As the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary, the industry body has launched the Social Facilitation Registration booklet in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

During the SACPCMP conference on November 10, the industry body’s president, Sharon Shunmugam, explained that the booklet serves to introduce social facilitation as a new professional legislation handbook.

This initiative aims to ensure greater collaboration between communities and infrastructure projects and address the issue of site interruptions.

Shunmugam described this launch as an important step in recognising the specialised competencies and professional responsibilities associated with social facilitation.

She said the project also acknowledges the prominent role that spokespersons for the communities play in the stakeholder engagement and community participation system, adding that it is also then bringing to the fore the management of the social dynamics associated with infrastructure development.

“I personally wish to frame this as a distinct achievement in also advancing transformation in the sector.

“We wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the DPWI for entrusting the SACPCMP with the responsibility of housing and leading the registration of social facilitation practitioners. We value the confidence placed in the council and remain committed to ensuring that this category is implemented in a manner that promotes professional competence and ethical practice, as well as accountability,” she said.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, meanwhile, told delegates attending the conference that the National Built Environment Construction Safety Framework, released by the DPWI, was aimed at strengthening safety, professional accountability and regulatory coordination.

“We must prevent disasters rather than simply responding to them. Safety must be a shared responsibility, supported by effective coordination and firm enforcement,” he said, noting that SACPCMP had an important role in restoring professionalism and competence across the built environment.

“Too often, community engagement has been treated as an afterthought, taking place after projects have been designed, approved or awarded,” he said, noting that this could create uncertainty on aspects such as contractor appointments, local employment opportunities and procurement.

“That's why we established a Cabinet-approved integrated social facilitation framework. It provides for early stakeholder engagement, community profiling, project liaison committees, transparent local economic participation and appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms.

“However, a framework is only effective if the people implementing it have necessary skills and professional standards,” the Minister said.

Macpherson reiterated the importance of recognising social facilitation as a specialised professional function requiring expertise in stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, governance, community development and technical conduct.

Macpherson described the booklet as an important step towards establishing a recognised and accountable professional environment for social facilitation.

“Government policy must be translated into practical professional standards, credible registration processes and meaningful accountability. I, therefore, encourage the SACPCMP to ensure registration remains accessible, transparent and credible, while providing appropriate pathways for experienced practitioners to demonstrate their competencies.

“Continuous professional development and ethical conduct must remain central.”

Additionally, DPWI deputy director-general Carmen-Joy Abrahams explained that the booklet professionalises community engagement, thereby ensuring that facilitation practitioners possess necessary knowledge, strict impartiality and professional accountability.

She stated that social facilitators must serve as a credible neutral bridge between infrastructure projects and people and ensure fair, transparent recruitment and procurement on the ground.

“We are, therefore, calling on all government departments, municipalities, public entities and the private sector to partner to mandate the inclusion of professional social facilitators at the earliest baseline stages of every single infrastructure project,” she said, emphasising the need for shared accountability, coordinated leadership and sustained partnerships.