Despite crippling industry-wide strikes, unstable foreign exchange rates and an uncertain post-election period, the building industry in South Africa is on the mend and is showing signs of recovering beyond several analysts’ expectations, Aggregate and Sand Producers Association of Southern Africa (Aspasa) director Nico Pienaar has asserted.

According to the organisation, the latest building data, as well as an array of indicators across the construction, roads, cement and readymix concrete industries appeared to indicate that the market was verging on a major recovery.

“Even with a slew of negative events, the total sum of building plans passed is showing healthy growth compared with last year’s figures, which, in turn, means that the actual building and construction should follow suit shortly.

“Although commercial property developments have slowed somewhat, residential building is climbing handsomely and the commercial sector should follow as soon as confidence is restored in the marketplace,” he noted.

Pienaar further maintained that Aspasa members were also reporting improved volumes, which confirmed that more building material was being bought and, consequently, that more construction was taking place.

With a host of large-scale retail complexes and malls planned or in progress, as well as post-election infrastructural projects on the cards, the prospect for the rest of the year appeared positive.

Pienaar, however, cautioned contractors to remain aware of the quality of materials they bought and to ensure that materials were sourced from reputable suppliers, rather than fly-by-night operators who were looking to cash in on higher demands.

“While Aspasa welcomes the ongoing recovery of the industry, it is important to ensure we put quality and sustainability first when it comes to undertaking new projects. We also encourage government to unlock the vast infrastructural projects that have been on the cards for so long to support growth,” he said.

Simultaneously, the upper echelons of government needed to encourage their in-house procurement officials, engineers and consulting engineers to insist on using high-quality building materials from registered industry body associations.

“In this way, we will not only ensure that the market recovers to its prerecession state, but also that the recovery is based on sustainable practices that benefit local companies and create employment for more people.

“By supporting our local quarries, cement manufacturers and other suppliers, we can contribute to creating a buoyant local economy that will further fuel growth in the development of our country,” he maintained.