself. She proved that women were capable, effective leaders,” Kiviet concludes.

Winner of Woman Mentor of the Year: Vuyiswa Ndzakana, Ms3 Property & Investments

Winner of the Chairman’s Award: Lebogang Zulu, Tshitshirisang Construction and Projects Winner of the Exceptional Woman in Construction of the Year: Celeste Margo Le Roux, React 24

Bongani Dladla, acting CEO, CIDB