EMALAHLENI – Last week a number of construction companies, owners and members ditched their overalls for glamorous outfits during the Govan Mbeki Awards.

Aimed at promoting and inculcating a culture of excellence in the human-settlements sector, in the delivery of quality settlements and dignity to South Africans, stakeholders were commended for partnering with the sector to improve lives.

“Tonight’s gathering is significant in the department’s calendar as stakeholders are honoured for the contribution they made in partnering with government to deliver integrated human settlements.

Their efforts during the previous financial year have been under observation to ensure quality service delivery.

The relationship that exists between government and its stakeholders is a marathon, rather than a sprint,” said MEC, Ms Violet Siwela.

She added that the department in cooperation with its stakeholders would continue to deliver sustainable human settlements, focusing on the new approach of integrated sustainable service seeking to address human-settlements’ delivery in a comprehensive way.

“The approach emphasises the need to establish human settlements within close proximity to economic, transport, health, educational, and social facilities, among others.

Let me inform tonight’s gathering that government is no longer focusing on just delivering housing units, but a new advance of establishing integrated sustainable human settlements,” Siwela added.

She further said the department’s delivery quest compelled them to ensure that they provided a house with water, proper sanitation, electricity and all other amenities.

“This is an opportune time and an honour for me to reflect that the awards are aimed at bringing the participants and partners together and thanking them for their efforts in trying under very difficult conditions to help the homeless own houses.

We hope that the awards will continue to be a programme that will trigger enthusiasm and motivate all to make the province proud of its contractors and other stakeholders.”

One of the companies which made an impression was female-owned, Motheo Construction Group, under the best woman contractor category.

The group was applauded for its demonstration of good managerial skills and involvement of women.

“Being in the construction industry as women is not an easy quest and we are proud of our achievements so far.

We will continue to partner with the human settlements department and contribute in improving our people’s living conditions,” said the excited Ms Lettie Ndlovu, director of the company.

The awards were named after Govan Mbeki in 2006 based on the role he played and vision he had for the preservation of human dignity and the provision of human settlements for all.

In all his work, he distinguished himself as a scholar, a disciplined cadre, a builder and a teacher.