Hypenica, one of the continent’s most innovative smart media and event organizations, has successfully hosted and launched The Kwazulu Natal Construction Expo – the region’s` only dedicated trade show for the built environment.

Of the main economic sectors, the fastest growing in Kwazulu Natal is construction (comprising 4% of the provincial economy). The province has benefited significantly from major rail, road and port projects under the National Infrastructure Plan and the province plans to invest close to R20 billion in public works and low cost housing projects in 2017.

Under eThekwini`s mayor Zandile Gumede, the city has also since launched its ‘radical transformation plan’ with the aim of developing eThekwini’s local economy – a big focus of the strategy is to ensure that emerging subcontractors play a more substantial role, mandating that any local government and/or municipal project with a contract value between R5-million and R30-million would have to set aside 30% of the project for subcontractors.

“Subcontractors or service providers shall be selected from the wards where the service or project is being undertaken.” If the project was across a number of wards‚ opportunities would be granted to subcontractors in all the benefiting wards‚ said Gumede in a recent statement.

“With government’s’ commitment to empower smaller and medium contractors and to  ensure they are more involved in projects both at a national and regional level, we felt it critical that this emerging group have convenient access to these very exciting opportunities,“ says Soren du Preez, Programme Director of Hypenica.

However, as this is a non-professional segment of the construction sector, who are not required to register with an industry body and engage in continuous professional development like architects, surveyors and engineers, there is a risk of some skills gaps amongst these smaller contracting companies.

”The KZN Construction Expo offers a number of free training and skills development opportunities, which is critical in the journey of transformation and empowerment,” explains du Preez.

Two additional highlights of the tradeshow included the Stakeholder Engagement Forum (a morning networking event where crucial infrastructure conversations facing the construction sector across KZN took place), and the co-located Smart Buildings & Infrastructure Summit, Africa’s only platform to present a clear roadmap for smart buildings and infrastructure and was sponsored by Vodacom, Conlog and Autodesk.

With unprecedented media, association and stakeholder support, including organisations like the South African Institute of Building Designers(SAIBD), the Association of Schools of Construction of Southern African (ASOCSA), BIM Institute, Electrical Contractors Association and Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal, this must attend trade show and it’s co-located events are set to become a recurring feature in the industry’s calendar.  The 2018 edition is scheduled to take place on the 7 – 8 February 2018.

Visit www.kzn-construction.co.za

About the organisers: Hypenica

Hypenica is an international media group that serves its markets by connecting buyers and sellers, sharing information and experiences, identifying new opportunities and enabling more effective business. We do this through our innovative print, digital and event products which provide important marketing platforms for any company wanting to build their profile and reach their target market – whether nationally, regionally or globally. Hypenica’s expertise and track record extends to the following niche B2B sectors: agriculture; concrete, cement, construction and infrastructure; transport: infrastructure; and industrial and manufacturing. For more information, go to www.hypenica.com