Fredericks addressed a group of local young women in construction during a breakfast on Tuesday morning.
"We (the ANC-led municipality) are under siege," Fredericks warned those present. "But everything happens for a purpose. God wants this small municipality to make history," she said, referring to by-elections later this year in which positions vacated by defected ANC councillors, are to be contested. "The walls of Jericho have fallen; we must work together to rebuild them."
Fredericks, followed by Deputy Mayor Vlancio Donson, urged their audience to take caution as the result of the by-elections would determine their futures. "The department is prepared to walk the road and ensure that people have houses, but we require a stable municipality where people work together," said Fredericks.
Donson said that an end should come to big, white-owned componies taking the spoils and leaving only scraps for local contractors.
Local contractors, Sonia Bentley and Henriëtte and Kay May shared their experiences with the audiences, speaking boldly of the challenges that faced them as well as their failures. Bentley said that a need for mentorship programmes exist to guide young women, starting out in the industry.
The deputy minister said that she is currently touring the country, visiting with as many communties as possible, educating young women about the possibilities that exist for them in construction.
From the left are Acting Municipal Manager Ronnie Lottering, Member of Parliament Ellen Prins,Deputy Mayor Vlancio Donson, Speaker John Stoffels, Deputy Minister, Ms Fredericks, Mayor Gordon April and the Chief Director Human Settlements Monwabisi Maclean. Photo: Jacques Swart
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