BY REGINALD KANYANE
Cape Town – The Bokone – Bophirima Department of Local Government and Human Settlements scooped  three critical housing awards at Human Settlements National Govan Mbeki Awards held at Cape Town International Convention Centre recently. The province is the winner of the Best Non-Subsidy Contractor, Best Enhanced People Housing Process Project and Best Youth Contractor categories. 

The tightly contested awards were held to recognise the excellent work that contractors are doing to ensure the production of quality housing to restore the dignity of our people.

MEC for the Department Collen Maine applauded the winners.

“If you work hard you will be recognised and awarded. It clearly shows that there are still some housing contractors out there who do not only push to maximise their profits but they ensure the production of quality work. We will like congratulate them on a job well done and for putting Bokone Bophirima on the map” said MEC Maine.

The recipient of Youth Contractor of the Year Award Thokozane Littla of Madimong Trading Services said “It’s tough to be a young person in the construction industry as many people doubt the work that you do. The award on its own it can make the necessary impact in the industry and inspire other youth contractors in the country”.

In the best awards for the day which were presented by Minister for Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu, Ethekwini Metro municipality was awarded the best Metro Municipality and KwaZulu- Natal was crowned the best province on housing development.

The following are categories and the winners:

Best Social Housing Unit – Eastern Cape

Best Community Residential Unit – Western Cape

Best Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Project – Gauteng

Best Accredited Municipalities – KZN

Best Non-Subsidy Contractor – Dan Akker Projects – Bokone-Bophirima

Best Rural Project – Dutjwa – Eastern Cape

 Best Priority Project – Easter Cape

Best Informal Settlements Upgraded – Western Cape

Best Enhanced People Housing Process – Mafikeng 200 – Bokone-Bophirima

Best Institutional Housing Programme – Eastern Cape

Best Integrated Residential Development Programme – Western Cape

Best Woman Contractor – Mpumalanga

Best Youth Contractor – Bokone-Bophirima

Best Metro Municipality – Ethekwini – KwaZulu Natal

Best  Province of the Year – KwaZulu Natal