Eswatini’s construction industry is demanding a comprehensive review of the country’s tendering procedures, with industry leaders warning that the current system hampers growth and marginalizes skilled local contractors.
These issues emerged during a panel discussion held at the launch of the UNDP-CIC Graduate Internship Programme, which gathered stakeholders from education, government, and construction to align policies, training, and practices.
During the session, Maurice Du Pont, Managing Director of Du Van Developers, stressed that the current tendering processes do not accurately reflect the realities of the local industry.
“The spirit of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) founding was capacity building,” he said. “Yet our tendering systems often overlook experienced local players who lack paperwork but have practical skills.”
Du Pont argued that rigid existing systems hinder highly competent informal contractors. While many have successfully delivered projects, bureaucratic requirements often exclude them in favor of formalities.
He also reflected on the origins of the CIC, recalling it was created to address capacity gaps within the local construction sector.
“This is a step toward fulfilling the purpose of CIC, which is to build the capacity of EmaSwati in construction,” Du Pont explained. “As CIC promotes professionalism, we must ensure the tendering systems evolve to reflect the talent on the ground.”
The discussion also considered ways to incorporate internships, apprenticeships, and curriculum reform in vocational institutions like ECOT. The focus was on producing graduates who are both academically qualified and industry-ready.
A representative from the Ministry of Labour & Social Security outlined collaborative efforts under the Directorate of Industrial and Vocational Training (DIVT) aimed at improving practical skills through advisory committees and skills development initiatives.
However, Du Pont warned that these efforts will not succeed unless tendering frameworks are revised to recognize and support informal contractors, who have historically been the backbone of the construction workforce.
He emphasized that some builders can do the work despite lacking formal qualifications, relying instead on experience. “That practical knowledge must be recognized,” he said.
He recounted an example of a man from the Shiselweni region who built a double-storey house using only a stick and mud: “There was a man who built a double-storey building, and instead of applauding his ingenuity, society mocked him. That man had a skill. All he needed was technical guidance, not ridicule.”
Du Pont welcomed efforts to foster connections between technical institutions and industry but stressed the need for broader inclusion.
“CIC was established to develop local capacity. That means going beyond institutions and recognizing those who are already building, innovating, and surviving in the field without formal certification.”
He called for a more inclusive tendering system, one that considers alternative paths to competence, like trade testing, community endorsements, or verified work portfolios, especially for micro, small, and informal builders.