It is necessary to engage with communities to avoid project disruptions by despondent community stakeholders for the duration of big construction projects. Community engagement management if not appropriately executed can lead to project delays, damage to property and wasteful expenditure.

A Member Forum meeting was convened on 12 September 2019 where the role of the Social Facilitator was explored. The discussion was led by Mr Sifiso Nduli of G Stuff who noted that the role of the facilitator was to develop and maintain interdependent relationships by ensuring that expectations of all parties are met in-line with the project goals. He noted that the challenges of engaging specific communities have to be identified early and that it is through effective engagement, that hostile community stakeholders convert to project advocates. 

In Zululand, the Association attended the SMME Seminar & Exhibition which took place on 19 September 2019, at the ZCBF grounds in Richards Bay.
Founding Director and CEO of Innate Investment Solutions Ms Lynette Ntuli, shared her ideas on how to run a successful business and encouraged SMME’s to embrace the internet and technology for networking purposes and to market their businesses.

The Keynote speaker at the event was Honourable Deputy Minister of the Department of Trade, Industry & Economic Development, Ms Nomalungelo Gina. The Deputy Minister advocated that Small Business Entrepreneurs should not be comfortable with the title and encouraged all SMME’s present to aim high and to always strive for growth.
Richards bay Port Manager, Mr Thami Sithole indicated that there are new opportunities for businesses on the horizon when he presented a draft proposal on upcoming projects envisaged for the port.

The Association met with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality to discuss concerns surrounding development levies, SPLUMA applications and other issues that had been expressed by members operating in the South Coast Area. Ray Nkonyeni Municipality welcomed the Association and discussed each concern raised and gave a commitment to finding workable solutions. The Municipality undertook to review the charging of development levies for the next budget period.

In the Midlands area, the bulk of construction activity comes from the retail and education sectors. Athlone Circle Shopping Centre was recently completed while Woodburn Square and the Avenues in Hilton are currently in progress. Construction of the Mpopomeni Shopping Mall has also gone out to tender while renovations and extensions are currently underway at Epworth School, St Charles College, Michaelhouse and Hilton College.

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