MASTER BUILDERS KWAZULU-NATAL PLEDGES R20,000 TO FAMILY IN GAMALAKHE TOWNSHIP
From left to right: Selvan Govender (Contractor), Rev. Dr. Makhenkesi Stofile (Minister of Sport and Recreation), Ray Basson (Anthony & Basson Development Pty Ltd), Victor Gigaba (KZN Health MEC), Cynthia Mqwebe (Deputy Mayor), George Enslin (Wakefields), Victor Gigaba, Sithembiso Cele (Mayor), Brandon Abdinor (Executive Director Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal), Hans Stols (South Coast Regional Manager - Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal)
On the 1st of August 2009 (the start of Women’s month), the first sod was turned at a construction project aimed at uplifting a particular family in the Gamalakhe township west of Port Shepstone. Turning the sod were Sports and Recreational Minister, Makhenkesi Stofile and the MEC for Health from the KZN Provincial Legislature, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo. Present also were the Mayor of Ugu municipality, Councillor Sithembiso Cele, and Deputy Mayor, Cynthia Mqwebe.
A small grouping of business people from the region, spearheaded by Ray Basson representing the Master Builders Association of KwaZulu-Natal, and George Enslin from Wakefields, have agreed to contribute and do what is necessary to assist in this project Nduduzo Shozi and Ntuthuko Shozi, 15 and 16 years old respectively, lost their parents some 3 years ago. They both go to school and are living in a small little dwelling with their uncle, Eugene Shozi, who is suffering from tuberculosis. Eugene lives in a small adjoining room which is build of stone and clay and which is in danger of collapsing at any time. Nduduzo and Ntuthuko approached the Mayor of Ugu Municipality, Councillor Cele, some time ago and requested assistance. The Mayor approached certain role-players in the business community who have pledged their support to assist this family.
At very short notice, Peter Brandsma of Architectural Design from Margate came up with a two phase design which would see the demolition of the stone structure and the construction of new room as well as replacement of the roof over the existing room. Phase two envisages an additional two rooms which can ultimately become the new kitchen and bedroom.
At the opening ceremony, the Honourable Minister commented that it was not the scale of the final product that was impressive but that the degree of transition from what exists to what will be. He also indicated to the business community that it would be firmly and solidly included in the relationship with local government going foreword, and that the efforts from the business community in this matter were laudable and were what was necessary to uplift those community members in need.
The MEC for Health indicated that one of the challenges with combating tuberculosis was when infected people live in very close proximity to others. He said having a reasonable space for people to live in vastly reduced the chances of transmitting the disease.
Another aspect to this initiative is that the contractor who will be overseeing the management, Selvan Govender, has been advised that he would need to employ members of the local community which will would allow for an opportunity for skills transfer and skills development to take place. The Master Builders Association would be overseeing this aspect of the project to ensure that local community members were given an opportunity to develop a skill which would make them more marketable in the future.
All involved in this project are very excited and progress will be communicated on an ongoing basis.
For more pictures of the event visit our Blog - http://blog.masterbuilders.co.za
BRANDON ABDINOR | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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