Positive pioneers
The empowerment of women stimulates socio-economic development, according to a growing body of microeconomic evidence. This is particularly relevant in Africa, where developing countries could augment socio-economic development through an increase in women's education, employment and earnings. In fact, the emergence of expanded roles for women in the construction industry is an increasingly important indicator of economic development.
"The increasing number of professional women now active in the construction sector is a positive sign for both national and regional economies in Africa," says Elizabeth O'Leary, executive director of Khuthaza in South Africa and featured speaker at the TotallyConcrete Expo. Khuthaza offers a number of programmes and support services aimed at promoting the empowerment of women in the industry. O'Leary is also one of the nominees for TotallyConcrete's Women in Construction Excellence Award. Other nominees include Busi Legodi, PPC's first black female general manager; Michelle Williams, owner of Bella M Readymix in SA; Professor Elsabe Kearsley, head of civil engineering at the University of Pretoria; Sebasti Badenhorst, concrete applications business executive at Protech Kuthele; Itumeleng Dlamini, executive director of the Master Builders Association of SA; and Makoekie Tsotetsi, owner of Impota Trading in SA.
With special guest speakers such as Clara da Cruz Almeida, architect and designer of the new Soweto Theatre in Johannesburg, and Elsie Snyman, CEO of Industry Insight in South Africa, TotallyConcrete's Women in Construction Excellence Awards will be in tune with industry development. Elsie Snyman says of the construction industry, "The construction industry is not only a major contributor to GDP, it is also a major stimulus for economic growth and a catalyst for job creation."
Nicky Weimar, senior economist at Nedbank Group will deliver the keynote address at TotallyConcrete, providing important insight into the future of the larger African economy. With an average growth rate of 6.1% predicted for sub-Saharan Africa, TotallyConcrete is a timely platform endorsed by the industry to help prepare for national, regional and continental socio-economic development and get ready for the new market opportunities it will bring.
PPC, Lafarge, Dangote, Sephaku, AfriSam, NPC Cimpor and Reimer are the sponsors of the event and in addition there will be over 75 exhibitors offering construction industry professionals the opportunity to network, to help them improve project delivery and win more tenders in Africa's diverse regions of development. The TotallyConcrete Expo is an all-things cement, concrete and construction event which aims to provide the industry ecosystem with the tools and solutions needed to manage projects and ensure their delivery on time and on budget.
For further information, go to the TotallyConcrete website.
