Vikashnee Harbhajan to take the reins from January 2012

In addition to celebrating excellence, the 2011 Annual Excellence in Construction Awards ceremony was also the platform where it was announced that a new Executive Director, Vikashnee Harbhajan will take over the reins from Brandon Abdinor who is leaving to pursue other business interests.

“Brandon has served the Association faithfully and with distinction to the best of his ability for the past four and a half years and will be sadly missed. Change happens,” said Vic Naidoo, President of the Association.

“I am honoured however, to announce that Vikashnee Harbhajan has been appointed as the new Executive Director from January 3 next year. We are honoured to have her here.”

In an interview Ms Harbhajan said she looked forward to the new challenges that lie ahead as well as returning to her home town of Durban. She is currently the Executive Director: Social Policy at Business Unity SA (BUSA), a Johannesburg based organisation that aims to ensure that organised business plays a constructive role within the context of the country's economic growth, development and transformation goals – a post she has held for nearly five years.

“I look forward to working and achieving the goals and visions of Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal and the construction industry at large. My experience in organised business will help me considerably and I will bring these skills to the table in our endeavours to growing the industry in the province.

“While I have no preconceived ideas yet, my vision is for the Association to become more visible and become a key driver in the economy of South Africa. To achieve this I would like to see us creating more jobs and expanding the public infrastructure which automatically leads to growth. The road to success is always under construction,” she said.

Gary Amstutz