SA Women in Construction and Stella Sigcau Foundation join Forces to advance gender equality

Works and Infrastructure, Stella Sigcau, lives on through a powerful collaborative partnership between the South African Women in Construction (SAWIC & BE) and the Stella Sigcau Foundation, which took place last Friday through a memorandum of understanding to empower women in the construction and built environment. The two organisations launched the Princess Stella Sigcau Skills Development Initiative, which is aimed at empowering and uplifting women and youth. This partnership is formed to promote women-owned construction enterprises and to advocate for inclusive policies within the built environment. According to SAWIC&BE President Thembeka Mnisi, the Princess Stella Sigcau Skills Development Initiative is a testament to the commitment of SAWIC & BE and the Stella Sigcau Foundation to empower marginalised communities and promote economic growth. Mnisi says through this partnership SAWIC will leverage its expertise in construction and skills development to equip women and youth with practical skills, enhance their employability and entrepreneurial prospects while the Stella Sigcau Foundation will provide a platform for a meaningful impact. SAWIC&BE is a national industry association that was established in 1997 by the then Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Stella Sigcau. Sigcau established the organisation as a driving force in promoting gender equality, to empower and advance the participation of women in the construction and built environment sectors. Its main aim is to advocate for gender transformation across the construction value chain and works to remove systemic barriers that limit women’s success in opportunities, finance, markets, and leadership roles. Mnisi says the memorandum of understanding with the Princess Stella Sigcau Foundation represents more than just a formal agreement. “It is a commitment to accelerating the economic empowerment of women within the construction and building environment sectors. “For too long, women-owned enterprises have faced structural barriers to market access, finance, and large-scale project participation. “Through this partnership, we are creating a platform that strengthens skills development, enterprise growth, and meaningful inclusion in infrastructure delivery. “Together we are building not only structures, but sustainable pathways for women to lead and thrive in our industry, said Mnisi. In his speech during the MOU signing ceremony, Prince Leslie Sigcau, the son of Stella Sigcau said empowering women and youth is crucial for the development of the country. He says the partnership is a strategic step toward ensuring that infrastructure development becomes a vehicle for inclusive economic empowerment. “We are proud to partner with SAWIC & BE to make a meaningful impact. “Women particularly in rural and historically marginalized communities must be active participants in shaping and delivering development. “Through this memorandum of understanding, we are aligning our efforts to support skills development, enterprise creation, and sustainable community impact. “Together we are laying foundations not only for infrastructure, but for generational opportunity and shared prosperity”. Sigcau passed away at 69 in 2006 at the St Augustine Hospital in Durban.