The Western Cape's construction sector has once again returned to growth. After experiencing a 0.6 per cent decline in jobs during the global recession, in 2010, jobs in the construction sector rose by 1.1 per cent. The sector is projected to continue its upward trajectory with growth rates of up to 5.2 per cent by 2015.

JSE-listed low-cost housing developer Calgro M3, which on Thursday posted a solid set of results for the six months ended August, continued to benefit from government’s commitment to increasing investment in infrastructure.

At a time when many construction companies are struggling and downsizing, Big Ben Construction, a niche operator based at Century City, has not only survived but has more than tripled its turnover

After more than half a decade of construction moratoriums, Kimberley is once again seeing the start of significant commercial property development thanks to the commencement of construction on the Montrio Corporate Park in the popular Monument Heights area of the city

Before taking any decision to start a state-owned construction company to build houses for the poor there should be a thorough investigation of why the present system of using contractors has left the country with a R50 billion account to repair shoddy buildings, says the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry

After the excitement of the 2010 FIFA World Cup had died down, there was a noticeable slowdown in new property developments across South Africa. Cape Town was no exception to this, with little to no new developments of note coming to market – especially in the central business district (CBD). That has since changed, however, with a sudden influx of large, and in some cases significant projects commencing construction within the past few months

The past five years have been tough, with the building trades entering a sharp decline from 2007 and then finding themselves in a protected recessionary trough. Confidence of building contractors remain at low levels, with building plans passed, buildings completed and transfer duty paid also remaining near cyclical lows

It has never been easy to get a new project launched and the plain truth is that developers have to be some of the most persevering people in the entire construction sector. It is opined that at this stage in South Africa’s economic history, far too few new projects are being launched, to the detriment of the entire residential sector. Setting out of the process, along with some of the realistic challenges, may however encourage owners sitting on land to consider its potential and further development.

Aveng Grinaker-LTA's R245-million construction contract was undertaken in just 12 months using an innovative construction method that is not for the faint hearted

Having invested in more than R7.8 billion worth of projects across South Africa’s major cities, private equity funder International Housing Solutions (IHS), is set to roll out its first 'gap' residential development in the province of KwaZulu-Natal