CONSTRUCTION is under attack.
Due to ‘construction mafia’ it has been reported that billions worth of investments are leaving our shores as a result of constant attacks from rogue elements who solicit money or a stake in a company that is on-site.
Job losses and no income has been reported, as this very worrisome trend spreads to other provinces.
But that could change if the forthcoming South African Construction Awards, celebrating its 17th edition, are anything to go by.
Known as “The Oscars of the Construction Industry” the awards are scheduled for November 27, at the Emperors Palace, Ekhurhuleni.
Over 1,000 industry experts and organizations, featuring 24 categories, will honor the very best in South African construction, following a partnership with Afribiz Invest.
The partnership with Afribiz Invest marks a significant milestone for SACA.
“At the age of 17, I had a vision for what the South African Construction Awards could become, and I pitched this idea to many stakeholders. It brings me immense pride and joy to finally form a partnership with an organization that shares this vision as strongly as Afribiz Invest does,” says SACA President, Lloyd Ngavu.
Afribiz Invest CEO, Pongo Pule, emphasized the mutual benefits of this partnership. “Sharing knowledge is the best way to achieve integration and make a significant impact in the industry. As we celebrate Women’s Month, it’s essential to empower women within the construction sector.
We need to start looking forward and equipping future generations to ensure full inclusivity and continuity in this sector,” said Pule.
The SACA awards 2024, is set to continue to shine a spotlight on the construction industry’s vital role in South Africa’s development.
Vice-President of Afribiz Invest, Cecil Mashawana, also spoke about the need to clean up the construction industry and change the narrative surrounding it. “Construction is a massive contributor to the South African economy, and it needs to start being viewed as exactly that.
While the industry has seen its fair share of negativity, initiatives such as the South African Construction Awards will help open up the industry and shift perceptions,” Mashawana was quoted.
Mashawana, who also heads the Collen Mashawana Foundation, explained that the work of the foundation continues to inspire hope in the less fortunate, having built more than 500 homes for the elderly, GBV victims and other South Africans.
He also revealed that the plan for the foundation is to do the same outside the country.
“As Afribiz Invest, we could not have partnered with a better partner than SACA and Mr Ngavu, who has championed SACA for years.
When it comes to the work of the foundation, and having celebrated 12 years of building homes for the disadvantaged communities, we pride ourselves on having contributed to giving dignity to more than 500 disadvantaged members of our communities in all nine provinces.
However, our plan is to spread our wings and be a catalyst for change also, outside the borders of this country,” commented Mashawana.
As SACA celebrate the awards on that evening, a major concern of ‘construction mafia’ should be addressed.
At the time of publishing it was not yet confirmed if the minister of Public Works, Dean MacPherson, who has not minced his words on the ‘construction mafia’ saga, would attend.
His spokesperson did not respond.
Image (Afribiz Invest Vice-President, Cecil Mashawana- second from left- and other dignitaries at the announcement partnership).
