36 Emerging Contractors to be Trained as Part of Limpopo’s ‘Vuk'uPhile' initiative

36 Emerging Contractors to be Trained as Part of Limpopo’s ‘Vuk’uPhile’ initiative

THABO MONYELA|April 11, 2025

TRANSFORMATION: The Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads & Infrastructure has selected 21 emerging women, mostly youth, for development and mentorship in the male-dominated construction sector. Photo: Limpopo DPWI

The Department of Public Works, Roads & Infrastructure in Limpopo has selected 21 emerging women, with the majority being youth, to develop and mentor them in the construction sector, which is predominated by men.

The slow pace of transformation for women in construction, after years of gender discrimination, paints a bleak picture for the entire industry in the country.

Through the national Department of Public Works’ vuk’uphile initiative, the Limpopo department says it has prioritised women in a bid to transform its pool of contractors.

It has selected 36 emerging contractors that will be trained and mentored for the period of over 36 months.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Limpopo Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Ernest Rachoene said the department aims to produce skilled contractors capable of delivering quality, sustainable infrastructure. Photo: Limpopo DPWI

Speaking during the welcome event on Thursday, 10 April in Polokwane, Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Ernest Rachoene said they want to produce skilful contractors who will be capable of delivering quality and sustainable infrastructure.

“The objective of this important project is to develop and skill emerging contractors who are at lower Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading of level 2 and 3 and within 36 months, these contractors will be thoroughly developed to a competitive level of grade 4 and 5. Of the 36 emerging contractors that we enrolled, 67% are young people and 53% of these learners are women (SIC).

“During the period of this development, their economic status will be uplifted, poverty levels will be reduced, and the Department shall have produced skilful men and women contractors who will be capable of delivering quality and sustainable infrastructure projects and create job opportunities for the people of Limpopo,” Rachoene said.

***BENEFICIARY: Limpopo Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Ernest Rachoene pictured with 33-year-old civil engineer contractor, Rofiwa Ramoloko. Photo: Limpopo DPWI***

One of the selected female contractors is a 33-year-old Civil engineer Rofiwa Ramoloko, from Mashamba village in the Vhembe district.

“I feel honoured to be selected amongst the more 100 applicants, to be part of the contractors who will be developed and absorbed by the department,” Ramoloko said.

Ramoloko added that it’s not easy to be a young woman in the construction industry, as sometimes you get undermined by men. She further highlighted finances as one of the challenges.

The young female contractor possess a grade 3GBE grading and a vast of experience working with Imvula Trust in constructing school infrastructure in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga.