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02 October 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu believes there are a number of benefits and lessons that the construction industry can draw if they adopt technology that can lead to sustainable construction beyond the COVID-19 era.
The construction business has been hit hard, with various negative impacts on cost, implementation timelines, profits, and others. Increased and smart adoption of technology, however, can transform the sector to make it more sustainable. 

This is the belief of Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu, Head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS).

As president of the Association of Schools of Construction of Southern Africa (ASOCSA), she delivered the welcoming address of the 14th Built Environment conference (21, 22 September 2020). Prof Kajimo-Shakantu is the sixth president of ASOCSA.

The theme of this year’s built-environment conference, presented for the very first time in a virtual format, was Technology, Transformation and Sustainable Construction.

Identify and harness opportunities 

“It is clear that while COVID-19 remains a challenge, opportunities can be identified and harnessed even by our own construction industry through the exploitation of technological, transformative, and sustainable practices. The technology and transformation taking place now – in South Africa and beyond this COVID-19 situation – should be embraced for competitive advantage, even after the pandemic disappears,” said Kajimo-Shakantu.

Clients, consultants, contractors, and suppliers of materials and services can wholly embrace technology and transformation for sustainable, cost-effective, less wasteful, and cleaner construction processes. – Prof Kahilu Kajimo-Shakantu


She also provided some practical suggestions: “Technologies such as remote monitoring of construction sites and selected construction site operations through high-definition cameras and robust software should be encouraged as a way of minimising health and safety risks and mobility costs during the project duration, and at the same time ensuring an all-time virtual presence on site for various purposes.”

“Virtual contract progress meetings, site meetings, and supervision of specialised work are some of the benefits that the construction industry could gain if they adopt technology that can lead to sustainable construction beyond the COVID-19 era,” she added. 

Encourage meaningful partnerships

It is no longer a case of business as usual. Prof Kajimo-Shakantu believes stronger collaboration and meaningful partnerships must be encouraged among all stakeholders if the conference theme is to be fully actualised for the benefit of the construction industry, as it races towards attaining sustainable construction.

She said: “Clients, consultants, contractors, and suppliers of materials and services can wholly embrace technology and transformation for sustainable, cost-effective, less wasteful, and cleaner construction processes.”

Many insightful and thought-provoking papers touching on construction industry challenges and opportunities, as well as the teaching and learning of students, were delivered by both local and international delegates. 

The conference is believed to be one of the major cutting-edge built-environment conferences on the African continent. 

A guest of honour at the event was the Vice-Rector: Academic at the University of the Free State, Dr Engela van Staden. In her welcome address, she challenged delegates to establish a consistent channel for disseminating some of the research outcomes to industry stakeholders, including the respective government departments. “It is time to go beyond building rich databases and prestigious publications for our universities,” she said.

Keynote speakers included Prof Monty Sutrisna, Professor of Construction and Project Management and the Head of the School of Built Environment at Massey University, New Zealand; Prof Obas John, Professor of Sustainability and Environmental Law and Director of Internationalisation at London South Bank University; Prof David Edwards, Professor of Plant and Machinery Management, Birmingham City University, England; and Dr Reza Hosseini, the Associate Head of School (research) in the School of Architecture and Built Environment, Deakin University, Australia.

The various interesting peer-reviewed research papers that were delivered, addressed topical issues that affect the built environment not only in South Africa, but also in the regions beyond.

News Archive

Guest lecture: Mr Pretorius, CEO of McCarthy Limited
2004-11-05

The challenges facing business leaders in a rapidly changing South Africa

“The world we used to know does not exist anymore. Leaders are continually dealing with crisis and opportunities, in a high-pressure environment,” said Mr Brand Pretorius, honorary professor from the University of the Free State , delivering his 13th guest lecture on the challenges facing business leaders in a rapidly changing South Africa .

Mr Pretorius, CEO of McCarthy Limited, identified certain trends which are responsible for changes to the South African business environment. He said the South African business environment is ever-changing, fast moving, complex and unpredictable. “As business people we have to deal with the impact,” he said.

“Years ago we were globally isolated. Now we live in a shrinking borderless world with crumbling trade barriers. Globilisation of our economy is accelerating. For South African business leaders this creates a sea of export opportunities,” he said.

Although there are ongoing demands for substantial profit growth from shareholders, the days of focussing only on their interests are gone, said Mr Pretorius. Stakeholder commitment now enjoys high priority and business leaders have to deal with the challenges accompanying black economic empowerment and employment equity.

Customers are also well-informed and demanding. Business leaders could easily loose the loyalty of their customers because of a hyper-competitive environment with an oversupply of goods and services.

Mr Pretorius stated that staff want to be involved and are looking for meaning in their workplace. Employers also have to deal with HIV/Aids in their workplaces. Trauma, absenteeism and financial implications could have a great effect on the viability of a business.

Against these changes Mr Pretorius pointed out the challenges business leaders are facing. In doing so a number of questions arise. The external business climate is characterised by turbulence and change. Internally there is a need for stability and meaning. How do we handle both challenges effectively?

Because of changes strategy decay is taking place and past strategies become irrelevant. Mr Pretorius said that business leaders need to modify their business models to prevent the downfall of their companies.

It is important for leaders to know what is happening in their world. “Continuous innovation is a critical success factor. The reality is that innovation is the only insurance against irrelevance,” he said.

Because of a changed environment leaders must perform and transform, simultaneously. How do we strike a balance between focused transformation and the achievement of world class performance, asked Mr Pretorius? “We need to bring about meaningful and sustainable empowerment, in order to create an inclusive economy and society. Leadership and management profiles should reflect the diversity of our teams, however at the same time every effort should be made to stop the brain drain and retain the expertise of experienced white managers.”

He also stated that leaders have an important role to play in terms of employment creation and corporate caring. “Sustainable stability and prosperity will not materialise without efforts in this regard.”

Mr Pretorius said that above challenges could be addressed by developing the ability to focus on creating a better future, rather than defending the past, a long-term vision, facing new realities, enhancing the value of brands and mobilising IT and the Internet to serve the business and customers better.

Retaining a positive vision of the future, embracing change and transformation, building your business according to the right principles and values and aspiring to be the best are some of the guidelines, according to Mr Brand, for future business success. He stated that creating a value advantage above one’s competitors, customer satisfaction and retention and inspirational leadership will add to the success of one’s business.

“We are indeed living in the era of the ultimate challenges, but also the ultimate opportunities. Let me clearly state that I have hope – in my view the tide has turned. Every day I experience small miracles inspired by ordinary people making an extraordinary difference,” said Mr Pretorius.

 

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
5 November 2004

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