Latest news with #BBCBE
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Black Business Council unveils transformative projects to energise Tshwane's built environment
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. Saturday Star
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How Tshwane is revitalising its economy for a brighter future
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. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The City of Tshwane has many assets that must be cultivated to improve the lives of its residents and to create business opportunities, and with the Black Business Council in the Built Environment (BBCBE) as a partner, the city hopes to achieve this. Tshwane's Executive Mayor, Dr Nasiphi Moya, during a business breakfast hosted by the BBCBE on Tuesday, in partnership with the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA), showcased transformative development projects in the city, attracting investors and engaging built environment professionals. The event held in Centurion provided the business sector with an opportunity to engage the city on its plans to improve the economic environment in Tshwane and to work towards a people-centred urban transformation. Dr Moya stressed that the city is planning on upgrading and repurposing its assets worth billions, many of which are in decay and not used as they should, such as the Pretoria Showgrounds, the Fresh Produce Market, and the Caledonian Stadium. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The City of Tshwane, she said, is not merely another municipality on the South African map. It stands as the Administrative Capital of the Republic, a centre of government, diplomacy, learning, and commerce. 'Our economic profile is formidable. Tshwane contributes 25% of Gauteng's GDP and 9% of South Africa's national output. If Tshwane were a country, our economy would rival that of Iceland, Cyprus, or Senegal,' she said. The city's industrial ecosystem includes a thriving automotive manufacturing base, a resilient agricultural economy, world-class universities, and a fast-growing services sector. It is home to over 4.1 million people, determined to see a better tomorrow. But, Dr Moya said, unemployment stands at nearly 34%, with youth unemployment near 60%. An estimated 40% of the residents live below the poverty line. Good governance alone is insufficient; the city requires transformation that is both inclusive and sustainable. That is why the city has adopted the Tshwane Economic Revitalisation Strategy (TERS), which is the guiding document to achieve 3.9% economic growth and create 80,000 new jobs by 2029. TERS focuses on 10 strategic sectors, which include the student economy. In this regard, Dr Moya said the city is repurposing vacant buildings into student accommodation and turning the inner city into a vibrant, safe, and inclusive urban campus. She said there is a lack of student accommodation in the city, and many students are homeless. 'The automotive sector remains a cornerstone of our industrial base. With nearly 40% of South Africa's vehicles produced in Rosslyn and the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), we are expanding our footprint. Phase 2 of TASEZ is under way, and the R500 million K217 road expansion aims to strengthen logistics and manufacturing value chains,' she added in expanding on the city's plans. In construction, the city is embracing digital transformation. The automation of land-use, zoning, and building applications is reducing red tape and turnaround times. Meanwhile, social housing and human settlements are high on the city's agenda. Tshwane absorbs 80,000 new residents annually. To address this growth, it is investing over R700 million in water and sanitation infrastructure across Winterveldt and Pretoria West. These investments are laying the foundation for inclusive housing developments and spatial equity. Its urban regeneration programme is also gaining momentum, with projects like Schubart Park, which is being transformed into modern, mixed-use developments. Dr Moya said, in fact, over 180 derelict properties have been identified for reclamation. Included in the city's plans is to extend the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, while the Gautrain expansion is on track. Strategic assets like the Bon Accord Quarry, which supplies essential materials for roads and construction, are also being modernised, while rail revitalisation is being pursued with national partners. Included in the city's plans is to build new taxi ranks to decongest the Pretoria CBD.
