The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) has unveiled the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) 2025, an updated and forward-looking framework that sets new ethical, legal, and operational standards for the country’s construction and infrastructure sectors.
Endorsed by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), the GCC 2025 replaces the 2015 edition and serves as a cornerstone for fairness, accountability, and cooperation in South Africa’s rapidly evolving construction landscape.
A Modern Framework for Sustainable Infrastructure
The GCC 2025 establishes clear rules and obligations for contractors, employers, and agents, creating a balanced and transparent foundation for managing civil engineering and infrastructure projects. It promotes ethical practice, fairness, and mutual cooperation, ensuring that infrastructure delivery benefits both the economy and society.
More than a legal document, the GCC 2025 represents a cultural shift in how South Africa builds — focusing on collaboration over confrontation, and long-term sustainability over short-term gain. It addresses challenges such as climate resilience, risk allocation, payment protection, and project integrity — key issues shaping infrastructure development in the country.
Commitment to Integrity and Shared Purpose
Speaking at the Sandton launch on September 2, SAICE CEO Sekadi Phayane-Shakhane described the publication as a renewed commitment to ethical leadership, lifelong learning, and professional advocacy.
“Knowledge is a powerful tool — one that shapes economies, safeguards communities, and nurtures the next generation of engineers,” she said.
SAICE President Friedrich Slabbert emphasized that the GCC 2025 was “not just another book of clauses, but a statement of values.”
At the heart of the document is a guiding clause:
“The contractor, employer, and employer’s agent shall carry out their contractual obligations in an honest, fair, and reasonable manner, in a spirit of mutual cooperation.”
Slabbert explained that this principle acts as a moral compass for the industry:
“Contracts are not about defending ourselves from each other, but about our commitment to one another.”
Promoting Value, Not Just Cost
A recurring theme in Slabbert’s remarks was the notion of “value for money” — often misunderstood in construction as being synonymous with low cost.
“Value for money is not about being cheap. It’s about being wise. Every rand we invest must serve a purpose — not be lost in conflict,” he said.
He added that ethical conduct and fair dealing are the “invisible cement” that hold the profession together.
“No contract clause can replace integrity. When we act ethically, trust deepens, dignity is preserved, and society benefits.”
CIDB Endorsement and Industry Alignment
CIDB CEO Bongani Dladla underscored the importance of the GCC 2025 as a foundation for a more ethical and consistent industry:
“These standards ensure that every stakeholder — from contractor to client — operates within a shared framework that reduces disputes and fosters collaboration.”
Key GCC 2025 Updates
The GCC 2025 introduces several major enhancements designed to modernize contract management and improve accountability:
- Gender-Inclusive Language: The document is now fully gender neutral.
- Advance Warning Clause: Both parties must notify each other of potential problems early, encouraging proactive project management.
- Tighter Programming Requirements: Clearer expectations for schedules and updates improve time management and claims handling.
- Payment Protections: Contractors gain stronger rights to suspend or terminate work for non-payment. Late payments now accrue interest at the prescribed rate plus 3%.
- Refined Security Provisions: Encourages negotiation rather than automatic deductions when guarantees are missing.
- Improved Dispute Resolution: Disagreements must first be handled through adjudication or dispute boards, reducing costly litigation.
- Extended Claim Timelines: Contractors now have 28 days to submit notices and a further 28 days to detail claims. Employers must respond within seven days, or claims automatically stand.
- Practical Completion Adjustment: Employers now take site occupation at practical completion, reflecting real-world project transitions.
These refinements collectively enhance fairness, transparency, and efficiency — making the GCC 2025 a critical tool for driving South Africa’s infrastructure ambitions while reducing disputes and rebuilding industry trust.
Building South Africa’s Future Together
By aligning legal precision with moral purpose, SAICE’s GCC 2025 bridges the gap between compliance and conscience. It positions South Africa’s construction industry to deliver ethical, resilient, and inclusive growth, aligning with the nation’s broader infrastructure and development goals.
“When we collaborate, society works,” Slabbert concluded. “When we uphold ethics, trust deepens — and when we build with mutual cooperation, we complete more than projects; we complete our purpose.”
