Free State Contractor Development Roadshow

Winning work in construction takes more than skill on site. You also need the right registrations, compliance, access to funding, and knowing where the next project is coming from. On 23 October 2026, the Free State Contractor Development Roadshow comes to Bloemfontein to bring all of this together in one day.

Led by Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Sihle Zikalala, MP, the Roadshow is hosted by the cidb in partnership with the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), the Free State Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. The Free State leg follows the KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng legs, which have already reached more than 2,000 emerging contractors. It is a chance for up to 500 Free State contractors to engage directly with government and industry leaders.

Deputy Minister Zikalala will give the keynote address. Hon. Dibolelo Kathleen Mance, MPL, MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure in the Free State, will speak as host MEC. cidb Board Chairperson Mr Khulile Nzo will set the scene with reflections on the National Construction Summit resolutions and contractor development priorities. cidb CEO Mr Bongani Dladla will lead the stakeholder briefing.

The day then moves into practical masterclasses for two levels:

• Entry-level contractors: Contractor Management Guidelines 101, covering business and cidb registration, statutory compliance, tendering and growing your business, plus a DPWI session on labour-intensive construction, contract management, OHS, cost estimating and the Vukuphile Contractor Development Programme.
• Intermediate contractors: Agrément South Africa on using certified innovative construction products in DPWI projects, and SACPCMP on professional registration, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and CPD compliance.

The afternoon covers the Free State infrastructure project pipeline, testimonials from ERWIC winners, skills development opportunities and a live Q&A with decision-makers.

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