Changing lives

IN CELEBRATING Women’s Month, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) would like to salute the women of 1956.

About 20 000 women of all races marched to Union Buildings in Pretoria on August 9 1956, to present a petition against the carrying of passes, by women to Prime Minister, JG Strijdom.

How far has the government improved women’s lives 61 years later? The DWS through its various programmes has made strides in changing lives of many women.

One of the flagship programmes is the Women Incubator programme which aims to facilitate a safe and supportive environment for new entrepreneurs, especially from previously disadvantaged groups.

The War on Leaks Programme is a programme that has spin-off s for young women recruited from all provinces.

The programme will for the next two years train participants as artisans, plumbers and water agents.

Qualified learners will be deployed to priority municipalities after training.

Upon the completion of the programme, the learners will also stand a chance to be employed in the private sector and in some instances running their own plumbing enterprises.

Lastly, our department has realised the challenge of minimal participation of vulnerable groups (women, and people with special needs) in the sanitation value chain and we will do all we can to increase their participation through our outreach activities.

Igama Lamakhosikazi Malibongwe. Malusi Rayi

Department of Water and Sanitation Western Cape