Vea Road Maintenance Dominates as Industry Titans Are Honoured at the 19th Annual SA Builders & Construction Awards
The brightest minds and hardest workers in South Africa’s built environment gathered at the Premier Hotel in Umhlanga on Saturday, for the 19th Annual South African Builders & Construction Awards.
Hosted by acclaimed Afro-fusion producer DJ Ngavu—known for his hit track “Ukholo Lwami”—and former Kaizer Chiefs legend Marks Maponyane, the prestigious ceremony celebrated excellence, innovation, and transformation across a sector vital to building the nation’s homes, schools, and infrastructure.
A major highlight of the evening was the induction of three prominent figures into the 2026 Hall of Fame for their lasting contributions to the construction industry and nation-building:
- Dr Matthews Phosa
- Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu
- Dr Sisa Ngebulana
The event also paid tribute to lifetime service and resilience through the special recognition of the Dr Matthews Phosa Honorary Excellence Award.
Vea Road Maintenance emerged as the standout performer of the evening, sweeping four major categories, including the coveted Top Contractor of the Year Award, Best Public Works Excellence Award, Best Employer of the Year, and Best Excellence Skills Development Company.
Amafuto Construction and MMQS also enjoyed multi-award success, taking home two accolades each. Meanwhile, Hall of Fame inductee Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu doubled her honours by winning the Best Woman Excellence in Construction of the Year Award.
Delivering a keynote message, the Deputy Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure, Hon. Sihle Zikalala, praised the resilience of the sector’s professionals.
“Tonight was not just about awards. It was about honouring the men and women who built through hardship, discrimination and doubt — and never gave up,” Zikalala said. “They built roads, homes, schools and dreams. They built South Africa. To every winner, we say: We see you. We honour you. We celebrate you.”
The Winners:
- Top Contractor of the Year: Vea Road Maintenance
- Best Public Works Excellence: Vea Road Maintenance
- Best Employer of the Year: Vea Road Maintenance
- Best Excellence Skills Development Company: Vea Road Maintenance
- Best Emerging Contractor of the Year: Amafuto Construction
- Best SHEQ Contractor of the Year: Amafuto Construction
- Best Quantity Surveyor Firm of the Year: MMQS
- Best Team Project Manager of the Year: MMQS
- Best Woman Excellence in Construction: Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu
- CEO of the Year: Mpho Modise (Tshepo Ya Rona)
- Best Property Developer of the Year: Billion Group
- Best Engineering Firm of the Year: Weldron Engineering
- Best Subcontractor of the Year: Racinz Construction
- Construction Business Banker of the Year: Capitec Business
- Best Funding Product of the Year: Fund The People
- Best Fuel & Fleet Card Management in Construction: Giyani Petroleum
- Top Hotel Excellence Award: Mayfair Hotel
- SA Construction News Readers’ Choice Award: Praneshan Naidoo
- Amafuto Construction, Best Employer of the Year, Best Public Works Excellence, construction industry awards, Dr Matthews Phosa, MDNTV, mdntvlive, mdntvnews, MMQS, SA Builders Construction Awards 2026, Sihle Zikalala, South African construction sector, Thoko Tshabalala-Shandu, Top Contractor of the Year, Vea Road Maintenance awards
