Black Business Council unveils transformative projects to energise Tshwane's built environment

IOL News

4 days ago

The City of Tshwane's Executive Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, outlines big plans for economic growth in the city during a business breakfast with the BBCBE.
The City of Tshwane's Executive Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, outlines big plans for economic growth in the city during a business breakfast with the BBCBE.
The Black Business Council in the Built Environment (BBCBE) has taken significant strides in transforming Tshwane's development landscape by unveiling several key projects designed to draw investors and built environment professionals.
Established in 2007, BBCBE's core mission is to engage with government and statutory bodies to influence legislation that fosters opportunities for Black professionals within the construction and building sectors.
Speaking at the breakfast, Carrington Tlale, the head of BBCBE's Project Management Unit (PMU), shared insights into the group's recent initiatives.
'We established BBCBE investment holdings, and we just completed one of its long-term projects, and we are looking forward to participating in so much more. We established the BBCBE training academy. The organisation used to do training internally, but we have found that could be problematic. And the work that has been done by the members has been very fruitful, and our main focus is on candidacy,' he noted, highlighting the formation of the BBCBE Training Academy.
Tlale explained that this academy is a pivotal step away from previous internal training models, seeking instead to professionalise young talent in the industry, and believes local government must heed it as it works towards fostering a skilled workforce.
He further emphasised the necessity of self-transformation within organisations leading the charge for change. 'The face of transformation is very different. That requires a focus on key areas,' he explained, identifying sectors such as energy, water, logistics, and artificial intelligence as pivotal in redefining Tshwane's built environment.
However, Tlale signalled a need to confront the overlooked realm of infrastructure finance, stressing its importance in enabling these transformative efforts.
Echoing these sentiments, Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, a keynote speaker at the event, spoke passionately about ongoing initiatives to elevate the city's economic landscape.
Moya announced plans for an upcoming investment conference in July, aimed at providing a platform for business sectors to invest in significant city assets, including the Tshwane Showgrounds and Wonderboom Airport.
'There is a lot of pressure to make this city work for the people that call it their home, for the businesses that were started here. For the people that must come, whether they are students or embassies, they must come and stay in our city. But also for our province and our country to succeed,' she stated.
Moya further outlined the city's commitment to creating opportunities for students and embassies, which play vital roles in the local economy. 'So what is it that the city can offer you? Firstly, as the CEO of TEDA, we do have assets that can help you,' she noted, framing the city as an attractive destination for investment.
Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise elaborated on the city's three key priorities, with a particular focus on revitalising Tshwane's two power stations: the Rooiwal coal power station and the PTA West waste/gas-to-power station. This effort is seen as essential for revamping the energy landscape to support local growth.
Dr Lardo Stander, CEO of TEDA, highlighted the importance of collaboration between the BBCBE and the City of Tshwane, emphasising that leveraging existing networks and partnerships in infrastructure development is vital for success. 'This could be done through leveraging networks and partnerships that BBCBE has in infrastructure development,' Stander affirmed, creating a pathway to more robust economic growth in the area.
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