Female mentors wanted in villages

GA-SELEKA – During the official handing over of the RDP houses in Ga-Seleka on Monday, Minerals Resources Minister, Mosebenzi Zwane encouraged successful women to start mentoring women from rural areas to improve their standard of living.
Zwane, who was acting on behalf of Communication Minister Faith Muthambi, stated that although government is committed to improving the lives of all people, it was significant that the houses handed over on Monday were allocated to female headed families. “Women who have reached success in life should encourage and mentor other women in their communities to improve their standard of living.”
The families who received houses were identified by community leaders and introduced to Muthambi when she visited the area last year for a tour of the Solar Power Plant situated in Tom Burke. During this visit Muthambi indicated that she will return to ascertain the progress made with providing houses for the families.
The large number of female headed families, widespread unemployment and high occurrence of HIV in Ga-Seleka reinforce the statement by Zwane that intervention is needed to educate specifically women in the area. “As a man it is difficult for me to approach a woman and inform her about family planning, whereas two women are able to communicate from the same level of understanding and experience,” Zwane said.
One of the women who received a house on Tuesday, Elizabeth Madibana, said that they were seven people living in a four room house with no electricity and no running water. “My husband passed away several years ago and since then I have been struggling to make ends meet.”
Madibana has been unemployed for most of her life and receive an old age grant from the state. “It is difficult to provide food for my children and grandchildren but we survive,” she said.
Zwane addressed the high poverty level by encouraging people to start their own small businesses in the area. “The houses around here have big stands and can be used to grow your own vegetables; I will make a commitment to come back with strategies to help with the development of agriculture in this village.”