Company Announcement - Five students currently completing the Master Builders Association (MBA) North’s Small Builders Development course, travel all the way from Mbombela (Nelspruit) and surrounds to Midrand to attend classes. The students, who undertake the journey of around 350kms from their homes in Mpumalanga to the MBA North premises in Halfway House every second Saturday, are Bheki Ndhlovu, Edwin Baloyi, Macdonald Lelaka, Thembeka Nkbinde, and Andrew Sekgobela.

All have been extremely enthusiastic about the knowledge they have gained at the course which will culminate with the awarding of certificates on April 11 this year. Typical comments from the Mpumalanga students have been:

• “I am attending this course to firmly establish my knowledge in the building industry through tuition from, and engagement with, a panel of experts.” (Macdonald Lelaka);
• “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to learn more about my career. MBA North should be thanked and complimented for offering small builders the chance to grow.” (Bheki Ndhlovu);
• “My desire for more knowledge was stirred after attending a MBA North workshop in Malelane. The course has been most enlightening.” (Edwin Baloyi); and
• “It’s been a revelation for me on how to accurately calculate costs in order to make a profitable tender. This is so important to survive and will be extremely helpful in my business. (Thembeke Nkabinde).

Henk Delen, MBA North Education, Training & Transformation Officer, says the success of this course, and the strong support it has enjoyed, has inspired MBA North, and the course sponsors, to stage another starting in May this year. The primary sponsors for this year’s course were Federated Employers’ Mutual Assurance, Bosch, CIDB  as well as MBA North members Archstone Construction, Giuricich Construction, Robenco Construction, Fintrex, and 8J Construction.

The Small Builders Development Course cover topics such as:
• The various facets of running a small business;
• Finding and securing work;
• How to tender for new business;
• Carrying out and efficiently controlling building projects; as well as the
• Management of, and legislation pertaining to, small businesses.