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COMMENTARY: The South African building construction sector is bleeding

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The South African building construction industry is facing a potential collapse due to shrinking margins, unfair practices, and rampant delays or outright refusal to pay subcontractors. According to Master Builders Association (MBA North) one of the biggest problems in the South African building construction sector is delay and non-payment. Subcontractors, who are often the most susceptible, frequently must wait months or even years for payment, even after completing their tasks. This problem has a significant impact on them. Suggested Solutions from the Master Builders Association (MBA North) 1. Retention Funds: Creating a secure fund where main contractors can deposit retained monies only accessible after project completion and client approval. All forms of retention monies can be deposited into this fund, safeguarding main contractors in case the client goes out of business. 2. Fair Contracts: Subcontractors should do their due diligence on potential clients and insist on industry-
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PROFILE: This is my story - Prof. Fidelis Emuze

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Please give us a brief summary on your career to date

I am Professor and Head of the Department of Built Environment at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), South Africa. Lean construction, health, safety, and well-being and sustainability constitutes my primary research interest. I am National Research Foundation (NRF) C rated researcher and have published over 200 research outputs in the last seven years. 

I hold the position of editor of Value and Waste in Lean Construction (published by Routledge), Valuing People in Construction (published by Routledge), and co-editor of Construction Health and Safety in Developing Countries (published by Routledge). 

I am a member of editorial advisory boards of international journals including the ISI indexed Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineering – Municipal Engineers. Member of the Association of Researchers in Construction Management, and the Board of Directors of the Engineering, Project, and Production Management association (EPPM-Association). I am also  is the International Coordinator of CIB W123 – People in Construction Working Commission. 

Give us details of a project that made an impact in your career.

A site accident on a major estate gold estate project in Johannesburg in 2008 involving the site agent that fell from height while talking with him on top of a deck

What was your position and duties on this project?

I was the Construction Engineer and Document Controller on the project

Why does this this project stand out to you?

The sudden event was totally unexpected and the fact that it led to site shut down for the day, hospitalization of injured colleague and other cost of accidents issues

What were the important lessons you learnt from this project?

It was an avoidable accident. If the formwork contractor had paid attention to the quality of props for the decks and the workshop, the accident may not have happened.

What were career mistakes or regrets you experienced on this project?

The project led me to choose my MSc and PhD study topics carefully to make a difference to practice

How did you overcome your mistakes/regrets?

Reinforcing quality assurance and encouraging the appointment of subcontractors not looking at low price alone

What has been the most satisfying thing for you personally/career wise about this project?

I have been able to mentor students and colleagues in the area of lean construction and safety to engender continuous improvement in practice. 

This industry is said to be one of the toughest industries, how did you manage to stay in for so long?

I am a builder by nature, so I have passion for seeing something emerge from nothing

In your opinion what are the biggest challenges facing the industry currently and how can they be overcome?

Slow pace of change 


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