Thandile Bhungane -Founder of BID Consultancy
Thandile Bongane is a busy woman, and she didn’t get that way by accident. She’s worked with high levels of integrity and work ethic in construction, training, and development in the UAE and South Africa for over 8 years.
Thandile tells us about her journey from working in a male-dominated industry to starting her own business. She shares the day-to-day activities of a woman working in the construction industry as well as her future goals.
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1. What qualifications do you hold?
I hold a National Diploma in Building Sciences (Durban University of Technology), a B-tech in Quantity Surveying (Tshwane University of Technology), and an MSc in Construction Law, Arbitration, and Adjudication (Robert Gordon University) in Scotland. I also completed a Commercial Law Certificate (from the University of Cape Town) through the Getsmart learning platform.
I’m currently completing the Facilitator, Assessor, and Moderator courses in order to enter the field of training and development.
2. What does your job entail (day-to-day-activities)
I’ve recently left the corporate sector to focus on my business, BID Consultancy. It is a company that focuses on training and development in construction and other sectors as well as supplying stationery and educationally related products and services.
BID Consultancy (Pty) Ltd is a 100% black female youth-owned company, which is a level 1 BEE contributor.
The company was established to contribute to the growing economy of the country through skills transfer, training, and the supply of goods and services.
With the Director’s experience and knowledge in construction contracts, some of the accredited training will focus on the businesses or individuals ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply contracts. This will not be limited to construction contracts.
BID Consultancy (Pty) Ltd also recognizes that the supply of goods and materials is a task that is important in operations or production settings. It is also for this reason that the company was established in 2017 to become a meaningful service provider across all industries.
Learning for Development
SETA Accredited Courses
Webinars and Online Seminars
Supplies
Stationery and Office Consumables
Services
Cleaning and Hygiene Services
VISION
BID Consultancy (Pty) Ltd aims to contribute to the eradication of unemployment in the country. Particularly amongst the youth through learning for the development and through the supply of goods and services.
MISSION STATEMENT
BID Consultancy (Pty) Ltd believes that the eradication of unemployment is not solely the responsibility of the government, but the responsibility of all citizens.
As an organization, we believe that change and development in a country can only be achieved through learning and learning for the purpose of the development of the citizens.
And the former cannot be achieved without proper tools, materials, and the right environment. Therefore, BID Consultancy (Pty) Ltd prides itself in its supply of goods and services as part of the business.
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Prior to starting my own business, I worked as an on-site Quantity Surveyor, co-supervising the day-to-day operations of an on-site construction project for a 52-unit apartment building. Later, I worked on the N2 and Umgeni Spaghetti Junction, supervising day-to-day operations, coordinating tasks, keeping count, ordering materials, and ensuring everything passed inspection. For eight and a half years, I worked as a Construction and Engineering Claims Consultant. My day-to-day tasks involved reviewing claims submitted by the contractors for various reasons, such as requesting additional time, money, or both. Over and above reviewing the claims, I also drafted responses to the contractor.
Depending on the nature of the claim, I would also carry out audits of the contractor’s month-to-month costs associated with the project to confirm the contractor’s claim.
3. What is the most challenging thing about your job?
Working as a woman in a male-dominated industry necessitates putting in more effort than your male counterpart to prove your worth. Women are treated more respectfully and are given well-deserved recognition in the consulting field than in on-site construction.
4. What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
I’d say the vast amount of experience and exposure I’m gaining. I’ve had the opportunity to work overseas in the UAE—Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Dubai is a construction hotspot, known for its stunning tall buildings, and having the opportunity to live and work there for two years has been the highlight of my professional career.
5. Why did you choose this career path?
To be honest, I enjoy both theoretical and practical building, training, and development. The ability to turn a rough sketch of a building into a beautiful masterpiece brick by brick never ceases to amaze me. And when it comes to training, I like the idea of helping people learn and develop.
6. What’s something an outsider wouldn’t know about your industry?
Working in construction requires both mental and physical strength. For example, the Umngeni interchange required me to be fit. It was a large project; site walks inspection would take about three hours. This is not standard for all sites; it all depends on the size of the project you’re working on. Working on-site also requires you to be vigilant because of the health and safety risks that come along with it.
7. How would your 10-year-old self react to what you do now?
I’d say she’d be surprised and proud of herself. At that age, I was quite shy, and to be honest, I don’t think I knew what I wanted to be.
8. What career advice would you give to your younger self?
The advice would have gone to my high school self when I decided to study construction. I’d say go for it and hold your head up high. You have a strong character to handle all the challenges in the industry. Hold your head high, you’re worth it. You’ll have a big impact and take up a lot of space in the industry.
9. What’s one work-related thing you want to accomplish this year?
To begin providing people with construction training and development. During my time in the UAE, I’ve seen the quality of work they produce, and they’ve set a very high standard for us to follow. My wish is for the South African construction industry to produce high-quality results.
10. When you started your current job what most surprised you?
What surprised me about the training industry is the amount of information that must be learned. You will learn how the South African education system is structured and how courses are developed. Fortunately, my Facilitator, Assessor, and Moderator courses have provided me with the necessary skills to navigate the training and development field.
11. If money were no object, what would you do with your life?
I’d still be in the same industry, but with a greater focus on training and development. This will enable us to share more industry information and produce quality professionals. I would mentor more young professionals who want to gain more experience and exposure.
12. Have you heard of an emergency fund? Do you have it?
Yes, I have one. An emergency fund is money set aside for any unexpected expenses, and it should equal six months to a year’s worth of your monthly expenses. For example, if your garage door breaks and you need to replace it, you can use your emergency fund to cover the cost.
Read: Why you need an emergency fund
13. Four financial lessons every kid should know?
1. Start earning at an early age. It doesn't have to be a serious job; they can start with chores. For example, cleaning his or her room on weekends for R5.
2. Don't spend it all at once. We need to start teaching children about saving at a young age.
3. Learn how to invest. Teach them the power of compound interest.
4. The power of good deeds. When you give, you will always receive abundantly.
14. If you could do it all over again, would you pursue the same career? Why or why not?
Yes, I would still pursue the same career. I enjoy working in the Construction industry and in the field of training and development in Construction. It's been a very rewarding and fulfilling career for me.
15. Do you think your job will be around in the next 10 years or in the future?
Yes! There will always be a need for development, much like an old building in need of a makeover. In South Africa, there is a lot of construction work that needs to be done. We have rural areas that need to be developed, as well as cities that need to be built and refurbished. Construction is not going anywhere soon.
Here are the courses:
1. How to master your money mindset
3. How to build an emergency fund
5. How to create multiple streams of income
6. Investment Guide: What's your 'Why' in investing
7. Investment Guide: Investment basics
8. Investment Guide: Investment options
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