The North West government has announced an initial investment of R200m into the Mafikeng industrial development zone aimed at boosting the province's economic growth.

The strong property market boosted construction and engineering company Group Five's building and manufacturing activities

Adequate infrastructure or the lack of it  is shaping up as a critical factor in the future of the property market.

Developers get edgy over competition from the public sector.

Public Works Minister Stella Sigcau says South Africa's construction and property industries are to receive massive boosts following the announcement that the country would be hosting the continents first Pan African Parliament (PAP).

In its latest management information survey, the South African Association of Consulting Engineers (SAACE) highlighted that a large amount of the firms belonging to the association reported that they are struggling to obtain good-quality engineering staff.

Between 5,000 and 8,000 jobs could be lost in the civil engineering industry this year, industry sources said.

Construction and infrastructure company Group Five (GRF) reported a 13% rise in headline earnings per share to 43.5 cents for the six months ended December 31 2003

Construction companies concerned about the absence of a mention of promised infrastructure in the budget

Focus on economic foundations required