NC-MBA elects new President

At the Northern Cape Master Builders Associations (NC-MBA) annual general meeting held in Kimberley recently, Keith van Rensburg was elected as President. Herman Pretorius was elected for a second term as Vice President. Their inauguration, which took place at the NC-MBA’s annual dinner the same evening, was conducted by outgoing President Eddie du Toit  and Executive Director Vic Smailes. The function also incorporated the associations 2012 Regional Safety Awards.

The event was well attended by association members, office bearers, and key industry  dignitaries from across the country, amongst whom were Tumi Dlamini – Executive Director of Master Builders South Africa (MBSA), Pierre Fourie – Operations Director  – MBSA, and Rod Mountford – Director of the South African Reinforced Concrete Engineers Association (SARCEA). Sponsors for the event were Peri South Africa, RMD Kwikform, and Simeka.

Photo: Keith van Rensburg – President, Northern Cape Master Builders Association

Following his inauguration as President of the Northern Cape Master Builders Association, South African Builder spoke to Keith van Rensburg about his views for the future. “Training is one of the most important issues,” said van Rensburg. “We need to engage with the Department of Education to establish some sort of subsidy to enable us as the Northern Cape Master Builders Association to install and operate a skills development and training function for our members in the region.”

Van Rensburg indicated that such a programme would be of necessity excluding the Construction Education Authority (CETA) which is still under administration. Instead the training responsibility should be diverted from CETA to the NC-MBA, and ultimately, at national level to be operated by Master Builders South Africa. He pointed out that, until recently, the Northern Cape was known to produce the best artisans and joiners from the NJ Heyns trade school in Kimberley. But the school no longer provides these courses and a severe shortage of artisans is now the result. In addition, training institutions in Bloemfontein and Kimberley have all been closed down as they were not being paid.

On strengthening membership, van Rensburg said: “Although our membership base continues to remain very stable, we do need to sustain the industry with mature contractors. We also need to bring emerging contractors into the NC-MBA fold to help promote their capabilities and create exposure for employment, as well as to assist in training them in business management.”

Kobus Duvenhage Bouers (Pty) Ltd shines at the MBA NC Safety Awards

Kobus Duvenhage Bouers (Pty) Ltd recently entered a Health and Safety Competition launched by The Northern Cape Master Builders Association.

On 23 July 2014 Kobus Duvenhage Bouers (Pty) Ltd was announced as the winner of the Safety Award in the R10 – R20 million category of the Regional Safety Competition for 2013 – 2014. Kobus Duvenhage Bouers (Pty) Ltd received this award for the Updustria Park Project in Upington. Kobus Duvenhage Bouers (Pty) Ltd was also announced as the winner of the competition in this category in the previous two years.

SANBS

SANBS’s continuous need for blood and the blood shortages experienced through parts of the year made Kobus Duvenhage and his personnel decide to become regular blood donors. On the 19th of February 2015 we donated 14 units of blood to SANBS.

Paraplegic House

House for two disabled women

During 2012 the special needs of a disabled mother and her disabled daughter from Louisvaleweg in Upington, came to the attention of Kobus Duvenhage. He offered to build a house specifically designed for the two women’s needs. The Local Municipality made a plot available, a few businesses in Upington donated building material and Kobus Duvenhage Bouers (Pty) Ltd completed a house within six months. The house was designed and equipped with tools to simplify the lives of the two women. The Local Municipality and Kobus Duvenhage Bouers (Pty) Ltd handed the house over to the two women during June 2012.