communities . Instead of simply ticking the boxes of compliance , we should focus on real impact ”.
A PLAN FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Baloyi says the first step to meaningful community involvement is to integrate social and economic sustainability into the planning of projects .
" In order for integration to happen , the project procurement strategies should proactively identify opportunities for the localisation of the project value chain . This can be best handled by built environment professionals as part of the project development process . It ' s critical that a project is developed and marketed in such a way that local communities have a say and a sense of ownership ," he notes . " All too frequently , the buck is passed on to the contractor . But the engagement with the community shouldn ’ t start when the contractor arrives on site . It must come from the developer and his professional team prior to the arrival of the contractor .”
Baloyi says that the project teams should go beyond simply subcontracting and labour . “ We need to think beyond that and consider other high impact opportunities for maximum circulation of money in the communities such as the part localisation of material supplies , manufacturing , assembly , unbundling projects and ring fencing opportunities for the local communities .”
Baloyi concludes by adding that once a community has taken project ownership , it becomes easier for those communities to identify criminal elements . “ They are then personally committed to the project and part of its beneficial elements . They are not only uplifted , but they also invest economically and socially . Those are the kinds of initiatives that have a significant impact ."
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine APRIL 2022 85