Speaking at last week’s South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions conference Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi stated there is a renewed and sustained programme of action to transform the built environment.

The programme is a partnership between The Department of Public Works, the Construction Industry Development Board, the Council for the Built Environment and the charter councils and all relevant stakeholders.

“There is a mounting sense that the charter councils have been frustrated in their work by non-compliance and non-cooperation and that, in general, the pace of transformation is too slow,” he stated at the conference.

“I am looking at a five-year time frame for this with measurable milestones.”

“The recent application by the Department of Trade and Industry of the long awaited black empowerment codes for small businesses will assist only if there is a speedy implementation and compliance,” added Nxesi.

A task team is to report to the minister on a quarterly basis to make proposals to unlock the barriers to transformation. The team will consult widely with industry stakeholders prior the finalisation of its programme.

Nxesi also stated that Public Works is in the process of professionalising its entire property division.

“This conference’s priority should be to ensure that the property and construction sectors benefit from government’s infrastructure development plan,” he said.

The Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, also speaking at the conference, said the country must invest in producing more professionals in the built environment.

“We need to reach out to schools and provide support to promising learners at both high school and tertiary institutions. We will have to find a way of motivating our young people to come back to this profession, which they see as the sector of boots and helmets. We need more young people in this industry, which is very crucial in developing the economy of our country,” she maintained.