Page 10 - NHBRC

opportunity indexCITY PRESS, 25 SEPTEMBER, 2016 Lessons learnt,
progress made
A
project The National Home Builders’ Registration Council (NHBRC) is once again investing in emerging
in partnership female entrepreneurs in the construction industry. It is enabling them to attend a business development
with the
programme at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (Gibs) in Johannesburg. City Press is profiling
NHBRC women who have completed the course as well as others attending one. Learning on the job is often
the only way that women in construction can move upwards, but many who completed the
NHBRC’s Women Empowerment Programme learnt valuable lessons there and have
made strides in reorganising their businesses, they told Sue Grant-Marshall
Thuli Malakoana of Morena’s Projects,
Pinetown, Durban
Iwas fortunate that my grandfather made me
paint our house when I was a little girl. He
didn’t differentiate between genders.
I registered my company in 2002 and began
building ablution facilities and some classrooms
at KwaNongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.
Now Umgeni Water in Durban is giving me
projects ranging from paving to water pipes.
There are 10 people working permanently in my
company at present.
Lessons learnt: Patience is the key to
success in construction, especially when it comes
to payment issues. Umgeni Water pays us after
14 days, which is great. But some government
departments keep us waiting.
I completed a job for government nine
months ago, for which I am still waiting to be
paid – but I can’t mention names as I need the
work. It’s bad for business as it makes me
disorganised.
So, I’ve learnt to diversify to supplement my
income. I supply bricks and cement to other
builders, and I’ve bought small flats to rent out
to ensure a constant income.
Ndidzulafhi Maggie Netshilindi of
Ndidzulafhi Projects, Midrand, Gauteng
Irun an electrical and civil construction
company that I started in 2001. It’s 100%
female owned. I’d seen my husband’s company
and thought I could do even better than he
was.
I was invited by the Ivory Park municipality
to write a construction test and I was one of
only 10 people chosen from the 2 000 men and
women who applied. Later on, the Midrand
municipality trained us further in electrics,
laying cables and then planting the streetlights.
Lessons learnt: Gibs taught me how to
draft a business plan, which means I can show
the bank and myself what I need. That has
made me feel a great deal more confident.
However, after we completed the NHBRC
course last year, the practical training they said Pretoria.
they would provide did not materialise. Now
they’ve assured us that we’ll be shown how to
build a quality house.
150485 NHBRC Adverts 2 (378 X 100) City Press.indd 1
Xoli Khuzwayo of Khuno Trading, Nelspruit, Julia Petla of Amedzo Trading and Magauta Moabelo of Baetla Construction
Mpumalanga Projects, Midrand and Trading Enterprise, Polokwane,
Limpopo
Istarted my construction business in 2008, Iregistered my company in 2009 when I
urged on by friends who were in the industry. returned home from the UK. It was a really In 2005, I was unemployed, with children, and
One gave me subcontracts in RDP housing. difficult time owing to the recessionary my builder father gave me five of his RDP
economic climate. houses to construct. Eventually, he gave me 30
I saved money I’d made in catering and and I learnt on the job from his superviser.
worked on a two-year maintenance of a drip- In 2010, I began doing maintenance work
water system on a sugar cane farm near and revamping offices throughout South Africa. It was tough. Once when I had no money to
Malelane. I saved every cent I could and didn’t I now have my headquarters in Rivonia pay my workers, my father refused to give me a
buy fancy cars like some others did. Boulevard, Sandton, and our turnover is about loan, saying that I needed to explain to them
R3 million a year. that once the department paid me, I could pay
Lessons learnt: Don’t compete with others; them.
compete with yourself. That’s my motto. I’m I diversified into petroleum products and also
grateful I went to Gibs last year because I was began sourcing strategic supplies such as In 2007, I got my first contract and he was
on CIDB Grade 1 then and now I’m on Grade 4. electrical goods and various other commodities. so proud of me! But after that, I had no work
I have 20 RDP houses I’m working on and 22 for four years.
labourers working for me. Lessons learnt: I have a master’s in
business leadership from the Unisa School of Lessons learnt: At Gibs I was taught to
Business Leadership and I found the highly diversify, so I bought a tipper truck for working
qualified Gibs lecturers particularly good when it on mines and also a 10-ton truck so I could
came to learning negotiation skills. deliver various materials. I also bought a
compactor and a water pump that I hire out.
If I realise now that I might make a loss on
a contract, I’ve learnt to go to the client,
explain the situation and suggest that we make
a plan.
When to
complain
Sindile Hlongwane of Thirhani Nkateko Quahnita Samie of Vidememoria Heritage You may refer a complaint to the
Projects and Developments, Southdale, Consultants works nationally and is NHBRC if any of the following
Joburg based in Cape Town conditions apply:
Ineeded R100 000 to do my first project with Istarted my company in 2006 when I was ) The homebuilder does not
City Power in Joburg. My brothers and sisters employed as a town planner at the SA respond within the periods specified
helped so I could buy material and pay Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra). I realised below
labourers. there was a gap in the built environment field
for heritage practitioners. ) The homebuilder fails to honour
In fact, everything I know about construction, its obligations
I learnt from my brother and sister-in-law as I We were the consultants for the Cape Town
worked in their company for four years until stadium in Green Point – an area known for its ) There is an unresolved dispute
2012, when I started my own business. I was archaeological sensitivities, as there are many between you and the homebuilder
doing anything I could, such as cleaning 13 fire undocumented graveyards there. Heritage regarding the extent of the
stations. I then quoted for six jobs at Joburg impact assessments are required by law to homebuilder’s liability
Water and got all of them! determine the impact of proposed development
on structures of cultural significance, Homebuilder response times:
I refurbished all their depots, after which the archaeology, palaeontology, burial grounds, The homebuilder must respond
department of education gave me a three-year graves and public monuments. within specific periods from the time
contract for maintenance and plumbing in it receives the complaint, as specified
Joburg schools. Now I have a contract with the Lessons learnt: Our business model has below:
US embassy to renovate a housing complex in changed completely since I did the Gibs course. ) Three-month noncompliance – 21
We’ve scaled down the staff component and working days
have a smaller office. Our staff also has the ) One-year roof leak – seven
Lessons learnt: At Gibs, I learnt the option to earn a percentage of profits instead of working days
importance of delegation and trusting others. a salary. Consequently, we’re able to choose ) Five-year major structural defect
There are reliable people out there and I’ve projects about which we’re really passionate. period – seven working days
learnt I can’t do everything on my own. ) Deposit theft or irregularity –
refer complaint to Commercial Crime
Unit
) Contractual disputes – refer to
your legal representative or attorney
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
23/09/2016 09:20