Faith Mabena had a marketing degree, no construction experience and no plan when she resigned from her job in 2012, and she has since co-founded Nokhanya Services, a Cape Town-based building contracting company that has completed over 800 houses and holds a CIDB 7GB PE grading. Her path into an industry that remains roughly 89% male shows what it actually takes for a woman to break into, and stay in, South African construction.
How did Faith Mabena get started in the construction industry?
Mabena did not set out to become a builder. After leaving her previous job, she initially ran a general supplies business selling stationery, paint, books and plumbing material to government entities, work she describes as directionless and unprofitable. A turning point came when an entrepreneur working in construction, specialising in the government’s Breaking New Ground (BNG) housing programme, approached her and a partner for financial assistance. That joint venture, where Mabena managed the finances and stayed active in the business, became her entry point into construction.
After that project ended, she moved into the Enhanced People’s Housing Process (EPHP), a Western Cape government initiative that lets housing beneficiaries help select their own contractor and house plans. Delivering EPHP projects across Cape Town townships gave her company its founding track record.
What is Nokhanya Services and what does it build?
Nokhanya Services, which Mabena co-founded with Bethuel Ncube, is a 100% black-owned, 51% black women-owned building contracting company holding Level 1 B-BBEE contributor status. The company has completed more than 800 houses and operates primarily across Khayelitsha, Philippi, Bardale, Malibu and George, with an ambition to expand into other provinces. Its CIDB grading of 7GB PE reflects both its financial and works capability under the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)‘s grading system, which determines the size and type of tenders a contractor can bid for.
Why is the South African construction industry still so male-dominated?
Industry data has consistently shown a roughly 89% male to 11% female split in South African construction, a ratio that has held fairly steady for years according to reporting from the Master Builders Association Western Cape. Mabena and others in the sector point to persistent misconceptions, that women are less capable, do not belong on-site, or cannot be taken as seriously as their male counterparts, as a real barrier to entry, not just a historical one.
Progress exists but is slow at the higher end of the industry in particular: very few women-owned contractors hold CIDB gradings above 7, since larger grading levels require competing directly against companies with decades more track record and access to capital.
What resources and relationships helped build a construction business from scratch?
Mabena identifies two practical foundations. First, strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors, whom she prioritises paying promptly to keep projects moving on programme. Second, targeted training rather than a general qualification: the NHBRC Women Empowerment Programme, the Eskom Contractor Academy and the Master Builders Association Western Cape’s development programme all gave her company-specific skills that translated directly into completed projects and industry recognition.
Basic operating assets matter too. A reliable vehicle for site visits and proper tools were, in her account, part of what let the business function from day one, well before it could afford a large fleet or equipment inventory.
What are the biggest ongoing challenges for women contractors in South Africa?
Securing consistent, large-enough project pipelines to keep a construction business viable remains the central challenge, particularly for contractors trying to move up CIDB grading levels against far more established competitors. Government procurement policy that sets aside a percentage of tender value for women and youth participation exists specifically to address this, but Mabena’s experience suggests the higher grading bands still see very few women-owned contractors succeed in breaking through.
What advice does Mabena give to women considering entering construction?
Understand the market and your specific competition before entering, invest in industry-specific training even after you have started operating, and expect the road to be genuinely difficult rather than a quick win. She also actively employs women subcontractors on her own projects specifically to help them build the track record needed to grow their own businesses, treating that as part of changing the industry’s composition over time rather than waiting for it to change on its own.
Mabena is also candid that the sector’s cyclical downturns hit smaller, women-owned contractors harder than established players, since a single lean year without secured work can threaten a business’s survival in a way it would not for a larger, better-capitalised competitor. Getting onto a multi-year delivery framework, rather than relying solely on individual once-off tenders, is one practical way she has found to smooth that volatility, since it guarantees a baseline of work rather than requiring a fresh win every few months just to keep operating.
Frequently asked questions
What CIDB grading does a small construction business need to start bidding on government housing projects?
Entry-level government housing tenders are often accessible to contractors with lower CIDB gradings, but the specific grading required depends on the tender’s value and classification. Check the Construction Industry Development Board’s grading requirements for each opportunity before bidding.
What is the Enhanced People’s Housing Process (EPHP)?
EPHP is a government-supported housing delivery model that gives beneficiaries a role in decisions during construction, including selecting their contractor and house plans, rather than a fully top-down delivery process.
What training programmes exist for women entering construction in South Africa?
The NHBRC’s Women Empowerment Programme, Eskom’s Contractor Academy and regional Master Builders Association development programmes are established options, though availability and intake periods vary and should be confirmed directly with each provider.
How does B-BBEE status affect a construction company’s ability to win tenders?
A higher B-BBEE contributor level, such as Level 1, generally improves a contractor’s scoring on public sector tenders that weight B-BBEE status as part of the evaluation criteria, alongside price, technical capability and CIDB grading.
What percentage of South African construction businesses are women-owned?
Industry reporting has placed women’s participation in the construction workforce at around 11%, with an even smaller share of that reflected in ownership of higher-graded contracting businesses specifically.
Further reading:
Originally published in February 2020. Updated September 2026 to confirm Nokhanya Services remains active and growing, and to expand the detail on CIDB grading and government procurement set-asides for women contractors. Confirm current tender set-aside percentages directly with the relevant procuring department.
