2018 Emerging Contractors Networking Conference & Exhibition 2017
Close to 200 emerging contractors in Soweto attended the event. They comprised of local self-employed artisans and tradesmen, local accredited home builders and renovators (i.e. bakkie builders), small to medium scale commercial and industrial builders, and emerging civil and roads construction operators. The event, in which the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Mr Herman Mashaba gave a Keynote Address, included speakers from :

1. Local and Provincial Government Departments in Housing and Infrastructure.
2. Experts on government tendering processes for SMME’s
3. Private sector property developers (Calgro M3 & Growthpoint)
4. Construction industry charter/BBBEE experts.
5. Experts on compliance and legislative framework in the construction industry

OUTCOMES

Through the Conference, the emerging contractors were educated on current industry trends and standards, and on the power of networking. They also interacted directly with key decision makers on local government tenders and property developers’ sub-contracting opportunities in the local area and appraised of the requirements for tendering and sub-contracting. In addition, the contractors gained knowledge of the different role players in the construction industry, i.e. retail, finance and technology and how these connect to each other. A platform for individual business to business interactions and networking was also created.

The Emerging Contractors Networking Conference is a first such event in South Africa which specifically addresses the needs of emerging contractors and brings closer all the role players to create an environment for learning, networking, business opportunities and growth.

09am - 10am : Registration & Tea
10am - 10:15am : Opening remarks by organizer - Gerald Ndlovu
10:15am - 10:45am : The role of Gauteng gorvenment in support of emerging contractors - Jacob Mamabolo (MEC for Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development)
10:45am - 11am : Question and Answers
11am - 11:30am : Private Developers role in support of emerging contractors - Sedise Moseneke - Executive Director for Vukile Property Fund
11:30am - 11:45am : Question and Answers
11:45am - 12:15pm : Tea Break
12:15pm - 13pm : SANRAL its role in support of emerging contractors - Thabiso Malahleha - Strategy Head SANRAL
13pm - 13:30pm : Question and Answers
13:30pm - 13:45pm : Closing Remarks by organizer - Gerald Ndlovu : Founder & Executive Director - Black Suppliers(Pty)Ltd

MR THABISO MALAHLEHA
Mr Thabiso Malahleha worked both in the private and public sectors in the transport space. His career in the public sector started at the Department of Transport where he was Director: Infrastructure Finance and Coordination. He was responsible for oversight of SANRAL, engagements with SADC, AU, developing funding proposals for both the private and public institutions, drafting innovative funding strategies, oversight of flagship infrastructure projects, Co-chair of the TKCMC amongst other duties. He then joined SANRAL as a Project Manager in 2010 and was appointed as Head of Strategy in 2017

DR SEDISE MOSENEKE
Dr Sedise Moseneke is the Executive Director for Vukile Property Fund. He is the Head of their Investment and acquisitions team in South Africa. He is also responsible for transformation and heads-up the Vukile Development and Transformation Academy. He sits on the board of directors of Vukile.