SA Affordable Housing July / August 2018 // Issue: 71 | Page 14

EXHIBITIONS
African Construction
and Totally Concrete a
huge success
South Africa’s only multidisciplinary built environment show was
outstanding this year, heralding further growth as one of the world’s
largest construction events.
H
osting more than 8 000 professionals from
44 countries, the sixth edition of the African
Construction and Totally Concrete Expo that took
place at Johannesburg’s Gallagher Convention Centre
offering the industry two days of business and networking.
The expo also achieved its declared objective for 2018:
putting the topic of transformation and empowerment at the
centre of the construction industry’s agenda.
The show offered 45 workshops, where experts shared
insights and knowledge with hundreds of attendees. The
event also hosted the first ever Transformation Corner,
focused exclusively at promoting transformation and
empowerment in construction.
“Transformation and SMME development play an ever
more critical role in building, advancing and innovating
Africa’s construction industry,” says Aubrey Tshalata, national
president of the National African Federation for the Building
Industry (NAFBI) and one of the speakers at the event.
“Because commitment from the established industry as
well as public sector is integral to achieving transformation
goals, this event successfully provides a conducive platform
for forming development partnerships by bridging the
gap between public and private sector as well as uniting
professionals from all disciplines across the industry for a
comprehensive approach to growth.”
Executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba.
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JULY - AUGUST 2018
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING
Transformation initiatives were also in the spotlight at the
event’s opening keynote session. Executive mayor of the City
of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba and MEC Jacob Mamabolo
from the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development,
among others, addressed more than 500 attendees.
“I listened to the mayor of Johannesburg and to the MEC
of the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development at
the keynote session, and I am now excited that as a woman-
owned company we are finally going to have the right space
in the industry,” says visitor Jackie Gokamilwe, owner of
Socrasync Investment.
The expo will return to the Gallagher Convention Centre
in Johannesburg from 11 to 13 June 2019 as part of ‘The Big
5’, which is the largest portfolio of construction events in the
Middle East, Asia and Africa, and with this new positioning the
exhibition is expected to grow its international participation
significantly.
“For the first time ever, the show will run for three
consecutive days. The decision comes in response to a
growing market demand,” announces Tracy-Lee Behr,
portfolio director at dmg events, the event organisers.
“Through dmg events’ global network, the African
Construction and Totally Concrete Expo brings more
investments to South Africa next year. The 2019 edition of
the show plays a key role in the transfer of know-how and
technologies from international players.”
According to Rohit Banerjee from KHK Scaffolding and
Formwork LLC, one of the exhibitors, “The show was fantastic.
Hundreds of visitors came at our stand, all leads for potential
business. We also secured a local partnership, which will
head the distribution and marketing of our products (in South
Africa). We have potential partnership agreements that could
be worth USD10-million or more.”
Rui Barbossa, sales manager of exhibitor Nu-Line Elevator
Product, confirms, “We had good exposure at the show. We
also received enquiries from other African countries like
Congo, Angola, and Zambia. This is excellent for us, as we
would like to expand in the broader African market.”
For more information about The African Construction and
Totally Concrete Expo, visit: www.totallyconcrete.co.za.