MBSA Congress to Address State Of SA Construction Sector

The annual Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) Congress, set for 11-12 September at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, will address economic transformation in the SA construction sector and the impact of ratings downgrades on the development and future of the industry, among other topics.

Under this year’s theme of Building South Africa Together, speakers from various sectors will be exploring matters currently impacting the industry.

Kicking off the congress will be a representative from the Ministry of Economic Development who will discuss the status of the National Infrastructure Plan, along with its implications and opportunities for local contractors.
This will be followed by a panel discussion on the state of the construction industry in South Africa', with panellists including MBSA president Bafikile Bonke Simelane; CEO of the Construction Sector Charter Council Thabo Masombuka; the Competition Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele; and the general secretary of the Black Business Council in the Built Environment Gregory Mofokeng. The conversation will consider if the new Construction Sector Codes adequately address transformation gaps in the sector, as well as the effects of anti-competitive behaviour, amongst other issues.

The future of the industry will be unpacked throughout the course of the congress by speakers such as Craig Lemboe, senior economist at the Bureau for Economic Research, who will be unveiling what’s in store for the industry and country going forward in his talk on South Africa’s economic outlook. The deputy minister of trade and industry Bulelani Magwanishe will also be exploring avenues for future industry growth in his address on regional integration for African cooperation and development.

Opportunities in The Region

The deputy minister will be participating in a panel discussion on industry opportunities together with chairman of WBHO Construction Mike Wylie; CEO of the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors Webster Mfebe; MBSA executive director Roy Mnisi; CEO of the Built Environment Professions Export Council Con Korsten; and president of the National African Federation for the Building Industry Aubrey Tshalata. They will be exploring construction opportunities in the region and the roles of financing institutions and voluntary associations in the development of the construction industry and increasing SMME market access.

A key feature of every congress are the technical breakaway sessions which enable teams of experts from various aspects of the industry to debate the issues of construction occupational health and safety (OH&S), skills development and regulatory, contractual and legal matters in the construction industry. This year’s participants will include chief OH&S inspector at the Department of Labour Tibor Szana; chief director of artisan development at the Department of Higher Education David Mabusela; and programme manager at the Construction Industry Development Board Dr Rodney Milford.

Another regular highlight is the exhibition which coincides with the congress and showcases the latest developments in and services available to the industry. This year, entry will be free of charge to all contractors in and around the Western Cape.

For more information about the congress, go to www.congress.masterbuilders.org.

Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal held its Annual Awards event at the Durban International Conference Centre (ICC) on Friday, 26 October 2018.

The Annual Awards recognises and celebrates Excellence in Construction and Health and Safety within the KwaZulu- Natal Construction industry. The Association prioritises the promotion and development of the industry and seeks to inculcate a culture of excellence in the Province. 

President of the Association, Mrs Joyce Dolly Tembe opened the event by welcoming those in attendance. She honoured all competition entrants by stating that “Excellence deserves to be celebrated and acknowledged. We, at Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal endorse this concept and we are here tonight celebrating your achievements as individuals, as companies and as an industry.”  

She reiterated that lobbying and advocacy were key ingredients of an effective Employer Organisation and the Association continued to engage at relevant platforms, thereby influencing pro-business legislation and policy positions. The Association’s key priorities were growth of the industry, transformation and skills development, quality infrastructure and health and safety compliance. 

Vikashnee Harbhajan, Executive Director of Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal said: “ The Association champions Excellence in Construction and Health and Safety in its quest to promote quality infrastructure development.” 

There were 39 entries from 22 companies in the Excellence in Construction competition. The entries were not as widespread in comparison to prior years, with majority situated around Durban and Pietermaritzburg and as far as Newcastle in the interior.  

The Competition criterion for the 55th Annual Health and Safety competition remained stringent. Sites entered were audited on more than 20 different elements consisting of over 1000 sub- sections. 

Tribute is paid to those who excelled in Health and Safety and contributed to the prevention of onsite fatalities and injuries.  Mrs Harbhajan emphasised that notwithstanding the industry slowdown, the Association was pleased to have received 22 entries in the Health and Safety competition and it showed that member companies do not waiver on their commitment to Health and Safety during tough economic times. 

Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal promotes health and safety continuously and believes that no employee should lose their lives for a job.  The Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Occupational Health and Safety Fund designed to further assist dependants of victims who have lost their lives in construction-related incidents within the Association membership was launched at the event. The initiative raised R 137, 000. 

The Prestige Marketing Partner for the event was BBF Safety Group, a company that offers some of the most recognised and trusted brands - such as Bova, Bronx Safety, Frams, Fuel, Lemaitre, Sisi and Wayne. Stefanutti Stocks Building was the Platinum Marketing Partner. Other Marketing Partners included Aveng Grinaker-LTA, Patcon Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Abantu SHEQ Consultants and Form-scaff.

A welcome addition to this year’s event was the introduction of a display arena which saw suppliers to the industry showcase their products and services. The Association also used the opportunity to launch its new Mission and Vision Statement along with its Core Values.

East Coast Radio aired their evening show ‘East Coast Party People with J Sbu’ live from the event which included interviews with competition entrants and the Association Executive Director. 

The Association Congratulates the recipients of awards in all categories.  Special awards were also presented which recognise outstanding and positive contribution to the construction industry in KwaZulu-Natal: 

Award of Merit - Howard Schwegmann from Stefanutti Stocks 

Award for Woman in Construction - Thandi Florintine Ngcobo from Zamadunga Business Enterprise CC.

Supplier of the Year – Safintra South Africa 

Safety Person of the Year – Kelvin Moodley from WBHO Construction, KwaZulu-Natal Division.  

Supreme Award for Excellence in Health and Safety - AVENG GRINAKER-LTA for Henwood Road Plant Yard.

Supreme Award for Excellence in Construction - WBHO Construction (Pty) Ltd , KwaZulu-Natal

Division for ABSA Regional Office KwaZulu-Natal.

Overall Winner - Stefanutti Stocks Building KZN 

The MC for the event was the well-known SABC 3 news anchor Mahendra Raghunath. 

Awards Recipients Excellence in Construction (PDF download)

Awards Recipients Occupational Health and Safety (PDF download)