Black contractors viewed with suspicion

[Adrianax]

http://www.fin24.com/Economy/black-contractors-viewed-with-suspicion-20170917-2

Cape Town - There is a culture of institutional suspicion in the construction industry as black contractors’ ability to undertake construction projects is being questioned.

This is according to Master Builders South Africa president Bonke Simelane.

At the association’s annual congress in Cape Town this week, he said: “It is always [a case of], ‘Who are they? What can they do?’ ... There is a culture of institutional suspicion regarding the reluctance to take on emerging black contractors.

“The established [big construction firms] need to take the emerging black contractors into their fold and dedicate resources and time to a developmental approach over a period of time.”

The congress explored ways in which radical transformation in the construction industry and to the sector’s codes could be addressed and implemented to pave the way for previously disadvantaged black contractors to participate in the industry and reap financial gains.

Radical transformation, knowledge transfer and skills development dominated the two-day panel discussions, which formed a key part of the congress.

Chairing a panel discussion on the key points affecting the construction industry was John Maytham, the afternoon drive presenter on radio station 567 CapeTalk.

Maytham pointed out that, typically, when someone called contractors to do alterations on a property, a white foreman and/or the owner of the construction firm arrived at the property to start the work, spent “10 minutes” there and would leave two or three black or coloured people to carry out the alterations. Why, asked Maytham, were black contractors not setting up their own construction firms?

Simelane agreed with Maytham, saying this was the general practice, but that he did not have empirical data to determine where this trend was deeply entrenched.

“We at Master Builders SA need to do proper research across the country to see where this situation [of white-owned construction firms and foremen taking black contractors to construction sites and leaving them to carry out the work] is happening,” said Simelane.

“This, in addition to the sector codes, is a good example of the historical legacy that we are trying to undo. How do we mainstream those black contractors? How do we begin to incubate a business to set them on a growth path? ... There is a spectrum of these black contractors who lack access to opportunities.”

Gregory Mofokeng, secretary-general of the Black Business Council in the Built Environment, said beneficiaries of the voluntary rebuilding programme must support black construction labourers. This programme refers to an agreement signed last year by government and seven construction industry players to promote transformation in the sector.

“For instance, when one looks at Coca-Cola Beverages SA, which is now in black hands, we do not want to see changes of shareholding in name only. We want a situation where major subcontractors are black because the companies are beneficiaries of the voluntary rebuilding programme.

“That way, transformation can be more widespread and not just remain in the hands of shareholders, who benefit from dividends and get board fees while forgetting that transformation must reach down to where the people are,” said Mofokeng.

Thabo Masombuka, the CEO of the Construction Sector Charter Council, said economic empowerment and transformation in the construction industry was not about a small black construction firm buying into an established, white-owned firm and getting a shareholding.

“Empowerment and transformation does not mean the replacement of white people with black people. There is nothing like that – it means the inclusion of blacks and whites so that we have what is called integrated economic growth,” he said.

Also speaking to delegates at the congress was Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, who listed various problems facing the construction industry, including corruption among state entities, reduced spending on infrastructure projects and cost overruns.

Nevertheless, he said, in spite of the reduced spending on infrastructure, the state was still spending at a “very high level”.

“We are currently spending about R270 billion a year on infrastructure. The construction industry is a key part of the South African economy. It is a major employer of labourers, providing work for 1.4 million South Africans – that is nine out of every 100 South Africans directly employed in this sector.

“In spite of the recent drop in employment rates, job growth [in this sector] has been robust in the past five years – rising by about 200 000 new employees,” he said.

 

[Johnatan56]

“It is always [a case of], ‘Who are they? What can they do?’ ...

Strange, I would think one does this for any contractor one hasn't had dealings with before...

“The established [big construction firms] need to take the emerging black contractors into their fold and dedicate resources and time to a developmental approach over a period of time.”

No they don't.

Maytham pointed out that, typically, when someone called contractors to do alterations on a property, a white foreman and/or the owner of the construction firm arrived at the property to start the work, spent “10 minutes” there and would leave two or three black or coloured people to carry out the alterations. Why, asked Maytham, were black contractors not setting up their own construction firms?

Maybe because one usually hires businesses one knows? They leave the colored/black people who make a majority of the population to carry out the physical labor, which can be carried out by anyone who is physically capable. The foreman's job is a bit more highly skilled, he/she doesn't need to be there the entire time to oversee everything, they also have other construction projects to overlook. Make it easier to gain the skills to become a foreman and you might have more colored/black foremen. Rather up-skill than remove those already there.

Simelane agreed with Maytham, saying this was the general practice, but that he did not have empirical data to determine where this trend was deeply entrenched.

That might be important before one starts changing everything.

 

[Venomous]

“Empowerment and transformation does not mean the replacement of white people with black people. There is nothing like that – it means the inclusion of blacks and whites so that we have what is called integrated economic growth,” he said

Hmmmmmmmmmmm,

We all know what happens.....

 

[Nicodeamus]

Being in this industry, my theory has always been not to trust any contractor which is why you make sure that you're covered in the contract. They all try getting away with cheaper materials and substandard work.

 

[ignitions]

What do you expect when BEE tender contractors are known for shoddy work. It just makes it more difficult to tell legitimate black contractor's from BEE guys

 

[HavocXphere]

That is so African. The public doesn't trust the black BEE contractors...and they look to the "white" companies to fix that.

 

[longboy]

People don't trust BEE contractors - plain and simple. Too many stories of shoddy work.

 

[ForceFate]

:crylaugh::crylaugh:

 

[Adrianax]

Totally agreed, there is no need beating around the bush here. There is very little confidence in these companies, especially relating to an important industry like this. Entrusting a million or even multi-million rand project in the hands of an industry known for shoddy work is just crazy and totally wrong of them to force people to 'invest' money in them.

I would recommend they take a few decades on proper education and training. A few more decades on proving their skills, then they will make a killing.

 

[Thor]

Well contracted builders stole my belongings (bike and laptop) on two separate occasions so I will view them as suspicious.

 

[^^vampire^^]

Being in this industry, my theory has always been not to trust any contractor which is why you make sure that you're covered in the contract. They all try getting away with cheaper materials and substandard work.

I just don't understand this. Why do people not just do a good job, get it done properly the first time, they get paid and don't have to pay for mess-ups and redoing stuff and everyone is happy. It's like they literally sit down and think how they can **** you and see if you will complain or not. Such a dumb way to do business.

 

[reactor_sa]

Because subcontractors are ****.

And it does actually annoy the hell out of me when paving and smaller job companies charge you contractor rated yet just pick up skelims of the side of the road to do the graft. I can do that myself if I want shoddy work on the cheap.

 

[Mila]

Not everybody can run a business and work with other people's money.that said it's not the color of your skin it's a shady business and we think you are all skelm.

Word of mouth? Reputation for not being a thief and can actually do the work.

I go to someone's house and say wow who built this?
Xyz
6 months later I see everything is falling to pieces I know who not to use.

 

[Geoff.D]

The MBA ?
At the moment I view anyone who claims to be a member of the MBA with more suspicion than a labourer I hire off the street.
Shoddy work IS the norm!

A building contractor and one with membership of the MBA is supposed to bring quality, reliability and knowledge to the table, which I maybe, just maybe do not have.

And that manifests itself by on site supervision ALL THE TIME!

I have NEVER experienced that with work done for me, not now and not in the past either!

I will trust a small owner contractor where the boss of the small company is on site above any contracting firm almost without question.

I want a supervisor on site ALL the time when I get work done for me. Otherwise all that happens is I get landed with that work.

 

[buka001]

Strange, I would think one does this for any contractor one hasn't had dealings with before...



No they don't.



Maybe because one usually hires businesses one knows? They leave the colored/black people who make a majority of the population to carry out the physical labor, which can be carried out by anyone who is physically capable. The foreman's job is a bit more highly skilled, he/she doesn't need to be there the entire time to oversee everything, they also have other construction projects to overlook. Make it easier to gain the skills to become a foreman and you might have more colored/black foremen. Rather up-skill than remove those already there.



That might be important before one starts changing everything.

The large construction companies are all doing this. My former employer was involved with several small emerging contractors. Our directors were mentoring their senior staff, assisting with all stages.

The MBA ?
At the moment I view anyone who claims to be a member of the MBA with more suspicion than a labourer I hire off the street.
Shoddy work IS the norm!

A building contractor and one with membership of the MBA is supposed to bring quality, reliability and knowledge to the table, which I maybe, just maybe do not have.

And that manifests itself by on site supervision ALL THE TIME!

I have NEVER experienced that with work done for me, not now and not in the past either!

I will trust a small owner contractor where the boss of the small company is on site above any contracting firm almost without question.



I want a supervisor on site ALL the time when I get work done for me. Otherwise all tthat happens is I get landed with that work.

When it comes to the small tier companies responsible for house building, small office blocks etc, their work is shocking. Abysmal quality and safety, all so they can make the extra buck. It is literally a crime at how bad some of those sites are.

 

[Kloofvreter]

Boohoohoo victim victim victim

 

[Temujin]

ALL contractors viewed with suspicion, ****all to do with race

 

[buka001]

ALL contractors viewed with suspicion, ****all to do with race

I work for a contracting company and I can confirm this.

Have worked in other countries as well and this statement holds true.

 

[Geoff.D]

This has nothing to do with race. It is about decades of poor workmanship on lower tier projects, driven by bad supervision and bad workmanship.

If you want to survive and come out reasonably happy after getting building work done for you, Go and spend abut R 2000 on getting copies of all the relevant regulations for your project, take leave and supervise and manage the project yourself. There are enough very reliable construction workers out there for you to hire.

And if someone show up with a MBA (Master Builder's Association) certificate, quiz him on the regulations. Start with the simplest and ask him what the mix quantities should be for foundations, brick work and plastering. If he knows those, then you can work on the more complicated stuff like laying out of foundations etc.

And no, 4 stone, 3 sand wheel barrows to one bag of cement is not correct!

 

[ToxicBunny]

This has nothing to do with race. It is about decades of poor workmanship on lower tier projects, driven by bad supervision and bad workmanship.

If you want to survive and come out reasonably happy after getting building work done for you, Go and spend abut R 2000 on getting copies of all the relevant regulations for your project, take leave and supervise and manage the project yourself. There are enough very reliable construction workers out there for you to hire.

And if someone show up with a MBA (Master Builder's Association) certificate, quiz him on the regulations. Start with the simplest and ask him what the mix quantities should be for foundations, brick work and plastering. If he knows those, then you can work on the more complicated stuff like laying out of foundations etc.

And no, 4 stone, 3 sand wheel barrows to one bag of cement is not correct!

I did a very similar thing, except I just found the versions online for free and used those to beat my contractor down when they did things incorrectly....