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CITY PRESS, 11 MAY, 2014

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BRICKS AND MORTAR Ruth Fortune Khoza’s goal is to become the top woman in the construction sector in SA PHOTO: ELIZABETH SEJAKE

Building pit latrines may not be everybody’s idea of starting a business

empire, but 13 years ago Mpumalanga maths teacher Ruth Fortune

Khoza had one goal. It was to create her own construction company and

she was prepared to start at the bottom, writes Sue Grant-Marshall

THE FLUSH OF

success

opportunity

In the beginning
Ruth Fortune Khoza attributes her determination to be self-employed to her
parents,whoownedarestaurantandsupermarketnearHazyviewinMpumalanga. Check list: I want
The seventh of nine siblings who all worked in their parents’ business, she
was 10 years old when her mother told her: “There’s nothing for mahala. You
learn the hard way.” TIP to build a house
This meant doing every job the staff did so that Khoza could understand all
facets of the business from stocktaking to managing the till.
But she was so good at maths that she ended up teaching it while she If construction is
had her four children, now aged between 17 and 26. 1. You need an architect. This will 4. Find a reputable builder. One
When her husband, Peter Khoza, died in 1995, he left her with enough where you want add between 8% and 12% to the registered with the National Home
money “to get us out of our shack and build a four-bedroom house in a total cost of your house. It is Builders’ Registration Council
Hazyview suburb”, says Khoza. to be, then don’t let his/her job to hire the required (NHBRC) has to build to a minimum
But she needed an income boost to raise her children properly. professionals and get the relevant quality standard. Ask to see his/her
anybody divert approvals done by the local NHBRC registration certificate,
Getting started authority. check other work
“I chose construction because I wanted to do something that men do. I also you from your 2. You need an he/she has done
enjoy a challenge. In fact I needed one,” says Khoza. engineer. This will Brick by and ask his/her
She registered Arise General Construction CC in 2001 and tendered to build focus add another 10% clients about
eight pit toilets in response to an advertisement by the Mpumalanga department to the cost. A them. Check your
of public works. engineer checks brick builder’s
structural
Two years later, she saw another advert, this time to renovate poultry houses credentials at
in Bronkhorstspruit for the Mpumalanga Agricultural Development Corporation. Talk to us about that your house www.nhbrc.org.za
But her big break came when she landed a two-year contract with the Kruger has the strength 5. A lawyer. Try to
NationalParkformaintenance,renovationandbuildingattheSkukuzaRestCamp building your and stability to withstand natural use the same lawyer for all your
in 2006. and unexpected disturbances. needs and those of your builder.
“I was always on site supervising, sometimes mixing cement or showing the dream house or your Check that the one you hire is This will save money. The lawyer
workers how to paint. My mother always said that if you show your staff you building nightmare: properly accredited must oversee the contract between
can do anything that they do, they can’t crook you.” (www.ecsa.co.za) as the foundation you and your builder, and deal with
For her efforts, Khoza was declared the top female construction contractor projects@city- is the most important part of a the disbursement of mortgage
by the Kruger National Park and went on to upgrade its Olifants Rest Camp. home. If a soil analysis is needed, funds and with transferring the title
Last year, the park awarded Khoza the tender to build an environmental centre press.co.za or a geotechnical engineer will cost deed. The lawyer will also oversee
at its Phabeni Gate, which she is doing now. @City_Press between R10 000 and R30 000, and the final handover of the house and
She is also hard at work organising the repairs to, and reconstruction of, 1 162 the lab tests on the soil can take the closing of the contract to build.
Mamelodi houses near Pretoria. The roofs of the houses were ripped off in a #OppIndex up to six weeks to come back. . Ask the NHBRC:
violent storm in November last year. 3. Get a budget estimate. Bringing Toll-Free: 0800 200 824
By the time she begins work on that project, she will have about 150 people in a quantity surveyor will take the Fraud Hotline: 0800 203 698
working for her. cost of your house up by about 5%. Tel: 011 317 0000
However, you are less likely to be . Next week, City Press and the
Hurdles out of budget by large amounts if NHBRC answer reader questions
Khoza says access to finance was her main problem. “The banks were not you had the expertise of one at the and take a closer look at issues
interested because I had no collateral,” she adds. budgeting stage. surrounding a purchase agreement
Overcoming obstacles
Atsomecosttoherself,Khozaeventuallymanagedtoraisethefundssheneeded
through a construction support services company. growing. I want to build shopping malls, construct bridges, become involved in
It also helped that the Kruger National Park gave her glowing testimonials. mining and in industrial projects such as factories.”
Khoza’s goal is to become the top woman in the construction sector in South
Next step Africa.
“I plan to continue what I am doing because it is so exciting and I am so “Yes, I am ambitious,” she laughs.
passionate about it,” says Khoza.
The NHBRC is important…
Goals and dreams “Because I want to get into the home building industry – ordinary mortgaged
“Not a day passes that I do not dream. It is what I’m all about, seeing myself homes,” she says.

Building a new home?

Use a registered builder

A registered builder is key to any building project. In line with the Housing Consumers Protection
Measures Act, all homebuilders must be registered with the NHBRC and all new homes must be
enrolled, at least, 15 days prior to construction. Enrolment affords you, the housing consumer,
benefits such as a 3-month warranty cover against minor defects, 1-year warranty cover against
roof leaks and a 5-year warranty cover against major structural defects.
To verify if your builder is registered visit www.nhbrc.org.za

Assuring Quality Homes
Toll Free Number: 0800 200 824 / Fraud Hotline: 0800 203 698 / Tel: +27 11 317 0000

@NHBRC NHBRCSA