Minister of Public Works, Mr Geoff Doidge, MP, last night, Monday, 27 September 2010, announced investigations into a possible Property Academy to assist in the transformation of the property sector.
In his address to the Tshwane Chapter of the Black Management Forum, Minister Doidge expressed his unhappiness at the slow rate of representation of black business and professionals in the property industry and raised the possible property academy as one of the contributing steps to take in addressing transformation.
“I have engaged with the Property Sector Charter Council where we have agreed to look at the viability and benefit of having a government supported property academy. It is critical that we look at ways to empower and skill emerging players in the sector, so as to ensure the sustainability of black businesses in this sector.
While still in its conceptual stages, this envisioned property academy and the implementation of the proposed Property Sector Transformation Charter require active participation from all stakeholders. It is however important to emphasise that we are still in the early stages and this possibility of a property charter is still being investigated and will require the sign off by Cabinet once it is properly
defined”.
“It is our view that a property academy will present new entrants to the industries with options on various disciplines in the industry such as property vesting, facilities management and overall understanding of the industry. A starting point in pursuing this option should be that major players in the industry should play a role in investing in and sharing their knowledge to ensure that the academy is viable and successful”.
Addressing the transformation of the construction sector, the Minister mentioned the gazetting of the Construction Charter Best Practice Codes last year, with the next step being the establishment of the Construction Charter Council.
“We call on all stakeholders in the construction industry to fast track the nomination of their representatives to the council so that a chairperson can be appointed and the council can proceed with the task of transforming the industry.
As with the Property Sector Charter Council, the Construction Charter Council will provide a vehicle from which we will be in a position to monitor transformation of this sector. The Construction Charter must be seen as a catalyst to transform the sector and not as a sole tool to transformation”.
Mentioning the much reported on investigation into the department’s Supply Chain Management and lease portfolio in particular, the Minister emphasised his and the government’s commitment to rooting out corruption.
“It needs to be stated upfront that once we have received the needed evidence from the Special Investigation Unit, it is our intention to act without fear or favour.
The position of our government is clear; corruption must and will be rooted out. It is both shameful and disturbing that we have certain people both in government and the private sector who are not satisfied with the opportunities they have and resort to corrupt ways to enrich themselves even further.
Enquiries:
Koketso Sachane
Cell: 082 728 8836
Source: Department of Public Works
