Construction Industry News and Views Edition 207 05 September 2022

Dear Members and Readers

September sees KZN play host to the Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) Congress which will be held at The Capital Zimbali on 09 September 2022. The Congress theme is “Reconstructing South Africa” and expert panel discussions will be held to unpack and address the challenges facing the industry. The event also recognises and celebrates the recipients of the MBSA National Safety Awards.

August was a busy month as members attended several Association engagements. The issue of construction insurance and guarantees was addressed at the member meeting, whilst members were also briefed about the upgrade of the Durban port. The Association expresses its sincere gratitude to Safintra for partnering with it for the member workshop which covered the technical aspects of roof installations. Members are further reminded to attend the workshop on the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Amendment Bill, which is scheduled for 27 September 2022.

Several stakeholder engagements took place during the month which will contribute to improved growth and sustainability of the industry. The KZN Building Industry Forum wrapped up its current Action Plan and resolved to identify key joint priorities for implementation in 2023.The KZN Good Practice Committee discussed the impact of the rising costs of building materials and the current state of government tenders. Construction Alliance South Africa (CASA) held a CASA member meeting, which covered several key industry issues. The Department of Employment and Labour held a follow up engagement with CASA to discuss the employment equity sectoral targets.

Attention is drawn to the marketing opportunities available at the Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Annual Awards event scheduled for 7 October 2022. Members are invited to take advantage of these opportunities to showcase their brand to key stakeholders in the KwaZulu-Natal construction industry. Click here to access these marketing opportunities.

Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal is positioned as a one-stop business hub offering safe, convenient and reliable services to its members. The Association provides a wide range of membership and other services which includes building contractual and legal services, occupational health and safety, training, employee benefit schemes, a recruitment agency, a business support consultancy, conference facilities, Café Indaba, a print studio and occupational health clinics. Member discounts apply where applicable.

In this edition of the newsletter, be sure to read the article about whether a contractor has a duty to inform the employer or his agent of defects in a design. Recommendations on how to safely use and maintain the main types of plant and machinery are also provided. The Ntshongweni Urban Development has commenced, and the impact of this project is discussed. Guidance is provided on how employers can register with the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Do not miss the explanation of how different methods of learning can influence the choice of a career and training requirements. In addition, readers can explore how changing a long-term investment due to short-term market volatility can lead to missed opportunities.

Enjoy the newsletter!

Vikashnee Harbhajan | Executive Director

Construction Industry News and Views Edition 209 07 November 2022

Dear Members and Readers

The Annual Awards held in October 2022 was a magnificent event which saw the celebration of excellence in construction and health and safety. A number of member companies were recognised for their outstanding contribution to quality workmanship and high health and safety standards. The event saw WBHO Construction KZN emerge as the Overall Winner for the second successive year, with GVK-Siya Zama Building Contractors, Stefanutti Stocks Coastal and Patcon Building & Civil Engineering Contractors also achieving excellent results.

October has been a very busy month filled with several membership activities. During this global ergonomics month, the Association in collaboration with Smart Ergonomics hosted a free webinar on understanding ergonomic risk factors in construction work. The Corporate Member Breakfast was also held, which covered Renewable Energy in Construction and Manufacturing, and Cybercrime in South Africa.

The draft National Infrastructure Plan (NIP) 2050 Phase 2 has been published for public comments which are due by 9 December 2022. The NIP gives effect to the inclusive growth vision of the National Development Plan, as it seeks to develop actions to improve the sustainable delivery of public infrastructure. In addition, the Public Procurement Bill is also tipped to be introduced in Parliament in the first quarter of 2023.

Members were kept abreast of the legal matters surrounding the 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations which escalated to the Constitutional Court. The long-awaited Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022 was gazetted on 4 November 2022 and is set to come into effect on 16 January 2023, thereby repealing the previous Regulations. In the main, the points of contention relating to subcontracting as a condition of tender and pre-qualification criteria as a condition of procurement, have been removed. Further information will be provided in due course.

On the radar are Member year-end meetings to be held in Westville, Richards Bay and Port Shepstone. Be sure to attend in person and enjoy the presentations and networking opportunities at these events. Members are also reminded that applications to the Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Bursary Fund for studies in the Built environment for the 2023 academic year close on 6 January 2023.

In this edition, health and safety information pertaining to the workplace, environment, health and hygiene is shared. Assess whether it is better to be labelled “claims conscious” or to suffer a loss. Hybrid generators which can provide the energy needed for construction equipment are examined. Learn how critical thinking impacts an organisation and more about family responsibility leave. Sobering South African retirement statistics make an interesting read.

Enjoy the newsletter!

Vikashnee Harbhajan | Executive Director

Construction Industry News and Views Edition 210 05 December 2022

Dear Members and Readers

Reflections on 2022 are trending as many businesses are busy wrapping up their operations for the year. 2022 has flown by rapidly, amidst economic and industry fluctuations. Members can rest assured that the Association prioritises its lobbying and advocacy role as it continues to represent the interests of its members.

The Association thanks its members for their loyalty and support and pledges to continue to provide a value-added member service. Due to the challenging business environment, a decision has been taken not to increase membership fees in 2023. In addition, the Member Value Proposition has been reviewed and further tailored to suit the changing needs of members. Member year-end meetings were held during November this year, which saw members attend in person to listen to pertinent discussions and to network.

Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal is positioned as a one-stop business hub and is continuously looking at ways to serve the growing needs of the industry by providing reliable, convenient and affordable services. These services are designed to support members and clients with the successful running of their businesses. The Association proudly launches its Legal and Dispute Resolution unit, which offers representation at adjudication and arbitration proceedings, chairing of disciplinary hearings, assisting with retrenchment processes and representation at CCMA and NHBRC disputes. Dispute resolution is also offered and provides the services of an Arbitrator or Adjudicator as required.

The human capital of any organisation is one of its greatest assets. The Health and Wellness Scheme is being launched to promote a better work-life balance for individuals. It focuses on the well-being of the workforce and offers screening, detection and preventative measures. Please be sure to contact the Association for more information and discounted rates on these additional services.

In this final edition of the newsletter for 2022, proactive steps are provided to mitigate material price escalations and the fundamental principles of negotiation are set out. Information is shared on how to safeguard your sites during the break. Learn about effective communication in the workplace and acquire key interview skills. Be sure to read about remaining vigilant with the increase in phishing attempts.

The Association will be closed from 23 December 2022 and will reopen on 3 January 2022. In the event of an emergency during this period, please contact Bilaal Dawood on 083 735 2030 or Shelly Kupferman on 082 990 6888.

We wish our members and readers an enjoyable holiday season as you recharge for a successful and prosperous 2023.

Stay safe and enjoy!

Enjoy the newsletter!

Vikashnee Harbhajan | Executive Director