In keeping with its long-standing commitment to addressing transformation and representation within the built environment sector, the Master Builders Association of the Western Cape (MBAWC), has appointed John Matthews, CEO of Garden Cities and Managing Director of Pinelands Development Company, as President of the Association for the ensuing year. The organisation has also named Antoinette Farrar as Senior Vice President and Marten Govender as Junior Vice President.
According to MBAWC Executive Director, Allen Bodill, “The building industry in the Western Cape region has been built upon generations of highly skilled people across the demographic spectrum of its local population and it is fitting for us, as a registered trade association for employers in the building industry, to continue to lead the transformation process by example.”
Matthews serves as Chairman of both the MBAWC Skills and Education Trust and the MBAWC Development Trust. He also holds a Degree in Economics and an MBA from the University of Cape Town. From 2006 to 2009, he served on the National Home Builder Registration Council (NHBRC), as well as on several committees. Presently, he serves on the NHBRC Advisory Council and the University of the Western Cape Council and is President of the Western Cape Education Foundation.
Farrar, who made history last year, by being the MBAWC’s first female office bearer, has enjoyed a career in the construction industry spanning more than 25 years. During that time, she has served on the Electrical Contractors Association, Electrical Bargaining Council and Metal Engineering Industries Bargaining Council. Currently, she is a member of the MBAWC executive committee and represents the Association on the Building Industry Bargaining Council. She looks forward to her term and to working alongside the President and her fellow officers.
Govender is the Regional Head of SOHCO Property Developers and spearheads their entire development process in the Western Cape. In addition, he serves as Chairman of Dimension 5 Investment Group, a Director at Pulse Africa Properties and an Independent Director at Shanduka Black Umbrella. He is an entrepreneur at heart and has a vested interest in the construction sector.
“I look forward to working with John, Antoinette and Marten and the value that each will bring to our organisation. I’m certain that MBAWC will benefit enormously from the collaboration of their diverse backgrounds, experience, expertise and individual qualities,” concludes Bodill.
About the Master Builders Association (MBA):
The Master Builders and Allied Trades’ Association of the Western Cape is a registered trade association for employers in the building industry. Its membership comprises some 400 companies in the Western Cape, most of whom are either builders, building subcontractors, building merchants or manufacturers of building products. The Association was founded in 1891 and is the oldest organisation of its kind in South Africa. It is affiliated to M.B.S.A., the Master Builders South Africa, but is totally autonomous.
The MBAWC’s primary objective is to ensure that the reputation of members in this area remains high and that investment in building is therefore attracted to it. It does this by insisting that Members work to the highest possible standards, aesthetically, technically and ethically – in short, that they conduct their business in a thoroughly professional manner at all times. Membership of the MBAWC is on a voluntary basis. Its members handle some 70% of all the building work in Cape Town and employ a similar percentage of the total building industry workforce.
