SA Affordable Housing September / October 2018 // Issue: 72 | Page 31

PERSONALITY PROFILE
Roy Mnisi –
bringing change together
Being adaptable is a prerequisite of any work environment and along
with collaboration with all stakeholders it is a winning recipe.
By Ntsako Khosa
DIGGING HIS HEELS IN
He believes that entering the construction sector was not by
accident as he is very passionate about the industry.
“What’s more interesting to Mnisi is the developmental role
played by the building industry. You don’t need to go that far
from here, just look at the architectural magic you see when
you’re in Waterfall areas, state of the art offices, shops and
residential areas. They are the epitome of building excellence
that we can all be proud of,” he adds.
The dynamics surrounding what goes into a project and its
reach are one of the industry attractions for Mnisi. He describes
MBSA as a federation
of employers’
associations with
about 4 000 members
subscribing to a strict
code of conduct
including provision
and delivery of high
quality projects.
“We look at
construction
companies and
expect responsibility
at a corporate level.”
he says. He indicates
that he is in the
industry to join all
the men and women
who love this country
and want to see the
Roy Mnisi from MBSA.
construction industry
play a bigger role in changing the lives of all South Africans.
With this philosophy, he believes that it is easier to focus on
the bigger goal. “My goal is to see the industry changing. It’s
an interesting time because many things in our country are
changing.
“Transformation is one of the key areas that the industry has
been battling with for some time. It should not be a
government agenda but rather a concerted programme for
inclusive growth and development. It’s an opportunity for all of
us to work hard and make sure that construction companies do
something that will lead [us] to attain the ultimate goal.”
R
oy Mnisi, executive director, at Master Builders South
Africa (MBSA) – says by being adaptable and his ability to
collaborate – he aims to make a change in his industry.
Running the federation for just under three years,
interacting with people is one of the favourite parts of his job.
“This is an industry that you can’t operate in isolation.
There’s are many stakeholders that we engage with on
different levels, these include – but are not limited to – sector
departments such as Public Works, National Treasury, Trade and
Industry and Labour. We also constantly engage with other
existing industry voluntary associations, institutions of higher
learning and regulatory bodies.”
Before landing at MBSA, he found himself indirectly
involved in the construction sector.
“I’m a lawyer by profession, and it was when I was working
with the City of Johannesburg [COJ] where I got the
opportunity to work with contractors and project managers.”
At the City, he worked as a legal specialist in the legal
support division of the revenue department and later moved to
the Housing Department where he was primarily responsible
for the compilation of funding agreements for land acquisition
and housing development in the city. “That’s where I worked
with many consultants and developers involved in housing
developments,” he says. His interest was further amplified
when the provision of housing changed from Reconstruction
and Development Programme (RDP) to inclusionary housing
model that consisted of bonded, rental or rent-to-buy homes.
He then moved to take up a CEO role at the (then) Institute
of Municipal Finance Officers (IMFO) – now the Chartered
Institute of Government Finance Audit and Risk Officers
(CIGFARO). “I was responsible to the overall running and
management of the Institute under the board of directors made
up of specialist in municipal economic management and
governance,” he says.
THE WRAP
Other issues he aims to deal with include skills development
especially for the youth entering the building industry.
Currently, focus is on occupational health and safety,
construction project management and compliance. We need to
move to the use of technology, secondary material and
alternative building methods that are sustainable and friendly
to our environment.
“As one of the major contributors to our country’s economic
growth, the construction sector continues to play a vital role in
touching the lives of many people. We have a very important
responsibility to ensure that the environment is conducive for
builders to build,” adds Mnisi.
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