Historic First as SABCA Inducts First Woman into Hall of Fame Alongside Dr Matthews Phosa and Dr Sisa Ngebulana
History is set to be made at the 19th Annual South African Builders & Construction Awards (SABCA), as the organisation prepares to induct its first-ever woman into its prestigious Hall of Fame.
The landmark ceremony will take place during the SABCA Gala Awards on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the Premier Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks, Durban
Operating under the theme “Building Legacies, Honouring Icons,” the high-profile event will gather over 200 influential leaders across South Africa’s construction, property, engineering, architecture, infrastructure, finance, and government sectors.
This year’s headline honourees include three powerhouse nation-builders: Dr Matthews Phosa, Dr Sisa Ngebulana, and Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu.
In a monumental milestone for the country’s built environment, Tshabalala-Shandu will become the first woman ever inducted into the SABCA Hall of Fame.
Tshabalala-Shandu—who previously won the South Africa’s Best Woman of Excellence Award 2025—is a celebrated leader in construction, project management, and infrastructure delivery.
Her induction marks a progressive shift in a traditionally male-dominated industry, cementing her status as a beacon for community and business growth.
“For 19 years, SABCA has honoured those who build South Africa. This year, we are not just honouring builders; we are honouring nation-builders and legacy-makers,” said Lloyd Ngavu, President of SABCA.
“Dr Phosa represents principled leadership and resilience. Dr Ngebulana represents audacious vision and black excellence in property. And Mrs Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu represents the future – and it is a future led by women. Making her the first woman ever in our Wall of Fame is our proudest moment as SABCA.”
Alongside the historic induction, SABCA will confer its highest accolade—the Lifetime Achievement Excellence Award—on two formidable titans of South African business and nation-building, who will join Tshabalala-Shandu in the Hall of Fame are Dr Matthews Phosa who is the former Premier of Mpumalanga, struggle stalwart, renowned attorney, and businessman is being celebrated for his monumental contributions to transformation, legal integrity, and ethical business leadership and Dr Sisa Ngebulana, the founder and Executive Chairman of the Billion Group,
Dr Ngebulana is a pioneer of black excellence in property development. His visionary leadership has reshaped South Africa’s retail and commercial skyline through landmark projects like the Hemingway Mall in East London.
Induction into the SABCA Hall of Fame remains strictly reserved for individuals whose exceptional work has left an enduring, monumental footprint on the face of South Africa’s infrastructure.
The gala evening promises unparalleled networking opportunities, bringing together the driving forces behind the country’s economic and physical landscape.
“On the 7th of November, we don’t just give awards. We make history,” Ngavu concluded.
Event at a Glance
Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
Venue: Premier Hotel, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban
Theme: Building Legacies, Honouring Icons
Attendance: Over 200 industry leaders, developers, financiers, and government dignitaries
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