Levelling the playing field in the contract cleaning industry

With the start of a new membership year for the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) commencing on 1 April 2022, a decision was taken by the National Executive Council (NEC) that all members with cleaners will require a compliance audit in order to qualify for a membership certificate. NCCA President Patrick Makhubela elaborates on this resolution aimed at further professionalising the industry.

This is not just any membership certificate, it now has a special connotation in that no other certificate will be issued unless the member is an Associate member in which case their membership certificate will state that they are “Suppliers” to the industry.

Members with no cleaners who do not qualify for a compliance audit will receive a letter confirming their membership of the NCCA. Once they have had cleaners on their books for at least three months, then they too can apply for a compliance audit so as to qualify for a membership certificate if found compliant.

Following an NEC meeting held at the Marriott Hotel in Century City, Cape Town on 17 February, Western Cape NCCA branch members were treated to a cocktail party where they met some of the NEC members and the benefits of compliance audits were highlighted.

The Gauteng branch launched compliance audits eight years ago that led to most companies and Government departments that put out tenders and contracts now requiring a membership certificate from the NCCA when members tender or apply for contracts. It must be borne in mind that this meant that members of the NCCA in the Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State and Northern Cape provinces have been audited for the past eight years to qualify for a membership certificate which declares they are compliant members of the industry.

Eastern Cape NCCA members started their audit process during 2021 and Western Cape and Border-Kei members will start having compliance audits during March of this year. KZN members, whilst being members of the KZN Bargaining Council, are welcome to have compliance audits done through the NCCA, especially if they are also doing work in provinces other than KZN.

The Association has three competent and knowledgeable compliance auditors who conduct the audits (mainly through emails as a result of COVID-19). Many in the industry will know Richard Gordon-Brown who has been in the industry for over 40 years. Another well-known personality is Paul Roux who has over 23 years’ experience in the cleaning industry, especially on the labour side. Finally, our third auditor, Kevin McIlroy is a retired Group Industrial Relations/Site Facilities Manager who worked for a multi-national Chemical/Pharmaceutical Company dealing with compliance.

These gentlemen not only perform the compliance audits but also play a very important role in mentoring newcomers to the industry. It must be clarified that it is not the NCCA’s intention to exclude any contract cleaning company but rather to ensure that the playing field is level for all. The NCCA-compliant certificate has become such a prestigious hallmark that the internet is now flooded with companies and fraudsters offering NCCA membership and certificates. Interested parties should be advised that we do not make use of agents. If you want to become a member of the NCCA, please contact your nearest branch as advertised on our website – www.ncca.co.za.

Sandy Barrie has been overseeing the compliance audit process in Gauteng and Limpopo branches for over 7 years and is in a good position to assist members wherever necessary. Therefore, please do not hesitate to make contact with Sandy via email at gauteng@ncca.co.za and she will gladly assist.

Pictured from left to right at the cocktail party are: Caroline Sibiya – Limpopo Chairperson and NEC member, Sandy Barrie – Interim National Secretary, Lennox Batchelor – VicePresident and NEC member, Thabisa Sinyondo – Western Cape Vice Chairperson and NEC member, Thami Makeleni – Western Cape Chairperson and NEC member, Derek Haupt– Western Cape Treasurer.