This profile has been prepared to assist companies both inside and outside South Africa to conduct business efficiently in and with South Africa. While every endeavour has been made to ensure to ensure that the information contained in this profile is current and correct, we recommend that companies making decisions based on this information contact the appropriate government department or organisation to verify the current situation. You can click on the name of the relevant government department or organisation in the text below to find appropriate contact details and we ask your assistance in advising us where the information is incorrect or out of date.
Where PDF versions of legislation or government policy are available on government websites or where interactive facilities exist to submit information online, then you can download / access these directly by clicking on the document in the Reference Information and Interactive Facilities section.
South Africa's building and construction sector promises to be at the forefront of the country's economic development as it is a sector that has the potential to employ a large number of people (at present, the sector employs about 260 000 people). Despite some slow periods, the industry has shown an overall trend of improvement since 2000.
Although the sector is mainly made up of a few large companies, it has provided a number of empowerment opportunities. Various projects (such as those associated with the Coega development) have been awarded to construction companies belonging to women and others matching empowerment criteria. At least 45% of building investment stems from residential sources.
The development potential of the industry hinges on skills development. Many of those employed in the building and construction industry are unskilled and the training they receive through their work experience can result in them becoming semi-skilled or skilled workers. In order to improve the industry's capacity to fulfill this role, the research organization CSIR has undertaken an initiative called Boutek, involving research into the global industry, the identification of best practices and the implementation of these in the South African industry. CSIR also focuses on sustainable building techniques and the construction of low cost housing.
The construction of low cost housing is a significant feature of the building and construction industry as it allows for the participation of new role players and fulfills one of the South African government's main priorities, the rollout of essential services to all of South Africa’s people.
The expansion of this sector is closely tied in with levels of investment in the country, and impacts on a wide range of related sectors, such as cement, construction equipment and the specialist services associated with building and construction.
The central government Departments of Housing and Trade and Industry are responsible for government legislation, policy and administration of this area. The company and organisation search facilities can be used to find details of companies and organisations active in this area, while the events search and the facilities search will enable you to find relevant information on both these topics.
If your organisation is a key player in this area and your details are not recorded in our organisation database, then please use the My Company function to enter your details. The My Event function can be used to enter events and the My Facility function to enter details of hotels and other accommodation / restaurants / tourist attractions / event venues / hospitals / police stations / harbours / factories / etc. These can either be ones associated with your organisation or ones you have used and would recommend.
