PART 3: BIG 5 CONSTRUCT SOUTH AFRICA WOWED JOHANNESBURG WITH INFRASTRUCTURE SA, NAFBI, SAICE, SACPCMP

The 11th edition of Big 5 Construct South Africa was held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg 4-6 June.

Opening Remarks from the Master of Ceremonies: Lufuno Ratsiku, President: South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP).

The Stakeholders Engagement Forum marks the commencement of Big 5 Construct South Africa, uniting public and private sector leaders to influence the construction industry’s trajectory.

Themed ‘Building Tomorrow’s Cities’, the event delves into crucial facets such as infrastructure, connectivity, and technology’s transformative role. Prioritizing sustainable development, the forum advocates for eco-friendly practices and resilient urban planning to safeguard African cities against climate change. Beyond physical structures, discussions extend to the economic and societal impact of the built environment, aspiring to cultivate sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities ready for future challenges.

Private Sector Address: Mxolisi Mgojo, President: Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)

South Africa’s private sector can enhance the construction industry by investing in advanced technologies and sustainable practices. They can foster public-private partnerships to boost infrastructure development and drive economic growth. The focus needs to be upskilling the workforce and improve project quality. Additionally, streamlining procurement processes and ensuring fair competition can lead to more efficient and cost-effective construction projects.

The evening of the opening day celebrated impact in construction at the 2nd edition of Big 5 South Africa Impact Awards, where projects, innovations, businesses and the dedicated teams and individuals were recognized across 10 distinct categories in a gala ceremony.

The winners of Big 5 South Africa Impact Awards 2024 were:

• Architecture Firm of the Year – GASS Architecture Studios
• Contractor of the Year – Construction for Africa
• Residential Project of the Year – Barlow Park Phase 1 by GASS Architecture Studios
• Commercial Project of the Year – 2.0 Conference & Private Lounge by Mkalavo Projects
• Community Project of the Year – Matale Secondary School by Avenir Holdings
• Retrofit Project of the Year – Flower Hall Test and Examination Centre by Maninga Engineering
• Sustainability Initiative of the Year – Green School South Africa by GASS Architecture Studios
• Excellence In Leadership – Darryl Epstein, Chief Executive Officer, Delta Scan
• Rising Star – Takalani Netshipale, Candidate Civil Engineer, KwaZulu Natal Department of Health
• Woman of the Year – Nathisha Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Transcendence Developments

“The next two days of the event are set to be as exciting and engaging, providing attendees with significant opportunities for growth and collaboration across a wide array of exhibitors, content programmes and speakers,” Gürsoy concluded.