Construction World August 2023

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MASTER BUILDERS KWAZULU-NATAL's 122 ND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING KwaZulu-Natal Master Builders and Allied Industries Association held its 122 nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 27 June 2023 at which the Executive Council for the next term of office was elected.

Emerging Contractor programme graduation.

A t the close of the financial year, the Association recorded 653 member companies operating in the KwaZulu-Natal construction value chain. The Association is positioned as a one-stop business hub and is continuously looking at ways to meet the growing needs of the industry by providing reliable, convenient and affordable services. These services are designed to support members with the successful running of their businesses. The President of the Association, Marcus Peter Gonzalves highlighted the importance of collaboration in the construction industry. He commented, “It is critical that we promote industry collaboration and speak with a collective voice on pertinent industry matters. To this end, the Association must be commended on its efforts as it continues to be at the helm of promoting a unified construction industry to achieve joint industry solutions.” Gonzalves also emphasised the importance of the construction industry’s contribution to the South African economy, stating, “The construction industry is pivotal for South Africa to prosper, from building homes and offices, to ensuring that South Africans have access to essential basic services and key infrastructure.” Keynote speaker, Honourable Jomo Sibiya, Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature highlighted that the Association was a credible organisation and was recognised “as a tried and tested critical stakeholder in the built environment with many years of experience.” He added that the Association’s member companies

have been instrumental in infrastructure development in the province. Honourable Jomo Sibiya further stated: “The construction sector, according to Statistics South Africa, remains a key contributing sector in the growth of our economy and the Gross Domestic Product alike, and the resultant job creation.” It was pleasing to note that government remained optimistic that the Master Builders Association would continue to lead its members to make significant contributions to infrastructure development and the overall growth of the province. The Executive Director of Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal, Vikashnee Harbhajan said that the Association received an unqualified audit report for the 2022/2023 financial year as well as a B-BBEE Level 1 certificate. Harbhajan also remarked on the Association's ongoing lobbying and advocacy work, stating, “Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal continuously strives to excel in its lobbying and advocacy role and provides legislative comments and input on relevant industry matters. The Association has ensured representation at various structures to represent the best interest of its members.” At the end of the Annual General Meeting, Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal held its Emerging Contractor Programme graduation. The Association has committed itself to the development of the construction industry through the implementation of Learning and Development programmes. The Emerging Contractor Programme was launched in 2013 with the aim of developing the business acumen of small and informal businesses operating in the industry. 

4 CONSTRUCTION WORLD AUGUST 2023