School construction in Gauteng is taking on a new dimension, where (SMEs) are not just contractors but active partners in development.
A partnership between Enza Construction and enterprise development organisation Property Point has placed township-based SMEs at the centre of project delivery.
The partnership is currently implementing school construction projects in Soshanguve and Doornpoort, where work is nearing completion. Construction is also underway in Olievenhoutbosch. The model deliberately integrates local businesses and labour into the construction process, positioning education infrastructure as a catalyst for sustainable township development.
According to Property Point, approximately 80% of construction work across the sites is being carried out by local SMEs. These enterprises are supported through a structured procurement approach, alongside targeted training, mentorship and compliance assistance aimed at strengthening their long-term capacity.
Property Point founder Shawn Theunissen said the initiative demonstrates how infrastructure investment can generate broader economic value.
“By enabling local businesses and workers to participate meaningfully in these projects, we are creating economic ecosystems that continue to deliver benefits beyond the construction phase,” he said.
Property Point has implemented a community-centred engagement model that prioritises local contractors across key trades, including plumbing, electrical installation, bricklaying and steelwork. Participating SMEs receive hands-on technical guidance and practical experience, improving their ability to compete for future work.
“We are demonstrating what is possible when infrastructure investment is aligned with social impact,” said Theunissen.
“For way too long, township communities have been seen as passive recipients of infrastructure. We’re proving they can be co-creators of physical spaces as well as thriving local economies.”
Labour is sourced directly from host communities, with on-site skills development in areas such as plumbing and steel fixing contributing to the creation of a skilled workforce for future developments in the region.
In collaboration with Enza Construction, Property Point also manages stakeholder engagement on site, facilitating transparent communication and addressing challenges such as labour coordination and payment processes, while maintaining project timelines and quality standards.
“We are at the beginning of a paradigm shift in how we think about infrastructure,” Theunissen explained .
Both organisations have indicated that they plan to embed this SME-focused delivery model into future public infrastructure projects.
“These projects show that when we invest in people and potential, we can transform learning environments as well as the socio-economic trajectory of entire communities,” Theunissen said.
Azwi@vutivibusiness.co.za
