Construction World April 2020

PROJECTS & CONTRACTS

Building the community FROMTHE GROUNDUP It is imperative to the growth of the South African economy, and our social responsibility, that big businesses support small businesses within the construction industry, and give back to the community.

T his is according to Pherdy le Roux, Managing Director at the Gauteng branch of GVK-Siya Zama, a leading construction company that recently worked with local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) on a local community-work-based project, Paterson Park, located in Orange Grove, Johannesburg. 3DWHUVRQ 3DUN ̰ DLPHG DW EULQJLQJ D GLYHUVH DQG VWLPXODWLQJ UHFUHDWLRQDO IDFLOLW\ WR WKH FRPPXQLW\ ̰ VHHNV WR SURYLGH D VDIH space that facilitates the development of fundamental skills like reading and writing in conjunction with sport, physical activity and health to stimulate growth and development in the community. “From a construction perspective, we ensured that Paterson Park is birthed from the community, for the community, says le Roux. ̸0RUH WKDQ RI WKH ZRUN IURP JURXQG XS ZDV DOORFDWHG E\ *9. Siya Zama to over ten different community-owned SMMEs in and DURXQG WKH DUHD 7KLV H[FHHGHG WKH FRQWUDFW UHTXLUHPHQW RI D local contractor spend and cements GVK-Siya Zama’s commitment to the development of communities. As each SMME was appointed and commenced with their respective trades on the project, management training for the directors of each company was provided. These workshops included management of construction resources, the application of quality principles on a site, contract documentation, and the implementation of site administration and procedures. Once the course was FRPSOHWHG HDFK SDUWLFLSDQW UHFHLYHG DQ DFFUHGLWDWLRQ FHUWLͤFDWH GVK-Siya Zama also provided a full-time coordinator as part of the mentorship programme. The training programme ensured that every appointed local subcontractor was set on the road to success and was given the necessary skills and training to ensure that they could successfully complete works on site. Along with this, 35 local employees received training during over a period of seven months in specialised skills such as plumbing, bricklaying, plastering and paving. Each of these trainees received DFFUHGLWDWLRQ FHUWLͤFDWHV ZKLFK QRZ HQDEOHV WKHP WR FRQWLQXH ZRUNLQJ LQ WKH LQGXVWU\ :KLOH WKH 3DWHUVRQ 3DUN SURMHFW ͤUVW DQG foremost allowed people to have input into the development of their own community, it also uplifted the community through job creation and income generation for community-based companies. The

Pherdy le Roux, Managing Director.

Paterson Park project is indicative of the success GVK-Siya Zama has achieved working with local communities. It also highlights the EHQHͤW RI LQGXVWU\ OHDGLQJ SURFHVVHV DQG WUDLQLQJ LQLWLDWLYHV SURYLGHG by the contractor. /H 5RX[ IXUWKHU H[SODLQV WKDW WKH SURMHFW RIIHUV ORQJ WHUP EHQHͤWV to the community with the creation of a variety of facilities, including: Learning and creativity: The park targets academic growth by providing a state of the art library, a craft centre to facilitate artistic expression and growth, and an amphitheatre for community- organised shows, presentations and recitals. It includes an administrative building, security house and generator to ensure optimal functionality at all times. Sporting: Paterson Park is equipped with an

Olympic-style swimming pool and splash pool with a grandstand for spectators. Another grandstand JUDFHV D IXOO VL]H VRFFHU ͤHOG ZKLOH WKHUH DUH WZR VPDOOHU ͤYH D VLGH ͤHOGV DV ZHOO DV WZR WHQQLV courts, a multi court and a basketball court, with a pavilion. To top it off the park offers an enclosed multi-function sports hall with a fully equipped J\P :KLOH VSHFLͤF WLWOHV KDYH EHHQ JLYHQ WR WKHVH facilities, they all act as multi-use platforms. “All members of the community, from the public to clubs and schools, will have open access to Paterson Park. GVK-Siya Zama believes that the vested community journey from construction to end use will play a huge role in uplifting the community,” he says. “As such, it is vital for the industry to realise that projects can be successfully executed through community participation endeavours that empower local SMMEs and offer growth where it is so sorely needed,” Le Roux concludes. ƒ

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD APRIL 2020