Midrand – Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi says it’s high time the built environment sector picks up the pace of transformation.
Speaking at the second South African Council for Project and Construction Management Professions conference at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, the Minister said he had listed transformation as one of the imperatives of his department for the next five years.
“In my policy statement after the elections earlier this year, I listed a number of priorities for the next coming five years of the new administration.
“One of these is a renewed and sustained programme of action to transform the built environment, construction and properties [sector] to address the… slow pace of transformation so that the ownership, management and skills profiles can better reflect the demographics of South Africa.
“Only 24 percent of the built environment professionals are black… Government has heard the concerns, which were echoed recently by the Black Management Forum.
“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,” he said on Tuesday.
The Minister said they will push these transformation initiatives through the department’s entities including the Construction Industry Development Board, Council for the Built Environment, Charter Council and other stakeholders.
Minister Nxesi said transformation must include support for black and female constructors as well as artisans.
A task team will report to the Minister on a quarterly basis mainly to make proposals to unlock the barriers to transformation. The team will consult widely with stakeholders in the sector before finalising its programme of action.
Professionalising the property division
Minister Nxesi said Public Works is in the process of professionalising the entire property division within the department.
“This conference’s priority should be to ensure that the property and construction sectors benefit from government’s infrastructure development plan,” he said.
They would further promote best practices with regards to procurement and construction project management to ensure quality services and final products, and that there is ultimately value for money.
The Minister said they are being guided by the department’s turnaround strategy, which aims to rid the department of poor performance.
“… We are recruiting specialists in the field, who will be reporting directly to me and the Director-General,” said Minister Nxesi.
He impressed upon the delegates to support the transformation drive.
The Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, 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 said. - SAnews.gov.za
