Foster Fietas: a women’s social enterprise development reviving heritage and Islamic Architecture

Abstract

This research must be viewed against the backdrop of the historic suburb of Johannesburg which is fondly referred to as Fietas or Pageview. Fietas, once a vibrant and diverse community, is now a shadow of its former self. A scourge of crime, violence, and dilapidated buildings has gripped the area. My research identifies some key challenges facing the women amongst the most marginalized groups living in this area. Despite the general dilapidation of Fietas, the two Mosques in the area are the only two notable buildings which have resiliently withstood the decay and decline. Foster Fietas aims to leverage the resilience of Mosque architecture and various sustainable elements of Islamic architecture to provide an integrated and realistic solution to the unpleasant and challenging realities which has affected Fietas. This will be achieved through a social enterprise aimed at women’s development. The enterprise is aimed at pro-viding a haven for these women and to economically empower women in the area through upskilling them and pro-viding a platform for them to become economically active. There is a large prominence of home-industry in Fietas which is how most single mothers and women earn an income. The enterprise will extensively use indigenous knowledge systems in upskilling these women, specifically in baking and cooking. To date, there have not been any specific interventions aimed at women’s development in Fietas and this has led to many elderly women having to leave in search of assisted living facilities; these women lived here all their lives while younger women remain marginalized