If the private property development and construction industries are to survive, the stalemate between government and these industries must end, says Western Cape Property Development Forum (WCPDF) chairperson, Deon van Zyl.

This is the key challenge to be addressed at the upcoming WCPDF’s annual conference, to be held online from 20 to 21 May 2021. Under the theme “Vision for Growth” it aims to reconcile the private and public sectors at a critical time in South Africa’s economic survival.

Says Van Zyl: “The public and private sectors have been at loggerheads for years now on the need to streamline processes that undermine delivery, such as political and structural uncertainties as well as endless red tape which became our South African status quo even before the pandemic. We must change tactics if we have any hope for survival, let alone recovery and growth. And we must move the debate away from an economic-crisis focus to that of an opportunity for growth to unlock the economy and create jobs.”

With the same issues facing the industry countrywide, this year’s online event also goes beyond the Western Cape to include national leaders from the public and private sectors involved in fixed capital investment, development and construction.

Keynote speakers and panelists, many of whom will provide best-practice examples of successful public-private partnerships, include:

• Prof Nick Binedell: Gordon Institute of Business Science (University of Pretoria)
• Prof Miriam Altman: South African economist, strategist and Commissioner in the Presidency’s National Planning Commission involved in writing the NDP
• Lekha Allopi: Project Executive – Development Planning, eThekwini Municipality
• Prof Brian Kantor: Economist & former Chief Investment Strategist of Investec Wealth and Investment SA
• Prof Bonang Mohale (former CEO, Business Leadership South Africa)
• Adam Ashraf (CEO Mandela Bay Development Agency and Board Member, SA Cities Network),
• John Matthews (Chairperson CASA and immediate past President of Master Builders South Africa)
• Vikashnee Harbhajan (Executive Director of Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal)

The two-day conference (three hours per day) will drive the conversation from the importance of having a vision that supports public Infrastructure delivery and stimulates economic growth, to how to create a culture of growth-related decision making and finally how to budget for growth at local municipality level. CPD points are available for quantity surveyors, architects, project managers, surveyors, planners and civil engineers.

Director and founder of EFG Engineers in Cape Town, Eric Foster, has come forward as a gold sponsor of the conference in the hope that the 2021 event will deliver the same successful outcomes as it has in the past in strenthening alliances.

“A number of smaller companies working independently will never have the same leverage as a larger group of built environment professionals,” notes Foster. “Therefore, collaboration among our sector can provide for a stronger voice when trying to get additional input, support and even funding from local, provincial and national authorities.” 

For more about the WCPDF’s “Vision for Growth” Conference and the full programme, visit https://sbs.co.za/wcpdf2021/