The discussions at the Black Business Council in the Built Environment’s (BBCBE’s) media launch for its inaugural Built Environment Indaba were largely centred around the need for action within the industry. Poor-quality projects, site invasions and inadequate transformation were introduced as some of the key issues to be addressed at the indaba. 

The Built Environment Indaba 

The event, which is taking place on 4-5 April 2024 at Gallagher Conference Centre in Midrand, Gauteng, is themed “Building a transformed built environment through collaboration, procurement and skills development”. It is hosted by the BBCBE in partnership with the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and other strategic supporters. 

The indaba is aimed at providing a platform for the built industry to discuss and find solutions for the challenges faced, with clear timelines for implementation. The BBCBE president, Danny Masimene, confirmed that the intention is to host the indaba regularly, to take stock and deal with new challenges including the drafting of, and influence over, legislation and regulations. 

Chris Jiyane, BBCBE Stalwart.

Lost opportunity 

In his opening remarks at the media launch on 12 March 2024, the programme director, Chris Jiyane, pointed to the issue of unfinished works around the country. Specifically, he spoke about 60 school projects that are incomplete in the Northern Cape. “How much has been wasted because we all stood back?” he asked. 

In his address, Masimene said: “We have many incomplete projects. We also have many projects that are completed but of poor quality. The responsibility for this comes straight to our door as the built environment sector.” 

Hot topics 

• Jiyane stressed that law enforcement should be part of the indaba, as site invasions have escalated the costs of construction and crime is an industry-wide problem. 
• The industry must transform its value chain. With more industrialists, more manufacturing and particularly infrastructure projects, unemployment could be reduced. 
• The need for skills transfer, developing scarce skills and creating employment was also raised.  

Reference was made to the official launch of the CIDB B.U.I.L.D Programme on 14 March 2024. 

The aims of the inaugural Built Environment Indaba, planned for April 2024, are far-reaching and focussed on finding solutions for the construction industry, and implementing them. 

For more information, visit https://bbcbe.org/ and https://bbcbeindaba.co.za/.