Page 4 - NHBRC Flipbook

CITY PRESS, 16 OCTOBER, 2016

A
project
in partnership
with the

NHBRC

opportunity index BUILDING SKILLS Gauteng Gibs delegates – back row from left: Phindile Tsotetsi of Phindi’s Projects, Nkuli Mosweu of Cush Developments, Talitha Simelane of Gritty

Trading and Projects, Jacqui Matlala of Mogale Solution Providers, Funzani Davhana of Women’s Initiative Trading Enterprise and Maboang Matlou of Lefakong

Consultants. Middle row from left: Portia Moshoeu of Leseani Construction, Joyce Mogadime of Kgabile Trading and Projects,Emelda Khosi of Motuokwa ET Trading,

Tebogo Mphaki of D2M Projects, Luanda Wagener of JJSL Vukuzakhe Construction, Ziyanda Gabela of Pipeline Ideas Buildings and Projects, Phillis Masiavhula of

Gochi Trading and Phyllis Tshivhase of Khanyisa Integrated Development Holdings. Front row from left: Trace Maphosa of GNG Trading Enterprises, Sandra

Sebothoma of Bhireletso Transport and Projects, Puseletso Tsotetsi of Puseletso and PPT Trading, Zodwa Tshungu of Senzani Sisters Construction and Projects,

Tsakani Mudau of Afripotego (Pty) Ltd, and Anna Jiyane of Acute Catering and Projects PHOTO: LEON SADIKI

The constant
innovator
Being ahead of your competition and keeping your clients loyal to you requires nimble,

innovative planning. This is what entrepreneurs from Gauteng learnt on the National

Home Builders’ Registration Council’s Empowerment Programme at the Gordon

Institute of Business a few weeks ago. Some of the Gauteng delegates tell Sue

Grant-Marshall how they stay ahead of the game

Doing things differently and better in the future – “After our lecture on innovation, I felt “Every site is a singular prototype whose configuration will
innovation – is the way for construction change over time. Construction works are located in different
entrepreneurs to grow and expand. challenged to look at the current situation places, involving the constant movement of personnel and
“After our lecture on innovation, I felt of my company because it’s dependent machinery.” Therefore, the very nature of the building industry
challenged to look at the current situation at my on government projects that, because is inherently innovative.
company because it’s dependent on government of late payment, impact negatively on
projects that, because of late payment, impacts negatively on our cash flow Matlou is going to look at new ways of replacing bricks and
our cash flow,” says Tsakani Mudau. She is the CEO of mortar “because using them is time-consuming and not
Afripotego (Pty) Ltd in Bedfordview on the East Rand. TSAKANI MUDAU, CEO OF AFRIPOTEGO (PTY) LTD particularly cost-effective”.
IN BEDFORDVIEW
“When I left class that day, I saw the need to diversify into The backbone and essential component of any company is its
the private sector and to supply it with building materials,” Having operating capital is crucial in the staff. Getting the best out of them while maintaining a
says Mudau. She has already started supplying a developer in construction industry – many companies dedicated and committed workforce requires constant
Walkerville, south of Joburg. today are crippled by bad cash flow. That’s innovative thinking.
why I partnered with a security company
“I’m so excited that I’ve already implemented what we learnt – the costs of running a project smoothly Mudau recently began to introduce milestone management,
in our first block and I’m going to nurture it slowly but surely.” are cut, while the materials on site are safe in which staff are remunerated according to the milestones
they reach and complete.
Mudau also learnt that working collectively is powerful and TRACE MAPHOSA, CEO OF GNG TRADING ENTERPRISE IN
has invited five female contractors to join her in “sharing the SOUTHDALE, JOBURG “This motivates them to finish projects by the targeted time
cake in construction material supply”. and to ensure their work is of the best quality. Furthermore,
My company is looking at green building the foreman ensures that quality is attained from
Trace Maphosa, CEO of GNG Trading Enterprise in solutions. The buzz is all about solar subcontractors all the time,” says Mudau.
Southdale, Joburg, has created what she calls “an innovative energy now, and we’re looking at
partnership” with a security company. Anna Jiyane, of Acute Catering and Projects in Roodepoort,
extending our business to provide solar believes that by taking a moment “to speak to an individual
“Having operating capital is crucial in the construction energy solutions alone and personally, you can make him or her feel truly
industry – many companies today are crippled by bad cash appreciated”.
flow. That’s why I partnered with a security company – the JACQUI MATLALA OF MOGALE SOLUTION PROVIDERS
costs of running a project smoothly are cut, while the materials (PTY) LTD IN MALANSHOF, RANDBURG “It’s much easier to become motivated and stay that way
on site are safe,” she says. when you feel comfortable and noticed in your workplace.”
I believe that by taking a moment to speak
She believes the National Home Builders’ Registration Council to an individual alone and personally, you She urges other employers to “create an environment of
(NHBRC) programme provides an opportunity for its delegates transparency”.
to form joint ventures because more minds will create more can make him or her feel truly
innovative solutions “to the challenges we face in the industry”. appreciated. It’s much easier to become She also feels it is important to offer new training or
education opportunities to motivate staff.
Tebogo Mphaki of D2M Projects in Rivonia, Sandton, says motivated and stay that way when
that South Africa’s projected growth “is less than 2%, so for you feel comfortable and noticed in Mphaki says that she has “created a culture where people are
any business to survive in this challenging climate, it has to be allowed to bring their true selves to the office. As a leader,
innovative”. your workplace being authentic is important. Your team should feel
comfortable around you and, once they believe that they know
She’s changed the way she did business by introducing what ANNA JIYANE OF ACUTE CATERING AND PROJECTS you, it encourages them to be open and happy at work.”
she calls “operational excellence”. IN ROODEPOORT
She emphasises the truism that so many employers pay lip
“My team used to receive salaries even if we didn’t have costs associated with adapting to climate change”. service to but do not deliver.
projects,” says Mphaki. Maboang Matlou of Lefakong Consultants, which operates in
“Most happy employees excel at work. Once they believe that
Now she’s introduced a project-based incentive in which Pretoria and Polokwane, says: “Each construction project is their values and beliefs are aligned with that of the company,
every member of the team is involved in selling and marketing different and so construction companies must adapt their they feel they belong.
the company’s services. “Staff are paid only if projects are processes and resources to suit each one.
secured. Salaries are no longer guaranteed,” she explains. “Creating an environment that both allows individuality and
celebrates it, keeps employees motivated and inspired,” she
Luanda Wagener, manager of business development at JJSL says.
Vukuzakhe Construction in Florida Park, Roodepoort, says:
“The demand for affordable housing is huge. Matlala does not keep her staff in one position: “I encourage
rotation of tasks – in that way, there’s a transfer of skills.”
“Government and human settlement stakeholders have
committed to delivering 1.5 million housing opportunities by Matlala also encourages a team-based approach “and then I
2019,” she says. “So this is a great opportunity for smaller reward teams for achieving their goals”.
builders of affordable housing to ensure that we are
sustainable. We’ve also noticed the trend of moving to Through the latter approach, she says: “I empower staff to
alternative building methods combined with bricks and mortar. appoint team leaders on a rotational basis.”
We intend to explore this so we remain relevant to the
industry and to client demands.” Zodwa Tshungu of Senzani Sisters Construction and Projects
in Kempton Park specialises in laying kerbs and in paving.
Jacqui Matlala of Mogale Solution Providers (Pty) Ltd in Currently she pays her labourers R150 a day, irrespective of the
Malanshof, Randburg, says that her company is “looking at number of kerbs they lay.
green building solutions. The buzz is all about solar energy
now, and we’re looking at extending our business to provide “But in future, I will cancel the R150 and instead pay them
solar energy solutions.” R2 per kerb, which means R200 a day if they lay 100 kerbs.
This will increase my daily production and turnover, and will
She believes it’s important to “continuously adapt and find incentivise my staff.”
alternative building solutions that will take into account the
Trace Maphosa has a long-term goal to set up bursary or
internship programmes for graduating students.

“By bringing raw talent into the company, my employees will
be motivated and inspired to achieve more.”