Roy Mnisi, Executive Director, Master Builders South Africa
Master Builders South Africa welcomes the news from the Construction Sector Charter Council (CSCC) that the new Construction Sector Code has finally been agreed to.
This follows months of uncertainly and confusion following the repeal of the code on 17 February with no transition period – which meant that all construction businesses were to be measured in terms of the amended BEE codes from that date.
On 4 March 2016, the Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi, convened a high level meeting of construction industry captains and principals with the view to mapping out an urgent way forward in the finalisation of the gazette of the Construction Sector Code.
The CSCC subsequently called upon industry and labour leaders Chris Jiyane – a director of Franki Africa, Mike Wylie – chairman of WBHO, and Nazir Ali – the outgoing CEO of SANRAL, to assist in mediating the finalisation process to resolution in the shortest possible time.
This breakthrough was achieved in a mere four weeks, bringing an end to many months of protracted negotiations and deadlocks. The CSCC Executive Committee has already received a process report from the CSCC CEO Thabo Masombuka and the negotiators, and the Minister of Public Works has been informed about these developments.
The draft Construction Sector Code, incorporating the industry pledge on the signature of the Code, was completed on 30 May and will now be tabled before a full Council of the CSCC before the end of June and approved for submission to the Department of Trade Industry (The DTI) who will consider a gazette by the Minister of Trade and Industry.
The CSCC has requested the DTI to consider a shorter gazette period, compared to the usual 120 days period, to ensure that after public comments and inputs, the new construction sector code can be finalised and fully gazetted in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Concurrently, preparations are well advanced for the Master Builders South Africa 111th Congress, taking place this year in Durban from Wednesday 31 August to 2 September.
Several top speakers representing the private and public sectors from South Africa and across the continent will present innovative and topical conversations and share relevant information and insights into different aspects of the building and construction industry. Amongst the topics that will be covered are infrastructure development, industry transformation, project procurement and funding and construction health and safety.
The traditional Master Builders Golf day, the prestigious National Safety Awards and Theme Dinner, Black Tie Dinner and comprehensive social outings programme for accompanying partners, all form part of this year’s programme.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Roy Mnisi