Page 9 - NHBRC

CITY PRESS, 18 SEPTEMBER, 2016 How to survive
in construction
A
project
in partnership
with the
NHBRC
opportunity index The National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC) is once again investing in emerging
female entrepreneurs in the construction industry. It is enabling them to attend a business
development programme at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (Gibs) in Johannesburg.
City Press will be profiling women who have completed the course, as well as others attending
one. How do women in the male-dominated world of construction face their challenges and
fears - and then overcome them? Some hire only the best builders and they get low-interest
loans from a new, female-owned cooperative bank, they tell Sue Grant-Marshall
Disele May of Sabuh Trading Services,
Nancefield, Joburg
“My first challenge was capital. When
you approach a bank or funding
institution, the red tape is incredible. They
want all kinds of security.
“So, I became a founder member of a
banking stokvel set up by South Africa’s first
female-led cooperative bank. It’s the only
one in the country that is aimed at
supporting black entrepreneurs.
“We pay a R10 000 one-off membership
fee and then we each pay R1 000 a month
into the bank. I was the first to get a loan
– it was R330 000 – and I submitted a
financial statement in order to obtain it.
“In construction, we need capital for cash
flow because, while I’m working on one
project, I’m submitting tenders for others.
“I’m paying a low interest rate of 2.5%
for the first year. I’m working for
Johannesburg Social Housing and have a
three-year contract with them.
“I create job opportunities for former
prisoners and their work is excellent.”
Vuvu Bokwe of Afro Capital Steel in
Roodekop, Germiston
“We were struggling in the
construction industry because there
were too many role players at the level
where we were operating.
“So my partner, Nono Bongco, and I
diversified into the manufacturing of
carbon steel and stainless steel sheet
metal supply and manufacturing, with
various value-added services.
“In the past year, our turnover has
grown three to four times compared
with our last financial year in
construction. We’re now working with
the military and the locomotive
industries.”
How to
register
with the
NHBRC
Xoli Moagi of NMX Construction in
Klerksdorp, North West
“We recently finished work on a big
housing project in a village near Zeerust best people to work for me. You get a
and it was humbling to see the villagers
so excited to get their houses, complete
with electricity.
“My plan now is to use the profit I
made from that construction project to
use the exploration licence we have to
look for diamonds in Lesotho, and for
other minerals in North West.
“My challenge is finding funding, but
I had the opportunity to visit Israel and
learn more about entrepreneurship.
“That, combined with the skills I
learnt on the Gibs course, will help me
move on and up.”
Flavia Tau of Tumagole Trading
Enterprise in Randburg
“A major challenge for me was
delegating, which I learnt how to do at
the Gibs programme. I hired a PA and
it’s been worth the expense because it
has liberated me to find new clients.
“Now I have more staff and more
clients. The City of Johannesburg has
given me a three-year contract for
general maintenance.
“Now that we have an
entrepreneurial mayor in Herman
Mashaba, he will hopefully help small
businesses.
“I also have a Unisa contract with
their centres in all the provinces.
“The Gibs course really worked for
me, opening up my mind about my
financials. Now I might study further
there and do an entrepreneurial course.
“I have a law degree, but after
graduating, I decided that I didn’t
want to work in a court of law.
“What I do is hard, but satisfying.”
Phindile Manyoni of Mzilikazi Site Zandile Nkabinde of Imidwi 1. Download the form from the NHBRC
Solutions, Edenvale, Joburg Construction in Richards Bay, website (nhbrc.org.za).
“My biggest challenge was to get the KwaZulu-Natal 2. Complete it and include your payment
for the registration (see the fee structure).
lot of chancers in this industry. “The challenge for me was to get 3. Return both to the NHBRC.
out and market myself because I 4. Contact your nearest customer care
“They say they can build or plaster wanted to get into the private sector in centre.
and then you find out too late, when the Richards Bay.
damage is done, that they can’t. Before a homebuilder is registered, the
“But it’s a tricky area because it has NHBRC may require, as a precondition for
“I really struggled a lot with the guys traditionally been reserved for men and registration, the satisfactory rectification
in the beginning. But now that I have those who’ve been in the construction of previous construction-related problems,
the right people, all that has changed. field for a long time. However, the Gibs such as the rescinding of a court
Our work needs to be the best quality, programme had an excellent lecturer in judgment.
so it becomes our marketing tool. marketing and I subsequently had a
business profile drawn up for me by an The NHBRC may require additional
“I poach people from other building expert. information from the homebuilder or any
sites. I get permission to go on to a other person and may conduct an
site, observe how they are erecting a “I took it to various companies and investigation that is considered necessary
wall, for example, and then approach eventually obtained my first and to assess your application.
them. biggest private client, Richards Bay Warning
Coal Terminal. I’m working on two
“Today, I have 12 more permanent projects worth R1.2 million each. Last It is an offence in terms of
people working for me than I did a year year was a superb year for me and section 21(1) of the Housing Consumers
ago and I’m building a school in I’m going to meet my target way Protection Measures Act for any person
Lyndhurst, Joburg.” before I had anticipated doing so.” to knowingly withhold information or to
provide false or misleading information in
Rosebella Sithole of Ngwazi Sumaya Finch of Phuthuma Projects, their application. Every director, trustee,
Contruction, Nelspruit Western and Eastern Cape managing member or officer of the
“My challenge is to get construction “We work in the Saldana Bay area and applicant, who knowingly permits such a
projects because I’ve had no work for with the West Coast Business contravention, can be fined up to R25 000
the past two years. It’s been tough, but Development Centre. and/or be given a one-year prison
I’ve never given up hope and I’ve kept sentence on each charge.
all my construction documentation “My greatest fear was that our Assurance of confidentiality
valid, active and up to date. company might close. If I had not
attended the NHBRC programme at Gibs, The NHBRC and any persons
“I’ve just started work now, building learning about financials, it would have contracted by it will treat any financial
toilets on a project in Mpumalanga. But been a real struggle to continue. information as confidential.
I’m changing my approach and moving Guarantees
into the private sector because they pay “When my husband died six months
faster and better. ago, the bank halved our overdraft facility Where the NHBRC receives an
because of his death. application from a homebuilder with
“Government can take a year to pay associates, the NHBRC will require
you, while there is a start and an end “Still, we employ 75 people and have guarantees from the associates.
to a project in the private sector.” been in business for 20 years.
This requirement is covered by section
Go to city-press.news24.com and “I learnt to manage cash flow at Gibs 10(5) of the act.
@city_press to check out video and I told our auditor what was wrong Issuing of registration certificate
profiles of previous graduates of the with our financials. We didn’t realise how
Women in Construction programme we had been bamboozled, but I know The NHBRC will issue a registration
what my business is worth and I told certificate to a homebuilder where it has
him. received:
. Written acceptance of any conditions;
“Our overdraft is still half what it was . Any sureties, indemnities or guarantees
and we nearly lost a couple of projects, requested, signed and completed; and
but requests for quotes are coming in . Payment of the registration fee.
and we are confident.” Period of validity
The registration of a homebuilder
remains valid for one year and is not
transferable. Only the registered
homebuilder may use the certificate and
registration number. No other company,
person or other entity may use it to enrol
homes or for any other purpose.
Renewal of registration
Every homebuilder will apply annually
for the renewal of his or her registration
with the NHBRC. This must be done
before the current renewal date of the
registration.
. If you’d like to ask our experts a
question – whether you’re a homeowner
or a homebuilder – SMS 35697 with the
keyword BUILD. SMSes cost R1.50
Assuring Quality Homes Since 1998
The NHBRC is here to protect your rights as a new homeowner, by ensuring that our
registered builders deliver a quality home that you can enjoy for generations to come.
1. Use a registered builder and sub-contractors.
2. Register your new home 15 days before you start building.
3. Demand that a minimum of four inspections are done during construction.
4. Before signing your “happy letter”, make sure you are satisfied with the quality of your new home.
5. Address any construction related issues with your builder in the first three months of moving into your
new home, to take advantage of your Warranty Cover.
Toll Free: 0800 200 824 www.nhbrc.org.za @NHBRC National Home Builders Registration Council