Construction Industry Under Siege

Construction Industry Under Siege

Protesters storm the Oceans uMhlanga construction site in April 2018.
Photo: IOL

Our construction industry remains in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. This is not only due to the disastrous legacy of the Zuma era and government’s ongoing indecisiveness in creating economic confidence, but also to the steady expansion of “the construction mafia” – which has now infiltrated Gauteng and other provinces from KwaZulu-Natal.

This is according to Musa Shangase, President of Master Builders Association North (MBA North) in his Presidential address to some 200 MBA North members, office bearers, industry stakeholders and guests at the organisation’s annual Awards Dinner held in Centurion in October.

Musa Shangase, President of Master Builders Association North

Our industry is in dire straits with no direction or certainly – exacerbated by shrinking margins, delayed- or non-payment for work completed, rising costs and decreasing revenue.” said Shangase. “Yet in this difficult environment MBA North continues to strive ahead to the benefit of the industry and its members, creating and driving innovative solutions directed at addressing these issues.”

Such initiatives by MBA North include the recent formation of a sub-contractor sub-committee to engage with government to resolve the issue of non-payment; and the Construction Health and Safety division which will implement the new ISO 45001 standard from February 2019.

MBA North Past Presidents in attendance were: Manie Bosch (Formwork Logic), Rui Lavarinhas (Ohlhorst Africa), Pieter Rude (GD Irons) and the Immediate Past President Jason Wilmot (Sir John Hire).

Office Bearers present were: current President Musa Shangase (Corobrik), Vice Presidents Wayne Albertyn (Gothic Construction) and Sello Mokawane (SNS Projects) and Treasurer, Mandla Danisa (4square Projects Group).

MBA North Executive Director, Mohau Mphomela, gave special thanks to the evening’s sponsors: Anquet Construction Solutions (Managing Director Refiloe Mallela – who is currently the Vice President of SAFCEC), Derbigum reinforced waterproofing systems, Kanye-Kanye Projects Africa and FEM.

The following members were honoured with Long-standing Member Awards:

Long-standing Partner Award: Federated Emlployers Mutual (FEM) : 80 years of partnership between FEM and MBA North

Long-standing Member Awards:

55 Years Corobrik

55 Years Ohlhorst Africa

50 Years Edilcon Construction

35 years Mjenzi Construction

30 Years Ambient Contracting Services

25 Years Prodec Paints

10 Years Archstone Construction

10 Years Cairmead Industrial Consultants

10 Years Amkhoib Contractor Consultants

10 Years CKJ Building Construction

10 years Curasure

Recipient of the Presidential Award went to Past President Manie Bosch of Formwork Logic for his dedication and significant contribution to the work of the Association over the years.

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