Annual Awards 2025

Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Celebrates Excellence at Annual Awards 

Left to right: Craig Gainsford: President, Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal; Martin Meyer: KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure: Vikashnee Harbhajan: Executive Director, Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal

The Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Annual Awards event is the premier gala event at which KwaZulu-Natal companies showcase their work, celebrate their achievements and gain recognition for excellence in Construction and Health and Safety.

The prestigious event took place on Friday 31 October 2025 at Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom under the theme “One Algorithm and One Brick at a Time,” where the Association hosted over 300 guests, including competition entrants, industry stakeholders and government representatives.

Craig Gainsford, President of Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal opened the event by welcoming all attendees and stated: “Excellence in construction and health and safety is not merely a benchmark. It reflects the dedication, hard work and professionalism of our member companies. These awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on their success, achieved often in the face of economic pressures, site disruptions and other external challenges. They represent success in project delivery, resilience, creativity and determination, the very foundation of our industry’s strength.”

The keynote address was delivered by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, the Honourable Martin Meyer, who announced that the key objectives were to address existing historical challenges and to build better for the people of KZN. He stated that partnerships with the sector are essential as they form the foundation for achieving these objectives. He emphasised the necessity of fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders responsible for constructing hospitals, schools, roads and other infrastructure projects. 

The MEC proudly stated that over the past three months, all contractors had been paid within 30 days and that Public Works was committed to ensuring this timeframe. He further addressed the need to develop smaller contractors into larger entities to increase the pool of contractors from KZN who could be appointed for projects in the province. The MEC further underscored initiatives to simplify tender processes and called on the industry to collaborate with the Department, to close the skills gap between TVET college standards and Industry requirements.

Vikashnee Harbhajan, Executive Director of Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal presented the recipients of the awards and indicated that the Association acknowledges the outstanding achievements and celebrates its Member companies for the highest standards of quality, safety and innovation, as they create structures, shape communities and inspire the next generation of Master Builders. With entries in both competitions having spanned a vast area across the province, an impressive 58 entries were received, which was a commendable increase from the prior year. This growth highlights the industry’s commitment to health and safety excellence. She concluded by indicating that “Excellence is not a milestone; it is a journey of continuous improvement, powered by vision, grit and integrity. As we honour the achievements of 2025, let us carry forward the determination to keep raising the bar, to build smarter, safer and better than before.”

Special awards that recognise outstanding and positive contribution to the construction industry were awarded as follows:

The prestigious Overall Winner award celebrates a Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal member company for demonstrating overall excellence in both the Excellence in Construction and Health and Safety competitions. Congratulations to Stefanutti Stocks Coastal for this outstanding accomplishment.  

The Association extends sincere appreciation to its marketing partners for the event:

Congratulations to all the participants and winners and may this recognition inspire continued excellence and innovation!

Download Full Excellence in Construction List (PDF)