Construction associations in South Africa play a major role in South Africa’s construction industry by lobbying and advocating for their members. Several associations exist in South Africa and here are the top 6:
1.Master Builders South Africa
Master Builders South Africa is one of the largest construction associations in South Africa.
It operates as Federation of registered employer Associations representing contractors and employers in the construction industry, and is regulated in terms of Section 107 of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995.
The Federation’s nine Master Builders Associations, and three Affiliate Associations represent more than 4000 contractors and employers in the industry.
Master Builders South Africa represents its members on national bodies and lobbies national government on legislative and other policy issues. It also provides a range of services to its members that include on-going training, legal services, labour relations, building codes and standards, and regulatory compliance matters that affect the building industry.
Master Builders South Africa has branches in the country namely:Master Builders Association KwaZulu-Natal, Master Builders Association Cape Town, Master Builders Association Eastern Cape, among others. In order to be included in the Master Builders Association members list, one has to join by registering on their online portal.
Benefits of registering as a member of the Master Builders Association includes: Networking lobbying, training, access to industry information etc.
2.South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC)
South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) is a lobby group for the civil engineering contractors in South Africa. It is one of the leading construction associations in south Africa.
Founded in 1939,SAFCEC has been a leading voice and advocate for its members in the civil engineering contracting sector. It has a track record of influencing policy and regulatory change to facilitate an environment conducive to job creation and of representing the interests of its members in terms of the Labour Relations Act.
SAFCEC also advises its members and consults on labour-economic market matters to provide sound information to policy makers. It plays an integral role in formulating industry policy ensuring that legal and regulatory frameworks do not hinder competitive and fair business practices.
SAFCEC facilitates stakeholder interactions and represents members at government-related functions. It also holds regular liaison meetings with key government and industry stakeholders. SAFCEC has focused on remaining relevant by ensuring that it is attuned to its members’ needs and that it adapts to an ever-changing environment.
It represents more than 450 member organisations that differ in size and stage of growth. In advancing economic development, social justice, labour peace and the democratisation of the workplace, SAFCEC gives effect to fundamental rights conferred in the country’s Constitution. It facilitates member participation in collective bargaining to determine wages, terms and conditions of employment, and other matters of mutual interest.
SAFCEC plays an integral role in formulating industry policy.Market analysts follow keenly SAFCEC’s economic forecasting and statistical analysis of market conditions.
SAFCEC also provides members with a geographically comprehensive tender information service. In addition to that, it is passionate about creating a fair and equitable business environment in which its members can conduct their business.
It guides, represents, and negotiates on behalf of its members with industry stakeholders. The organisation also has subject matter experts who are able to assist SAFCEC members and clients with a professional and responsible administrative service.Here is how to register as a member of SAFCEC:
3.Electrical Contractors Association South Africa-ECA(SA)
ECA(SA) is the most influential members’ association for electrical contractors in South Africa. Registered in terms of the Labour Relations Act, the ECA(S)A has represented South African electrical contractors since 1948 and is firmly established as the ‘home’ of trusted electrical contractors.
The ECA(SA) has a membership network of around 4 000 electrical contractors, which employs around 75% of the workforce employed within the electrical contracting industry.
The ECA(SA) represents the interests of electrical contractors at many government and industry bodies including the National Bargaining Council for the Electrical Industry and the Electrical Industry Pension and Provident Funds. It provides input from its members and receives the latest developments first-hand and disseminates this information to members.
It is regarded as the ‘voice’ of the electrical contracting industry by government supply authorities, consulting engineers, the Council for Scientific Research (CSIR), Eskom, and the Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU). The ECA(SA) serves on the SABS Committee responsible for the Code of Practice for the Wiring of Premises.
4.Constructional Engineering Association (South Africa)
The CEA(SA) represents employers engaged in the construction engineering industry, operating in the structural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, piping and project management fields. In addition to its own activities, the CEA has two active divisions: the Labour Broking Division and the Temporary Employment Services Division. The association also has close ties to the SA Institute of Steel Construction and the SA Institute of Welding.
It was founded in 1936 as the Transvaal Structural Engineering Association, changed its name subsequently to the Constructional Engineering Association and finally, to the Constructional Engineering Association (South Africa) in 1986. The CEA(SA) is 1 of 27 independent employer associations, each representing a different sector of the industry which together form the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (SEIFSA).
5.Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS)
Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) was inaugurated in 1908.
Te association was formed to achieve and maintain the following goals and ambitions for the profession:
- Advance and promote the science and practice of quantity surveying and cognate matters,
- Uphold the dignity of the quantity surveying profession
- Watch over, promote and protect the interest of its members
- Afford opportunity for the interchange and recording of the body of knowledge and experience of quantity surveying
- Promote the high standards of professional competence and integrity
The ASAQS provides an environment in which professionals may learn, grow and work together to advance the techniques and science of quantity surveying. From its earliest beginnings, the ASAQS has grown to include quantity surveying professionals from every area of the construction industry, from private practice, government and quasi-government to construction companies. Here is How to register with Association of South African Quantity Surveyors.
6.Small Contractors Association of South Africa
Small Contractors Association of South Africa (SCASA) is a non-profit organisation registered under the Companies Act 71 of 2008.The association defines small contractors as previously disadvantaged privately-owned construction companies.
SCASA’s main aim is to uplift and empower small contractors by providing them opportunities in the Building and Construction Industry. SCASA will assist small contractors in accessing work opportunities in the building sector, financial institutions and skills training institutions. SCASA exists in order to promote and create an environment conducive to the profitable and efficient operations of small contractors.Here is how to register.
Also Read