Civil Engineering May 2021 | Vol 29 No 4

40 May 2021 Civil Engineering Q Q Risk-taking and innovation: improved risk allocation by contracting par- ties (government and industry) and improved visibility of the long-term (5 to 10 years) infrastructure project pipeline will enable better preparation by construction businesses. Q Q Diversification – for example offering multiple services such as materials supply and construction services through a group of companies – as a critical characteristic for the sustain- ability of construction companies. Finally, the government of South Africa has to support the construction industry through the timeous completion of projects while packaging and funding new projects necessary for stimulating the economy. CONCLUSION The Covid-19 pandemic poses a consider- able risk not only to the construction sector but also to the South African economy. According to the CC19RRTT (2020), “Post Covid-19 the South African construction sector, an integral, globally revered and vibrant part of the South African economy, will face a myriad of challenges which has indeed brought it to the lowest point in its history.” If nothing is done to revitalise this sector, South Africa may have to import the skills and knowledge needed for the future development of infrastructure at significantly higher costs.  REFERENCES Cokayne, R. 2018. Non Payment is Destroying Construction Sector. Available: https:// www.iol.co.za/business-report/ companies/non-payment-is-destroying- the-construction-sector-16692646 . Accessed April 2019. Construction Covid-19 Rapid Response Task Team. 2020. Constructor Sector Short Term Plans for Immediate Reactivation of Construction Work and Pre-construction Phase work during COVID-19 Lockdown. Gadekar, A. and Pimplikar, S.S. 2014. Success and failure factors of Indian construction companies, 3(6), 52–58. Groupfive. 2019. Annual Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2018. Available: http://www.g5.co.za . Accessed August 2019. Ofori, G. and Toor, S.-U.-R. 2012 Leadership and Construction Industry Development in Developing Countries. Journal of Construction in Developing Countries, 17. StatsSA. 2019(a). Economic growth – Economy stumbles in the first quarter. June 2019. Available: http://www.statssa.gov . za/?p=12200 . Pretoria, South Africa. StatsSA. 2019(b). Statistics of liquidations and insolvencies (Preliminary). January 2019. Pretoria, South Africa. StatsSA. 2019(c). Statistics of liquidations and insolvencies (Preliminary). August 2019. Pretoria, South Africa. Schilling, D.R. 2013. Global Construction Expected to Increase By$4.8 Trillion by 2020. Available: http://www.industrytap. com/global-construction-expected-to- increase-by-4-8-trillion-by-2020/1483 . Accessed March 2019. Watermeyer, R.B. 2011. A framework for developing construction procurement strategy. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Management, Procurement and Law, 165(4): 223–237. • Earth embankments • Bridge abutments • Cut slopes • Steep channels • River banks • Culvert inlets/outlets APPLICATION: UNIQUE PRODUCTS: • Florawall (earth terrace retaining support) • Earthform (natural support for terraces) • Enviro-Wall & RocEnviro-Wall (retaining wall system) Find our branches at www.technicrete.co.za p a v i n g | m i n i n g | m a s o n r y | k e r b s | e r o s i o n p r o t e c t i o n | r e t a i n i n g w a l l s | d r a i n a g e Technicrete is a subsidiary of ISG, a leading supplier of innovative infrastructure products to the construction and mining markets in Southern Africa.