2025 National Construction
Summit Speeches
Speeches
2025 National Construction Summit Speeches
Honourable Thembi Simelane
Minister of Justice
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in South Africa will join the panel discussion, where she will bring her legal expertise and deep understanding of justice and governance to the conversation. Her participation will focus on the intersection of law enforcement, public policy, and the construction industry, particularly in relation to addressing crime on construction sites. Minister Simelane will contribute to discussions on the legal measures needed to ensure that construction sites remain secure, the rights of workers are upheld, and legal frameworks support the creation of a crime-free environment for infrastructure development.
Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli
KZN Premier
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will emphasise the urgent need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to address the growing issue of extortion in the construction industry, which started in KZN but has spread nationwide. He will stress the critical importance of the construction sector for economic growth, outline the provincial government’s commitment to inclusive growth and job creation, and call for strong action against extortionists, with a focus on using the new hotline for reporting crimes and ensuring severe consequences for those involved. The Minister will join the panel discussion focused on security measures and their impact on construction projects.
Cllr Cyril Xaba
eThekwini Metro Municipality Mayor
Councillor Cyril Xaba will have the honour of delivering the opening and welcome address at the summit. He will highlight the critical importance of ensuring that construction sites are safe, secure, and free from criminal activity, not only for the workers but for the broader community. With a focus on promoting best practices, collaboration between the public and private sectors, and fostering a culture of safety within the construction industry, Cllr Xaba will set the tone for an important conversation on how the sector can contribute to crime reduction and sustainable development
Mr Martin Meyer
KZN MEC Public Works and Infrastructure
Mr Martin Meyer will serve as the Programme Director, guiding the discussions and setting the agenda for a robust dialogue on the role of safety in the construction industry. In this capacity, he will lead key conversations on reducing crime on construction sites, creating safer working environments, and strengthening partnerships between government, the private sector, and the community.
