August 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
14
South Africa’s forthcoming
entrant into the cement
market, Sephaku Cement,
has concretised support for
pragmatic skills development
in the industry by co-funding
a new organisation that will
drive concrete-related training
and accreditation.
In addition, MBANorthmembers have access
to industry-related committees and forums
on various issues as well as access to CETA,
CIDB and NHBRC on industry matters. Mem-
bers also are represented on a national level
through MBA North’s membership of Master
Builders South Africa, and can purchase
industry-related contracts and other essential
documentation from MBA North.
“Finally, members are listed on the MBA
website and in the annual members’ direc-
tory and can participate in a host of impor-
tant networking events such as our annual
dinner, MBSA congress, and other meet-and-
greet opportunities.
"The MBA North slogan ‘Is your Builder,
a Master Builder?’ is aimed at promoting the
benefits of using the services of a qualified,
competent member company to provide
appropriate, quality and cost-effective build-
ing solutions to meet the client’s require-
ments and expectations. Our Code of Ethics
ensures that this standard is maintained so
the public has learnt to trust – and select –
MBA members when selecting a contractor
in the building field,”Freese added.
●
marketplace
FREESE SAYSMEMBER
contractors can draw
on a pool of industry expertise and network
opportunities with fellowmembers of the as-
sociation. Inaddition, MBAmembershipoffers
the following support services and benefits:
Health and Safety
• Telephonic support on Construction
Health and Safety (CHS) matters and
distribution of relevant CHS information;
• Bi-monthly CHS Forum;
• Courtesy visits;
• Entrance into the association’s annual
regional MBA Safety Competition; and
• Support services such as site audits, risk
assessments, and incident investigations
at discounted rates to members.
Education and Training
• Telephonic support on Education and
Training, and on the Work Skills Plan
and ATR process, as well as completion
of WSP and ATR documentation at
discounted rates to members;
• Facilitation of industry training courses;
THE NEW INDUSTRY BODY
replaces the
C&CI that closed its doors on withdrawal of
support from a key funder earlier this year.
“What is important about the body is that
it is a central, independent organisation,”says
Sephaku Cement CEO, Pieter Fourie.“We be-
lieve in the pivotal role of this industry body
which, by virtue of the services that it offers,
is a necessity. Training, acceditation and the
promotion of concrete as a buildingmaterial
of choice is non-negotiable for our industry to
keep improving on the quality of work being
done in infrastructure development, both in
residential and industrial spheres,”he says.
Fourie notes that the focus of the new
organisation, which began operating in
May 2013 will include expansion of industry
participation. “Concrete is often ‘common
ground’ across different industries. Because
of this, participation by sectors such as con-
struction and manufacturing is important to
heighten the value that the industry body can
generate,”concludes Fourie.
●
Co-funding concrete promoting
industry body
About Sephaku Cement
Sephaku Cement CEO, Pieter Fourie.
SephakuCementwas established in2006.
An associate company of JSE-listed Sep-
haku Holdings Limited, Sephaku Cement
is a 64%-owned subsidiary of Dangote
Cement Plc. Dangote has invested more
than R1,1-billion in the venture, repre-
senting the largest investment in a South
African enterprise by an African company.
Membership benefits
Master Builder membership offers a wide range of important services to
members not in a position to afford the high cost of engaging experts
for advice on contractual, legal, labour, health and safety, training and
other similar issues, says Samantha Freese, business development
officer of Master Builders Association North.
• Skills development facilitation and
auditing at discounted rates to
members; and
• Access to the MBA North’s annual Small
Builders Development Course.
Contractual and Legal
• Telephonic assistance on legal,
contractual and Human Resources
issues;
• Telephonic assistance with alternative
dispute resolution mechanisms;
• Assistance with industry-related
contracts; and
• Assistance with mediation and
arbitration.
Broad Based Black Economic
Empowerment (BBBEE)
• Telephonic support on BBBEE matters;
• BBBEE consultation at discounted rates
to members; and
• Assistance with BBBEE certification also
at discounted rates.
