EDITORIAL Emerging Contractors
Emerging contractors key to construction sector recovery The construction sector can lead South Africa’s recovery as the country emerges into a post-Covid 19 economy, but only if emerging contractors are empowered. Bongani Dladla, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the CIDB This was the consensus among participants at a recent seminar in 2021 on the state of the industry hosted by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The seminar, attended by more than 700 participants, underscored the role played by the CIDB in facilitating the exchange of ideas and opinions which will lead to the transformation of the construction industry. In addition to its primary mandate to promote the contribution of the construction industry to South Africa’s economy and society the CIDB also provides a platform where participants in the sector can share research on trends within the sector and relate best practices. There were justifiable concerns about the sharp decrease in construction activity following the outbreak of the Covid pandemic. This was especially felt within the public sector where the CIDB plays a critical role to ensure efficient and effective infrastructure delivery.
Aggressive infrastructure investment
However, there is also significant room for optimism. Investment in
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