With transformation now at the centre of many development partnerships, South Africa’s construction industry is calling for expanded governance in the sector to promote an enabling environment for the empowerment of historically underprivileged groups.

Community engagement and building capacity for small to medium sized contractors, women contractors, black contractors and other underprivileged groups has been identified as key to driving transformation and ultimately building the national economy.

Joining forces for transformation

In recognition of current industry trends and of transformation in particular, the 6^th annual African Construction and Totally Concrete Expo is joining forces with the National African Federation for the Building Industry (NAFBI) to co-locate their respective 2018 annual platforms which will be hosted from 16 to 17 May 2018 at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The co-located events open on 16 May 2018 with a joint keynote session dedicated to transformation and empowerment and its role in unlocking the future potential of the construction industry both locally and across the continent.

The keynote discussion will focus on how government and community stakeholders can collaborate to empower SMMEs and other underprivileged groups.  “An all-star line-up of cardinal leaders defining catalytic projects will discuss the role of both public and private sector in infrastructure development, spatial transformation, economic empowerment, alternative building materials for sustainability and more,” says Aubrey Tshalata, National President, National African Federation for the Building Industry of the joint keynote session.

African Construction Awards

In line with transformation and empowerment defining the cornerstone of South Africa’s construction industry narrative this year, the event will also launch the African Construction Awards Gala Dinner, powered by NAFBI​, and taking place on the evening of 16 May 2018. This premier awards evening recognizes key players in the construction sector, and includes awards categories such as:

• BBBEE with a focus on excellence in enterprise development and transformation
• Safety
• Women in Construction
• Projects and contracts
• Excellence in construction media and communications

“The convergence of these events provides the industry with an opportunity to discuss and define the tools of measurement and analysis for transformation as well as a yardstick against which to measure the pace of transformation for the construction industry at annual intervals,” he confirms.