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CESA, together with the Built Environment Professions
Export Council (BEPEC), undertook a study to
demonstrate the importance of professional services
in the value chain so as to advantage local service
providers.

as well as through BUSA, of which it is a member. assistance from public sector clients who increasingly
The Construction sector eagerly awaited the results sought CESA’s involvement and advice as a centre of
of the CSCC’s benchmarking survey as this would excellence. An example of this was the creation of a
determine with greater accuracy the rate at which CESA/SABTACO Joint Venture with PRASA to assist
the industry was transforming in accordance with them in the delivery of SIP7 which revolved around
the targets set by the Construction Sector Charter. Government’s intention to build capacity within the
A feather in CESA’s cap was the designation of Past Metropolitan Councils so as to enhance their ability
President, Felix Fongoqa, as the new Council’s to deliver infrastructure. Another example was the
Chairperson. CESA/SABTACO Joint Venture with the CETA as
client, who had provided some R27 million over
Government decided, through an amendment to
3 years to roll out a candidate mentoring initiative.
the Preferential Procurement Framework Act, to
Whilst the PRASA Joint Venture was slow off the
advantage local manufacturing and services in order
starting blocks, the CETA Joint Venture was proving
to stimulate growth in the broader industry. CESA,
very successful. A disappointment during the year,
together with the Built Environment Professions
however, was the cidb’s decision to terminate their
Export Council (BEPEC), undertook a study
close relationship with CESA through an MOU
to demonstrate the importance of professional
agreed some two years ago. This decision was
services in the value chain so as to advantage local
based on the fact that the cidb needed to be seen
service providers. Application was made to the dti
to operate totally independently and not to have too
in terms of the legislation, however at the time of
close a relationship with a private sector body. CESA
writing, it seemed that the Department was unable
however continued to interact, but less formally than
to understand or accept the concept of local in the
they had in the past.
services sector, with products being more easily
identified and designated as such. Case studies are The business presentation made to the State
currently being sought to prove the value add and President and the Executive on August 6, 2013
the multiplier effect of involving the services sector at the Presidential guest house in Pretoria was a
upstream of project conception and delivery. resounding success and the feedback is humbling to
say the least.
CESA’s target for 2013 was to reach a membership
of 500 firms, the current figure being some 497 I made sure that while my attendance was
but unfortunately merger and acquisition activity sanctioned by BUSA, CESA’s voice was clearly
heard and unambiguous. Government and business
continued to hinder the realisation of this goal. It was
CESA Annual Review 2012 / 2013 existence entitled “Affiliate” member. The latter CESA Strategy of “Developing and Securing the
have agreed to meet on a three monthly basis
also decided to create a new category of member
called “Associate” to complement that currently in
going forward. I expressed an interest to share the
Participation of Small Consulting Engineering Firms
caters for private sector companies wishing to partner
in the Delivery of Infrastructure” and the ECSA lead
with CESA whilst the former allows for public sector
strategy “Developing an Essential Partnership -
entities to form a closer relationship with CESA, but
Engineering Profession with the Engineering Industry”
without having the vote and some of the benefits.
This was decided due to the increasing requests for
first with BUSA and then Government at our future

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