The first 40m² Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) House, which together with seven other houses, was officially launched by the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements, Zou Kota-Fredericks at Sokhulumi Village in Bronkhorstspruit. Other dignitaries at the ceremony included: Gauteng MEC for Local Government and Housing, Ntombi Mekgwe; SAWiC’s Gauteng Chairperson, Kelikile Kwinana; and the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Kgosientso Ramokgopa.

The construction of the CMA House was managed by Xoliswa Njotini (Blondie) who owns and manages a construction company, Xolis Realty cc, based in Midrand. Blondie said the 13 people who worked on the CMA house were all non-paid volunteers, the majority of whom were women. “Most were skilled artisans drawn from the local community,” said Blondie, “however, three were novices and they were trained in various aspects of house construction.”

Built using modular masonry and precast concrete building materials donated by CMA members and the CMA, the house comprises two bedrooms, a bathroom and a combined kitchen/living area. Of the eight houses built, the CMA House was the only one with a ceiling and concrete window frames. The houses were jointly developed by the Department of Human Settlements, the City of Tshwane and South African Women in Construction (SAWiC) for disadvantaged members of the Sokhulumi community.