On 26 June 2018, KwaZulu-Natal Master Builders and Allied Industries Association held its 117th Annual General Meeting which saw the Association’s first Woman President Joyce Dolly Tembe, being elected for her third successive term.

In her address, the President noted that over the past year, global economic challenges had placed the construction industry under severe strain, resulting in a significant decrease in the number of construction sites which had a ripple effect on unemployment and economic growth.
Ms Tembe stated that notwithstanding these challenges, the Association achieved targets as set out in the medium-term strategy with the next financial year paved for a new and more challenging strategy to take the Association to greater heights.

She stressed that the key priorities of the Association remained growth of the industry, transformation and skills development, quality infrastructure and health and safety compliance. “It is critical that we embrace concepts which are aligned to the national imperatives of our country”, stated Ms Tembe.

Executive Director, Vikashnee Harbhajan stated that although there was an increase in business confidence at the start of the year, we were yet to see a noticeable increase in construction projects in the KZN province.

Whilst membership was recorded at 725 at the close of the financial year, it was concerning to note that the retention of members was affected by reports of financial constraints and business closures.

Health and safety remained a priority service to the members. It was heartening to note that the Association had also successfully engaged Provincial Treasury on outstanding payments to members.

She reiterated that Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal prides itself on transformation initiatives and made reference to the Emerging contractor programme, Bursary fund and Vuka Makhi programme. The results for Vuka Makhi for the past year were outstanding with a 100% pass rate, boasting 34 distinctions from those who completed the National Senior Certificate Examination in 2017. Ms Harbhajan took the opportunity to congratulate the top achiever, Bonakele Mkhize of Sikhethuxolo High School in Hammarsdale, for achieving six distinctions.

In its efforts to accelerate economic transformation, the Association finalised a Good Practice Note comprising guidelines on the implementation of the Preferential Procurement Regulations and Construction Sector Code, with workshops planned across the province.

It was pleasing to note that the Association once again boasted an unqualified audit report.
The Executive Director took the opportunity to congratulate the President on her third term of office as well as the elected Executive Council Members.

The Executive Council elected for the next term of office is as follows:

Joyce Dolly Tembe, Sakhisizwe Development Training - (President)
Vic Naidoo, Sibonele Africa (Pty) Ltd - (Vice-President)
Sam Ngcongo, Bencon Building and Civils - (Vice-President)
Francois Louw, MET Builders - (Vice-President)
Lance Ridl, Ridl Construction - (Vice-President)
Moegamat Behardien - (Immediate Past President)
Thys Blom, Plankonsult
Marcus Gonzalves, FS Gonzalves Construction
Roland Mudaly, Aveng Grinaker LTA (Pty) Ltd
Lesley Chetty, Amandla Construction
Patricia Moodley, Globacon (Pty) Ltd
Khanyisile Khoza, Bahlomile Development and Project Solutions
Thobekile Ndlovu, Thobethulani Trading CC