At Master Builders South Africa Congress 2016 the newly elected President and Vice President were inaugurated
Bafikile Bonke Simelane, the new President of Master Builders South Africa with his Vice President John Mathews
The new President of Master Builders South Africa, Bafikile Bonke Simelane pledged his commitment to his new role:
“Thank you to all for your trust and confidence in me over the last two years, in particular the Immediate Past President, Neil Cloete. We pledge to continue repositioning the MBSA Brand in its vision and aspiration to ‘Be the Leading Voice in the Building Industry’.
The Master Builders South Africa Transformation Declaration which we have signed is testament at to the important work which lies ahead. It is my intention to continue with this focus in my tenure for the creation of a new, inclusive, just and more equal society.
My other focus area will be in skills development for our industry. There is no doubt in my mind that a better skilled and engaged workforce can also bring about significant improvements in productivity, safety and competitiveness.
To achieved these goals, collaborative and productive partnerships with various stakeholders in this multi-faceted industry of ours is crucial.
On behalf of Master Builders South Africa we commit ourselves to working with like-minded industry bodies to tackle these most pressing challenges.”
A word from the new Vice President of Master Builders South Africa – John Mathews
“I am extremely honoured and humbled to have been elected as Vice President of Master Builders South Africa. We are aware of the fact that the building industry should be regarded as the catalyst to kick-start the economy and it is my considered opinion that the leaders within this industry have an obligation to ensure that we continue to be the creators of employment in an economy which is rife with unemployment.
My objectives are to support the president and the board as well as the staff of MBSA to remain relevant within the South African and African context and, secondly, to promote and encourage skills development at all levels within the building industry. I think within the skills context we have to find a happy medium between the formal and informal sectors as I believe that the one sector cannot do without the other.”