Build it Convention 2025: ‘40 for Better’ – Celebrating Four Decades of Heart and Purpose

This year’s Build it Convention marked a major milestone—the Group’s 40th anniversary. Held from 13 to 16 May 2025 at Sun City and themed ‘40 for Better’, the event was not just a celebration but a powerful statement of intent for years to come. The experience was elevated from the first moment: delegates received regular WhatsApp updates, connected via a dedicated Facebook page, and even had a themed Spotify playlist.

Day One: Welcome to the Celebration—Better on the Beach

Kicking off with ‘Better on the Beach’, sponsored by Plascon, attendees enjoyed a lively evening at the Valley of Waves with performances, competitions, and a beach party atmosphere. Build it MD Hawie du Preez reflected on the group’s humble beginnings and ongoing growth. Popular comedian Nik Rabinowitz was MC, while music from Sunset Sweatshop and a dramatic laser show wrapped up the festivities.

Day Two: Driving Better

Day two featured a work session and supplier tradeshow. Wonderboom, led by Cito, opened the work session, and the Build it executive team arrived in a Volkswagen Beetle and Volksie bus—an ode to the brand’s legacy and sense of journey. The morning’s speakers included top leaders such as Hawie du Preez (MD), Megan Pydigadu (SPAR Group COO), and others. Each echoed the core message: better practices, partnerships, and service.

• Du Preez traced Build it’s evolution from its KwaZulu-Natal roots to a Southern African powerhouse, supporting over 11,000 jobs.

• Pydigadu championed the power of independent retail.

• Holwill outlined the internal ‘Lets BEtter’ campaign, focusing on service excellence and training expansion.

• Scully, Quayle, and Englund emphasised product strategy, marketing transformation, and frictionless retail—with data-driven insights at the core.

Special guests included Survivor SA host Nico Panagio and Season 4 winner Hykie Berg, who shared stories on resilience and thriving in business.

Awards and Recognition

Several awards celebrated outstanding performance and service:

• Think Retail Award: Juan Jonk (Prize: trip to Letamo Qwabi)
• House Brand Trophy: North Rand region
• National Service Provider: DC Sales
• Ladder of Success: Multiple store teams won trips to destinations including the Maldives, Bali, and Zimbali Hotel
• Stores of Excellence: Notable mentions include Build it Bela Bela, Derdepark, Gansbaai, Kowie, Yzerfontein, and more.
• Store of the Year Nominees: Including Build it Gonubie, Koedoespoort, Sun Village, Underberg, and Worcester. The winner was announced at the gala dinner.

Gala Dinner and National Awards

The convention closed day two with a glamorous Ruby Red Gala Dinner. The evening was filled with world-class entertainment by Kirsty Bows, DJ Ready D, and Riaan Benade. Major honours included:

• Housebrand Supplier of the Year: JoJo
• National Supplier of the Year: Duram Smart Paint
• Young Achiever Award: Anathi Pasiwe
• National Store of the Year 2024: Build it plus Worcester
• Mr Build it: Dykhard Laage

The Celebration Continues

The final day was dedicated to sports, relaxation, and the much-anticipated 40 FEST—a nostalgic 1960s themed celebration complete with a VW Combi photo booth and local entertainment by Veranda Panda, Jeremy Loops, and others. Best-dressed awards and sponsor recognition wrapped up the festivities.

Thank You to All Sponsors

Build it recognised all event sponsors, including Plascon (Platinum), Afrisam and Duram (Gold+), and a host of other valued partners.

‘Better’ is Just The Beginning

As du Preez concluded: “Better doesn’t happen overnight. It takes care, patience, and time. At 40, we are better, stronger, and more committed than ever.”