Construction World May 2025

The Critical Role of cidb Registration in the 2025 cidb ERWIC Awards Journey s South Africa’s (SA’s) construction sector is preparing for a new era of growth and

A

transformation, the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) is placing the spotlight on women trailblazers with its 2025 Empowerment and Recognition of Women in Construction (ERWIC) Awards. This year, the cidb is urging women contractors to seize the moment by registering with the organisation – an essential step to unlocking the doors to industry opportunities, quality assurance and national recognition through the prestigious ERWIC Awards initiative, a key driver for #WomenBuildingOurFuture. Bongani Dladla, cidb CEO, highlights that the Awards are not only a platform to honour excellence but also a catalyst for women-owned businesses to access new markets, skills development and sustainable growth. “Registration with cidb is more than a compliance requirement when entering the Awards. It is also a licence to practise and a statement of quality that opens doors to projects, partnerships and developmental support, allowing for more women to build our future,” says Dladla. Why cidb Registration is Key to Unlocking Opportunities With SA’s construction sector poised for significant growth, especially in infrastructure development, cidb registration has become essential for women contractors aspiring to compete and excel. “When women-owned companies register with cidb, they demonstrate to clients and partners that their companies meet rigorous standards of performance, financial capability, and compliance. This is vital in an industry that demands reliability and excellence and it’s a powerful way to drive #WomenBuildingOurFuture,” says Dladla. Registration with cidb is mandatory for state contracts and increasingly recognised by private sector clients. Registered women contractors are positioned to benefit from the growing number of infrastructure projects and through the cidb B.U.I.L.D Programme, which prioritises women-owned businesses. Through this, they will receive targeted training, masterclasses, and mentorship to help registered contractors scale sustainably and innovate. cidb registration is mandatory for state contracts and increasingly recognised by private sector clients. Registered women contractors are positioned to benefit from the growing number of infrastructure projects and through the cidb B.U.I.L.D Programme, which prioritises women-owned businesses, targeting them for training, masterclasses and mentorship to help registered contractors scale sustainably and innovate.

Bongani Dladla, cidb CEO

Beyond Recognition: A Powerful Network for Growth Now in its sixth year, the cidb ERWIC Awards have evolved into a powerful network of past recipients who collaborate, share knowledge and unlock new business opportunities. “The Awards spotlight innovation and leadership among women in construction,” says Dladla. “They also serve as a springboard for women to engage with large companies that are actively transforming their supply chains, supporting #WomenBuildingOurFuture at every level.” Dladla urges women in construction to embrace the changes and opportunities ahead. “We have recently seen the fall of large construction companies within South Africa, which creates space for new entrants. As the Public Works and Infrastructure Minister has said and many have echoed, SA is becoming a construction site with numerous infrastructure projects planned. Women who are registered and prepared will be at the forefront of this transformation.” He also stresses the importance of innovation, a key cidb ERWIC Awards theme, encouraging women to leverage new technologies and skills while advocating for inclusive financing solutions that prevent monopolies and promote fair competition. The cidb invites all women in construction to register, participate and nominate themselves or peers for the 2025 cidb ERWIC Awards. “By registering with cidb and engaging with cidb ERWIC, women are not only affirming their commitment to quality but also joining a movement to build a greater construction industry,” concludes Dladla.