In light of the concerns raised by Construction Professionals regarding the undue influence exerted by politically connected individuals in the South African construction industry, Sylvester Martin emphasizes the imperative for Construction Professionals to proactively engage, lobby, petition, and advocate for professionalism within the industry.
The Anonymous Construction Professional and the Senior counterpart are raising important issues in our country. However, the phenomenon where politically connected individuals wield more influence in the construction sector than construction professionals is not unique to South Africa but is observed in various parts of the world.
Both articles fail to make a clear distinction between a business owner who may not have technical expertise but has the financial resources to invest in a property development, investment, or construction business and a construction professional.
I agree that we need to advocate for more qualified professionals to lead the industry, particularly in technical matters related to norms and standards.
South Africa has several professional organizations and bodies that should be engaged and encouraged to take up the responsibility of championing the professionalization of our industry. These include the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP), the SA Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession, and other recognized professional bodies, including the Council for the Built Environment (CBE).
The CBE was established to instill good conduct within built environment professions, mobilize transformation in these professions, protect the public interest, and advise the South African Government on built environment-related issues.
As professionals, we must also take up the responsibility of joining, supporting, and participating in these professional bodies and business organizations. Additionally, we should create lobby groups to ensure that the project of professionalism takes place.. We must actively work to ensure that our industry is professionalized.
It is our responsibility as construction professionals to engage, lobby, petition, and promote professionals in our industry. We must actively work to ensure that our industry is professionalized.
Sylvester Martin is the group managing director of Inkanyeli Group, which includes subsidiaries in property and infrastructure development, construction, project management, and property investment.
He's also a chairperson of several NGOs, including the Each One Teach One Foundation and the Inkanyeli-Inkululeko Foundation, which was created by Inkanyeli Group to give back to the community.
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I really agree 👍🏿 with you when you say let's stand together and fight this madness. On the professional bodies, they're just enjoying annual affiliation and does nothing to the saga at hand just because politicians have infiltrated those bodies.
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