The Road to Redemption

Settlements HOUSING Infrastructure in Southern Africa novemBER 2014 The Road to Redemption

www.crown.co.za November 2014 SISULU’S SECTOR CONTRACT • R1BN FOR TOWNSHIP ECONOMIEs November 2014 HOUSING in Southern Africa CONTENTS

NEWS 2 Ed’s Notes 4 R290m for Housing in 14 Mining Towns 4 R235m Underspent on Rural Infrastructure 4 R300m for Student Accommodation 9 9 Killarney – Mecca for Young Professionals

HOUSING 12 Sisulu’s Social Contract with the Housing Sector 13 Limpopo Failed to Spend R500m for Housing 14 Trustees Roles Underestimated 16 Renewed Price Growth Index 18 Estate Agents Survey

ENERGY EFFICIENCY, GREEN BUILDING & IBTs 19 Made from Recycled Polystyrene 12 22 Solar Technology for Affordable Housing

Special Feature: The NHBRC The Road to Redemption The Inspectorate Centre for Research & Housing Innovation Sweeping Changes for the Sector Women Empowerment Programme

BRICKS & PAVING 24 Umhlanga College CEMENT & CONCRETE 22 30 Reusing Building Debris

DOORS, WINDOWS, FLOORS & WALLS 32 Flowcoat for SA’s Largest Flooring Project

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT & TRANSPORT 33 New Wheel Loaders

INFRASTRUCTURE & MIXED USE 37 R1bn to Improve and Build Township Economies

INDUSTRY BUZZ, EVENTS & PRODUCTS 40 Caesarstone Winners 2014 33 November 2014 ED’S NOTES HOUSING Sisulu wants more…….. in Southern Africa At the National Human Settlements Indaba held in October, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu expected most sector players to arrive with a commitment THE TEAM to assist in delivering 1,5 million houses in five years. EDITOR Carol Dalglish [email protected] he Minister quickly put devel- only a question of how far she will opers, associations and sector exceed her target and whether it will ADVERTISING Tstakeholders on the spot as she double, or perhaps be even more! Brenda Grossmann asked everyone for more ….. whether In this issue, we focus on the [email protected] quicker delivery times, a further in- National Home Builders Registration crease in the banking sector charter Council (NHBRC). Our 12 page feature BOARD MEMBER home loans to meet the burgeoning on the state entity tasked with the Jenny Warwick demands, private/public sector as- responsibility for overseeing build- sociations and institutions across the ing code inspections, training and PUBLISHER entire spectrum of housing delivery. enrolments of all new residential Minister Sisulu called each role player housing. With CEO, Mongezi Mnyani in Karen Grant onto the stage to announce what they the top post, he shares his vision and DESIGN would contribute or commit to doing, discusses the new housing bill which in terms of this Social Contract with will have a huge impact on the hous- Colin Mazibuko the Department of Human Settle- ing sector. We look at the inspection ments, to fast track housing delivery. model, the relevant changes to the CIRCULATION A few of the pledges included the legislation, the Women Empower- Karen Smith Chamber of Mines representative, ment Programme and the NHBRC who will seek approval to fund ad- Centre for Research & Housing Inno- READER ENQUIRIES ditional housing. The Black Convey- vation overseen by built environment Radha Naidoo ancers Association has promised to guru, Jeff Mahachi. assist government with the backlog We have included solar technology SUBSCRIPTIONS of title deeds for BNG housing. Nico for low cost and affordable housing Wendy Charles Pienaar, representing the South in this issue and highlight electric- African Readymix Association (SAR- ity generation and the differences PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: MA) and also the Aggregate and Sand between the solar systems available. Producers Association of Southern Af- Bryan Perrie from The Concrete Crown Publications cc rica (ASPASA) had delegates laughing Institute advocates reusing building Crown House as he referred to ‘the elephant in the debris and the City of Cape Town has room’. The ‘elephant’ is the brown en- given the go ahead for the Desmond Corner Theunis and Sovereign velope stuffed with cash, whether for Tutu Peace Centre housed in the Streets, Bedford Gardens 2007 contracts or tenders, big or small - it Old Granary building in Buitenkant P.O. Box 140 is time for this to stop. Minister Sisulu Street. and her Deputy Minister were amused The new student residences at the Bedfordview 2008 and his comments found favour with Steve Biko Campus at the Durban Tel: (011) 622 4770 the audience. University of Technology will be com- Fax: (011) 615 6108 Many more came on stage to pleted in the first quarter of 2015. And pledge, delegates were queueing at the Gauteng Provincial government email: [email protected] the side of the stage at the Sandton has allocated R1 billion to improve www.crown.co.za Convention Centre to put their names and build township economies. to the Social Contract document We hope that you enjoy reading PRINTED BY: and engage with government to this issue and welcome your com- Tandym Print deliver housing, from cement sup- ments and feedback as usual. pliers, mines, innovative building technology manufacturers, develop- All rights reserved. No part of this ers, builders etc. With only minutes material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted left for delegates to participate and in any form or by any means, without be acknowledged publicly, the queue prior permission from the publisher. lengthened exponentially. Developers, contractors and build- Disclaimer: Crown Publications can- ers who have issues of payment and not be held responsible for any errors queries, will in future be dealt with or omissions whatsoever. by an appointed Deputy Director General, who will be tasked with investigating the complaint. AVERAGE CIRCULATION Minister Sisulu will certainly make (SECOND QUARTER 2014) the 1,5 million housing target - it is Carol Dalglish • Editor 3757 Govan Mbeki Awards 2014 Best Media Housing in Southern Africa November 2014 November 2014 News R290m for housing in 14 mining towns Government has ring-fenced a total of R2,1 billion for housing projects in 14 mining towns to improve the living and working conditions of mineworkers says Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe.

he housing projects will be Agreement for a Sustainable Mining implemented in the Medium- Industry between government, busi- TTerm Expenditure Framework ness and labour. Minister of Mineral period. “A total of R290 million has Resources, Advocate Ngoako Ramatl- been approved for informal settlement hodi, added that the housing projects upgrading for the 2014/15 period in would be done in collaboration with mining towns in Mpumalanga, North the communities. He said the project West, Gauteng, Northern Cape, Lim- was about creating viable communi- popo and the Free State,” says Radebe. ties that would survive, even if the These towns were identified by the mines were no longer operating in Inter-Ministerial Committee on the the areas. Business centres, health Revitalisation of Distressed Mining and educational at facilities would Communities, and forms part of the also be included when developing implementation of the Framework the mining towns. ■

R235 million underspent on rural infrastructure he Department of Human findings further noted that leadership Settlements’ 2013/14 Annual in the department did not exercise TReport showed that the de- effective oversight with regards to partment failed to spend over R100 financial and performance reporting, million of its Rural Households Infra- human resource management and structure Grant (RHIG) programme, monitoring the implementation of and R135 million in the previous action plans. financial year. The annual report also identified The RHIG’s primary purpose is vacancies as a major challenge for the to provide and improve sanitation department. Vacancies include: 42% services such as toilets to rural com- Alliance Shadow Minister of Human for economists; 31% for engineers; munities across South Africa. Since Settlements. 38% for financial and related profes- its inception in 2009, the grant has The Auditor General cited ‘ma- sionals; and 29% for senior managers. been underspent while millions of jor non-compliance with laws and The Department of Human Settle- people in rural South Africa continue regulations in terms of the Public ments continually fails to prioritise to live without basic sanitation, says Finance Management Act (PFMA) and and utilise the funds appropriated Makashule Gana, the Democratic Public Service regulations’. The AG’s to it. ■

R300m for student accommodation he University of Venda construction of student accommoda- Mbati. DBSA Group Executive: Infra- (UNIVEN) has signed a deal tion on campus. structure Financing, Tshokolo Ncho- Twith the Development Bank The agreement will enable the cho, said that international research of Southern Africa (DBSA) for the university to provide approximately has shown that on-campus student 50% to 70% of its total enrolment with accommodation is one of the key suc- accommodation on campus over the cess factors that impacts on student next 10-15 years. performance and results. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal Nchocho said the increase in stu- of UNIVEN, Professor Peter Mbati, dent enrolment would require signifi- said that the construction of more cant investment in higher education residences on campus would contrib- infrastructure. ute to the quality of students’ lives “The Development Bank has, in and contribute to the university’s line with the National Development academic core project. Plan, identified higher education “After completion, the project will infrastructure as one of the primary have a significant impact on increas- pillars to be considered to support ing the number of students residing the government’s development on campus from 18% to 33%,” said agenda.” ■

November 2014 News A quorum required General meetings in sectional title schemes require a quorum and this varies according to the size of the scheme, says sectional title specialist, Michael Bauer.

n schemes of up to ten units, 50% of home owners are required. In Ithe schemes of 11 to 50 units, 35% of residents are required and in larger schemes, 20%. If there are insufficient numbers for a quorum, the meeting must be adjourned to the following week on the same day, same time, and at same venue. There are cases where a major resolution has to be passed and there For special or unanimous resolu- in sectional title schemes to play an are not enough people for a quorum, tions, the rules differ in that any active role in the management, if not or someone has attended and voted owner is entitled to vote, regardless as trustees then at least to attend who was not entitled to do so (for of whether he or she is in arrears or in meetings, so that they have a good example the person was in arrears breach of the conduct rules. Accord- idea of the way their scheme is being with levies or in breach of the conduct ing to Bauer, the problem with this managed. And, if they oppose some- rules), which then invalidates the system is that major decisions can thing, they have the power to try and vote. If this decision were ever to be be made that might not necessarily challenge the decision or prevent it challenged or for some reason end be best for the scheme, because no from happening.” up in a court case or arbitration, the one was there to oppose it. For further information email: body corporate could lose the case. “We encourage owners of units [email protected] ■

November 2014 News Gauteng water crisis

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, has mislead the residents of Gauteng who have experienced dry taps in the past month, by blaming the collapse of water provision on a single instance of cable theft.

ccording to Leon Basson, the reasons for the system collapse, been foreseen and mitigated by Democratic Alliance Shadow but the Minister dismisses various engineering management. critical technical infrastructure prob- Deputy Minister of Water and • A lems at the time of this crisis: Ekurhuleni Metro, for example, Sanitation, cable theft is a contribu- Poor maintenance – numerous records 1 200 million litres of tor to the problem, but the reality is water losses per day due to faulty that we are facing this crisis because instances of pump failure and pipe failure have been reported and these infrastructure and therefore R500 the Water Affairs Department has million in water revenue is lost per not maintained our infrastructure have not been sufficiently addressed; • year. adequately. Lack of backup response manage- “At a meeting between the DA and ment – Rand Water ought to have Basson says that Minister Mokonyane the General Manager of Operations backup arrangements in respect must provide answers to the real at Rand Water, Mdudzi Mkhize, we of power outages, which have now underlying problems in this crisis. were informed that this crisis was not become common and will remain There are massive challenges with merely a technical glitch as the Min- so over the next few years; financial management, vacancies ister wants South Africa to believe,” • Lack of technical competence – the and infrastructure management in says Basson. consequential failures experienced this department. Water is crucial to Cable theft might have been one of over the past month should have daily survival. ■

Hanover Park rental upgrades completed

he City of Cape Town views channels with tenants to ensure that projects. The replacement contrac- the completion of the refur- the community has been involved tors are progressing well on all of Tbishment of 600 Community throughout the process. Mamkeli these projects and an accelerated Residential Units (CRU) rental units adds, “Most of the City’s rental blocks programme is running satisfactorily in Hanover Park, six months ahead of flats are more than 30 years old to make up for time lost as a result of schedule, as a breakthrough in and each rental unit upgrade has to of the delays. Our overall project its CRU Refurbishment Programme pass several stringent quality checks completion date of June 2015 is still currently being rolled out city-wide. before various levels of contractual achievable,” said Mamkeli. The CRU Hanover Park area comprises 28 completion are certified. Even after Refurbishment Programme is ongo- three-storey twin block courts with occupation, the Community Liaison ing in other areas across the city and a total of 1 680 rental units. With Officer visits each home to list any was launched as a result of the City’s Hanover Park A Upgrade complete, complaints from residents and a ten- dissatisfaction with the maintenance the work was undertaken by 10 local ants’ opinion poll. conditions of CRUs. More than 6 500 subcontractors and almost R4 million In Manenberg, almost 1 314 out council owned rental units of the was allocated for local labour. The of the 1 584 upgrades have been 7 775 have already been upgraded. ■ next two phases will roll out shortly. completed. The remain- According to Mayoral Committee der of the rental units are Member for Human Settlements, expected to be completed Siyabulela Mamkeli, several upgrade- by the end of the year. Ex- contracts ran into difficulty at the end ternal work to the flats has of last year due to contractor-related also commenced. “The fi- issues and replacement contractors nancial trouble of some have now been appointed. of the contractors nega- The City has also focused on tively affected progress maintaining open communication on five CRU Upgrade

November 2014 November 2014 News Hostel conversions

he City of Cape Town Hostel Transformation project in Lan- Tga will convert 12 former hostel blocks in Langa into apartments. The first phase will provide 463 rental units which will be built on the Old Depot site in Langa. All the foundations and floor slabs have been cast – the foundations for two blocks have been completed, six blocks have the first floor level in place and the four remaining blocks are already at the second floor level. that 1 300 families, or approximately be existing hostel residents and then The first phase of the City’s Hos- 5 200 people, will be relocated from the Langa community. tel Transformation Programme in the hostels to secure two-bedroom This project is the first Hostel Langa will ultimately provide 1 320 apartments in Langa. Each unit will Transformation Programme under units within the next five years. be equipped with a kitchen, shower the Human Settlements Director- Mayoral Committee Member for and solar-heated water system. ate’s Community Residential Unit Human Settlements, Siyabulela The project will also provide space Programme for Langa and will roll Mamkeli said, “In this first project for children to play safely in the out a total of 12 000 units in Langa, of the programme, it is envisioned grounds. Qualifying beneficiaries will Gugulethu and Nyanga. ■

Dube TradePort gets IDZ status

resident Jacob Zuma recently Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies granted the precinct an launched the special economic Pzone, which includes Dube Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) operating licence a few months ago. TradePort, Dube AgriZone and Dube City. growth and job creation in the prov- ment of the movement of goods Named after the African National ince and the country. Officials say and economic integration through a Congress founding President, John that turning the area into a special Durban-Free State-Gauteng logistics Langalibalele Dube, the develop- economic zone will boost its capac- and industrial corridor. ment precinct, near King Shaka ity as a major logistics platform for In the State of the Nation Address International Airport, aims to create Southern Africa, as the Port of Durban in June, President Zuma emphasised an airport city, stretching from Um- provides connectivity to 53 interna- that the economy would take centre hlanga to Ballito. The site is located tional destinations and access to stage during this administration, between the two largest seaports in local distribution networks. announcing a target 5% growth by the southern hemisphere, Durban Dube TradePort also forms an im- 2019. The special economic zones and Richards Bay. portant part of government’s pipeline programme aims to grow the econ- In the past two years, Dube Trade- of major infrastructure development omy, create jobs and atttract foreign Port has managed to boost economic projects. One of them is the improve- investment. South African Airways low-cost subsidiary, SA Express, concluded an agreement with the Dube Trade- Port Corporation, which has led to a connection being established between King Shaka International and Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Mozambique. There are also plans for SA Express to expand into countries such as Na- mibia, Malawi, Angola and the Demo- cratic Republic of Congo. Passenger traffic at the King Shaka International Airport is said to be growing steadily since its move from the old Durban International Airport. ■

November 2014 News Up-and-coming Killarney –

he young, up-and-coming Johannesburg professional Tnow has a new place to call home – the historical suburb of Killar- ney In the last few decades, Killarney residents have primarily been retirees but now the average age of residents in this area is between 25 and 35. Ac- cording to Jonathan Davies from Pam Golding Properties (PGP) this change in the demographic profile of the suburb has meant a significant improvement for the area. With almost 80% of buyers under 35, they have more “Another benefit of living in this area demographic choose to buy in Killar- disposable income which has meant is the suburb’s infrastructure. The ney because of the expansive rooms, there is more money to invest in the area has approximately the same high ceilings, and thick walls found in buildings. The new 20 and 30 year number of inhabitants as it did a few the majority of the residences. Their olds want safe, clean streets, well decades ago. In practical terms this fittings and features are of high qual- maintained buildings and gardens means that services in Killarney are ity and have no substitute. and they are willing to pay additional seldom under pressure, a very rare In addition, proximity to Rose- levies to fund such improvements. situation in Johannesburg. bank, Johannesburg and Sandton According to Rupert Finnemore With most of Killarney’s buildings has long been an important selling from PGP, the popularity of Killarney being constructed between 1940 and point. OR Tambo International is only is also rooted in the fact that it was 1970, young professionals are also 35 minutes away by road and is also designed as a high-density residen- drawn to the generous proportions easily accessed via the Gautrain, as tial suburb over half a century ago. of the apartments. “This particular is Pretoria. ■

November 2014 News service delivery excellence

resident Zuma and Minister The work of government requires leadership and long-term for Cooperative Governance planning to affect change, says Patricia De Lille, City of and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) P Cape Town’s Executive Mayor. Pravin Gordhan spoke about the national government’s ‘Back to Basics’ programme and the need for clear have tremendous amounts of raw sored to learn a trade within the City plans for municipalities and a focus information, from traffic informa- along with their theoretical training on service delivery basics, in order to tion to area data, that is not utilised. and wages. achieve service delivery excellence. Certain information can assist us in De Lille says that almost R20 mil- De Lille proudly says, “We are our decision making and this may lion has been invested on training and leading our fellow municipalities, be applied to creating new products wages for 90 apprentices. A further not least the ANC flagship metro of for the city, understanding markets R21,5 million has been spent by the Johannesburg which has been ex- better, or even finding new ways to Utility Services Directorate on inter- periencing chronic water shortage, do business.” nal and external bursaries, training power outages and ongoing extreme The City recently received two Eco- and learnerships. problems with its billing system. We Logic Awards as the Leading Metro for Investment in MyCiti of R6,5 bil- have a clear five year-plan in the In- Sustainability and for best practice lion has been the City’s largest Black tegrated Development Plan -medium in governance through the Mayor’s Empowerment Scheme undertaken and long-term strategies in economic Portfolio on Urban Sustainability, to date. Almost 66% of the company growth and social development which profiled 34 sustainable design that runs the MyCiti N2 Express ser- strategies as well as our long-term projects as part of the World Design vice on the Cape Flats is owned by resource allocation. We are breaking Capital. CODETA and the Route Six Taxi As- down the planning silos in depart- In the past few year, the City has sociation. ments and have launched a new created more than 100 000 work op- She says that this shows that the city-wide revision of the methodology portunities through the Expanded MyCiti network is not just about creat- of planning.” Public Works Programme and now ing a means to move people around The city has proved that it has EPWP workers are employed on 950 - it is also about moving people for- moved beyond service delivery and sites around Cape Town to assist ward by creating a broad platform of has carved a niche in the public sec- in continually improving service opportunity. tor for excellence and innovation, delivery. “Governing is about demonstrat- and going the extra mile in service The City’s apprenticeship pro- ing leadership. It is about under- delivery. gramme has recently seen the standing the challenges and working De Lille says that Cape Town aims graduation of 90 people from disad- to find constructive and sustainable to be the digital city of Africa. “Cities vantaged areas whom the City spon- solutions,” says De Lille. ■ November 2014 November 2014 Housing

Sisulu’s social contract with the housing sector

The entire housing sector delivery chain was represented at the in this sector. In her keynote address, Sisulu said, “We have been here be- National Human Settlements Indaba held at the Sandton Convention fore with some of you in 2005. Those Centre in October. All the delegates were more than happy to sign a of us in government look at that period as the dawn of new thinking social contract with Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to ensure that each would around housing development. This do their best to assist with housing delivery across the spectrum. was a time when we examined our own policies, their relevance and he Minister’s Deputy, Zou Kota her former stint as Minister of this quickly caught on to world trends Fredericks, Director General portfolio introduced game-changing and adopted the ground breaking ap- Thabane Zulu and the Minis- legislation and implemented govern- proach of Integrated Human Settle- T ments. What did come as a complete ter of Cooperative Government and ment’s mandate to deliver housing. Traditional Affairs, Pravin Gordhan, A seasoned knowledge of the surprise at the 2005 Summit, was the joined international dignitaries and stakeholders and developers and level of support we received from the over 1 500 delegates to get to grips her willingness to listen to grievances sectors here today. We set ourselves with sector gripes and plans on how gets results and opens up opportuni- an ambitious target and allowed our- to accelerate housing delivery. ties for the sector. This has made her selves to dream that the best was pos- Sisulu was on top form - during one of the most formidable Ministers sible. Essentially, we knew that there was no way we could make it alone. And so we called a summit such as this one, in which we could bind ourselves, the private sector and our partners to test the new policy and to achieve the goal we had set ourselves. It was a golden age of hope of new ways and enhanced delivery support. We had realised then that unless we had total mobilisation of the Banking Sector, the Private Sector, the NGOs and other stakeholders, we would not achieve the goal. We successfully mobilised the stakeholders that helped us in delivering six successful mega projects. This helped us refine our policies and assisted in exceeding our own goals.” The Banking Association of South Africa was instrumental in sup- porting the Minister’s initiative and

November 2014 Housing

Chamber of Mines failed to achieve all that she hoped for. “Perhaps we should have known even then, that we needed the workers themselves to be part of the Social Contract. We learn and grow every day in government. We can work with the mining community to better their living conditions.” During the interactive sessions, Sisulu dealt with key issues holding up service deliver and quizzing her on a whole host of questions to get to the nitty gritty plan were answered, as she nailed every challenger. Each sector player was given an opportunity to commit to the social contract and whatever they first offered, Minister Sisulu would com- ment and then propose they commit more than they had offered, this led some stakeholders to double the original offer. Minister Sisulu encouraged, pur- Sisulu’s social contract with the housing sector sued and relentlessly fought to increase each of their contributions irrespective of whether it was legal committed R42 billion for home organisation received a Nobel Peace services, materials, housing for mine- loans. “Together we created more Prize 2014 nomination. workers, additional funding for Gap than 1,2 million housing units in five Sisulu addressed women contrac- and Flisp projects, doubling hous- years. The challenge now is to out-do tors in the industry to become more ing targets in some instances from that and do it without having as many organised and to have a collective private and public sector, as well as glitches as we experienced then.” voice. She says that it was with regret a host of other services. She acknowledged Slum Dwell- that the challenge to provide housing She asked that every man or ers International who contribute and change the lives of mine work- women step up to the task! If anyone and build shelter for families. The ers with the social contract with the can turn around the sector, she can! ■

Limpopo failed to spend R500m for housing Limpopo failed to spend R500 million Human Settlements Development their own financial affairs. Failure by the Limpopo Provincial grant because of capacity constraints by the Limpopo Provincial Department of Human Settlements government, according to Makashule Gana, Shadow Minister of Human to perform will leave the Democratic Alliance no alternative but to request Settlements for the Democratic Alliance. that the Department is placed under Section 100 (a) administration his was revealed during the to put a plan in place for Limpopo to by National Treasury. “This money Human Settlements Portfolio spend the grant it will receive next could have been spent on complet- Committee briefing by Minister year. “We cannot allow this province ing human settlements projects in T to underspend its grant year after the Sekhukhune District Municipality Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Human Settlements on her 100 days in office. year, especially as the people in the and the Lebogang Township. Accord- Gana says, “Last year, the Limpopo province do not have access to the ing to our calculations, more than Provincial Department of Human housing they need.” 9 000 homes could have been built. It Settlements returned R644 million According to Section 2 (c)(d)(e) is shocking that the department to National Treasury, bringing their of the National Housing Act of 1997, promised to build 12 500 houses by total returned funds to over R1 bil- Minister Sisulu must take action to the end of the 2013/14 financial year lion over two years. This department monitor the performance of pro- and yet only managed to build 1 500 has recently emerged from financial vincial departments and budgetary houses. At the same time, handed a administration and thus it seems that goals set against housing delivery. De- billion back to treasury in unspent the supposed turn-around strategy partments must be assisted in order money. It is time for Minister Sisulu took a turn for the worst.” to develop administrative capacity to take control and resolve this issue Gana has called on government to exercise their duties and manage once and for all,” said Gana. ■

November 2014 Housing Trustees roles underestimated

Many trustees in sectional title If there is no resolution, the lev- lecting and administrating levies in ies cannot be collected legally and respect of sections and exclusive schemes are elected to do the if there were ever to be a dispute use areas; opening and maintaining job of managing the finances and regarding the payment of levies, most a bank account; insuring all build- courts would rule against the body ing improvements for an adequate scheme itself without ever being corporate. amount (but not the contents); main- trained, says Mandi Hanekom, The powers that the trustees have taining common property (includ- are governed by the Sectional Titles ing exclusive use areas); keeping Operations Manager of Propell, Act and the rules of scheme. The minutes, administrative records, a sectional title finance company. roles of trustees are to: appoint rules, including all of the body cor- agents and employees including a porate transactions; arranging managing agent if necessary; bor- and conducting the AGM his job is often underestimated row funds for the performance and, when necessary, for the time and effort it takes of their functions (if it is special general meet- to carry out successfully and is a large amount ings; and preparing the T then raising a documentation to be done without payment of any kind, although expenses will be reimbursed. special levy is presented at each The board of trustees is elected an option), pro- Annual General by the members of the scheme and vide security for Meeting, including is mandated to manage the funds such loans, includ- the budget and and affirm rules and policies within ing the cession of audited financial the scheme. levies; purchase or statements. “All trustees should be given cop- rent items such as Trustees must ies of the Registered Management lawnmowers, tools, keep proper financial re- Rules, the conduct or house rules, etc; establish and main- cords for the scheme. All monies a copy of the Sectional Titles Act tain recreation facilities, received or spent by them must be and the Amendments Act and the gardens and lawns on the common recorded and proper financial state- sectional plan of the scheme, so that property; invest funds not immedi- ments must be prepared and audited they can acquaint themselves with ately required; obtain services by by a professional accounting firm. It is the way the scheme must be run. contracting with various service pro- important that these documents are More importantly, they should have viders, e.g. garden services, painters, signed by the trustees and auditor. the ability to keep calm and think electricians for common property, “The body corporate finance logically as there might be instances manage parking bays: access control function should be dealt with as any where their tasks become challeng- to sections and exclusive use areas business. There are often large sums ing,” said Hanekom. for maintenance purposes; and del- of money being paid out and the The first thing the newly elected egate duties to individual trustees enormity of the financial responsi- trustees should do is hold a trustees where necessary. bility is to keep these funds in good meeting, where the points of busi- “Trustees must perform the func- hands,” said Hanekom. ness, such as the levy budget for the tions necessary in order to manage Apart from dismissal by the mem- next year, is established and pass a the scheme well,” said Hanekom. bers of the scheme, a trustee is auto- resolution for this budget. These include: determining, col- matically removed from office under the following circumstances: when levies are in arrears for 60 days; if the trustee resigns; if legally declared to be of unsound mind; sequestrated; or convicted for an offence involving dishonesty. “It goes without saying that any person subject to any of the above disqualifications may not be appointed as a trustee in the first place,” said Hanekom. “The role of trustees within a body corporate is a very important one and one that is crucial to the wellbeing of the scheme. A good board of trustees will be able to ensure that the scheme yields positive financials while running it effectively and smoothly, while keeping the occupants happy,” said Hanekom. For more information please contact Mandi Hanekom on 0861 33 34 35 or visit www.propell.co.za ■

November 2014 November 2014 Housing The FNB House Price Index has seen a slowing year-on- year growth once again in September, however, other FNB housing market indicators suggest the possibility that a renewed price growth acceleration may not be far away. Renewed price growth index

November 2014 Housing

ccording to the FNB House of renewed seasonally adjusted ac- into a huge current account deficit Price Index, the average house celeration in residential demand of 6,6% of GDP. Aprice for September 2014 rose since May, along with a renewed Interest rates remain inappropri- 5.5% year-on-year. This is slower than acceleration in the deterioration in ately low and so we rely heavily on the previous month’s revised 5,9%, perceived residential supply. net foreign capital inflows to fund this and represents the ninth consecu- The direction of growth in the FNB deficit. Since 2011, such capital in- tive month of gradually slowing price Valuers Market Strength Index usu- flows have been insufficient, precipi- inflation since the 8,5% year-on-year ally correlates reasonably well with tating a multi-year slide in the Rand rate recorded in December 2014. the direction of house price growth, to very “cheap” levels already. And in Real house price growth (house often with some lead or lag. This the absence of any sign of resolution prices are adjusted for consumer renewed growth acceleration could of the current account deficit problem price inflation), turned slightly nega- therefore suggest that some renewed to date, the risk remains high of fur- tive to the tune of -0,45% year-on- house price growth acceleration is ther Rand slide, as does the need for year in August (September CPI not not far off. a more significant interest rate hiking available). This represents a slight Therefore, after some tapering, cycle to curb the potential imported slowing from a revised 0,14% real more rapid year-on-year house price inflationary pressures that can result price growth rate in July, with CPI in- growth may once again not be far from such a slide. Such a risk must be flation recording 6,4% in August. The away, if the FNB Market Strength seen as significant. average price of homes transacted in Index and the month-on-month price The upside risk to our market ex- September was R952 655. growth trends are anything to go by. pectations comes from the potential The FNB Valuers’ Market Strength From its very strong year-on-year for “exuberance” that may be out Index points to an increasingly well rate of near to 6% back in 2010, Real of line with weak economic funda- balanced residential market. Household Sector Disposable Income mentals. The Valuers as a group continue growth has settled near to 2% in re- Price booms can begin to drive to perceive a rise in demand along cent quarters, receiving little support speculative activity and buyer panic with deteriorating supply; the per- from a stagnant economy with a real (where buyers rush to get into the fect recipe for an improving balance year-on-year growth rate of around market fearing that if they don’t do Renewed price growth index

between demand and supply. The 1% in the second quarter of 2014. it now it will be unaffordable later) index scale is zero to 100, and a level “We believe that the SARB will con- on a large scale, and thus can lead to of 50 indicates a balanced market, tinue a gradual rise of the Repo Rate market overshoots. with the Residential Demand Rat- back up to positive real level, above “We therefore see it as beneficial to ing equalling the Residential Supply inflation, higher than its current rate the health of the market when the Rating. In September, the Market to 10,25% at the end of 2015, increas- SARB sets interest rates at levels Strength Index rating rose to slightly ing by a percentage point. where home mortgage lending rates above that key 50 level for the first Therefore, while our current aver- are positive in real terms according to time since August 2008. age house price growth forecast of our alternative house price-adjusted While the Market Strength Index 7,3% may still be achievable should real interest rate calculation. has been improving for a few years, it we indeed get some “re-acceleration” Instead of converting Prime Rate did, however, see its pace of growth in year-on-year house price growth in from a nominal to a real rate using slowing early in 2014, which appeared the remainder of 2014, we would still CPI, we instead use the FNB House to be in line with slowing house price expect a slower average price growth Price Index. When this version of Real growth. It was conceivable at the time rate in 2015 on the expectation of Prime Rate is significantly negative that the slowing pace of improve- renewed rate hiking. (as it was back around 2004/5), i.e. ment was the residential market’s The downside risk to the residen- where house price inflation exceeds mild response to a surprise 50 basis tial property market will come from the Prime Rate percentage, it can point interest rate hike by the SARB South Africa’s huge macroeconomic imply a favourable environment for (Reserve Bank), along with a con- imbalance. short term speculation in residential tracting economy in the first quarter In the absence of economic policy property. Currently, our alternative of the year. measures to boost the production real prime rate is positive and rising, More recently, however, the side of the economy, the country’s at +3,8% in September, up from a pre- Index’s growth appears once again to export growth potential remains vious month’s revised 3,3%, gradually have begun to turn towards strength- limited, while it remains heavily rising as interest rates are hiked and ening. The month-on-month season- dependent on imports. Therefore, house price inflation slows. This mild ally adjusted growth rate has seen we remain stuck in a situation where rise is seen as a further welcome acceleration in September for the Gross Domestic Expenditure far ex- development in order to promote a fourth consecutive month, the result ceeds national income, translating rational residential market. ■

November 2014 Housing Estate agents survey

The highlight of the 3rd quarter of the 2014 FNB Estate Agent Survey was the noticeable jump in the Residential Activity Indicator, which reflects the activity levels perceived by the estate agents surveyed.

he survey is of a sample of four days, from the previous quarter. estate agents predominantly The percentage of sellers who had in South Africa’s major metro to drop their asking price increased, experiencing stock constraints and T while the estimated average percent- only 3% experiencing too much stock. regions. The first question asked agents about their perceptions of age price drop remained unchanged Interest rates played a bigger role residential market activity in their ar- at -8%. in agent expectations compared with eas, a subjective question on a scale The main indicators in the survey the previous quarter, perhaps not of 1 to 10, with 10 being the strongest continued to point to a well-balanced surprising given a July interest rate level of activity. and solid market, but did not point hike of 0,25 basis point by the Reserve The third quarter 2014 Residential to any strong market direction from Bank (SARB). Activity Indicator rose noticeably quarter to quarter. However, the influence remained from the previous quarter’s 6,33 to Looking into the near future, while moderate, with only 17% of agents 6,63. This increase would appear to the agents still expect activity levels citing interest rates as a factor, and be more than the usual seasonal re- to increase, they don’t appear overly 14% seeing rates as a negative fac- bound, with our statistically season- exuberant. For agents, activity is tor. This remains well below the first ally-adjusted version of the Indicator crucial. quarter survey where 36% of agents also rising from 6,42 to 6,65 over the In the third quarter survey, 50% of suggested that the snail’s pace of last two quarters. agents expected activity to increase interest rate hiking since January had This was an interesting develop- in the next three months, while 49% eased the initial reaction caused by ment following on prior quarters in expected it to remain the same and the first rate hike in January. which the pace of improvement in the only 1% expected a decrease in activ- One factor that could be contrib- Activity Indicator had been slowing. ity. These percentages are nothing uting to the moderate price growth “However, from the second quar- out of the ordinary when compared expectation is the apparent growth ter to the third quarter, we saw no to the corresponding quarters of 2012 in residential building activity in meaningful improvement in what is and 2013. recent quarters, as reflected in the currently a healthy balance between When asking agents what are the FNB Building Confidence Index. This supply and demand, nor in price real- factors influencing their near term suggests that stock constraints may ism. The percentage of agents citing expectations, seasonal factors are soon begin to be alleviated. stock constraints remained high at by far the strongest driver, mostly a While agents continue to paint 21%, but slightly down on the previ- positive factor traditionally as sum- a positive market picture, their ex- ous quarter’s 22%. The average time mer months approach. Almost 24% of pectations don’t appear to be in line period for properties on the market agents cited stock issues as a factor with what is a currently mediocre reduced by two days to 11 weeks and driving their expectations, with 21% economic environment. ■ November 2014 Energy Efficiency, Green Building & IBTs Made from recycled polystyrene

Pretoria Senior Architectural Technologist, Jan Minne’s ‘thinking out of the box’ has reduced the energy usage at his newly designed recycled polystyrene house in the Six Fountains Residential Estate, in Pretoria.

inne says that despite having built numerous residential and commercial buildings he decided to Muse the Stumbelbloc building method, developed by André Esterhuizen and Riedewaan Jacobs. Each pre-formed modular factory block is equal to eight standard sized bricks. Once the walls reach roof-level, the cavity walls are then filled with polystyrene regrind (chipped polystyrene waste) that acts as an insulator. solution for assisting to reduce the huge backlog that cur- Minne says that Stumbelbloc’s cost-effective, environ- rently exists in the residential sector. mentally friendly, energy efficient interlocking blocks, led “Making this small change will ultimately make a big him on a fact-finding trip to Stumbelbloc’s factory in Cape difference in reducing the size of our environmental foot- Town. He also inspected buildings that used this green print,” says Minne. ■ building approach. “The significant savings in cost, time and effort,” he says, “convinced me that this would be the route to go for my own home and quite possibly for future commercial building projects.” There are numerous advantages, which include: Stumbelbloc’s method allows you to build a house without using electricity. One of polystyrene’s key attributes is its excellent insulation properties. Adri Span- genberg, Director of the Polystyrene Packaging Council says Stumbelbloc puts these inherent qualities to good use by using recycled polystyrene in its construction projects. “Polystyrene’s thermal properties, when used in construction, are extraordinary,” says Minne. While conventional building methods are efficient, they can be arduous in their execution. However, the convenience of polystyrene cannot be questioned. Stumbelbloc’s modular design is similar to building with Lego blocks. Each block is straight and fits into the next easily and effortlessly. “With the traditional way of building, the task of fitting electricity conduits and water pipes in a new building after the walls are built is often messy, time consuming and expensive. With Stumbelbloc the power, plugs and plumbing in the cavity walls has proved to be an easier and quicker process. The blocks cost R12 each from an approved block producer and the cavity walls can be core-filled by a small team of workers in one day. Countries worldwide have a huge problem disposing of polystyrene waste. In South Africa, the Polystyrene Packag- ing Council (PSPC) is actively working with recyclers and innovators to develop new uses for recycled polystyrene in order to prevent the product from being sent to landfill. Using polystyrene regrind in a building or construction process not only makes the most of the product that is in abundant supply but also saves valuable landfill space, according to the council. To date, WastePlan in Pretoria has supplied 230 kg of recycled polystyrene for the construction. According to Linda van Niekerk, MRF Manager for WastePlan, “We are hoping that projects such as these will grow the demand for a product that is very versatile.” Innovation Building Technology (IBT) offers one

November 2014 Energy Efficiency, Green Building & IBTs

Energy efficient buildings yield dividends

A new study conducted by the and will essentially always yield im- requirements, but these usually in- mediate and sustainable returns on clude lighting, climate control, and Investment Property Databank investment. operational equipment such as IT and (IPD) and the Green Building The energy saving potential is data processing. “The information dependent on the financial return gathered by the measuring process Council of SA (GBCSA) has on investment that the owner would must be evaluated by an experienced found that energy efficient (EE) require, he says. “With a long-term energy advisor to identify key saving commercial buildings in South investment view, a saving of 50% is opportunities.” quite achievable. There are also inno- He says that often the interven- Africa deliver better financial vative financial support instruments tions could be as simple as reinstating returns than non-EE buildings. available to make the initial invest- existing systems to full functionality. ment into EE solutions easier. In most “However, in some cases the building cases the initial interventions could envelope must be altered to reduce outh Africa’s challenging eco- have very few capital investment energy intensity. nomic climate and the looming requirements; we have even seen The functionality of most systems 2016 carbon tax system makes savings of up to 15% from improved deteriorates over time due to poor S behaviour and corrective mainte- maintenance and aging components. the employment of an EE solution an important investment decision for nance of existing systems.” As a result, a strategy must be de- property and business owners. Kriel says that transforming an ex- signed to implement the changes to The study showed that 461 com- isting building for optimal energy use the building and monitor and main- mercial EE buildings delivered a requires an in-depth understanding tain its continued efficiency from 15,9% total return, 170 basis points of the energy use profile and its com- implementation onwards. higher than the remainder of the ponents. “It is important for develop- “The financial benefit of an ef- buildings which delivered a total re- ers, property owners and businesses fective EE plan is a direct saving on turn of 14.2%. In addition, while the to focus on the areas that have the the bottom line that will continue income returns generated were the greatest impact on energy use at the to increase over time as the cost of same, the EE properties achieved a best return on investment. The first energy inevitably rises. On top of this,

higher capital growth of 8,1%. step is measuring the energy usage the CO2 emissions negatively impact According to Dawie Kriel, Head (e.g. electricity or other sources) and our environment and an opportunity of Engineering at Energy Partners, a creating a baseline of consumption.” is lost by the owners to position their leading energy solutions provider in The results can vary signif- buildings as premium addresses in South Africa, implementing a holistic icantly depending on the occu- terms of responsible business,” con- EE plan is often simpler than expected pants of the building and the energy cludes Kriel. ■

November 2014 ASSURING QUALITY HOMES The Road to Redemption

Politician, leader and the man in the top job at the beleaguered National Home Builders Registration Council, Mongezi Mnyani, knows his way around human settlements and is in an ideal position to transform the institution; its practices; expand its regulatory mandate through the legislation process; and lead the NHBRC on the path of redemption.

here is a new energy in Leeukop Road in Sunninghill, Johannes- Tburg, the new headquarters for the NHBRC, and it is slowly filtering from the top down and throughout all departments. Morale had taken a dive in the past few years but now there is a sense of enthusiasm and a real team effort in assisting the sector to play a more meaningful role; and to swop that regulatory policing perception to one of partnering. As the NHBRC is the mandated government regulatory body for home builders, developers and service providers in the residential sector, the proposed amended changes to the NHBRC’s mandate will broaden its role and scope. Home builders are required to register and enrol new houses with the NHBRC, as the organisation provides surety, carries out inspections and oversees building practices, to ensure

2 The Road to Redemption

Mongezi Mnyani

that structures comply with building government, to do things better! “We province, the builder does not always codes, and that any structural defects have changed our key performance know whether he is compliant, or or remedial work that is necessary is indicators, such as measuring how not. This is something that we still carried out. But there is so much more long it takes for our clients to receive have to workshop to determine who in the pipeline. a response. Feedback from the public has final authority - the responsibil- The appointment of Mnyani has shows that we respond within three ity, coordination, as well as how the marked a new chapter at the NHBRC. days. NHBRC should enrol residen- inspections will be undertaken and He is changing perceptions about the tial houses or projects within 15 also the sharing of reports between statutory entity. days (once an application has been municipal, metro, provincial and “The NHBRC has a responsibility received).” national departments,” says Mnyani. to roll out and package information He says that a former Minister of for home owners across the board, Human Settlements, Tokyo Sexwale so that they understand the building INSPECTORATE insisted that payments could only requirements and guidelines. We deal be made for government subsidised with the entire sector – homeowners, In terms of the inspectorate, we are houses once they were signed off stakeholders, builders, developers, currently evaluating the work, mea- by the NHBRC and it will continue service providers and we offer a suring the time on a weekly basis to apply. number of training programmes for (8am until 5pm), to determine the Mnyani says the NHBRC has been the sector across the country,” says value for money and what it costs the developing in house capacity - re- Mnyani. NHBRC to carry out these inspections. cruitment and technical training for Now we are busy evaluating the en- inspectors, in order to ensure that rolments. With 233 inspectors in the service delivery and the quality of NHBRC BENEFITS division across the country, and in- products are not compromised on house training programmes, the issue site. NHBRC registered builders will love is how best to deploy the inspectors.” hearing about the numerous benefits All the training programmes can be the NHBRC plans to roll out for devel- utilised by the Department of Human ENROLMENTS & opers, builders, and sector stakehold- Settlements and municipalities. ers. He says that there must be an “The key issues are to improve INSPECTIONS appreciation by the builder about on the NHBRC inspectorate model: what the NHBRC has to offer, not inspectors, engineers and technical In the past financial year, the NHBRC because he or she is being compelled teams need to be clearly identifi- enrolled 168 319 homes and inspec- to comply with legislation, but that able and wear NHBRC uniforms; the tions totalled 451 324. All new homes the new benefits include discounts inspection model protocol for fully should be enrolled with the NHBRC on building supplies and materials subsidised and partially subsidised 15 days prior to construction. With sourced from major industry players. housing at provincial and municipal Minister of Human Settlements, Builders are required by law to regis- level has to be agreed between the Lindiwe Sisulu aiming to deliver 1,5 ter new residential homes. NHBRC and other departments. million homes in the next five years, Mnyani also referred to the ‘Back With the local authorities conduct- the NHBRC will almost double their to Basics’ programme introduced by ing inspections, the NHBRC, and the Continued ▶▶▶

3 annual enrolment and be implemented as early as April facilities. We have a list of projects inspection quota. 2015. Consultations are currently from the provinces that are currently Mnyani is ada- taking place between the NHBRC, under construction and we are con- mant that the builders, developers and industry ducting geotechnical investigations. NHBRC has stakeholders. The NHBRC website We are deploying our own engineers, changed for the will list almost 15 000 registered who have been seconded as a re- better and their builders and highlight the top 100 source and are part of the planning priority is to en- in each province. “We have assessed team at the Department of Human sure that quality how other countries do this and are Settlements. They report to the Head housing is deliv- almost ready to implement the grad- of Planning and form part of the team. ered. ing system.” Before a builder submits projects and plans to the NHBRC, our engineer will take them through the entire NHBRC INSPECTION PROTOCOL process to ensure that the project will be enrolled. For example, we vs cidb have employed people who have the The NHBRC inspectorate has in the necessary planning and technical past caused major headaches for the Is it necessary to have two experience in the various provinces statutory body, as site inspections government statutory bodies in the to assist. At the end of the day, if form a crucial part of its mandate. built environment? Will the NHBRC that house is not enrolled and it falls A building schedule is extremely oversee the cidb? “We complement down, then there could be serious important, says Mnyani, in order to each other. NHBRC regulates the consequences for government and manage the inspectorate’s team of standards and norms in home build- the NHBRC.” ing. cidb is there to make sure that 233. There are plans to increase it to there is progressive development of 450 inspectors in 2015. builders and contractors – they en- He added, “We want to build those THE ACT sure the work can be monitored, and relationships up front with builders a grading system allows companies and not have them run away from to improve and move up from one the NHBRC. There are a number of The Act is currently being repealed. It grade to another. We work closely projects in subsidy and non-subsidy, was established 14 years ago and we and collaborate on joint training pro- and with proper planning and com- needed to change it. When the new grammes for builders registered with munication, we can deploy our Bill is passed, it will affect a number both entities. The cidb also regulates inspectors and provide technical ser- of things across the entire spectrum. civil and commercial buildings and vices to assist on those projects. He The Act has restricted the penalties there is that need. Neither organisa- went on to explain that the challenge that could be imposed by the NHBRC tion will be swallowed by the other as is getting the construction schedules on builders and it now must be based there is no confusion over our roles in advance and to coordinate the roll on the value of the project. This will and responsibilities. As government out of the project, plans, material, reduce the number of transgressions. mandated bodies we want to start concrete pouring etc. “If our inspec- “We have seen people enrol projects making it easier for entrepreneurs, tors arrive after the foundations have late, pay the penalties and provide developers and contractors to work been laid, this will have a negative the guarantees, but if there are claims with government.” impact if the walls do not meet the later, this remedial work is funded standards and the builder has to start from the NHBRC Warranty Fund.” from scratch. If there are defects then “Although claims are minimal, NHBRC BUILDERS it will cost the builder more.” it is important to mitigate against this risk, or there could be a flood of GRADING claims. The Warranty Fund stands PHP SUPPORT at R4,6 billion but this fund is there to assist home owners and it is not Those in-the-know are talking about the NHBRC’s money. Most of the the much anticipated NHBRC build- Previously beneficiaries of govern- current claims are from late enrol- ers grading system that will finally ment’s People’s Housing Process ments. To lessen the claims, builders be introduced next year and could (PHP), who are actively in- must do quality work and we must volved in the building of their take action against those who are own homes, were exempted not up to standard. Before we pay a from NHBRC registration. A claim we need to make sure that the number of these houses were builder did not take any short cuts. badly built and have since The inspectors are there to mitigate deteriorated. Now the NHBRC this risk. If builders have received no- will be required to enrol the tices from the NHBRC in the past, this PHP houses. will affect their grading level once the Mnyani says, “Our biggest new system is introduced. The new challenge is to determine what Bill will allow the NHBRC to impose type of work we can offer and penalties for noncompliance and that what we can do to assist PHP will be based on a percentage of the housing in the rural areas as value of the project or building.” often there are no plans or “The inspectors are there to mitigate

4 this risk. If builders have received notices from the NHBRC in the past, this will affect their grading level once the new system is introduced. The new Bill will allow the NHBRC to impose penalties for noncompliance and that will be based on a percentage of the value of the project or building.” Last year, the Warranty Fund paid out almost R8 million for remedial work. “We need to lessen the cost to the fiscal of rebuilding poorly or badly built houses. Existing rectification programmes will be completed by March 2015.”

BUILDERS BENEFITS

NHBRC registered home builders will be able to produce their membership and receive substantial discounts on materials from key players in the sector. “We are in talks with the commercial banks to provide access to funding for NHBRC builders.” The NHBRC has plans to offer work- efficient projects and in this way, He says, “These are some of the shops on the various systems and people will be able to see how every- new benefits. We currently only offer measures. thing works and visit projects where customised training programmes and This includes: government incen- these products have been used.” courses, for example, if a builder has tives for reduction of energy usage, problems with foundations, then we paving and lighting etc. Other incen- will provide on-site training on that tives include municipal rates, tax SANS 10400 XA aspect.” incentives, the reduction of bulk infrastructure costs if energy efficient There was a debate when SANS 10400 TAX INCENTIVES measures are introduced. XA was introduced about whether “This requires buy-in from the subsidy housing would be exempt private sector and householders. It because of the huge increase in costs The Green Building Council of South is easy to retrofit a house – gas can to comply with the new legislation. Africa (GBCSA) have signed a MOU to be used for heating and cooking and “We advised politicians not to take work with the NHBRC to introduce the electricity for lighting. We have asked a short cut but to look at the long Green Star SA Multi Unit Residential municipalities to provide land to term - government cannot introduce Development Energy Efficiency Tool. developers for these types of energy Continued ▶▶▶

5 building codes that apply to one “The Minister has tasked the NHBRC gramme. This initiative will improve sector and not another and this can to evaluate projects and products. the livelihood of women contractors be challenged constitutionally. We We put a team together and visited and promote greater equality and needed to find a way to phase it in, each municipality where IBT systems sustainability in the housing sector. as some projects were already in the were used around the country. We The NHBRC are currently recruiting a pipeline and were approved prior to are currently compiling a database further 80 women contractors for the SANS 10400 XA.” and profiling the systems, including next programme. The new standards have huge fi- certifications such as Agrément.” nancial implications with the cost of The report will be assessed by the a BNG fully subsidised unit escalating Minister and her Deputy on the types ENERGY EFFICIENT from R65 000 to R110 000. This will of products as well as its suitability drastically reduce the number of units for low cost, medium and high end GREEN VILLAGE that can be rolled out. housing. NHBRC has proposed that Going forward, the new houses each municipality ring fence 10% The NHBRC formed a task team to must conform and funds need to be of the housing budget for IBTs. “We assess various parcels of Greenfield allocated to meet the new specifica- will also be presenting projects, best sites suitable for a residential village tions. For example, the size of win- practices and products suitable for comprising of 2 000 units. The en- dows, the positioning of the house, Human Settlements.” tire project will use energy efficient the type of roofing materials and sys- “We cannot achieve a target of systems and Innovative Building tems, lighting and solar products etc. 1,5 million houses by 2019 using brick Technologies, not only for the single, “We are making sure that we meet and mortar. IBT systems are the way duplex and walk up housing units but international standards and that to go in order to complement what we all the other facilities such as schools, houses being built are energy effi- want to deliver. We need to change clinics, roads, retail precincts, com- cient and will still be standing in 20 the notion that IBTs are costly, unaf- mercial space, pavements and public years from now. We must improvise fordable and unreliable. We want to space. and put all these critical interven- make sure that we profile current Mnyani admits that it will not be tions into place. At the end of the projects where these products have easy as all the infrastructure as well day, we must be environmentally been used.” as the plumbing, roofing and all other sensitive. Solar energy is most suited “The BNG beneficiary must also components will be sourced from to Gauteng and at the coast, solar be given the choice of products and IBTs. He smiles and says, “We are used wind power. For the major cities, solid told about the benefits, durability to the challenge.” waste programmes could reduce the and maintenance etc. The banks will So far, Gauteng has come out tops demand on the national energy grid. be asked to come on board and en- and offered three parcels of land. We need to look at other alternatives dorse the products which have been Although the site has still to be ap- to Eskom.” approved by government and also proved, it could be in the north of Jo- provide finance to home owners who hannesburg. “It is the way to go and I meet the criteria. Using materials that am really excited about the project.” IBTs - 10% RING FENCED showcase the best of the innovative building technologies that are pro- FOR HOUSING duced locally will contribute to job URBAN MANAGEMENT creation. We will be providing houses Innovative Building Technologies and reducing the backlog and are re- At a recent housing conference that (IBTs) has been the buzz word for ally excited about the NHBRC’s role in five years but it has not gained mo- Mnyani attended in Canada with assisting government to achieve its Deputy Minister of Human Settle- mentum. The Minister of Human target over the next five years.” Settlements receives almost 1 000 ments, Zou Kota Fredericks, he was submissions per month on various impressed with the Vancouver urban IBT products. management. WOMEN CONTRACTORS The city combines commercial and residential property. For example, in The NHBRC has partnered with GIBS the mainstream downtown hotels to fast track training for 20 women there is a mix of residential, retail contractors as part of a government and commercial space - from floors initiative. The four month intensive 1 – to 15 the hotels offer retail, com- construction course will be followed mercial and guest accommodation by a further four months working on and from floors 15 – 30 it is residential site projects. The course will end in apartments. February 2015. “We can learn from other coun- The women contractors will re- tries,” he says citing, “Canada, the ceive a certificate, almost the equiva- Netherlands, Denmark and Japan. We lent of a MBA. The master class have applied some principles, but we allows the contractor to discover all can learn from each other and make aspects of construction from project recommendations - these include management, planning, construction an exchange programme and the schedule, materials to onsite establishment of partnerships with training, as well as a mentorship pro- developed countries.”

6 The Inspectorate

t is clear that the new inspectorate model is working. This has In the past, the National Home Building Registration Council had Ienhanced the bottom line by outsourced inspections, which forms a crucial part of its mandate. reducing claims by 30% on the NH- This proved to be problematic for the state entity and it impacted BRC managed Warranty Fund, which offers home owners protection and negatively on the council’s reputation, now this crucial aspect has provides builders with surety in the been strengthened through the increase of in-house capacity. event of structural claims. Managing and coordinating this its inspections. Now the in-house in- central mobile server. If there is inspectorate team is a mammoth task spections are more effective, efficient an issue of non-compliance, the and is overseen by Thitinti Moshoeu, and engaging with the builder and builder is given a minimum of NHBRC Acting Executive Manager stakeholders. seven days to rectify and ensure Business Services. “We do not want builders to see us that the remedial work is done. In With almost 451 324 inspections as the police or enforcers and want to the event that the builder fails to conducted in the last financial year get to a position whereby inspectors comply, the NHBRC will suspend and 168 319 homes enrolled, inspec- can go on-site and be able to train the builder and a disciplinary tors average 265 site visits each per builders,” said Moshoeu. hearing will take place with a month, which includes four inspec- Today, site visits are recorded presiding advocate. tions per house during construction electronically, with hand held mobile NHBRC registered builders are and this contributes to a reduction on detection tools, which allows the encouraged to attend the builder’s warranty claims. The team consists inspector to log the site coordinates induction courses and to contact of 195 inspectors across the country. and manage the frequency of visits. their local NHBRC branch for Builders are required to comply This information is relayed to the assistance. with the building methodology of construction in the NHBRC Home Builders Manual. “We are currently in the process of professionalising the inspectors and one of the things we are looking at is to introduce inspectors who will specialise in foundations, roof, alternative building technologies, innovative building technologies, complex buildings and multi-storeys,” said Moshoeu. The new Inspectorate model has literally transformed the way in which the NHBRC conducts

7 Centre for Research & Housing Innovation is role and responsibility Renowned and respected in the built environment for his for the Centre for Research intellectual and technical knowledge of construction materials H& Housing Innovation is to respond to the NHBRC’s mandate across the sector, Jeff Mahachi is responsible for the new NHBRC and the powers vested with the state entity. Centre for Research & Housing Innovation. The core business of the new Cen- tre is to establish and promote ethical is through pragmatic research that a different way over time.” and technical standards, to improve is relevant to improving the quality This is clearly demonstrated at the structural quality and promote and of housing being built. Intellectual Eric Molobi Hub. A number of houses provide housing information. leadership means that we need to were built using IBT systems, almost The NHBRC has the responsibility develop and promote good building 10 years ago, and the products natu- for home building and to offer more standards.” ral processes are continually evalu- than just warranty protection against The next step, he says, is coming ated, measured and instrumented to defects in new homes, enrol homes up with new ways of thinking about determine factors such as durability. and inspections; and to ensure that building materials and new ways of The experiment has provided the house is ‘fit for purpose’. construction. “Our role as the Centre valuable information and according The Centre, under Mahachi’s guid- is to develop the concepts and the to Mahachi there are IBT systems, ance, is rising to the challenge to implementation of the concepts will which with time, will end up as a provide innovative ways to fast track be done through our normal business South African National Standard. housing delivery and assist the Min- units in the respective provincial of- “There are products at the hub that ister of Human Settlements in achiev- fices.” can now be adopted and rolled out ing the target of 1,5 million houses in “Our research and development for implementation. The whole idea is five years. will focus on innovative building to be able to provide guidance for the The NHBRC must be relevant to technologies (IBTs), and rationale de- industry and some of these products government’s initiatives says Maha- sign approach. There are two ways in have stood the test of time. However, chi, “We need to position ourselves as which IBT systems can be approved, other products may need further a leader in knowledge management either through Agrément or a rational refinement and we provide feedback and as a leader in technology solu- design approach, which is approved to the system developer in order to tions.” He goes on to explain that in by the NHBRC. A rationale design is fine tune the product and improve it.” order to achieve this, they need to based on theoretical behaviour of In conjunction with other testing provide transformational leadership. the innovative building technologies labs, the Centre is also able to per- The centre needs to be on the leading systems, however, when a product is form accelerated tests to determine edge of technical excellence and this built on the ground it may behave in durability of materials over 20 to 50

8 NHBRC TIMELINE 1992-1994 The National Housing Forum formulates South Africa’s new housing policy 1994 The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) is adopted. The RDP subsidy replaced all previous government programmes. National Housing Accord is signed. December The Housing White Paper is promulgated. 1995 August National Home Builders Registration Council (Pty) Ltd is established. 1996 The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is finalised. Section 26 states that everyone has the right to have “access to adequate housing”. 1997 The Housing Act (Act No 107 of 1997) replaces all previous housing legislation. 1998 The subsidy amount of R12 500 provided to the R801 to R1 500 income category is increased to R15 000. 1999 Introduction of the minimum norms and standards. Increase in the quantum of the subsidy. NHBRC Awards. 2000 Introduction of the National Housing Code. 2002 National Home Builders Registration Council mandate extended to include houses built with a subsidy. Centre for Research & Housing Innovation 2003 Increase in the quantum of the subsidy, including a variation for people years. Once a product’s properties are Soshanguve, Pretoria. The centre of- with visual disabilities. Procurement understood, measured and tested ex- fers a number of training programmes compliant regime. tensively and there is an understand- and have already, this financial year, 2004 Introduction of ‘Breaking New ing of the properties behaviour over trained 964 builders, 300 artisans, 58 Ground’.Informal settlement upgrading. time, then it will be an SABS building learners, 123 inspectors, 469 youth 2005 Application of the NHBRC warranty code standard.” and women. The inspectors have a scheme to the housing subsidy scheme The Centre’s research and develop- background in the built environment financed house. ment will also assist the built envi- and come from various disciplines 2007 Eric Molobi Housing Innovation Hub ronment and builders, developers such as engineering, quantity survey- in Shoshanguve, Pretoria. and stakeholders to be able to go ing or have an architectural back- 2008 National Upgrading Support Programme (NUSP) starts. Developed to an e-commerce portal and find ground. NHBRC registered builders, ‘Breaking New Group’ housing typologies. material and product suppliers at artisans, women and government 2009 Relocated Gauteng Provincial an affordable and competitive price. programme candidates are not re- Customer Service Centre to Woodmead. This will be launched shortly. “We quired to pay any training fees. “If our Revised Housing Code published. are negotiating with reputable ma- inspectors identify builders who are 2010 Open days held in the Eastern Cape, terial and product suppliers to offer issued non-compliance notices, for Gauteng, KZN and the Western Cape discounts to our NHBRC registered example the builder needs to learn to educate consumers and builders on builders and there are a number of how to mix concrete correctly, we the NHBRC and its objectives. Outcome other benefits which we will be roll- would then provide onsite assistance 8 commits the National Department of ing out. The portal will also include and training.” Human Settlements to upgrade 400 000 green technologies and products In other cases Mahachi explains households living in informal settlements such as solar and heat pumps and will that the Centre conducts techni- over the next four years. provide guidance on new innovative cal and construction management 2011 In partnership with National building technologies.” competencies, identifies the gaps Department of Human Settlements, hosted the 12th International Housing and A core function of the centre is to and provides the necessary train- Home Warranty Conference (HHWC) on develop NHBRC registered builders ing. The broad spectrum of courses African soil. says Mahachi, “And we need to do range from two days to two years, 2012 Representation on the board that through capacity building and depending on the modules and the of International Housing and Home training of home builders. We also individual’s needs. Warranty Association (HHWA) as Deputy need to uplift and train our inspec- “It is our intention to promote Chairperson of the Association. tors to reach a certain level, so that technical excellence and also ensure 2013 Commencement of testing materials they are one step ahead.” Training that every single house that passes at Eric Molobi Innovation Hub, in takes place at the Training Academy through our inspections are energy Soshanguve, Pretoria. located at the Eric Molobi Hub in efficient,” concludes Mahachi.

9 NHBRC’s new far reaching powers

he bill proposes that the NH- Julia Motapola, Manager Legal Compliance and Enforcement at the BRC will have jurisdiction over Tan extended spectrum of resi- National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) says that the dential property. This includes Com- proposed Housing Consumer Protection Bill will give the state entity munity Residential Units, People’s Housing Process, fully and partially far reaching powers that will enhance its current role in the sector. subsidised housing, social, welfare, orphanages, mixed use residential, all permanent homes in upgraded in- mandate to ensure quality of homes, required to register with the NHBRC. formal settlements, boarding houses, hence the emphasis is on home build- She says that in terms of the exist- alterations and renovations to existing as an activity,” says Motapola. ing Act, the NHBRC enrolment covers ing houses, as well as the building The term home has been expand- a house for a five year period from of permanent residential houses in ed and is far more comprehensive as date of occupation. “In order to en- the country. it refers to any permanent structure sure protection of housing consum- The NHBRC will also ers, the bill proposes to be renamed as the Na- maintain the five year tional Home Building warranty cover but will Regulatory Council, move the commence- as this encompasses ment date for the cover far more than registra- to the date of construc- tions and enrolments of tion as opposed to the houses. date of occupation as The bill has been it is currently the case. honed and perfected to This is a critical amend- meet the current indus- ment for home owners try challenges, provide as they will be covered legislation that will be from inception of con- effective and efficient, struction. and align with other She explained that pieces of legislation as part of strengthen- such as the Public Fi- ing the enforcement nance Management Act, function, the rules and 1 of 1999, Promotion of regulations of the new Access to Information Act (once enacted) will Act, 2 of 2000, Promotion provide that non-com- of Administrative Justice pliance penalties must Act, 3 of 2000 and best international that is wholly or partially occupied be determined through a formula practices. Motapola says that the core for residential purposes – other and not a fixed rand amount. In 1998 focus of the bill is about the quality structures will also be included, such the maximum penalty imposed in of homes being built, hence the exist- as boarding houses, orphanages, the current Act was R25 000. This ing Housing Consumers Protection mixed use buildings and welfare ac- is clearly inadequate in 2014 - if a Measures Act, 95 of 1998 is being commodation. builder of a multi-billion rand project repealed. The definition of a home builder fails to comply with the legislation, Here are a few key changes: has been broadened to include then this fine is not a deterrent. The The business of a home builder is developers and other organs of Warranty Fund will extend roofing currently defined in a manner that state such as municipalities and the coverage from one to two years. The focuses on economic activity of a Departments of Human Settlements bill postpones the warranty cover home builder - this will change as the irrespective of whether they are reg- for renovations, alterations or exten- bill provides clarity on the fact that istered with the NHBRC or not. This sions until a date to be determined the NHBRC regulates home building change underscores the principle by the Minister by notice in the Ga- as an activity to ensure that homes that it is the quality of homes that zette The state entity will no longer are built according to the specified is being regulated and not the eco- issue registration and enrolment technical standards. nomic activity of home builders certificates and this will instead be Construct - a new definition will The above change will further done on the online portal. The new take into account alterations and put to rest the misunderstanding procurement chapter will require renovations. Any home builder who that developers in the home build- municipalities, the province and the is constructing a home must be ing industry (generally being home Department of Human Settlements, registered with the NHBRC and will builders who in the normal course to only use the services of NHBRC reg- be required to follow all the building of business enter into agreements istered builders. There are a number codes and technical standards. “It with other home builders who have of other changes which will have an is important for home builders to the capacity to undertake the physi- impact on the sector when the Act is understand that the NHBRC has a cal construction of homes) are not promulgated.

10 Women Empowerment Programme

A new group of elite women contractors are undergoing training through the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in a bid by the National Home Builders Registration Council to provide women contractors with the knowledge and capabilities to roll out quality housing across the country.

he programme forms part of Twenty candidates from around the opportunities to all typologies in the the NHBRC’s Women Empower- country took part in the intensive housing sector. The result of their Tment Programme to celebrate four month training course in Johan- endeavours will be the potential to 20 years of democracy. The initiative nesburg. NHBRC provided transport, deliver housing projects that have by the NHBRC Board identified suit- accommodation and training dur- been specifically allocated for women able candidates in partnership with ing this time. The second part of contractors in the housing sector.” the Black Business Council Building the course includes four months of Daku says, “With Minister of Hu- Built Environment, Master Builders mentorship in their businesses with man Settlements, Lindiwe Sisulu, Association and cidb (Construction some of the best known and success- expecting women contractors to play Industry Development Board). There ful people in the housing sector, who their part in rolling out government is a strict judging process in this will assist with practical experience. housing, we need to measure the fiercely competitive industry and it’s The NHBRC will be picking up the tab success of the programme. We want all about showing their mettle. for this service. to make an impact and ensure that According to Xoli Daku, NHBRC Daku explains that this course their businesses have grown and that Board Member and Chair of the is not for new entrants in the sec- they are sustainable. This includes Women Empowerment Programme, tor but to develop existing women improving their skills, cidb grades and the training was provided by GIBS contractors. A number of candidates business revenue.” with NHBRC offering the content. were chosen from the South African The 20 women contractors will “We felt that we needed to give it to Women in Construction organisa- complete their housing empower- an institution that has specialised tion. The criteria required that the ment programme in March 2015. In programmes for women, rather women contractors were between the meantime, the Minister of Human than making it part of the NHBRC cidb Grade 2 – 6 and operated a busi- Settlements has tasked the NHBRC to day-to-day programmes, which all ness. Other candidates from other identify a further 80 women contrac- builders already have access to.” disciplines in the built environment tors to undergo training, in order to The GIBS course provided project included engineers, quantity survey- fast track housing delivery. To date management, marketing, business ors etc. “The NHBRC embarked on almost 500 applications have been development, financial and cash flow the programme in order to enhance received and the NHBRC hopes to management and resource planning, the quality of housing and to expose identify the next group of women to enhance technical skills and ensure women contractors to the value chain contractors and begin training mid that there is an execution plan. of housing delivery and also provide November 2014.

11 Regional contact list

Eastern Cape Bethlehem Off Boundart Street Port Elizabeth 6A Corner President Boshoff & Bruwer Strs Tzaneen 40 Pickering Street Bethlehem Tel: 015 6459/6156 Newton Park Tel: 058 303 0440 Mpumalanga Port Elizabeth North West Nelspruit Tel: 041 365 0301 Rustenburg Suite 201 Medcen Building East London Office Building North Block No. 06 14 Henshall Street 8 Princes Road, Vincent 67 Brink Street Nelspruit East London Rustenburg Tel: 013 755 3319 Tel: 043 721 1377 Tel: 014 594 9900 Witbank George Klerksdorp Block 5C D First Floor 1st Street Office No. 174, First Floor Burea de Paul Business Park 14 Fairview Office Park Sanlam Park Building Route N4, Corridor Crescent George 29 President Kruger Street Witbank Tel: 044 871 1209 Klerksdorp Tel: 013 656 1641/2 Western Cape Tel: +27 18 462 0304 Gauteng Cape Town Mafikeng Sunninghill Barinor Vineyards South Shop No 38 Mega City Shopping Centre 5 Leeuwkop Road The Vineyards Office Estate Cnr Sekame & Dr James Moroka Drive Sunninghill 99 Jip de Jager Drive Mmabatho Johannesburg Bellville Tel: 018 384 2669 Tel: 011 525 5500 Tel: 021 913 9210 Limpopo Pretoria Northern Cape Polokwane 524 Sancardia Shopping Centre Kimberley Suite 202 Gabbles Building Corner Church & Beatrix Street 13 Bishops Avenue 81 Hans van Rensburg Street Pretoria Block B Sanlam Business Complex Polokwane Tel: 012 444 2600 Tel: 015 297 7519 Kimberley Soshanguve Tel: 053 832-6850 Bela Bela Eric Molobi Housing Innovation Hub Free State 18 Sutter Avenue Juventus Street Bloemfontein Warmbath Soshanguve Unit 4 Hydro Park Tel: 014 736 6043/4513 Pretoria East 98 Kellner Street Tzaneen Tel. 087 310 4354 Westdene 61F Bert Booysen Street Tel: 051 448 7955/6/7

12 November 2014 Energy Efficiency, Green Building & IBTs Solar tech for affordable housing Sustainable solar power could provide the solution for low cost housing, says Ghumaid Abdurahman from EES Africa.

outh Africa faces an immense challenge in addressing the Sbacklog in the construction and delivery of quality, low cost housing. While there are a number of initiatives underway, there is a housing backlog of 2,3 million houses. Abdurahman explains the differences in the types of solar options available and provides valuable information on efficiency and cost options. Integral to the construction of these Different types of solar panels include: Solar electric panels are ideal for houses is the provision of energy for Solar electric works by means of producing energy, which can be used basic needs and a cost effective energy Photovoltaic (PV) panels. The PV pan- for heating purposes. However, they solution that will enable the supply els use semi-conductor technology to do not store energy; they simply of electricity, vital for lighting and convert sunlight into electricity. The convert sunlight into energy. The hot water. semi-conductors mostly comprise panels therefore need to be sourced Most areas in South Africa average silicon, and other elements are added and coupled to a battery for energy more than 2 500 hours of sunshine per to it by a process known as doping. storage. year. The average solar-radiation lev- Silicon has special chemical proper- Solar panels are made up of arrays els range between 4.5 and 6.5 kWh/m² ties ideal for solar cells. The PV panels of solar cells and come in a variety per day, according to the Department only operate when the sun is shining of sizes. The solar panels absorb the of Energy. This makes South Africa’s and must be coupled with other power sun’s energy and are responsible for local resource one of the highest in the generation mechanisms to ensure a converting that energy into electric- world. There are many different fac- constant supply of electricity. ity. Low power solar panels range tors and types of equipment in solar Solar thermal uses panels or mir- from 0.5 V to 15 V. The main types technology: rors to concentrate and collect sun- are Monocrystalline, Poloycrystalline Solar panels remain the most popu- light. The concentrated sunlight is and Thin Film. Prices vary according lar type of renewable energy because then used as a source of heat, as to their size and the manufacturing of their reliability and consistency. in solar water heating. It allows ex- process involved. They produce electricity from pho- cess thermal energy to be collected Different types of PV panels sold tons, which is found in light radiation. for later use. commercially: This means that even on overcast In 2005,Professor Vivian Alberts of Monocrystalline: a defining charac- days they will produce some energy, the University of Johannesburg de- teristic of Monocrystalline is its dark although they will obviously produce veloped a solar panel known as Thin black panels. The physical nature of more electricity with direct sunlight. Film Nano Solar. This panel is more Monocrystalline is silicon. On aver- There are many manufacturers of so- efficient in terms of manufacturing age these panels are more efficient lar panels, who offer installation and and cost of production than silicon than the rest. However, it should maintenance as well. While the initial PV, as it does not use silicon. Instead be noted that solar cost may be a little high, the long term it is based on Copper, Indium, Gallium, technology is ever benefits more than make up for this. Selenium and Sulphide (CIGS), which changing in Another key advantage is that the use do the same basic thing as the silicon both Mono- of solar panels helps reduce CO2 levels. in PV panels. crystalline and November 2014 Energy Efficiency, Green Building & IBTs Solar tech for affordable housing

Amorphous silicon (typical efficiency is about 6-8% when ‘stacked’; Cadmium telluride (typical efficiency is about 9% to 11%); Copper indium gallium selenide (typical efficiency between 10% and 12%); Organic photovoltaic cells (typical efficiency between 5% to 10%). Efficiency varies depending on what type of Thin Film solar cell technology has been used. It should be noted that these efficiencies change constantly. There has been tremendous growth in Thin Film solar panels over the years and they are catching up to silicon PV panels. Thin Film solar panels are, however, unsuitable if there are space constraints, meaning that for the same surface area PV panels would be more efficient. Another important factor is power storage. Key here is the type of battery to be used and the type of battery depends on budget. A home owner does not necessarily Poloycrystalline and a great deal de- it is manufactured with higher quality need the best on the market if design- pends on the manufacturer. silicon. ing a PV system for a relatively small There are panels where Poloycrystal- Polycrystalline: a defining charac- home. It is preferable for typical home line panels achieve higher efficiency teristic of Polycrystalline is its blue owners to use deep charge cycle bat- than Monocrystalline and again this reflective panels. Typical efficiency for teries, as these will often run below can be attributed to the manufacturer. these panels range from 13% to 15% half of their designed potential. Monocrystalline panels typically because the silicon used to manufac- A battery charger or regulator is have an efficiency of 15-20% (http:// ture Polycrystalline is not as pure as also needed. This regulates the bat- energyinformative.org/). For applica- that used for Monocrystalline. tery or batteries charging voltage tions where availability of space is a The cost would also be cheaper and current. If this is not installed the limiting issue for achieving a desired since a less pure form of silicon is used battery will simply keep charging, output power, Monocrystalline would in production of the panel. Heat toler- which would consequently damage be superior as it has a higher efficiency ance is lower than in Monocrystalline the battery. rating per square metre. panels. A solar battery charger can also im- In terms of lifespan, most manu- Thin Film solar cells - are manu- prove battery charging quality, which facturers offer a 25 year warranty factured by placing one or several helps with maintaining the battery life. on their products. In terms of price, thin layers of photovoltaic material Last but not least is an inverter, Monocrystalline is more expensive onto a substrate. They come in differ- which converts the direct current (DC) per kW than Polycrystalline, because ent photovoltaic materials, namely: power from the battery in a sinusoidal (curve in the form of a smooth repeti- tive oscillation), alternating current (AC) wave, so that it can be used to power electrical equipment in the home. For devices that use direct current such as some LED lighting and USB cell phone charging, an inverter is not necessarily required, but it is rec- ommended as it produces a cleaner form of DC. For further information go to www.eeslive.com ■

November 2014 Bricks & Paving

Umhlanga College

Umhlanga College, a state-of- harmonises with all environments, Emmett, was to create a paved street fauna and flora and in this instance through the precinct of the senior the-art learning facility set in has taken the historic building’s am- primary school that was significantly the green sugar cane fields of bience forward into the present day wider than a conventional corridor built environment in a seamless way.” and could act as an interactive zone. KwaZulu-Natal, is a perfect From the outset, says Emmett, The street itself has been used as a example of blending the old and sustainable building methods and hall as well as a craft market to en- new with Corobrik products that design were priorities, again making courage entrepreneurship. environmentally friendly clay brick a The iconic hall looks back towards are timeless. natural fit. She explains that as the the amphitheatre and out over the school outgrew its available space school sports fields. It includes a sub- rchitect Trish Emmett from and evolved to include more grades, stantial stage, a sprung floor, practice Emmett Architects says that it moved up the hill necessitating the rooms for music and ballet and highly the existing building on the addition of more classrooms as well sophisticated acoustics which have A as innovative spaces to encourage resulted in the incorporation of dis- property was the cane cutters’ single quarters. Transforming this historic extracurricular activities. tinctive fins (rather than unsuitable building into a modern learning facil- Throughout, she says, there has parallel walls) into the design. ity has been an exciting challenge. been a master plan for building which The overall design ethos will be The original face brick building has centred on the use of clay brick. replicated as the high school takes with its distinctive brick columns set The only changes have been made shape. Construction of the second the tone and the original old dining to roofs since the original clay tiles phase is expected to begin in 2015 hall with its wrap around verandahs were difficult to source as they are with the completed facility expected was linked with new buildings that no longer made and are extremely to be fully functional by 2017. perfectly complemented them. expensive. Instead, she used double The high school comprises five The brickwork was dictated by pitched roofs that are designed to classrooms as well as an art room, builders of old and the modern-day optimise light as do large well po- media centre and the first phase architect’s job was to select a product sitioned windows which have light administration block. On comple- that matched as closely as possible. shelves and grids to bounce light into tion, Umhlanga College will boast Corobrik’s Firelight Satin was the the classrooms. 38 classrooms as well as specialty perfect choice together with Coro- The design specification had to rooms, administration facilities, a brik’s Imperial non face bricks which blend with the existing buildings and sick bay and lecture theatre. formed the basis for the contrasting also meld with distinctive features It will also have Umhlanga Col- plastered sections of the buildings. such as the open-air amphitheatre lege’s signature paved street as a Corobrik’s Director of Sales, Allin and a 6 m wide paved street onto focal point with a 15 m wide long, flat Dangers, said that Firelight Satin has which the media and audio visual promenade. both practical and aesthetic qualities centre, science laboratory, cutting Brooks says that this will provide that make it a good match. “Durable edge IT centre, design and technol- an interactive area and creative space face bricks possess a high degree ogy centre and music, art and drama where learners will be encouraged to of size, shape uniformity and the rooms. hang banners and art works. ■ rich terracotta colour of the chosen The concept, according to face bricks have worked well with the earth tones and natural sur- rounds. It is a feature of clay brick that it November 2014 Green and functional

Mobile operator, Cell C’s head office in Midrand occupies 46 000 m² with a further 14 000 m² for future development. he campus includes offices, a Terraforce licensee in Gauteng, national network operations Silvio Ferraris, of Remacon says, Tcentre (NOC), data centre, “The Terraforce retaining wall sys- customer walk-in centre, call cen- tem was chosen by the architects, tre, Cell C shop, and a distribution Bentel Associates International, warehouse. It will form part of the for its closed face configuration multibillion-rand Waterfall Busi- and plantability. The walls are 6 m ness Estate development, which high and are reinforced with geo- straddles the N1 between the Buc- fabric, while some are installed cleuch interchange and Midrand’s against natural, residual granite Allandale Road. formations.” The site required the The construction site is situ- installation of 4 680 m2 standard, ated on a slope, which required grey L11 blocks. All the walls were the earthworks platforms to be planted with creeping, indigenous terraced, creating cut-face and bulk groundcovers to create a soft embankments above and below greening effect and to add to the parking areas that needed to be overall visually striking and func- retained. tional landscape. ■

The Team LOCATION STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS • Cell C Head Office, Waterfall • L&S Consulting Park, Midrand LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS DEVELOPERS • Insite Landscape Architects • Atterbury Property Holdings ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS ARCHITECTS • Seaton Thomson & Associates • Bentel Associates International MAIN CONTRACTOR ARCHITECTS - WAREHOUSE • Group 5 • Empowered Spaces SUPPLIER, TERRAFORCE BLOCKS QUANTITY SURVEYORS • Remacon Products CC • NWS Quantity Surveyors

November 2014 Cement & Concrete

along the way – i.e. strength, consis- sort in their fleets are many and the tency, workability, etc. An immediate accreditation of the system means Mixing with printout acts as certification of the that they can rest assured that it is mix for onsite record keeping pur- able to produce the same consistent poses and is recorded for purposes quality as their existing batching the best of proof of delivery. The unmixed plants,” says Johan van Wyk from product remains usable. SARMA. The Southern Africa Readymix Shortly after the announcement “Certification follows a lengthy was made that ProAll Reimer Mixers verification process in which Go Con- Association (SARMA) has had been accepted and accredited sult trained the operator, did the mix accredited and accepted ProAll by the Southern Africa Readymix As- designs, determined the settings and sociation (SARMA), a similar unit was maintained quality control. SARMA Reimer SA Mixers. purchased by 3Q Mahuma Concrete. officials audit the manufacturer’s Although ProAll Reimer Mixers have systems for accreditation. They also ith sophisticated metering been available in the market for some measured the performance and systems aboard the ProAll time now, a thorough certification quality of the system against stated Reimer Mixers, exact quanti- W process had to be followed to ensure outputs. Only then, once they were ties of raw materials are fed into the the trucks could produce concrete of satisfied that the ProAll Reimer Mixer screw auger and can be batched to a consistent standard to meet the as- units met performance criteria, were meet each customer’s requirements sociation’s strict requirements. they able to certify South Africa’s Reimer SA markets and supports first continuous concrete production a unique readymix system that al- plant ,” said Johan van Wyk, General lows dry cement, aggregates and Manager of SARMA. other ingredients of concrete to be He concluded that the new system transported to site and mixed to would provide members with a vi- specification. The system therefore able means of extending their reach is able to overcome the challenge of into remote areas and allows them ensuring concrete is fresh when being to measure out smaller quantities to transported over long distances and clients who would usually have no can metre-out small amounts at many other option but to settle for less reli- different sites in a day without the risk able site mixing options. of the concrete losing slump. For further information contact “For our members the advantages Johan van Wyk at SARMA on 011 791 Dirk Reimer of having a ProAll Reimer Mixer of this 3327 or email: [email protected] ■

November 2014 AfriSam readymix for Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital

AfriSam has been awarded a contract by Group Five to supply 17 650 m3 of readymix concrete for the construction of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Parktown, Johannesburg.

friSam Multi Products Solutions Account Manager, Graham Hannah says, “It is a wonderful opportunity Afor AfriSam to contribute to the lasting legacy of the late Nelson Mandela. The establishment of this non-profit hospital was a personal dream of Mandela and once completed will be one of only four çhildren’s hospitals on the African continent,” says Hannah. Construction commenced on June 23rd 2014 following the successful completion of bulk earthworks and piling on site. Due to open its doors in 2016, the 200 bed specialist paediatric hospital will provide services in the fields of haema- tology/oncology, pulmonology, cardiology, neurosciences, craniofacial, nephrology and general paediatric surgery. The hospital will be located adjacent to the Wits Univer- sity’s Medical School. It is close to other medical facilities to allow for paediatric academic teaching access from Wits Medical School and to maximise operational efficiencies and staffing models. The hospital will employ approximately 150 doctors and 451 paediatric nursing professionals in addition to allied services. Group Five’s appointment as the main contractor by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust (NMCHT) followed a selection process adjudicated by SIP Project Managers in conjunction with Mbatha, Walters & Simpson consultancy. “This represents a key milestone in our efforts to make Nelson Mandela’s last wish of building a children’s hospital in South Africa a reality,” says Nana Magomola, Deputy Chairperson, NMCHT. ■

November 2014 Cement & Concrete Underpinning foundations

Using traditional underpinning methods, Gauteng Piling recently strengthened and stabilised the foundations of an upmarket residence in the Irene Farm Villages secure estate in Centurion.

hanyani Sikhitha, Gauteng Piling’s Site Manager for the Tproject, explains that the double-storey residence had begun to develop serious internal cracking caused by changes in the bearing capacity of the dolomite soil on which the relatively new house was built. “Gauteng Piling opted for a mini- piling technique, which meant the excavation of a corbel next to and under the existing foundation. A micro-pile was installed inside the corbel and cut off at the bottom of the corbel. The foundation was then supported with the corbel, filled with reinforced concrete. The underpinning process called for the manual excavation of 18 piling holes, measuring 1 m x 700 mm in diameter, which exposed the current foundations at a depth of 600 mm,” explains Sikhita. Gauteng Piling then excavated another 600 mm deeper and dug under the current foundations to create a cavity of 400 mm that penetrated under the house’s current foundation slab. “We employed the Grundomat hammer piling technique, which is normally used for horizontal installation of services below roads, to install 165 mm diameter steel tubes Hennie Bester, Managing Director of “Underpinning to strengthen and as micro-piles into the ground, using Gauteng Piling, says the company is stabilise foundations is essential compressed air to drive the hammer. often called upon to perform similar to provide additional load-bearing We could drive the piles to a depth of underpinning projects, particularly capacity when additional storeys 3 m to serve as a new foundation after for existing private residences which are added to an existing structure, or being filled with 25 MPa concrete. We have developed severe cracking that the structure is employed for a new, also manufactured 18 steel reinforce- could ultimately cause collapse. more robust type of usage. Without ment cages, 500 mm x 500 mm, which “Mini-piling, using the hammer sufficient strengthening of the foun- were connected to the piling shafts piling technique, minimises noise dation, structural collapses - as re- and then filled with concrete of the and vibration disturbance to the ported regularly in the media these same strength. These cages were residents and properties surrounding days - are almost inevitable. When pushed into the cavities under the the house. Another major benefit is that happens, lives can be lost.” house to support the existing founda- that the underpinning of the foun- For further information tions that were settling.” dations can generally be carried out please contact Gauteng Piling on The entire project took about a entirely from outside the building,” 011 465 7751 or visit the website week to complete. says Bester. www.gautengpiling.co.za ■ November 2014 November 2014 Cement & Concrete

Massive quantities of Construction & Demolition Waste (C&DW) are Reusing being dumped in landfills without the recycling of such a potentially valuable building material being considered, says Bryan Perrie, MD of building The Concrete Institute. and re-use of such debris, particularly Anaheim in the USA, 700 000 tons of concrete. concrete was reused on a freeway debris C&DW annually amounts to around project, providing a cost saving of 510 million tons (equivalent to 30% of US $5 million. Similar economic all waste generated) in Europe. benefits of concrete recycling have errie says significant volumes In the USA, C&DW totals about 325 been experienced in Melbourne, of C&DW – including large vol- million tons per year, and in Japan, 77 Australia, where 15 000 cubic metres umes of concrete - are ending million. C&DW totals in countries such of concrete was recovered for the P as China and India, which together construction of the city’s Western up in municipal solid waste landfills in South Africa. “There is currently produce about 50% of the world’s Link, yielding cost savings of over growing concern worldwide about concrete, must be substantially $4 million Australian dollars. this wastage of materials such as higher. Perrie says controlled demolition, concrete, wood, gypsum, metals, In Europe, the EU has decreed that incorporating a sorting system which bricks, glass, plastics, and salvaged aggregates derived from C&DW in would separate reusable elements building components like doors, roads, drainage, and other construc- on site - and also taking the quality windows and plumbing fixtures. The tion projects, must be recycled. In and history of the concrete waste waste debris usually originates from fact, the technology for the separa- into account – is a vital component the demolition of buildings or civil tion and recovery of construction of sustainability. infrastructure. The waste could also and demolition waste is now well All concrete deemed suitable for contain hazardous materials such as established in European countries, recycling should be used for new lead, asbestos or even radioactive readily accessible and generally, concrete production. A properly materials,” he stated. inexpensive. structured demolition waste recy- “Yet there is tremendous potential In the USA, the Federal Highway cling programme would also create to recycle so many elements of de- Administration (FHWA) actively pro- new employment opportunities and molition waste, particularly concrete, motes the recycling of concrete from reduce the exploitation of natural which can be crushed and reused in pavements and roads, and such resources. construction projects instead of oc- recovery programmes are now in Perrie also believes that more at- cupying valuable landfill space.” operation in just about every state in tention should be paid to the re-use Perrie says the European Union, America. Uncontaminated concrete and recycling of building materials for example, has identified C&DW as pavements can serve as substitute such as concrete at the design stage a priority waste stream, recognising for most natural aggregates. The to actively promote sustainability in the high potential for the recycling economic benefits are enormous. In the construction industry. ■

November 2014 Cement & Concrete

until recently, Holcim and Afrisam were party to an agreement in terms Holcim/Lafarge merger of which Holcim rendered certain technical assistance to Afrisam. This assistance also provided Holcim with information that it ordinarily would not have about a competitor’s business. The Commission found that the shareholding by Holcim in competitors, Lafarge and Afrisam, would create a platform for information sharing and tacit collusion in the cement industry post-merger and thus substantially lessen competition. This is compounded – as history of collusion in the South African cement industry – globally involving the merging par- The Competition Commission has approved an intermediate merger ties, the high concentration levels between Holcim and Lafarge SA, with certain conditions. and barriers to entry in the cement industry To address the competition his transaction is an inter- present anti-competitive effects post- concerns, the Commission approved national merger, which was merger. This is due to the fact that the this merger on condition that Holcim Tnotified in various jurisdictions shareholding creates an undesirable divests its shareholding in Afrisam globally. Holcim and Lafarge are ce- structural link between Holcim and within a period of three years, after ment producers operating interna- Afrisam in that it provides Holcim approval of the merger. tionally, although Holcim exited the with access to Afrisam’s commercially “Cross shareholdings between South African market a few years ago sensitive information. competitors, particularly, in highly but retained the stake that it held in The Commission’s investigation concentrated sectors are a recipe for Afrisam. Until this transaction, only established that without this share- collusion. The conditions imposed Lafarge operated in South Africa. holding, Holcim would not have ac- on this merger ameliorate the com- The Commission found that Holcim’s cess to this commercially sensitive petition concerns the merger would shareholding interest in Afrisam, a ce- information. have presented”, says Acting Deputy ment producer in South Africa, would The Commission also noted that up Commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu. ■

Bio-mimicking carpet tile range The latest sustainable ‘bio- is inspired by the visual, tactile textures that are found in forest floors, mimicking’ carpet tile range from grassy fields and pebble garden global manufacturer, Interface, is paths,” explains Park. being distributed in South Africa Human Nature features five 25cm x 1m skinny plank carpet tile patterns by Kevin Bates Albert Carpets that pair seamlessly with larger 50cm (KBAC). x 50cm square tiles, ideal for compos- ing imaginative floor designs and he collection, ‘Human Nature’, encouraging design diversity. was designed by British-born The planks are also available in David Oakey, a longstand- a range of textures, from a pebbled T to a grassy appearance to delineate ing collaborator with Interface and through his company, David Oakey different working spaces. Design, a world leader in sustainable “The Human Nature carpet tiles design practices. offer a significant advantage over The nature-based design princi- hardwood flooring in that it absorbs ples, known as ‘bio-mimicry’, are fast sound and therefore offer improved becoming mainstream partly because acoustics, while creating more com- of Oakey’s pioneering creations. fortable, productive work environ- Brandon Park, Sales Director of ments.” Kevin Bates Albert Carpets, says the Park adds, “The new range com- new Interface collection was inspired bines the hard surface look of planks by the premise that design spaces with the benefits of soft, textured that evoke the senses through light, carpet tile that feels comfortable and colour, texture and detail can connect natural underfoot.” For further infor- with the human spirit. mation contact Kevin Bates Albert “The new ‘Human Nature’ flooring Carpets on 011 608 4270. ■

November 2014 Doors, Windows, Floors & Walls

Flowcoat for SA’s largest flooring project

Flowcrete South Africa supplied Iveco with a range of solutions for working environment of industrial their new manufacturing plant in Pretoria. facilities in a number of ways. Its adjustable anti-slip profile means that the use of graded aggregates can be tailored to reduce the risk of slips and he 55 000m² installation was unique solutions to make full use of trips depending on the location. the largest flooring project in the flexibility of Flowcrete’s systems.” This system was also used for the TSouth Africa at the time and To meet Iveco’s aesthetic require- demarcation lines, creating bright required multiple specialist systems ments Flowcrete had to supply its and clear yellow signage to aid to be applied throughout the large solutions in the same colours as the navigation around the busy, multi- manufacturing complex. client’s international standards. To do complex site. Flowcoat SF41 was uti- Iveco, a global leader of indus- this the resin flooring specialist devel- lised here as Iveco wanted a solution trial vehicles, carried out an extensive oped and produced floors in bespoke that was thicker and more durable specification process to ensure that tones that matched Iveco’s corporate than the standard demarcation line the finished surface within its new colours. Before the floor finish could product. facility would be able to withstand be applied the concrete substrate had Several areas of the facility re- the intensive activity that would be to be assessed to find out what dam- quired the floor to have specific prop- carried out on site. age had been caused by a fire that erties. The laboratory and paint mix- Of the seven companies that had broken out during construction. ing rooms had the polyurethane resin provided flooring samples during To fix this floor layer, the underlying system Flowfresh HF ESD installed the specification process, Iveco concrete slabs were removed and the across the floors and Flowfresh WR recognised that Flowcrete’s systems area rescreeded. Support beams and ESD was applied as coving around would be the best fit for its latest sliding doors that had been damaged the drains. development. in the fire were removed and the floor These systems not only create a Flowcrete South Africa’s Managing cavities left behind were filled in with seamless and easy-to-clean floor, but Director, Craig Blitenthall said, “When Conrep SF65. they also have electrostatic dissipa- Iveco chose us they knew that they The epoxy resin floor coating tive properties to avoid static charge were choosing quality over costs, as Flowcoat SF41 was installed across build up. This was important within there were cheaper alternatives avail- the main production areas of the the laboratory as static charges in the able. However, when it came down facility as well as on the walkways. floor can damage sensitive electrical to which supplier was best placed The hard-wearing and chemically re- equipment and within a paint room to meet their demanding require- sistant nature of this solution makes it can be a dangerous ignition source. ments, it was Flowcrete that came it ideal for large-scale manufacturing “This combination of solutions out on top.” plants, as it will maintain a seamless, meant that Iveco could rest assured Blitenthall added that working on impermeable and bright surface de- that its new facility would main- this development meant overcoming spite the inevitable heavy work load, tain an unblemished surface that a number of challenges, as not only oil and grease spillages, hot water wouldn’t deteriorate when faced with was it the largest flooring project in washes and the physical impacts of the inevitable demands of manufac- the country at the time, but meeting heavy equipment. turing 20 tonne trucks,” concluded Iveco’s specifications meant creating Flowcoat SF41 can optimise the Blitenthall.■

November 2014 Construction Equipment & Transport

New wheel loaders

he robust wheel loaders have High Power Equipment Africa been designed for efficient (HPE Africa) recently hosted a performance in arduous work- T working demonstration of the ing conditions in construction,” says Alex Ackron, Managing Director, HPE new Hyundai wheel loader HL Africa, a division of the Capital Equip- ment Group. 760-9 series, an upgrade on the “These versatile machines with previous 7 series. an operating weight of 18 400 kg and heaped bucket capacity of 3,1 m³, are suited to the terrain and load of every feature has a shock absorbing ac- Ground level access to fuel and oil specific application.” cumulator that cushions the boom, filters, grease fittings, fuses, machine Hyundai 9 series wheel loaders, fit- reduces material loss and improves computer components and wide ted with fuel efficient, low noise Cum- operator comfort. The operator is open compartments also simplify mins 2 tier engines, have an in-line able to turn this system on or off with maintenance procedures. The 9 se- fuel pump that delivers more power an overhead switch. These loaders ries has been designed for longer at high injection pressure, for cleaner also have enhanced axles for efficient lubrication intervals and extended combustion and lower emission. and safe operation in uneven ground component life. The new centre pivot The fully automatic transmission conditions. Self-adjusting brakes that roller bearing design, which is now system is designed for durability, automatically regulate disc clear- double tapered, also requires less minimum power loss, low noise and ance, ensure improved brake per- maintenance. improved travel speed. The new formance and reduced service time. An advanced colour LCD moni- clutch control design and reduced The new load sensing hydraulic tor display unit is fitted onto an shifting shock, ensure a smoother system with a variable volume piston adjustable swivel mount to enable ride when travelling. pump and closed centre main control the operator to easily and efficiently The automatic transmission sys- valve, provide efficient hydraulic control the machine. Self diagnostics, tem of the 9 series also allows the power and additional energy savings. maintenance check lists, as well as operator to customise automatic These 9 series machines have a newly start-up machine security, have been transmission shift timing and clutch designed parallel-mounted cooler integrated into the monitor of the cut-off, based on operating condi- configuration and non louvered fins -9 series, for greater versatility and tions and personal preference. These to prevent clogging. improved safety. A colour rear-view variable operating modes contribute All coolers are designed with an back-up camera is an additional op- to improved productivity, reduced aluminium bar plate configuration tion. The cab has rounded front glass fuel consumption and enhanced and withstand thermal shock, im- and larger door glass for a better field operator comfort, including manual, pulse and vibration, to ensure ex- of view and a fully automatic climate auto-light, auto-normal and auto- tended service life. The top mounted control system improves heating and heavy modes. Convenient rotary type non-louvered aluminium air con- cooling in the cab. switches enable easy adjustment denser and variable displacement A/C HPE Africa offers customers an op- of power transmission modes and compressor, offer maximum cooling erator training programme to ensure clutch cut-off. capacity, energy savings and easy optimum performance from every The ‘ride control system’ optional clean-out. machine. ■

November 2014 Construction Equipment & Transport Bobcat 1-2 tonne Compact Excavators

Bobcat has launched the new E17, E19 and E20 compact excavators compact size and superior stability of the new E17, E19 and E20 excava- - the next generation of 1-2 tonne excavator models. tors make these machines ideal for the most heavy duty applications in hese new high performance narrow pillars to maximise all-around confined areas. excavators provide an un- visibility. As a result, the cabs on the The excavators have a new control matched combination of class- E17 to E20 provide an uncompro- panel that ensures all parameters T can be checked quickly and easily in leading breakout forces, working mised operator environment which, range, smoothness of workgroup together with the excellent visibility, a single viewing, including standard functions, hydraulic output and fast provides the best possible operator readouts such as the fuel gauge and cycle times. The excavators offer comfort and safety. RPM meter but also auto engine shut- a roomy and comfortable operator The new E20 2 tonne model is a down; auto glow plugs countdown; environment, durability and excellent Zero Housing Swing (ZHS) excavator, auto cab lights switch-off and audible service access. which means that despite featuring alarm (in case of malfunction). The new models are towable a full-sized cab, it still enhances Zero Other features include an easy- on trailers for up to 2 000 kg, with Tail Swing (ZTS) functionality by fur- to-operate gas spring-assisted light transportability further enhanced ther protecting the front upper struc- and rigid frame front window, keyless by new tie-down points. An expand- ture corners turning within the swing ignition for optimal safety, a battery able undercarriage, automatic slew circle. The ZHS configuration in the kill switch for storage and to prevent brake and advanced diagnostics and E20 excavator therefore provides 320° theft and an automatic slew brake instrumentation are just some of the of free rotation when working close for safe parking and transportation. many standard features included on to structures, without sacrificing on With enhanced stability and lifting all three excavators. operator comfort or performance. capacity, combined with best-in-class The new cab design on the exca- Access to the operator’s seat in the proportional auxiliary flow, the new vators features large windows and E17, E19 and E20 is simple thanks to E17, E19 and E20 models offer the the large door opening and the fact highest versatility in operating a wide that the control console rises com- range of attachments. Stability is es- pletely out of the way when the op- sential for making maximum use of erator is taking his or her seat. There the digging forces and lifting capaci- is ample space for feet with a flat ties. Optimum stability is achieved floor for easy cleaning and with floor by fully expanding the retractable panels that can be easily removed for undercarriage and using the optional service purposes, ergonomic pedals long dozer blade. In addition, though and easy access to all controls, stor- it is a true ZHS machine, the stability age box and cup holders. When not of the E20 model is comparable to in use, the foot pedals can be folded that of best-in-class conventional back to further increase room for the machines on the market. operator’s feet. The use of durable materials en- The superior comfort offered by sures that the Bobcat E17, E19 and all three models allows operators to E20 models offer hard-wearing and work for hours at a time. Overall, the robust performance. ■

November 2014 Desmond Tutu Peace Centre The City of Cape Town has given the go ahead for the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation to use the Old Granary building in Buitenkant Street as the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre.

he city council aims to use this public asset as a multi-cultural and inclusive space for the Tpeople of Cape Town. The heritage site in the East City Precinct is one of the architectural land- marks in Cape Town. The 203-year-old Old Granary building is situated on a land area more than 2 000 m² and was first used as a customs house and later as a post office, mag- istrate’s court, a women’s prison and Department of Public Works. The Old Granary has the prospect of representing the work of a man who has come to symbolise hope and peace. Steeped in history, the R30 million resto- ration and refurbishment will provide a fitting home for Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s legacy foundation. “The City believes that the proposed lease agreement and use for the property will leverage the City’s assets to drive socio-economic growth and sustainable, inclusive development,” says Ian Neilson, Executive Deputy Mayor of Cape Town. “Considering the pain, conflict and division of our own past and the state of the world today, Cape Town can be a driver of change, through organisations such as the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. We can play a role in positioning Cape Town, with all its different social realities, as a place where we are serious about contributing to the creation of a platform for peace, for people from all walks of life. The building will serve to restore an important heritage site and to regenerate the East City Precinct. It will also ensure that the legacy of Archbishop Tutu is recognised for generations to come,” says Neilson. ■

November 2014 Infrastructure & Mixed Use

the site.” The design of the buildings began in December 2012 and ground work commenced in November 2013. A netball court had to be demolished on the brownfields site and the rubble excavated from the foundations of the new residences. “Geotechnical studies were conducted to ensure that the solution we were proposing was viable, as the foundation platform was close to sea level. We then determined the best way to prepare the ground for piled foundations,” says Stagman. Additional challenges included the sequencing of construction to Steve Biko Campus expedite completion due to delays for various reasons, including the pro- Two new four-storey residences at the Durban University of tracted Metal Workers Union strike. “The contractor decided that more Technology’s Steve Biko Campus are set to be completed within the concrete pours needed to be tackled first few months of 2015. at the same time, which meant that additional site supervision and extra he Durban University of Technol- “The residences form part of a larger workers were needed. Aurecon to- ogy (DUT) currently has nine res- campus upgrade, which ties in with gether with the design team helped Tidences located throughout the the varsity’s master plan, to facilitate the contractor plan and execute other Steve Biko campus in central Durban. the flow of pedestrians, students and jobs on the site, at the same time, in As part of a consortium led by Creative visitors throughout the campus.” order to meet very tight deadlines.” Axis architects, Aurecon has been con- It was important that the contem- The new residences have been tracted to undertake civil, structural, porary design appealed to students, designed to create a welcoming, fire and wet services engineering on says Stagman. “There were a num- modern space for students living on two new blocks of student residences ber of significant challenges during campus. “More students will soon be that will help accommodate additional construction, the most significant of able to secure accommodation on students. these was an abundance of ground- campus. It is not only more sociable The residences, named ‘Winterton’ water. The site drops in elevation and safe for students, but it means and ‘Steve Biko’ have single and dou- because there are sports fields above that more students can attend lec- ble rooms, as well as accommodation the site and groundwater flows in tures and functions without organis- for paraplegic students. steadily. To combat this, Aurecon ing transport or taking lengthy com- According to Rod Stagman, Aure- designed cut-off drains and fin drains mutes to the university,” concludes con’s Project Leader on the project, in order to funnel water away from Stagman. ■

November 2014 Infrastructure & Mixed Use R1bn to improve and build township economies The Gauteng government will invest more than R1 billion to build and improve infrastructure for township economies in the next five years, says Premier David Makhura. overnment aims to double the townships entrepreneurs across the size of Gauteng’s economy and province. Ggrow it to two trillion rand over “We visited more than 65 town- the next 15 years. The revitalisation ships in Gauteng and gained an of the township economies is one of insider perspective and first-hand the key areas to transform, moder- information from more than 50 000 nise and reindustrialise. He says that township entrepreneurs about their township economies will be a critical plans and aspirations.” player in Gauteng’s economy and that Some of the challenges facing townships will contribute almost 30% township entrepreneurs includes: of the province’s GDP. the presence of shopping malls; a Addressing delegates at a one-day procurement system that does not summit on Township Economic Re- support township economies; heavy vitalisation, at the Orlando Stadium handedness by metro police who in Soweto, he said that government criminalise informal traders; the was responding to the needs of the presence of foreign nationals who township entrepreneurs. dominate the spaza shop sector in The purpose of the Summit was the townships. to afford local entrepreneurs, SMMEs Government has also pledged and cooperatives an opportunity to R60 million to establish proper infra- contribute towards the Township structure and assist township entre- Economic Revitalisation Strategy. preneurs to conduct their businesses Makhura added that the Gauteng under better conditions. In October a Provincial Government was looking further R7 billion will be invested to at ways to grow township economies. revitalise public transport infrastruc- “We want to ensure that there is ture. Speaking to delegates, Deputy an appropriate legal and regulatory President Cyril Ramaphosa said that framework to review laws that fail innovation was a key driver for the to promote the growth of SMMEs economy. “Winners are innovative and township entrepreneurs. Other and think out of the box.” interventions include fast tracking He also encouraged entrepreneurs skills development, assisting entre- to improve their skills, to be able preneurs with financing and investing to read and understand balance in township economies. sheets and income statements, and During the past three months to sharpen their marketing skills in Makhura has had consultations with order to access other markets. ■

District municipalities’ performance improves ooperative Governance and Tra- lenge of having a small population and we developed a Back to Basics ditional Affairs Minister Pravin of councillors and very limited or programme.” CGordhan says national govern- non-existent revenue, making them Other issues include: demarcation ment has looked at ways of strength- entirely dependent on transfers from of municipalities in preparation for ening municipalities at district level, national government. the 2016 local government elections; in order to improve the overall perfor- “Those are the policy issues that acquisition of land for the develop- mance of local government. According we said we will look at further in ment of municipalities; municipal to Gordhan, “There are district and preparation for the next meeting budgets and expenditure, as well as local municipalities in certain parts to see how we can enhance overall general issues relating to procure- of the country that are fairly weak, performance of municipalities,” said ment reforms in government. or financially unviable, or have dif- Gordhan. “We want every municipality to ficulties in attracting the right level The previous Presidential Local ensure that it keeps proper records. of capacity. Government Summit (PLGS was Almost 41 municipalities in the coun- He said municipalities need to held in mid-September with Mayors try have had disclaimers every year, employ people with high levels of and municipal managers from the over the last three years. The reason skills, capacity and competence to 278 municipalities. “We needed to was the lack of documentation.” address the challenges they face. understand what worked in these He added that State-owned land Some municipalities faced the chal- municipalities and what did not work, would be identified for development .

November 2014 Industry Buzz, Events & Products

16-hour day often applies in Japan); OHS in Tokyo Mental health (psychological therapy at work for those affected); Lifestyle-linked eamwork plays a vital role in diseases (obesity is a major culprit, preserving Occupational mainly sub-contractors from countries Health & Safety on Japanese outside of Japan); The safety and health T of aged workers (many retired workers building sites, says Ashleigh Feeny, Construction Health & Safety Ad- are retained on a contractual basis). ministrator of Master Builders Asso- Feeny said that ‘Good Practice’ as ad- ciation (MBA) North. Feeny recently vocated in Japan, consisted of prompt attended an intensive 12-day seminar, implementation of programmes devel- Occupational Safety & Health Manage- oped locally and based on the experiences of companies within a particular ment and Work Environment Improve- Ashleigh Feeny ment, in Tokyo. The event attracted sector of industry, and placing strong delegates from 19 countries, with site reliance on encouraging personal initia- visits to view practices. tive of workers. “On Japanese building sites, the Overwork problems (such as stress “South Africa should learn from this entire teams involved in a project meet illnesses, abnormally extended shift example and support the initiative of its first thing in the morning to discuss the work, muscular-skeletal injuries caused own people, and more strongly encour- day’s priorities – including health and by, for example, lifting heavy loads age participation in the development of safety – and this is then usually followed manually instead of employing proper health and safety measures by a com- by linking arms and sounding a chant equipment; and long working days (a pany’s own work force,” she added. ■ of unity. Employer organisations work hand in hand with the various companies. The Japanese believe site safety So, when tendering for projects, starts with good practice and strongly B-BBEE ratings Kansai Plascon’s combined B-BBEE encourage the sharing of experiences status and Value Adding Supplier po- and knowledge, as well as action- ansai Plascon has achieved sition effectively makes it a preferred orientated training, and ‘Train the a top B-BEE rating for being procurement choice. Trainers’ initiatives.” She said some of Ka Value Adding Supplier. The The B-BBEE status now stands at the emerging workplace risks included: company’s B-BBEE procurement Level 3, as of September 2014, having Systems-based accidents and er- recognition level has increased from increased from Level 4 in 2013. With rors; Hidden work-related injuries and 110% to 137,5%, which is higher than a score of 80,27 points, this rating diseases; that of a non-value adding Level 1 cements its position as the coatings status supplier. industry market leader. This is good news for customers who purchase from Plascon as it Redefine recruits graduates will improve their own procurement scores, thereby improving their edefine Properties is recruiting B-BBEE ratings. graduates and school leavers. In contrast, if customers purchases RThe company aims to offer bright products from a non-value adding young stars, who have successfully Level 5 supplier then their procure- completed studies in various disciplines ment recognition will be far less such as legal, human resources, internal than 80%. audit, finance and property related Kansai Plascon has a 125-year his- fields, the opportunity to gain work tory of providing quality assurance, experience. School leavers who may formulation and performance. ■ not have the financial means to further their education will be given the opportunity to gain one year of hands-on business experience and a paid learnership to pursue a career in property. The programme was established in 2013. Renske Coetzee, Redefine’s people entering our sector and the Head of Human Resources, explains, next generation of business leaders.” “South Africa faces a shortage of As one of South Africa’s lead- skills and suitably qualified and ex- ing and largest JSE-listed property perienced individuals. This impacts companies, Redefine is in a unique the property sector, where we have position to have deep and lasting access to a small pool of quality positive impacts on boosting skills employees. Our learnership pro- in the sector with its learnerships. gramme creates an exciting opportu- Almost half of the candidates from Nauman Malik, CEO nity for youngsters, and it also grows the programme have been offered the number of qualified and skilled positions with Redefine. ■

November 2014 Industry Buzz, Events & Products Plastic pipes for infrastructure Plastic plays a vital role in all areas of modern life. ccording to Renier Snyman, DPI Plastics Technical and Product AManager, a major challenge with the field pressure test is that the standards are often misinterpreted, or there is a lack of information and understanding among engineers, installers and manufacturers. “Common misunderstandings Renier Snyman are encountered with regards to the correct pressure at which a pipeline should be tested, and the period of test is conducted to ensure that the African factories, based in Johannes- time that testing should last. These pipeline integrity is up to standard. burg and Cape Town. The company two points can affect the perfor- Plastic is a lighter, more robust and is a leading water and reticulation mance of the pipe, as well as the environmentally-friendly alternative and pipe fitting manufacturer and outcome of the test,” he adds. to older materials.” DPI Plastics PVC founding member of the South Afri- Snyman explains on field pressure and HDPE water reticulation and can Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Asso- testing. “When piping is installed, drainage pipe and fitting systems ciation. For further information go to it is important that a field pressure have two ISO 9001 certified South www.dpiplastics.co.za 2014 Eco-Logic Awards winner elebrities, senior government After a nail biting month of anticipation, Blendwell Chemicals has officials and representatives been announced as the winner of the 2014 Eco-Logic Awards Transport Cfrom municipalities and the private sector, environmental NGOs Category, sponsored by SANRAL. and NPOs as well as finalists and Certificate of Merit recipients recently reduced the transport requirement, attended the Glamorously Green thereby reducing its carbon footprint. Awards Ceremony. It also reduced the risk of chemical Archbishop Tutu, an Eco-Logic spills. They further innovated by Awards Champion, said, “I am heart- creating business opportunities for ened to learn through these awards communities in the form of localised about the amazing efforts that people production facilities. across South Africa, from our smallest David Parry-Davis, Publishing rural communities to our municipali- Editor of The Enviropaedia and co- ties, private sector institutions and host of the Eco-Logic Awards said, government, are making to build a “The principles of Eco-Logic and the better country and planet, for us all.” Eco-Logic Awards event are designed Hosted by The Enviropaedia, in to introduce a new approach to ad- association with SABC 3, the glit- dressing our current environmental tering Award Ceremony focuses on challenges. Eco-Logic – a mindset and value “The old ways have not been system that goes beyond products working well enough - so it is time to and manufacturing to include how address these challenges differently. we run our businesses; how we live We have created the world as it is in society and our communities and today and we can therefore create a the application of natural law to our better world tomorrow. But it is up to politics and economy. each one of us to play our part. I am Blendwell is a chemical company deeply grateful to each of these win- with environmentally responsible ners, for being leaders and showing products, which has significant trans- us the way to create a better, more port challenges, risks and costs. The eco-logical world.” judges noted that its answer to the For more information on The Envi- problem was elegant in its simplicity. ropaedia and the Eco-Logic Awards vis- By changing the product composition it: www.enviropaedia.com or contact from water-based to a super-con- Linda Baker on 0861 000 810 or email: centrate, the company dramatically [email protected] Mike Rees and Judy Nankervisan

November 2014 Industry Buzz, Events & Products Caesarstone winners 2014

The top three winners of the Caesarstone Student Designer 2014 competition were announced in September in Cape Town. he nine finalists’ designs were Winners, Ian Winfield, James Mayer and Dayle Wener. on display for the evening, al- lowing guests to engage with T rd their responses to the Re Charge their institutions,” says Stefan. Flint; 3 Place: Dayle Wener from BHC brief, conceptualised by Cape Town The audience was treated to a be- School of Design, Department of Inte- architect and competition judge, hind-the-scenes video of the judging rior Design, Lecturer: Donna Fergus. Greg Wright. process, where the full judging panel The winning student and his lec- “The brief was a difficult one, and was interviewed for feedback on the turer will enjoy a trip to an interna- some students struggled to interpret entries and a deeper understanding tional design fair of their choice worth it, but on the whole we were pleased of how the finalists were selected. R80 000, courtesy of Caesarstone. with the level of design we saw across The 2014 judging panel included: The runner up won a R10 000 cash the competition finalists’ entries,” Greg Wright of Greg Wright Architects, prize ,while the 3rd place student won says Greg. Lisa Younger of Activate Architects, a R5 000 cash prize. Member of the judging panel, Ste- Dorothy van’t Riet of Dorothy van’t The Caesarstone Student Designer fan Antoni of SAOTA congratulated Riet Décor & Design, Jonathan Anstey 2015 brief is available for download, all the finalists for their excellent of Jonathan Anstey Architects and www.caesarstone.co.za All the com- submissions and encouraged design Stefan Antoni of SAOTA. petition videos, including the judges’ institutions to continue engaging in In 1st Place, James Mayer from discussions on the top three designs, the Caesarstone student competition. Tshwane University of Technology, as well as the 2015 promotional video “This is a really fantastic compe- Department of Interior Design, Lec- can be viewed at www.youtube.com/ tition and I would encourage all of turer: Rene van der Merwe; 2nd Place: MyCaesarstoneSA South Africa’s design institutions to Ian Winfield from Nelson Mandela be part of it for the design challenge, Metropolitan University, Department and the exposure for the students and of Architecture, Lecturer: Donald HOUSING SAPMA's loss in Southern Africa

he South African Paint Manu- Our Next Issue facturing Association (SAPMA) Features: Roofing, Ceilings, Insulation mourns the loss of specialist & Cladding, Paints, Coatings & Seal- T ants, Bathrooms, Kitchens & Plumb- trainer, Tjaart Booyens from the SAPMA Centre of Excellence. ing, Building Supplies & Equipment, Booyens was shot during an armed Infrastructure & Mixed UseTo advertise robbery at his Dunnotar home and contact Brenda died in hospital soon afterwards. Grossmann on 011 622 4770 or email Booyens was part of the construc- [email protected] tion team that built the Midrand complex from which both Master Builders South Africa (MBSA) and Master Build- ers Association North, now operate. He worked for 17 years at the BIFSA Tjaart Booyens Training Centre and then joined Tinta Paints’ Logistics Department when the BIFSA centre closed. After 11 wall-papering. His passion, knowl- years’ service there, he was back at edge, skills, promotion of safety and the Springs training centre. Deryck health in the industry and his compe- Spence, Executive Director of SAPMA, tent ability to transfer knowledge in comments: “Tjaart was an expert in a controlled, professional manner, as Best Media painting of all substrates and sur- well as his contribution to teamwork, HOUSING faces, spray painting, glazing, and will be sorely missed.” in Southern Africa November 2014 November 2014 November 2014