Chairperson, I move without notice:
That the Council -
1) notes that the new housing development in Sedibeng District Municipality, a joint project between the municipality and the Gauteng department of housing and Local Government, was not only awarded to a woman contractor, but a number of women, including two elderly women aged 94 and 88 years respectively, had their lives changed last week when they were handed the keys to their newly built houses in this development during the launch of the municipality's Women's Month programme; 2) takes this opportunity to commend the municipality on this project and its programmes aimed at recognising the important gains which women have brought about, the participation of women in the struggle, and the major role that they have played in ensuring the attainment of the freedom which we enjoy today;
3) acknowledges that much still needs to be done before women's empowerment and gender equality have truly been achieved in South Africa; and
4) calls on all spheres of government, government departments and other role-players, including the private sector, to meet the challenges of striving for the optimal empowerment and emancipation of women.
Motion agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.