Sisters in Construction
What does your company do?
Sisters in Construction is an award-winning construction company known for deliveringexcellence in every project we undertake. With a commitment to innovation, qualitycraftsmanship, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, we specialize in creatingspaces that inspire and stand the test of time.Our diverse portfolio includes residential and expanding into commercial, and industrialprojects, reflecting our ability to adapt and excel in meeting the unique needs of our clients.Backed by a team of skilled professionals and a reputation for exceeding expectations, wetake pride in building not just structures, but long-lasting relationships based on trust andintegrity.Founded by Kouthar Davids in August 2022, Sisters in Construction emerged from a vision totransform the construction industry by empowering women and integrating cutting-edgetechnology. Inspired by her diverse background in law, media, and charity work, Koutharcreated a company that builds structures and opportunities for women. Overcoming thechallenges of a male-dominated industry, we have grown from a micro-enterprise into adynamic force for change.
What is your biggest success?
Sisters in Construction is deeply committed to corporate social responsibility and community development. To date, we have proudly contributed to several meaningful projects: the reconstruction of the first Islamic Institute in Asanda Village, the construction of the first mosque in Nomzamo, and our current efforts to help build a Muslim school, prayer room, and crèche for the community in Zola, Strand.
Our dedication has been recognized through several achievements. We were awarded R50,000 in grant funding, and we won Best Business Pitch through the Dream Factory initiative, receiving an additional R10,000. A particularly proud moment was being named Youth-Owned Woman Contractor of the Year at the ERWIC (Empowerment and Recognition of Women in the Construction Industry) Awards.
Our visibility and impact are growing steadily. We’ve begun gaining traction on social media, which has already led to two women reaching out for construction services. This exposure also helped us secure our first international client — Micato Safaris.
Lastly, we piloted with Siviwe School of Skills where we employ their exiting construction students and provide them with employment.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
Sisters in Construction faces several key hurdles that impact our growth and performance in the industry. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of job opportunities and limited support for women in the public sector. As a small, women-owned company, we often struggle to earn trust — with some clients doubting our capabilities purely based on gender bias.
We also face the threat of construction mafia interference, which can disrupt our operations and timelines. Securing funding, especially for upfront project costs, remains a major obstacle. On top of that, late payments from clients directly affect our ability to meet payroll and manage day-to-day expenses.
The industry is highly competitive, with larger firms offering higher wages and greater stability, making it harder for us to attract and retain skilled workers. We also encounter significant difficulties when navigating procurement and tender processes, particularly within the public sector, where complex requirements often disadvantage smaller businesses.
Project execution is frequently impacted by external delays such as adverse weather, material shortages, subcontractor reliability, and loadshedding. Additionally, the rising costs of construction materials and fuel put further pressure on our already tight margins.
