https://www.engineeringnews.co.za
Africa|Business|Construction|Contractor|Engineering|engineering news|Financial|Projects|Services|Maintenance
Africa|Business|Construction|Contractor|Engineering|engineering news|Financial|Projects|Services|Maintenance
africa|business|construction|contractor|engineering|engineering-news|financial|projects|services|maintenance

More support needed for SMMEs in construction

SECTOR HURDLES 
Construction sector difficulties are particularly acute for a 100% black- and female-owned business, such as Sinopa, which is operating in a male-dominated sector

SECTOR HURDLES Construction sector difficulties are particularly acute for a 100% black- and female-owned business, such as Sinopa, which is operating in a male-dominated sector

15th November 2019

By: Mamaili Mamaila

Journalist

     

Font size: - +

Amid the downturn in the construction sector during the past five years, it has been difficult for small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) in the sector to keep afloat, says construction company Sinopa Construction & Property founder and MD Simpiwe Msibi.

“We were hopeful that, following the election of Cyril Ramaphosa as President, things would settle; however, we are yet to see that happen. In terms of projects, there have been some tenders advertised, especially for the sectors that need improvement mainly schools’ and clinics’ ablution facilities. However, the actual appointment of companies takes too long or the projects do not materialise at all.”

On the other hand, this also forced businesses to cut back on their spending, she adds.

She also notes that the open tender process is costly, particularly for SMMEs, especially when considering the high levels of uncertainty of when projects will be awarded. As such, many companies have had to shut down amid these difficulties.

Such difficulties are particularly acute for a 100% black- and female-owned business, such as Sinopa, which is operating in a male-dominated sector.

“At boardroom level, there are subtle negative messages on the basis of gender, but they do not deter me. Similarly, when getting to site, male workers often do not acknowledge you as their superior – they see you as a woman before they see you as their employer. A lot of patience and respectful communication are required to get them to the level where they respect you,” Msibi tells Engineering News.

She advances that, as South Africa and the world are largely patriarchal, there is a need to correct the way in which society views the role of women before industries can follow suite.

“It is not rocket science – just like any other business, it requires passion. We do not want women to just fill up the numbers. There has been a huge shift in terms of the number of women offering professional services to the sector; however, more can still be done.

“There is a serious need for more women in construction and this type of inclusion needs to be in place so that, by the time the industry picks up, there is a reasonable way forward,” Msibi underscores.

Meanwhile, Sinopa Construction & Property has managed to stay afloat through offering maintenance services to companies in the public and private sectors.

Msibi says there must be a concerted effort from government financial agencies and banks to understand the level of urgency that is required for projects awarded to small businesses in the construction sector, especially for SMMEs.

“The allocated funds are not benefiting the people it is actually meant for because of the nature of the lengthy processes, and to top it off, there is lack of coordination and unwillingness to share information between government departments and funding agencies on awarded projects when the contractor applies for funding,” she explains.

The company, however, remains hopeful for the future, as there is a social call for projects to pick up, especially in crucial sectors, such as healthcare and education in general.

Edited by Zandile Mavuso
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

Comments

Showroom

John Thompson
John Thompson

John Thompson, the leader in energy and environmental solutions through value engineering and innovation, provides the following: design, engineer,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.17 0.226s - 165pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now