Transformation initiatives revitalize South Africa’s construction industry

What are acceptable tools of measurement and how do you analyze transformation

in South Africa’s construction industry?  With transformation now at the helm of many development partnerships, South Africa’s construction industry calls for expanded governance in the sector to promote an enabling environment for the empowerment of historically underprivileged groups.  Community engagement and building capacity for small to medium sized contractors, women contractors, black contractors and other underprivileged groups has been identified as key to driving transformation and ultimately building the national economy.

Transformation and small, medium and micro-sized enterprise (SMME) development plays a critical role in building, advancing and innovating the industry.  Development in South Africa cannot happen without it; growth cannot happen without it; socio-economic paradigm shifts cannot happen without it; and poverty cannot be reduced without it. 

In recognition of current industry trends and of transformation in particular, the 6^th annual African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo is joining forces with the National African Federation for the Building Industry (NAFBI) to co-locate their respective 2018 annual platforms which will be hosted from 16 to 17 May 2018 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.  The co-located events open on 16 May 2018 with a joint keynote session dedicated to transformation and empowerment and its role in unlocking the future potential of the construction industry both locally and across the continent.  The keynote discussion focuses on how government and community stakeholders can collaborate to empower SMMEs and other underprivileged groups.  “An all-star line-up of cardinal leaders defining catalytic projects will discuss the role of both public and private sector in infrastructure development, spatial transformation, economic empowerment, alternative building materials for sustainability and more,” says Aubrey Tshalata, National President, National African Federation for the Building Industry of the joint keynote session.

Founded in 1979, the National African Federation for the Building Industry (NAFBI) is the oldest and largest Building and Construction Industry Federation in South Africa.  For the first time in 2018, the annual NAFBI conference aligns with the African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo to deliver a comprehensive platform providing access to an indoor/outdoor exhibition hosting more than 200 exhibitors, an interactive training and education programme including Africa’s only Contractors Corner and Digital Knowledge Lounge and unprecedented networking opportunities with over 9000 built environment professionals who will be in attendance over the two days of the event.  In line with transformation and empowerment defining the cornerstone of South Africa’s construction industry narrative this year, the event will also launch the African Construction Awards Gala Dinner, powered by NAFBI​, and taking place on the evening of 16 May 2018. This premier awards evening recognizes key players in the construction sector, and includes awards categories such as:

• BBBEE with a focus on excellence in enterprise development and transformation
• Safety
• Women in Construction
• Projects and contracts
• Excellence in construction media and communications

The convergence of these events provides the industry with an opportunity to discuss and define the tools of measurement and analysis for transformation as well as a yardstick against which to measure the pace of transformation for the construction industry at annual intervals. Africa still needs an annual investment of approximately R 93 billion to bridge its infrastructure gap, 33% of which is required for infrastructure maintenance alone.  The rising demand for infrastructure and service delivery can be directly translated into growth opportunities that, once coupled with transformation initiatives, provide unlimited possibility for an infrastructural and economic awakening across South Africa and the continent. 

Sponsored by AMF, Carmix, Knauf, PMSA, Bosch, Mapei, Tal and Total and supported by over 80 association and media partners and more than 200 exhibitors across the indoor/outdoor exhibition, the African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo caters to the entire built environment value chain from concrete technologist to small contractor to consulting engineer. www.totallyconcrete.co.za