Master Builders review the year
The branch had survived yet another tough year in the construction industry.
THE South Coast branch of the Master Builders’ Association held its annual general meeting at the Port Shepstone Country Club last Thursday.
Chairman Marcus Gonzalves gave positive feedback on the branch’s activities and events for the year. The branch had survived yet another tough year in the construction industry. “Building contractors were challenged by poorer business conditions, a slowdown in building activity, lower employment levels and increasing pressure on profitability,” said Mr Gonzalves.
He added that the industry had reported a decline in profitability as a result of tougher tendering competition. “There is a decline in building activity in the private sector. Members are encouraged to align their businesses to procure government tenders and not only concentrate on the private sector. We have lost a few members during the past year due to the closure of companies,” said Mr Gonzalves.
He added that there have been positives with new and ongoing projects in the South Coast area, which include the Amazone Alley Water Park valued at R120-million just north of Pennington; Music City in Hibberdene, N2 toll road to East London, Renishaw, Ellingham and Finningley mixed use developments around Scottburgh; rural housing projects near Hibberdene, Port Shepstone, Izingolweni and Pennington and the affordable housing projects in Southport, Izotsha and Murchison.
The negatives include load-shedding and the development levies.
The association had completed three CSI projects during the year which included a new building for the Port Shepstone Recovery Centre, which totalled an amount of R350 000. At Angels’ Care in Paddock an amount of R15 000 was donated to construct a French drain and the Lift to Life project in Gamalakhe was sponsored by a Netherlands company to build a medical centre for the disabled, where an MBA member was appointed to do the actual construction.
The MBA’s annual golf day, held at San Lameer, was a huge success. The event attracted 30 fourballs.
Mr Gonzalves thanked committee members and the community for their support and contributions throughout the year.
Executive director of MBA, Vikashnee Harbhajan said the provincial budget for the 2015/2016 year reflects a provision for various construction and maintenance projects and has budgeted infrastructure costs of some R20.5 billion in total across the departments of Health, Education and Housing.
“On the financial aspects, I am pleased to announce that we have just completed our audit and all probabilities are that we will once again boast an unqualified audit report,” said Ms Harbhajan. She thanked the South Coast members for their commitment and dedication to Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal.
A new committee was elected, with Mr Gonzalves remaining in the chair.Vice chairmen include Ayanda Notshweleka and June Smit. The area manager is Hans Stols and committee members include Thys Blom, Ray Basson, Paul Tedder, Jaco Buitendag and Marcell Poisson.
