MBA of the Western Cape appoints new president
The Master Builders Association of the Western Cape (MBAWC) has appointed John Matthews, CEO of Garden Cities and managing director of Pinelands Development Company, as its president for the ensuing year.
L-R: Marten Govender, Junior VP; John Matthews, President; Antoinette Farrar, Senior VP
The organisation has also named Antoinette Farrar as senior vice-president and Marten Govender as junior vice-president.
According to MBAWC executive director, Allen Bodill, the building industry in the Western Cape region has been built upon generations of highly skilled people across the demographic spectrum of its local population. "It is fitting for us, as a registered trade association for employers in the building industry, to continue to lead the transformation process by example."
Matthews serves as chairman of both the MBAWC Skills and Education Trust and the MBAWC Development Trust. He also holds a degree in economics and an MBA from the University of Cape Town. From 2006 to 2009, he served on the National Home Builder Registration Council (NHBRC), as well as on several committees. Presently, he serves on the NHBRC Advisory Council and the University of the Western Cape Council and is president of the Western Cape Education Foundation.
First female
Farrar, who made history last year by being the MBAWC's first female office bearer, has enjoyed a career in the construction industry spanning more than 25 years. During that time, she has served on the Electrical Contractors Association, Electrical Bargaining Council and Metal Engineering Industries Bargaining Council. Currently, she is a member of the MBAWC executive committee and represents the Association on the Building Industry Bargaining Council.
Govender is the regional head of SOHCO Property Developers and spearheads their entire development process in the Western Cape. In addition, he serves as chairman of Dimension 5 Investment Group, a director at Pulse Africa Properties and an independent director at Shanduka Black Umbrella.