project - Trademax Publications

SA 

Affordable 

Housing Infrastructure & Development 

November/December Vol. 1 No. 3

SA 

Affordable 


November/December Vol. 1 No. 3 

Contents 

◗ Editors comment 

2 Winding up 

◗ Projects 

4 Making it work 

14 ArcelorMittal South Africa provides 

low-cost housing solutions 

16 Large Staff Housing Project on Track 

30 Modern living made easy in 

downtown Jozi 

36 CSIR technology for improved, more 

durable low-income housing 

◗ Modular Construction 

8 Genuine modular construction – a viable 

system which can house the nation 

◗ Concrete 

18 New name, identity for “reborn” 

Technicrete 

22 Precast Concrete offers a housing 

solution – SA Housing Conference 

38 Echo looks to building revival in 2010 

43 Oconbrick winners of the Industrial 

Soccer League – 2009 

45 Concrete’s vital sustainable role now 

recognised 

◗ Developments 

20 Major innovation in the concept of 

Affordable Housing 

◗ News 

24 PPC’s 3-D tanker rebranding benefits 

Western Cape charities 

42 Another country, another Moladi 

launch, this time in Accra, Ghana 

46 Extremely fast and precise 

measurement 

47 Dulux Trade Weathershield: truly in a 

class of its own 

48 ‘Concrete for Housing’ presentations 

now available on CD 

48 New appointments at C&CI 

◗ Bricks and paving 

27 Clay brick masonry’s combination 

of benefits right in line with 

Governments new Human 

Settlements policy 

◗ Green Construction 

31 PlanetWorks – environmental 

protection 

◗ Paving 

32 Sophisticated technology: Polymer 

Road Construction 

◗ Finance 

34 Agence Francaise De Developpement 

Ceo commits Billions to SA 

◗ Energy Efficiency 

35 Solar Congress Resolution 

44 Service delivery on a budget made 

possible by an innovative ETA awards 

winner 

◗ Municipal Works 

39 Munitech Ethekwini NRW programme 

◗ Roofing 

40 Turning shelters into homes 

4 20 

On our cover 

SA 

Affordable 


Trademax Publications 

SA Affordable Housing 

Infrastructure & Development 

November/December Vol. 1 No. 3 

Tel: 0861 72 7663 

Cell: 082 266 6976 

Fax: 0866 991 346 

www.saaffordablehousing.co.za 

P.O. Box 37053, 

Chempet, 

7442 

Editor: 

editor@saaffordablehousing.co.za 

Publisher: 

Billy Perrin 

082 266 6976 

billy@saaffordablehousing.co.za 

Advertising: 

Billy Perrin 

billy@saaffordablehousing.co.za 

Nikki Grebe 

nikki@saaffordablehousing.co.za 

Daleen Filbey 

sales@saaffordablehousing.co.za 

36 

40 

Layout & design: 

Vivian du Preez 

Administration & Subscriptions: 

Shironne Lezar 

shironne@saaffordablehousing.co.za 

1 

SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009

Editors comment 

Winding up 

The third issue of SA Affordable Housing coincides with the start of 

the holiday season, which is appropriate since there’s been an 

air of festivity about the office ever since we launched 

our first issue two months ago. 

One cause for celebration is the increasing 

improvement in the quality of housing we’ve been 

seeing in recent projects. Contractors truly seem to 

be buying in to the importance of building homes 

that occupants will be proud of. 

This is an important development in the wake of the recent 

focus on poor quality of the housing being delivered. 

Minister Sexwale’s decision to rebuild poorly constructed 

RDP homes will require R1.3 billion from an already shaky 

budget, not to mention the lost time which could have been 

invested in building new homes – 40 000 houses will be 

flattened; a massive blow to the programme. 

However, with structures literally collapsing around occupants 

ears, it’s easy to see why so many South Africans have been 

feeling as if the sky has been falling in. 

According to the Minister, blame for this setback should be 

laid firmly at the feet of corrupt officials and the construction 

companies that have colluded with them, and steps have 

been taken to root out the offenders with the assistance of the 

Special Investigations Unit. 

Sexwale’s tough approach could be just what we need to get 

things back on track. 

Plans to professionalise the construction industry should 

improve service delivery and there are those who believe 

that his no-nonsense approach might be just what we need to 

review the sustainability of our current housing programme in 

the long-term. 

Not least of these issues is the viability of providing free housing 

indefinitely and some are advocating the introduction of a ‘cutoff’ 

date. 

With all this in the pipeline, 2010 looks primed for some 

interesting developments. We’re certainly looking forward to 

what the New Year has in store. 

On this note we wish all of our readers, advertisers and 

contributors a very merry festive season and a very productive 

2010! 

Happy reading, 

Editor 

2 


PROJECT 

Making it work 

A lot is happening in the affordable housing sector at the moment, and the recent 

Tekwane North housing initiative introduced by the Department of 

Human Settlements is a good example of a success story. 

Most notably, since the 

development was launched 

in August, the department 

allocated 20 of the 53 

houses built to SAWIC (South African 

Women in Construction), who donated 

their construction services to the project. 

The remaining 33 houses were assigned 

to volunteers in the area. 

Getting involved 

When SA Affordable Housing spoke to 

Themba Mthethwa, Business Development 

Non-Executive Director at Everite, a 

division of Group 5, he explains that the 

company had a two-pronged involvement 

in the project. “Group 5 had two separate 

roles in the initiative, firstly by sponsoring 

one of the houses to the tune of R50 000 

and secondly, in the form of Everite’s 

sponsorship of ceilings in all of the 

houses.” 

Everite also supplied Big Six fibre cement 

roofing material, so named because each sheet has six 

corrugations. The material has good thermal insulation qualities 

The force behind the project 

and was purchased by the Department of Housing as part of 

the project spec, however Everite donated the ceiling boards in 

a bid to draw attention to the need for this material. “It was our 

way of inspiring government to recognise 

the need for ceilings as an essential 

component in RDP housing,” smiles 

Themba. 

4 

Everite’s Big Six fibre cement roof sheets were specified for the project 

“Many such houses are constructed using 

steel roofing, and if you’ve ever stood in 

your garage, you’ll know how 

uncomfortable it can be without insulation. 

Imagine living this way. The project has 

been very successful, including the 

participation of the ladies, although I’ll 

admit, they did need some male help – 

but only for the heavy lifting!” he laughs. 

Preferred installers 

The company rendered additional support 

in terms of on-site training, which will be 

backed up in future by the fact that 

students will be listed in a register of 

recommended Everite installers. As a 

preferred supplier for many government 


PROJECT 

The project involved the construction of 53 houses in Tekwane North 

projects, this is extremely beneficial to anyone who has a 

knowledge of the products, which Themba assures us requires 

careful handling. 

“We are very particular about the manner in which Everite 

materials are installed,” he emphasises. “We’ve had incidents 

where we’ve visited sites where roofs have had to be replaced 

after unskilled labourers had simply hammered the sheets into 

place. The result is longitudinal cracks which run up the 

corrugations of the boards. For optimum lifespan of this material, 

we advise government departments to use only our trained 

contractors.” 

This approach is applied to the company’s other products, and 

Themba goes on to tell us about the new Alternative Building 

Division, which focuses on steel frame building. “This division 

will open up a wider scope of government work for us. We’ll be 

able to approach the Departments of Transport, of Education, 

of Rural Development with a view to offering solutions for 

clinics, schools and road works. It’s very 

exciting for us.” Utilising steel frame 

structures, clad with Everite’s own boards, 

the company will be able to offer effective, 

fast building solutions in areas that are 

currently lagging in terms of delivery. 

it could be possible to do this every month. 

Everite has become a strategic partner in 

this initiative and we plan to do even 

more. Also, I’m sure that if you approached 

individuals and said ‘Come and help us 

build a house this weekend’, they’d join 

you.” While cynics might consider this 

approach to be naïve, it indicates an 

underlying faith in the human potential for 

good. 

Highlighting inadequacies 

However, playing Polyanna is not 

something Themba could be accused of; 

when it comes to hard issues, he’s not 

afraid to be vocal. “The problem with a 

project of this nature is that it draws 

attention to the inadequacies of other RDP 

housing in the area,” he says. “When 

overseen by the Department with all the 

necessary quality checks adhered to, the 

outcome is a home that is vastly superior 

to those built in other projects.” With the 

media focus on Tokyo Sexwale’s decision to invest R1.3 billion 

in rebuilding inferior RDP houses built in the past, this problem 

has become glaringly apparent. 

“There’s no denying that many RDP homes need to be 

rebuilt, but it’s a shame when it involves re-allocating budget 

intended for new houses,” he laments. “Unfortunately, it is 

unavoidable, due to the poor workmanship that has been seen 

since 1994. The cost of cheap building in the long-term far 

outweighs the immediate savings. The saddest thing is that this 

is a simple case of human beings doing terrible things to each 

other – cutting corners is the same as theft. Ironically, some 

contractors are making a quick buck to build themselves a 

bedroom that’s bigger than the house they just built for a poor 

person.” 

to page 6 

More for women 

“We’re involved in a number of projects 

with SAWIC,” he adds. “We feel that it’s 

an important contribution because this is 

a difficult industry for women to get into. 

They struggle to gain experience without 

support, and if they have no experience, 

it’s difficult for them to gain finance to 

build their companies.” In Themba’s 

opinion, projects such as the one in 

Tekwane North should be a regular 

occurrence. 

“Why only in August,” he asks. “If big 

companies are prepared to get involved, 

Men helped with the heavy lifting! 

5 


PROJECT 

The project involved the construction of 53 houses in Tekwane North 

from page 5 

6 

Everite donated insulation material and gave training in its installation, along with that 

of the Big Six roof sheeting 

Ladies add a touch of colour to the construction site 

SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009 

With the NHBRC warranty 

now covering RDP housing, 

there’s hope that things will 

improve, however the 

matter of policing the 

system could prove tricky. 

With scores of houses 

being completed daily, the 

Council will be hardpressed 

to get inspectors to 

every site. However, it does 

speak of a general 

determination to right 

previous wrongs. “The 

current Minister is working 

towards professionalising 

housing, much like the 

Chartered Institute of 

Housing in the UK. If we go 

this route, we could 

eliminate a lot of the 

problems we’re currently 

experiencing,” says 

Themba. Themba is also a 

member of the CIH (UK). 

Housing deadlines 

Here, he raises the 

somewhat touchy subject 

of setting a deadline for 

free housing delivery. “It’s 

a matter that many don’t 

want to face, but we’re 

going to have to accept the 

probability that we can’t 

go on building free houses 

forever,” he says. “Although 

it’s a fantastic idea, it’s 

something that no other 

country has ever attempted, 

because it’s simply not 

feasible. Government must 

find a way to set an

PROJECT 

acceptable cut-off line and break the news to the population in 

a way that makes it palatable. They need to take the current list 

of recipients and stop adding to it, or the project will become 

unsustainable. 

“Just think of how many people turn 21 every year; if each one 

becomes eligible for a free 

house, the cost will become 

insurmountable. As it 

stands, taxpayers are 

footing the bill and 

ratepayers are subsidising 

utilities. While South 

Africans have never said 

that they’re not prepared 

to do this, if government 

continues to throw the 

responsibility at them, 

resistance is inevitable. I 

think that it’s necessary for 

the Minister to consider an 

informal gathering to look 

into this issue. Certainly 

there’ll be an outcry, but if 

we provide a solution 

immediately, there’s more 

chance that people will 

see the reasoning.” 

the best interests of the nation at heart and he’s not afraid 

to express his opinions. Unusual coming from a corporate 

exec, but it seems that Everite is not an ordinary company. 

“At the end of the day, I like to say this,” he smiles. 

“What works is what matters. And what matters is what 

works.” 

Throughout the conversation, 

it’s clear that Themba has 

Women at work 

7 


modular construction 

Genuine modular construction 

– a viable system which can 

house the nation 

Modular construction, based on the use of concrete blocks as opposed to bricks, is 

an internationally proven masonry system, which if properly applied, can do much to 

alleviate South Africa’s housing shortage. Having been used locally with considerable 

success in the late seventies and early eighties, genuine modular construction is rarely 

practiced these days and its re-introduction will require a change of attitude 

on the part of the authorities and construction industry. 

When first introduced by 

Concrete Manufacturers 

Association (CMA) 

member Columbia DCM 

in 1978, modular construction was based 

on an international standard and was 

SABS approved. The system was similar 

to the child’s block building game, Lego, 

in that a complete range of complementary 

blocks, such as corner, half and quarter 

units, were supplied in addition to the 

standard straight block. 

Wastage incurred through chopping 

straight blocks to size was eliminated 

and laying was much quicker due to the 

larger masonry unit. In fact the whole 

process was much more economical than 

building the same sized structure using 

imperial-based brick masonry. 

8 

The CMA’s Cape representative, Günter 

Koch, says there were some notable 

successes in the early days of large scale 

housing delivery when the City of Cape 

Town issued several contracts, each of 

which entailed building 5 000 economic 

houses. These were built efficiently and 

on time by three large construction 

companies. In addition, they offered 

training in modular construction and 

many of today’s highly skilled and 

efficient sub-contractors were recipients 

True modular construction can be both practical and aesthetically pleasing, as this 

of that training. 

example clearly demonstrates. It is the crèche at The MaAfrika Tikkun Child and Youth 

Development Centre in Diepsloot north of Johannesburg, , one of three buildings 

constructed with genuine modular block masonry to page 10 



from page 8 

Koch observes that in those days the rate of housing delivery 

using modular block construction topped eighteen 65-70m² 

houses a day during favourable summer months and 12 units a 

day during the remainder of the year. Some 35 000 houses 

were built in Mitchells Plain using Columbia DCM’s cavity wall 

construction system during that period. 

“We should be building at least 16 000 economic houses a 

year in the Western Cape alone where over 450 000 families 

are waiting for housing. As things stand now if we are building, 

say 5 000 35 – 40m² houses a year it’s a lot. With the 

reintroduction of full and proper modular construction, as well 

as improved economies of scale, great progress would be 

made in housing the homeless. All it takes is the will to do it and 

the discipline to follow though. 

“Today, uneconomic delivery of badly-built houses is the norm. 

One of the reasons for this is that housing managers and 

specifiers do not appear to understand the economic advantages 

of modular construction and therefore fail to insist on its full 

implementation i.e. the incorporation of complementary 

masonry units in their designs and specifications. 

“This has led to the construction industry and block manufacturers 

abandoning true modular construction, replacing it with a 

crude and unproductive alternative, which relies on the sole use 

of straight blocks. Experienced building inspectors are a rarity 

and other supervisory organisations are not guiding or 

mentoring SME builders in adhering to the correct procedures. 

“Not only is the current approach unproductive, the rate of 

construction, being far lower than that of truly modular masonry, 

but it is also a wasteful process. 

“It appears as if today’s contractors don’t want the hassle of 

guiding and training workers to use complementary units. 

Furthermore, modular construction entails applying a 

Visitors and children assemble in one of the halls of the 

MaAfrika Tikkun Child and Youth Development Centre in 

Diepsloot prior to the official opening of the community centre. 

The excellent concrete block masonry work is clearly visible. The 

blocks were manufactured by CMA member, Watson Concrete 

and laid by Diepsloot community members 

considerable degree of precision in the correct laying and 

placement of blocks for which bricklayers seem either not 

prepared nor able to apply. 

“Ultimately it’s the national and local authorities who must insist 

on the implementation of proper modular construction, not only 

at the tender process stage, but during the building process 

through their own inspectors and with the assistance of NHBRC 

inspectors. Productivity will increase, wastage will be almost 

totally eliminated, and most importantly, the quality of the 

finished product will be vastly improved,” says Koch. 

A senior researcher at the CSIR, Llewellyn van Wyk, holds a 

similar viewpoint and anticipates that modular masonry in 

combination with maxi-brick masonry will be the dominant 

affordable housing construction method over the foreseeable 

future. 

10 

A bedroom with bag-washed walls, in the one of the CSIR’s Tshwane research 

houses. It was recently built using the concrete block modular 

construction system 

“South Africans prefer their walls to be 

constructed with traditional and dense materials 

such as concrete masonry, unlike for instance, 

the Americans, who can live quite happily with 

lighter alternatives,” says van Wyk. 

The CSIR is currently conducting research into 

all types of buildings, construction technology 

and building materials, including modular 

concrete blocks for RDP housing. Four 40m² 

houses based on the RDP model, two of them 

using genuine modular masonry based on the 

140mm hollow concrete block, have been built 

at the CSIR premises in Tshwane. 

The CSIR has also built two demonstration 

houses using modular masonry in Kleinmond in 

the Western Cape and in Mdanzani, a suburb 

of East London. Various performance parameters 

such as insulation, air movement, moisture 

control and the structural integrity of the 

coastal and the Tshwane houses are being 

to page 12 


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from page 10 

closely monitored in terms of National Housing Requirement 

legislation. 

“It is interesting to note that our modular masonry houses have 

been built without incurring any concrete block wastage and 

another 20 houses using this system are currently being built in 

East London,” observes van Wyk. 

The CSIR’s construction-related research has attracted the 

interest of the international community and some governments 

have expressed interest in engaging the services of the institute 

for research into energy-efficient housing including the possible 

constructing additional houses on the CSIR’s Tshwane premises 

using some European building technologies. 

Van Wyk says one of the difficulties encountered in using 

modular construction is the 10mm mortar joint which requires a 

considerable degree of skill to achieve the necessary 

consistency. 

“Modular block construction requires great accuracy on the 

part of the block layer, unlike conventional brick laying which 

can be done with far less precision. All it takes is three joints to 

be out in modular construction and the integrity of whole 

structure is upset. As an alternative, we are researching the 

introduction of 15mm spacing which we hope will prove more 

forgiving,” says Van Wyk. 

Koch says one of the main problems which adherents of 

modular construction have faced is that it has never been 

regarded as a discrete skill by the South African Qualification 

Authorities (SAQA). 

“Instead, it has been relegated to Cinderella status and treated 

as an add-on to traditional brick laying courses. Over the past 

10 years the construction CETA has failed to recognise the 

necessity to separate brick and block laying. They are distinct 

skills and should be treated as such. 

“This is about to change. Late last year the CMA took the 

initiative and developed trainee and facilitator training material 

for modular construction. The course material comprises nine 

core modules and 120 credits. And as from the beginning of 

this year the CETA will allow training providers to make use of 

the new training material and thereby treat brick and blocklaying 

as separate skills. 

A lengthy process of getting the SAQA approval for certification, 

still lies ahead of us. However, the fact that we can use the 

training material should go a long way to re-establishing 

modular block construction as the most cost-effective masonry 

system, not only for economical housing, but for high-rise 

buildings, community centres, schools and shopping centres, as 

well as many other structures. 

“One of the other challenges we face is for structural engineers 

to become attuned to the significant benefits of modular 

construction. Most of them appear to have little knowledge on 

load-bearing masonry principles and practice, and the assertion 

that South Africa lags 50 years behind countries like the United 

States and Australia in high-rise load-bearing structures is no 

exaggeration. The fundamental problem appears to lie with the 

universities which, to the best of my knowledge, do not include 

load-bearing masonry as part of the civil and structural 

engineering curriculum. This could be overcome, however, with 

an additional FET programme. 

“Unlike some leading masonry construction countries, South 

Africa makes little use of high rise modular construction, and 

when it does, it is often incorrectly deployed. Not so in the 

United States, where a 28 storey 4 000 room hotel was built in 

Las Vegas using the modular block system 15 years ago. It is 

worth noting that steel usage on this project was significantly 

less than an equivalent conventional frame would have 

required. The project took 29 weeks to build which is 

considerably faster than most other forms of construction. There 

is no sound reason why this can’t be achieved locally as we 

certainly have the brain-power. All it will take is the courage to 

grasp the nettle and implement something new and profitable,” 

concludes Koch. 

12 

Senior CSIR researcher, Llewellyn van Wyk (left), and John Cairns, CMA director, seen here outside one of the CSIR research houses in 

Tshwane, recently built with the concrete block modular construction system 


project 

ArcelorMittal South Africa 

provides low-cost housing 

solutions 

ArcelorMittal South Africa and the Emfuleni Municipality (Vaal Triangle) 

are teaming up to roof houses in two townships adjacent 

to the company’s Vanderbijlpark steel plant. 

14 

The project was initiated by ArcelorMittal South Africa at 

the request of the communities involved. The aim of 

the partnership is to re-roof 3376 houses previously 

owned by the Council in Bophelong and Boipatong by 

April 2010. 

The 3376 houses, now all privately owned, are more than 

40 years old. Some of them have asbestos roofs, which have to 

be replaced in terms of health regulations. No shacks will be 

roofed. 

ArcelorMittal has undertaken to supply the roofing sheets and 

fastening material, while Emfuleni will co-ordinate the 

installation, labour and project management. ArcelorMittal 

technical staff will provide advice during the two phases of 

renovation. The budgeted cost of the project is around R1- 

million, with the material costs comprising the largest share of 

this amount. 

Phase 1 of the project will kick off in late-2009 with a trial run 

with a handful of houses being fitted with galvanised roofing. 

Only after the trial run will the exact number of houses to be 

completed by the end of the first phase be determined. Phase 

2, to start early next year and to be completed by mid-year, will 

include the removal of all asbestos roofing. 

ArcelorMittal believes that steel roofing is an ideal solution for 

roofing low-cost houses. It’s safe, durable, energy efficient and 

easy to install. The company however warns of a recent trend 

in which ultra thin galvanised material is imported for roofing 

applications; it, in effect, lowers the standards of the roofing 

products and provides less of the benefit of thicker galvanized 

roofing. State housing inspection bodies have been urged to 

push for more efficient standardisation and control of steel 

products. 

The Emfuleni housing project will predominantly make use of 

labour from the communities involved. One skilled builder and 

six labourers will work on a house at a time with two teams 

working simultaneously – one in Bophelong and one in 

Boipatong. 

The key project objectives are as follows: 

• Re-roof all 3376 identified houses in Bophelong and 

Boipatong; 

• Follow the approved project programme without delay and 

interruptions; 

• Utilise local labour; 

• Implement the project using programmes guidelines such as 

government’s Expanded Public Works Programme and the 

Expanded Public Housing Programme; 

• Use this project for similar partnerships with other local 

communities and companies; 

• Empower communities through skills transfer and economic 

spin-offs; 

• Utilise old roofs as scrap and use these proceeds to 

complement the project budget. 

Marion Green-Thompson, Group Corporate Responsibility 

Manager at ArcelorMittal South Africa says the company is 

making a concerted effort to uplift the quality of life in the 

communities in which it operates. “Whilst this is an area that 

has often been contentious in the past, mutually beneficial 

stakeholder relations are now one of our top priorities. Projects 

like the re-proofing of homes in Bophelong and Boipatong fit 

this bill,” she comments. 

The roofing project is a direct outcome of ArcelorMittal’s 

extensive community engagement programme of the past year, 

whose primary aim is to contribute to the development of strong 

and sustainable local communities wherever the company 

operates. “We will do so by being sensitive to local needs and 

priorities, by engaging in an open and straightforward manner, 

by focusing on practical and tangible activities that deliver 

value and by seeking to work in active partnership with 

community leaders and NGOs,” Green-Thompson adds. 


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PROJECT 

Large Staff Housing 

Project on Track 

A 320-home project for the staff of a leading utilities provider near Lephalale, Limpopo 

Province is close to completion and awaits council approval. “This has been a very 

fast-track contract, which de facto only commenced in February 2009,” 

says Mark Green Director and Project Manager for contracting company 

Esorfranki Civils (formerly Patula Construction). 

This is a fairly significant building project, adds 

Green, and the numbers speak for themselves: 12000m³ 

of concrete for foundations, floor slabs and raft 

foundations; 9 million stock clay bricks; more than 

100 tons of cement and over 20 000 rolls of brick force will 

be used. 

“We tried wherever possible to utilise local suppliers but this is 

a remote area and it was not always possible. 

“Sourcing the concrete material was particularly 

challenging and, while we managed to obtain the river 

sand locally, the concrete stone came from Thabazimbi 

and Naboomspruit, and the cement from AfriSam in 

Polokwane.” 

The remoteness created other challenges including the lack of 

water, which has to be imported in tankers for the entire 

project. 

“Add all this to temperatures that are often between 35 

and 40º C, lots of rain in the summer and one can appreciate 

that working in these conditions has been testing,” says 

Green. 

16 

An example of one of the houses in the project 


project 

Nurcharing New Growth 

The Nurcha Advantage 

Nurcha provides bridging finance and support for contractors involved in the 

construction of Subsidy Housing, Affordable Housing, and Community Facilities 

& Infrastructure. 

If you are a contractor or developer involved in housing, community facilities 

or infrastructure, you can take on your next contract with confidence knowing 

that Nurcha can provide you with the bridging finance necessary to ensure that 

your project will be successful and profitable. 

An aerial view of part of the housing project – the infrastructure 

was also carried out by Esorfranki Civils 

A feature of the housing has been the wide range of 

styles. The architect responsible for the design, Lwazi Khumalo, 

explains: “There are three basic Tuscan styles – classic, 

contemporary and rustic – and 18 different detail footprints 

within each style giving 54 different architectural outcomes for 

the project,” he says. 

Nurcha will help you assess the contractual and financial viability of your 

project, organise the necessary guarantees (where applicable) and loans and 

provide all the support you need to professionally manage your project. 

Subsidy Housing 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q What are the requirements to qualify for a Nurcha loan? 

A To qualify for a bridging finance loan you must have been awarded a 

viable contract for a subsidy housing project of not less than 100 houses 

or sites. 

Q How long does a typical application for a loan take? 

A Once the application has been received (complete with all documentation), 

the turnaround time is approximately 14 days. 

Q How does Nurcha assess the viability of an application? 

A Nurcha or the intermediary will conduct an extensive evaluation process 

to establish whether you qualify for assistance. The qualifying criteria are 

based on the profitability and viability of the contract, and your capability 

to meet the contractual requirements. It is in nobody’s interest to progress 

with a project that is going to fail. 

Q Does my credit record affect my application? 

A our credit record will not necessarily prevent you from accessing the 

services offered by Nurcha and our intermediaries. Nurcha assesses the 

viability of the project. 

Q What documentation is required to support my application? 

A The documentation required will depend on your specific application. 

The program manager assisting you, will advise you on the exact 

documentation needed for your particular application. 

Q What agreements will I be required to sign with Nurcha? 

A Once you have qualified for financial assistance, you will have to enter 

into the following agreements: 

• Loan Agreement – this describes all the conditions of the loan 

• Construction Support Services Agreement – this sets out the support 

services that you are to receive (it will vary according to your needs) 

Look out for more information on Affordable Housing in this column, in the 

January 2010 edition of SA Affordable Housing. 

“The effect of the variety of styles all within the same overall feel 

is quite stunning,” says Green adding that each house has a 

solar water-heating system and gas-operated stoves making 

them energy efficient. 

“We have already handed over 250 houses to the Lephahale 

Municipality and work on the rest is proceeding unabated,” he 

concluded. 

17 


CONCRETE 

New name, identity 

for “reborn” 

Technicrete 

Concrete building products manufacturer Concor Technicrete 

has been officially re-launched, focusing on its new independent 

status within the Murray & Roberts Group of companies. 

Once a Concor Group subsidiary, the company 

has emerged with a new name – Technicrete – and fresh 

corporate identity to meet the challenges of future growth 

in the South African building construction 

and mining industry. 

We are presenting a new face of Technicrete to 

our market, with the promise of continuing what 

our heritage is built on,” Managing Director 

Paul Deppe told industry representatives at the 

company’s special re-launch event. “That is great quality 

products and great quality service.” 

Deppe traced the company’s history, from its founding in 1968 

as Concor Technicrete, a division of Concor, through the growth 

and development years – during which it became a major 

player in the building, construction and mining sectors – to 

2006 when the Concor Group was acquired by Murray & 

Roberts. 

“After the acquisition it became apparent that Concor 

Technicrete could benefit from and add value to the other 

manufacturing companies within the Murray & Roberts stable,” 

Deppe said. 

“For this reason the board of Concor Technicrete endorsed a 

process which saw the company move away from Concor and 

become an independent company within the Murray & Roberts 

construction materials cluster.” 

That happened in 2008. And since Concor Technicrete was no 

longer part of the Concor Group, it was strategically necessary 

for it to recreate a new identity for itself. 

18 

Managing Director Paul Deppe 

And in addition to the name-change, new logo and corporate 

dress, it meant moving out from under the Concor corporate 

roof and relocating its headquarters. 


CONCRETE 

“Despite all these changes,” Deppe told his guests at the 

company’s new headquarters in Roodepoort, “the values and 

entrepreneurial spirit that were the hallmarks of those early 

days remain embedded in all we do.” 

With concrete brick, paving, roof tiles, precast and 

specialist product manufacturing facilities located in six 

provinces, Deppe is excited about the newly independent 

company’s future. 

He says: “In a cluttered marketplace, with many competitors 

re-iterating the same message and promising the same, our 

brand differentiates itself on three key levels. 

We have a strong history, which allows us to build on our trust 

marks of heritage and credibility. 

We are known to deliver on our key promises of quality and 

product service. 

We offer a depth of knowledge that is unsurpassed.” 

19 


DEVELOPMENTS 

Major innovation in the 

concept of Affordable 

Housing 

UrbanSpace Housing, a joint venture property company owned by Space Developments, 

Old Mutual and Vuwa Investments, a black empowered investment company, have 

announced a major breakthrough in the evolution of the affordable house in South 

Africa with the launch of its new project in Randfontein. 

20 

Oasis Manor comprises 300 architect designed, full 

title two- and three-Bedroom single family residential 

homes situated on Main Reef Road, touching the 

fringe of the Randfontein Central Business District. 

Oasis Manor is essentially designed for first time home buyers 

who earn a gross salary of R10, 000 a month, individually or 

jointly with a partner. 

Current market criticisms 

Industry critics have for some time called for more innovation in 

the field of Affordable Housing and specifically, for a change 

of plan from the 40m² affordable homes which they say date 

back to the 1950’s. 

They ask why developers can’t “give people out there, the 

chance of a decent and proper life? Offer four to six different 

plans for variety with finish options,” they suggest, “and break 

the monotony by painting the houses different colours. Give 

people a garage,” they add, “orientate the house more to the 

north and use a roof overhang to at least shade some of the 

summer sun.” 

Oasis Manor – refreshingly different 

Like a breath of fresh air, UrbanSpace Housing, using the skills 

of architectural practice Messaris Wapenaar, has come up with 

a concept that is totally unique for this type of market and 

refreshingly innovative and different. One of the first points of 

difference is the size of the fully serviced stands which, on 

average, measure 300m². Oasis Manor additionally offers a 

choice of five different designs and plan layouts to suit most first 

time home owner needs, be it for a couple, or even a family. 

One has the choice of a 46m² two-Bedroom, single bathroom 

home with an open plan kitchen, dining and living room; a 

48m² two-Bedroom, single bathroom open plan kitchen, 

dining and living room, using a different layout; a 56m² 

three-Bedroom, single bathroom home with open plan kitchen 

and living room; a 65m² three-Bedroom, single bathroom, 

separate toilet with open plan kitchen, dining and living room. 

The largest plan, which is the Oasis Manor flagship model, is 

an 82m² three-Bedroom, single bathroom home with an open 

plan kitchen, dining and living room, separate toilet and a 

single lock-up garage. 


DEVELOPMENTS 

Oasis Manor – a perfect 

situation 

Oasis Manor is ideally located on Main 

Reef Road, touching the fringe of the 

Randfontein CBD. Apart from its proximity 

to churches, schools, shopping and 

essential services, it offers road commuters 

easy access to other centres via the R41 

Randfontein Road to Johannesburg, 

passing Leratong Hospital. Alternatively, 

via Main Road to the Soweto/Lenasia 

N12 Highway or even via Main Reef 

Road to Krugersdorp. Oasis Manor is 

within walking distance of the Metro Main 

Line train station, bus and taxi ranks. 

Basic house prices for these homes range from R285, 000 

for the smallest, to R416, 500 for the flagship home in the first 

phase. 

One of the most unique features offered is the choice of paint 

colour. Unlike so many Affordable Housing projects, where the 

same uniform, dreary external colours are obligatory, 

UrbanSpace Housing decided to do it differently and offer a 

choice. Each house type has its own optional colour 

specification. Also, reinforcing the home owner choice is 

the fact that while each house type is offered on a basic 

house price basis, the client has the option to “add on” their 

choice of ceramic floor tiles to specific areas or to the entire 

floor plan. Wall tiles to full height in bathrooms are optional, 

as are two sizes of built-in cupboards and a colour upgrade in 

the kitchen. Capping these options, the client may select a 

four-plate stove, a single carport or even the addition of the 

single, lock-up garage. 

UrbanSpace Housing – who 

they are and what they do 

UrbanSpace Housing is a joint venture 

property development initiative between 

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company, 

Space Developments and Vuwa 

Investments. The nature of the business is founded on delivering 

sustainable, good quality, affordable housing developments, 

and improving the quality of life of people who previously could 

not afford a home. 

UrbanSpace Housing adopts a fresh and imaginative approach 

to property development, willing to place design criteria 

and quality above other considerations, while still creating 

cost effective and sustainable developments. Its development 

products are different in concept, design and structure, and 

each is carefully selected and designed to match the 

location, the clients’ pocket, taste and style. The company 

prides itself on getting to know its clients first and their unique 

sales and admin system of pre-qualifying their clients 

upfront, means faster home loan grants, and quicker delivery 

of homes. 

A show village has been built 

representative of each house type. Full 

details can also be seen on the website 

www.urbanspacehousing.co.za. 

Oasis Palms – Sectional 

Title Apartments 

UrbanSpace Housing are using the Oasis 

Manor launch as a springboard to 

announce the first of a number of 42m² 

two-Bedroom, single bathroom Sectional 

Title Apartments to be built on the site. 

The buildings will be typically two storey 

“walk up” and the apartments offered 

will provide the buying public with a 

further choice to consider as an alternative 

to the freestanding homes in Oasis 

Manor. The ground floor will be priced 

at R290,000 and the first floor at 

R280,000. Both prices include all extras. 

21 


concrete 

Precast Concrete offers 

a housing solution – sa 

Housing Conference 

Precast concrete can reduce South Africa’s housing backlog dramatically. Just how 

was the subject of two papers presented at this year’s SAHF (Southern African Housing 

Foundation) International Housing Conference and Exhibition. These were delivered by 

CMA director, John Cairns, and Llewellyn van Wyk, a senior researcher at the CSIR. 

Staged in Cape Town during October, the conference 

was attended by 350 delegates, including a large 

overseas contingent. Keynote addresses were made 

by Helen Zille, premier of the Western Cape and 

the executive mayor of Cape Town, Dan Plato. Both outlined 

the immense challenges faced by the city in providing 

housing to a growing number of migrants and Zille presented 

a convincing case as to why spending R1 billion on a 

stadium for the 2010 World Cup benefited the city’s housing 

policy. 

Cairns focused on the means by which concrete can be 

effectively deployed to reduce the housing backlog in his 

address “The preferential use of concrete and precast products 

for the development of township housing and housing 

infrastructure”. 

He demonstrated how precast concrete has already made a 

positive impact on township housing by presenting a very 

Seen here in front of the CMA stand at the SAHF International 

Housing Conference and Exhibition are: Llewellyn van Wyk 

(left), a senior researcher with the CSIR; John Cairns, CMA 

(Concrete Manufacturers Association) director; Hanlie Turner, 

marketing manager of C&CI (Cement and Concrete Institute); 

and John Sheath, strategy and marketing 

manager of Ash Resources 

22 

Prestressed hollow-core concrete slabs manufactured by Echo 

Prestress, shortly after being lowered into position on one of the 

double-storied housing units at Pennyville 

attractive affordable housing development, Pennyville, south of 

Johannesburg’s CBD. Most of the building materials used on 

the project, including the bricks, the roofing, the paving, 

reticulation poles, and hollow-core precast flooring, were 

precast concrete based. 

“Speed of delivery and aesthetically pleasing finishes were 

the hallmark of this development and we believe that if 

there were more projects like it the housing challenge would be 

far less daunting,” he said. Cairns said one of the products 

which offers hope for the future is the precast hollowcore 

slab. 

“When combined in a foundation and flooring system it can be 

installed at a rate of 30 per day by a single team. This fasttracking 

and Agrément approved method allows building 

operations to begin immediately and speeds up the whole 

construction process.” 


concrete 

a brick. Corner blocks, reveal blocks, sill blocks, and half 

blocks are required to make effective use of modular blocks. 

Without the full set the advantages of modular construction are 

negated. 

“Thirdly, modular blocks are far larger and require a different 

set of skills. Because of this contractors and block layers must 

be taught how to use modular masonry. It’s encouraging to note 

that the educational process has already begun with CETAapproved 

modular training initiated by the CMA. 

High-quality affordable housing, most of it built using precast 

concrete elements, predominate at Pennyville. The picture shows 

houses built with Sedibeng concrete bricks and roofed with 

Monier concrete tiles, a path paved with Concor Technicrete’s 

concrete blocks, and prestressed concrete poles manufactured 

by Infraset 

Cairns also demonstrated how concrete roof tiles are 

increasingly being used on affordable housing projects, adding 

value to individual housing units far in excess of any initial 

purchase price. 

However, both the CMA and the CSIR believe that concrete 

blocks will remain a key component of low-income housing for 

some time to come. How its quality and performance can be 

enhanced was the subject of Llewellyn Van Wyk’s paper, 

“Maximising modular masonry”. 

Van Wyk based his address around the central question: “Can 

we build low income housing that performs as well as 

conventional housing at the same or a slightly higher cost than 

that of a typical poor-performing low-income house?” 

“Fourthly, using a full suite of modular masonry will solve 

another very prevalent problem, namely, cracked walls. And 

lastly, full modular masonry will also require the standardisation 

of components such as window and door frames.” 

Van Wyk says the CSIR is researching building technologies at 

an experimental site at the Pretoria Campus where several 

40m² houses have been built to test different technologies. Two 

of them were built using modular masonry and the performance 

of both is being carefully monitored. 

“We are also working on the development of an innovative 

new suite of modular blocks which will offer performance and 

quality improvements. Concrete blocks will have to meet the 

new regulations for building efficiency which should be in place 

by April 2010. R and U values are going to be set which means 

producers will have to make adjustments in the manufacture of 

masonry blocks to meet these performance criteria,” concludes 

Van Wyk. 

Yes he says, but not just yet. A considerable improvement in the 

application of modular masonry must first take place. 

“Modular masonry offers a fantastic opportunity to not only 

improve housing delivery, but to build houses with zero 

wastage. But before this happens several measures will have to 

be taken,” says van Wyk. 

“In the first instance, houses will have to be designed with each 

and every block identified and numbered. If not, the system 

won’t work. This places certain constraints on design flexibility, 

but at this level the importance of building efficiencies far 

outweigh those of design flexibility. 

“Secondly, genuine modular designing will require a full suite 

of complementary blocks. One can’t treat the 390mm block like 

One of the houses at Pennyville which is being built with 

diamond-faced concrete bricks 

23 


news 

Ppc’s 3-D tanker rebranding 

benefits Western Cape charities 

Two delighted winners in the PPC (Pretoria Portland Cement) Tanker competition – 

Caroline Rheder and Michael Haigh from the Western Cape – each walked away with 

R15,000.00 and got to donate 50% (R7,500) of their winnings to charities of their 

choice: the Animal Anti-Cruelty League and St Luke’s Hospice, in Cape Town. 

The competition, which ran from 31 August to 

27 September 2009 in both Gauteng and Western 

Cape, was featured on the PPC website and supported 

by regional radio campaigns on Good Hope and KFM 

in the Western Cape. The public was invited to guess which, in 

a series of tanker branding designs, was the 3-D version chosen 

by PPC to grace its tankers. 

Michael Haigh’s donation of R7,500.00 was warmly received 

by his charity of choice, St Luke’s. Raymonde Love, Corporate 

Liaison for St Luke’s Hospice said “St Luke’s wouldn’t be able to 

continue offering their services free of charge without the 

generosity of the general public and corporate.” 

Haigh’s decision to support St.Luke’s was motivated by previous 

interaction with the organisation. “St Luke’s Hospice looked 

after a family member of mine, and I have never forgotten what 

they did for my family. I hope the Hospice continues to do great 

work, especially with the cancer patients,” commented Haigh. 

Caroline Rheder of Tableview, who donated half her prize 

money to the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) said “I am a 

supporter of the AACL as they dedicate their service to animals 

that cannot fend for themselves. As a lover of animals, PPC has 

made my wish come true to offer substantial support to this 

cause.” 

St Luke’s Hospice – from left to right: Michael Haigh (winner), 

Clint Wicomb (PPC) and Pricilla Nelson (St Luke’s Hospice) 

In response, Western Cape General Manager of the AACL, 

Rene Southwood, said of the donation “We are desperate to 

redo the floors in the hospital. With the help of Caroline and 

PPC, we can now bring in a specialist to make the floors 

sterile.” 

PPC’s innovative new tanker branding features 3D images of its 

trademark ‘elephant’ portrayed to look like a real elephant is 

being transported in the tanker itself. 

24 

Animal Anti-Cruelty League Western Cape – from left to right: 

Caroline Rheder (winner), Ginger Singh (PPC) and Rene 

Southwood (AACL Western Cape) 

“PPC’s elephant icon is the core of our logo, symbolising PPC 

Cement’s strength, great stature and dependability, with its 

powerful associations of wisdom, maturity, family-orientation, 

caring and loyalty,” says Sibongile Mooko, PPC’s Marketing 

Services Manager. 

A total of 28 tankers have been rebranded, creating a distinctive 

look as they drive on our national roads. 

“We are delighted that this initiative has been a success. We 

were previously told that a 3-D rendition of our logo, including 

the elephant, could not be achieved due to the shape of our 

tankers. In celebration of this milestone, PPC has chosen to add 

a charity element to the campaign. This will enable us to 

continue not only to empower the competition winners and 

charity organisations of their choice, but also have a lasting 

and emotional impact in the lives of communities in which we 

operate,” adds Mooko. 


The Jupiter Drawing Room 38968 

Express your individual style and fl air – choose concrete to 

complement and enhance the décor on your building project. 

Distinctive styling coupled with the option of aesthetically 

pleasing fi nishes make concrete the ideal product for a vast 

range of applications including those all important rooms – 

your kitchen and bathroom. Warm, earthy colours and textures 

add richness which can be adapted to suit modern or classical 

furnishings and fi ttings. 

Concrete is an ideal product for creating unique features in 

your home as it can be moulded to the shape and design of 

your choice. All you need to achieve this is adaptable, reliable 

and consistent cement as the essential ingredient for your 

concrete mix. 

For further information, or for technical advice, contact 0860 

CEMCRETE (236 2738) or email info@cemcrete.co.za or visit 

www.cemcrete.co.za.

BRICKS AND PAVING 

Clay brick masonry’s 

combination of benefits right 

in line with Governments new 

Human Settlements policy 

In response to the challenge of the new Ministry of Human Settlements, to put into 

effect its new housing policy that favours a holistic approach to housing the indigent 

with a focus on the restoration of dignity, the creation of integrated communities and 

sustainable development, this in lieu of ‘the most houses for the lowest cost per house’, 

Corobrik commissioned WSP Green by Design to research which walling solutions/ 

construction methodologies as promoted and marketed in South Africa, provide(s) the 

best balance between first cost, lifecycle cost, life embodied energy cost and people 

upliftment, this in a way most appropriate for meeting the aspirational needs of those 

living in disadvantaged communities. 

The study was elaborate using computational modeling 

and simulation methods to compare “through the wall” 

concrete block as typically used in low cost house 

construction, clay brick in two leaf and cavity walling 

formats, and light steel frame building (LSFB) insulated 

lightweight walling, the latter lightweight walling system type 

building being chosen for its potential representivity of other 

systems/technologies that use insulated lightweight panel type 

external walling. 

The study found: 

• In each of the six climate zones, the clay brick masonry 

house required the lowest heating energy per annum in 

comparison with both concrete block walled and Light Steel 

Frame Building insulated lightweight walled houses. 

to page 28 

27 



from page 27 

• In each of the six climatic zones, the clay brick masonry 

house was found to experience less time that occupants 

might experience significant thermal discomfort compared 

with both concrete block and the LSFB insulated lightweight 

walled alternatives. 

adding 500,000 homes per annum in concrete block rather 

than two leaf clay brick could cost the country anything 

from R45 billion in additional power plant capacity, which 

makes the additional capital cost of R9.6 billion referred to 

in the point above negligible. 

• The concrete block option passes on anything from R2.6 

billion in costs compared with two leaf clay brick to the 

homeowners in terms of energy costs during that 10 year 

period. 

• The CO2 emissions over a 10 year period of the concrete 

block homes would be approximately 11.7 million tons 

more than if these homes were to be built using two leaf 

clay brick over the same 10 year period. 

• The energy savings produced by choosing clay brick over 

concrete block over the 10 year period would be equivalent 

of providing enough energy to another 13.5 million clay 

brick low cost houses for one year. 

• Notwithstanding the higher capital cost of clay brick walling 

versus concrete block walling, the lifecycle costs and 

lifecycle embodied energy are considerably less for clay 

brick homes compared with both concrete block and the 

LSFB lightweight walled alternatives. 

• If all the 500,000 units were to be built out of concrete 

block, this would produce an additional 136,946 metric 

tons of CO 2 emitted into the atmosphere annually. This is 

equivalent to an additional 26,366 passenger cars on the 

road annually. 

Conclusions that can be drawn from the study to help define 

best walling material choice and building methodology for 

future low cost housing include: 

• From a first cost perspective, concrete block walling is a 

compelling solution, however it falls considerably short, 

relative to conventional clay brick built houses in terms of 

operational cost (high electrical energy) and high future 

maintenance cost to the occupant, this also limiting the 

investment value in the longer term. Through the wall 

concrete block construction is also recognized as being 

vulnerable to moisture ingress particularly in environs 

subjected to high rainfall and wind driven rain. 

28 

• Conventional clay brick walling with a face brick external 

skin has a 15.8% lower first built cost than the LSFB insulated 

lightweight walled alternative. 

The study revealed that the choice of wall type has significant 

national ramifications, some of which are noted as follows: 

• Should all the targeted 500,000 homes per annum be 

rolled out every year over 10 years (assuming no inflation) 

in the Johannesburg region [Climate Zone 1], it could cost 

South Africa anything from about R9.6 billion more to build 

these homes using clay brick (two leaf) compared with 

concrete block, and anything from R46.4 billion more to 

build these homes using LSFB lightweight walling compared 

to clay brick (two leaf). (These costs are based on a house 

with an insulated ceiling in both cases.) 

• Over 10 years the additional winter peak power requirement 

that would be added to the South African national grid by 

• From both first cost and lifecycle energy cost perspectives, 

LSFB construction comes up short in matching either concrete 

block or two leaf clay brick construction as an appropriate 

solution for low cost housing in South Africa. In terms of 



meeting the aspirations of persons in such communities, the 

negative perceptions towards, and reticence of persons in 

such communities, to being housed in “system built type 

housing” cannot be discounted. Compared with the more 

labour orientated masonry solutions for low cost house 

construction, system type building will probably not address 

the important need for greater job creation within 

disadvantaged communities where low cost houses are to 

be provided, quite as relevantly as masonry alternates. This 

latter assessment is subjective and was not quantified in the 

study. 

• Conventional two leaf clay brick construction affords a 

comprehensive ‘best fit’ in terms of meeting Government’s 

overall policy intent, providing an economic solution with 

the lowest environmental impact. This coupled with the 

aesthetic and design considerations that allow expression 

of individualism, that clay brick construction has a record of 

maximizing the long term value of properties in South Africa 

and with that the relative wealth of the occupants, that ‘a 

real brick’ house is in any case the benchmark in South 

Africa to which persons living in poor communities most 

aspire, makes clay brick masonry with a face brick external 

skin the most appropriate walling system (building method) 

for achieving sustainable low cost housing in South Africa. 

• The research clearly established that ceilings with insulation 

should be a minimum mandatory requirement in low cost 

housing, as this intervention provides a significant 

improvement to the thermal performance of such homes at 

a reasonable first cost. 

Distributed by Corobrik (Pty) Ltd 

For more information contact Peter Kidger on 

031 5603911 

Bridging finance and support 

for your construction project 

If you are a developer or contractor who 

has been awarded a tender in the following 

categories: 

a) Subsidy housing; 

b) Infrastructure (e.g. roads, water and 

sewerage reticulation, drainage etc); 

c) Community facilities (e.g. schools, 

clinics etc); 

or you are involved in 

d) Affordable housing, 

and you need bridging finance 

to start your project or you need performance 

guarantees, please contact Nurcha. 

Regional offices: 

JOHANNESBURG: 011 214 8700 

BLOEMFONTEIN: 051 448 8120 

CAPE TOWN: 021 422 3167 

CENTURION: 012 658 0176 

DURBAN: 031 562 0068 

EAST LONDON: 043 726 0615 

POLOKWANE: 015 296 0370 

www.nurcha.co.za 

29 


PROJECT 

Modern living made easy 

in downtown Jozi 

Tenants are moving into modern refurbished apartments in downtown Jozi where 

excellent security and superb finishes – including DSTV aerials, VOIP telephones and 

wireless internet – cost less than R2000 a month. 

30 

Over 400 new rental apartments in the old 

Greatermans building are the latest offering from 

AFHCO in partnership with International Housing 

Solutions (I H S). 

The new pads are the first in a number of refurbished 

developments which are being created to meet growing market 

demand for affordable accommodation. Studio apartments go 

for R1800 per month while rentals for a two-bedroomed unit is 

R3300. 

The Greaterman’s refurbishment project, which cost over 

R80-million, is one of 17 000 units that I H S has consulted on 

and helped fund via its R1,7-billion South Africa Workforce 

Housing Fund. 

Soula Proxenos, Managing Partner of International Housing 

Solutions says the Greatermans development which has 419 

units is only one of a number of projects the group was already 

involved in as part of its plan to help alleviate the chronic 

shortage of affordable housing in SA. 

“This development, which we are proud to be involved with, is 

an excellent example of the way in which affordable housing 

can be both attractive and allow for stylish living at a reasonable 

monthly cost. 

“The developer, AFHCO, is already a significant provider of 

rental product in the Johannesburg CBD. We like the way they 

think and the product they have created which makes for easy 

living and is accessible to all. The development takes all aspects 

into account and even has provision for a children’s’ play area 

in the block, for example.” 

She says learnings from the crash in the US housing market 

have shown home rentals in addition to home ownership 

could be an excellent solution for providing homes for the so 

called ‘missing’ middle class. 

The missing middle are those salary earners who can afford to 

pay rent or reasonable home loans but for whom no suitably 

priced accommodation really exists 

“The middle market in SA has historically not had access to 

properly serviced rental stock, especially not close to where 

most people work. They need homes close to jobs and other 

social infrastructure too, including shops and schools and 

spaces for children to play.” 


GREEN CONSTRUCTION 

PlanetWorks – 

environmental – 

protection 

PlanetWorks, an organisation that offers practical solutions to combat 

the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, 

was launched early in 2009. 

“ 

With the increasing concerns of global warming, 

coupled with rising electricity costs, companies 

and individuals need to find a way to change 

everyday behaviours, to ensure a sustainable 

future,” says Mandy Kerr of PlanetWorks. “PlanetWorks offers 

a series of interactive behavioural change programmes that 

enhances understanding of these challenges and provides 

solutions on how to implement new behaviours to reduce 

negative environmental impacts. 

“PlanetWorks works primarily with large companies and 

institutions, but also designs special programmes for small 

organisations. The company is committed to not only creating 

better awareness and understanding of environmental issues, 

but also facilitates the implementation of a professional system 

of action planning, setting eco-improvement goals and 

monitoring improvement targets. 

“Central to the PlanetWorks methodology 

is a sustainability scorecard, which 

enables participants to score current and 

set targets to improving future ecobehaviours. 

The concept of ‘sustainable’ 

social responsibility also adds a new 

dimension to corporate social 

responsibility initiatives.” 

Programmes also provide access to social responsibility 

initiatives, where companies and individuals take what they 

learn to poorer communities, which are often unaware of 

environmental challenges and cannot afford mitigation 

interventions. 

The benefits of what PlanetWorks offers encompass heightened 

awareness of and greater personal responsibility for 

environmental issues, access to practical solutions and 

motivational team building. The company also provides 

exposure to the latest methodologies for companies to comply 

with legislated sustainability reporting. With the rapidly 

escalating costs of electricity and water, these initiatives mean 

significantly reducing usage in these areas. 

PlanetWorks is associated with a range of ‘green’ technology, 

product and service suppliers geared to make these eco 

improvement plans a reality. 

The company’s interactive facilitator-led 

workshops are supported by energy use 

and waste audits and the implementation 

of carbon footprint measurement and 

monitoring tools. Exposure to products 

and suppliers that are needed for ecoimprovement 

plans is also provided. 

PlanetWorks assists its client base to 

understand climate change and 

environmental degradation issues, 

focusing on their impact on the African 

continent. 

Building a thermally insulated home, forms part of a PlanetWorks eco-improvement 

social responsibility programme 

31 


paving 

Sophisticated technology: 

Polymer Road Construction 

Charles Dickens undoubtedly had a thorough understanding of Social and Economic 

pressures after the publication of his book “Hard Times – For These Times”. If South 

Africa’s crippled road and safety quality could be loaded onto the same lorry, a 

sequence title might ring “Rocky Roads – For Future Times”. 

Unstabilised 

32 

But, long gone are the dark rat-infested Rochester days 

and today we are surrounded by new and improved 

innovations. Polymer Technology is one such miracle 

concept and is applied right across the globe. We all 

know that South Africa needs to reassert itself in the department 

of road-works, and polymer road construction is the feasible 

solution which will eliminate the unaccountable number of 

dangerous roads crisscrossing our country. Polymer Pavements 

is a polymer manufacturing company (Gauteng) and focuses 

exclusively on manufacturing polymer products for use in road 

construction and for dust suppression. 

Polymer “Paving” that benefits Rural & 

Urban areas 

Polymer Technology is the manufacturing, processing, analysis 

and application of long chain molecules and is part of a group 

of concretes that use polymers to supplement or replace cement 

as the binder. Polymer “Paving” refers to the American term for 

“roads” and is a proven method of road-construction with 

polymers instead of cement. 

One of the first benefits for the community is speeding up service 

delivery by attending to the roads infrastructure issues in rural 

and urban areas. 

With polymer paving the turn-around-time for road construction 

and maintenance is substantially reduced and gives room for 

more roads to be built and maintained. 

Another important benefit for the community is that polymer 

paving has a job creation component that allows the 

empowerment of the working force in the community, for 

example a pothole fixing technology. 


Easy, Basic & Road-worthy Equipment 

Polymer technology has been commercially available in various 

forms and industries (aerospace, clothing, shipping, motor, 

medical, housing, etc.) for more than 100 years. The US 

Defence Force use a polymer called Envirotac II which reduces 

brownout helicopter accidents. This sticky substance was quite 

appropriately named Rhino Snot! 

We are surrounded by polymers in all aspect of our lives: food 

packaging, paints, rubber, foams, adhesive-sealants, varnishes, 

bullet proof vests, etc. The use of polymers for road stabilization 

is a relatively new technology and has only been under 

development for the past fifteen years or so. Polymer paving 

does not require special equipment and uses the same 

equipments applied in traditional paving namely a grader, a 

roller (compacter) and a water tank. 

The process of application is quite basic when one has 

established the kind of soil the road will be built on. 

Cost & Time Effectiveness 

Polymer paving guarantees that the cost of road construction 

will come down by close to 30%. The practicality, speed of 

construction and cost effectiveness is a major benefit to using 

polymers. One of the key elements is that with there is no need 

to construct several layers of compacted aggregate before 

stabilization and sealing, only one layer (150 mm deep) is 

needed to stabilize the soil. 

Going Green with Great Advantages 

Polymer paving is a proven high-tech method of road 

construction that can accommodate very low grade materials 

that traditional paving 

methods would consider 

unusable. Roads built with 

polymer will not require 

any maintenance for 5 to 

10 years. Polymers tend 

to migrate downward and 

the stabilized layers grow 

thicker with time as 

compaction caused by 

traffic makes the layers 

harder. 

• Polymer concrete has 

a higher strength and 

faster curing rate than 

regular concrete. 

• Polymer provides a 

safe, fast and clean 

method of sealing 

joints of various types 

of paving. The end 

product is a joint that 

becomes an integral 

part of the paving 

(roads) structure which 

withstands with ease 

the pressure from 

heavy vehicles. 

Road construction takes 

• 

place 

approximately 

paving 

four times quicker than traditional methods and reduces the 

need for skilled labour to joint/seal a pavement. 

• Permeability to water and gases, allowing sub-layers and 

tree roots etc. to receive adequate water and ventilation. 

• Resistance to weeds (albeit negligible compared with mortar 

or pitch) and resistant to ‘mining’ of ants and other 

invertebrates. 

• Non-polluting once in place, with low carbon. 

Polymer Pavements Materials 

• SoilTech Mk.III – Soil stabilizer ideal for road stabilization, 

hard stands, container depots, airstrip, etc. 

• Asphaltech – Polymer based “asphalt” – Cold application 

• PotTech – Pre-packaged cold application used to repair 

potholes 

• DusTech – Dust control product (eliminates dust). Ideal for 

dirt roads, mines, etc. 

• ClearTech – Spray onto stabilized dirt roads and forms a 

clear protective layer with a natural look. Ideal for game 

parks and nature reserves 

• SealTech – To seal cracks in pools, as well as sealing of 

canals and dams 

No sticky ends 

Polymer Technology speaks the language of the future and 

it offers South Africa a strong practical solution of durability 

and cost-effectiveness. As we stand in the doorway of a 

shaky economical climate, on the brink of the 2010 World 

Cup, here we have a solution for our disastrous roads. Polymer 

Technology guarantees smoother roads without ditches, cracks 

and water-clogged potholes, big enough to plant a tree 

or two. 

Stabilised road 

33 


finance 

Agence Francaise De 

Developpement Ceo 

commits Billions to SA 

Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD and Proparco), the French arm for 

international cooperation, will announce its latest capital commitments to South Africa 

(Rands 3.5 billion). These funds aim to fulfill AFD’s activities for facilitating economic 

growth in South Africa and improving the quality of life for historically 

disadvantaged individuals (HDI). 

34 

This new investment is indicative of the AFD’s financial 

assistance to developing and emerging countries. In 

2008, AFD committed worldwide nearly €4.5 billion 

(R50 billion) to more than 60 developing countries in 

Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, South 

America, and the French Overseas Territories. 

AFD CEO, Jean-Michel Severino will elaborate more on the 

funding commitments in SA during his visits to Cape Town and 

Johannesburg on November 23rd to 27th, 2009. These will 

involve signing of agreements between AFD and Transnet, the 

Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, the Development Bank of 

Southern Africa, the National Housing Finance Corporation, 

and the Central Energy Fund. Severino will also visit the Airports 

Company of SA, (ACSA) whom AFD has accompanied in its 

investment program, notably for the extension of OR Tambo, 

and Capitec that has benefited from Proparco’s support. This 

will reflect the diversity of AFD’s developmental approach and 

its innovative vision of the role of a Development Financing 

Institution in today’s world. On this precise topic, he will give 

an address at the Senate Hall of the University of Pretoria on 

the 25 th November: “The end of ODA : Death and rebirth of a 

global public policy”. 

“In order to achieve sustainable and more shared growth in SA 

and to address the inequalities that continue to divide the rich 

from the poor, AFD has identified areas where our funding can 

play an incentive role,” explains Severino. “Our first port of call 

will be to finance large production infrastructures to promote 

regional economic development in a sustainable way. We 

believe the investment in funding for the development of sectors 

such as energy, telecommunications and transport will play a 

vital role in streamlining growth. 

“In the same vein, our continuous support for the regional 

financial sector will help to develop these institutions at both an 

African and a global level. We believe that through an 

intervention such as this, more previously excluded people are 

able to have access to banking services. 

“At a grassroots level, AFD will continue its support to 

municipalities by providing finance for municipal infrastructure 

and access to essential services for more South Africans.” 

AFD is a bi-lateral development finance institution that works on 

behalf of the French government. Since 1994 it has been 

operating in South Africa with the primary objective of 

supporting public policies to sustain the country’s most deprived 

population groups. AFD’s strategy is in line with the Partnership 

Framework Document which was jointly developed by France 

and SA in 2006. AFD implements various developmental 

components on behalf of the French government in an 

intervention program, the Country Partnership Strategy for the 

2008-2011 period. This strategy is based on improving access 

to services for the HDI population, supporting the productive 

sector for accelerated and redistributed growth, and preserving 

global public goods. 

The AFD office in Johannesburg has a regional mandate, which, 

in addition to South Africa, covers Namibia, Botswana, 

Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Lesotho. 

“In show of our commitment to local and regional development, 

AFD in Johannesburg finances more than thirty projects. Our 

activities have also multiplied between 2004 and 2008 to 

cope with the need to finance projects for development in the 

region,” explains Severino. The structure of aid granted by 

France to SA is characterised by a relatively low level of 

subsidies and the non-sovereign status of AFD’s borrowers. 

“AFD’s wishes to accompany SA in its natural role of contributing 

to the development of the African continent,” says Severino. 

The main objectives of AFD in Sub-Saharan African are to 

support growth in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to 

the creation of a favorable environment for development. “Even 

though Sub-Saharan Africa faces many challenges, we believe 

there is hope. The region’s abundance of natural resources 

and its versatile markets in the age of globalization will enable 

sustained growth in the years ahead,” ends Severino. 


ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Solar Congress Resolution 

The ISES Solar World Congress 2009 hosted by the Sustainable Energy Society of 

Southern Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, attended by participants 

from all over the world resolves as follows: 

The global target of 100% renewable energies is both 

attainable and necessary by the middle of the current 

century. This is motivated on grounds of ecological, 

economic and social sustainability. 

The unacceptable backlog in energy supply in the third world 

countries can only be covered cost effectively and in time by the 

use of renewable energies. Especially the industrialized 

countries have to increase their efforts in transitioning to 

renewable energies. 

The world governments are called upon to implement without 

further delay policies that have been proven internationally to 

be the most effective and efficient in the rapid transition to 

renewable energy world, giving priority to renewable energy 

and refraining from any kind of caps that may slow down 

renewable energy deployment. 

As a guiding principle, local and rural communities and people 

should be actively involved and benefit directly from renewable 

energies. Governments should especially encourage and 

support community power projects and distributed generation 

as well as investment in renewable energy manufacturing 

facilities in order to foster the local creation of jobs. 

The Congress applauds the first steps taken by the South African 

Government in introducing the renewable energy feed-in tariff. 

The Congress requests government to urgently address concerns 

expressed by the public and by potential investors about 

aspects of REFIT policy. These include transparency, certainty, 

removal of contradictions between legislation and regulations 

governing the REFIT and providing a roadmap with clear 

commitments and timelines to it’s implementation. The 

introduction of a Green Energy Act is strongly recommended as 

crucial to providing an overarching and comprehensive 

framework for renewable energy uptake so that in the near 

future the necessary steps will be taken to attract local as well 

as international investors. 

The Congress strongly recommends the world’s governments to 

establish an obligation to use renewable energy for water 

heating as well as space heating and cooling in residential, 

industrial, commercial and public sector buildings.On the 

international level, the introduction of a global feed-in tariff 

system is recommended as a primary instrument to foster 

international technology transfer and finance scaling up of 

renewables, especially in the third world. Such a global feed-in 

tariff has the unique potential of overcoming the blockage in 

the current climate change negotiations. 

For off-grid and non-electrical systems, further intelligent 

financing mechanisms such as large-scaled microcredit and soft 

loan programmes should be applied. All aspects of capacity 

building for renewable energy, including resource assessment, 

have to be given priority in education as well as in research 

and development. This is ineluctable in order to create 

awareness and knowledge of the true and full potential and 

vast variety of renewable energies as well as the true threats of 

fossil and nuclear energies. 

The Congress welcomes and endorses the strong support and 

the co-operation of all the renewable energy technologies 

through the International Renewable Energy Alliance. 

The congress is delighted by the recent establishment of the 

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and urges all 

renewable energy proponents worldwide as well as the world’s 

governments to give full support to the establishment process in 

order to make sure that IRENA can realize its leadership role on 

our way to a renewable energy world. 

Johannesburg, 14 October 2009 

35 


PROJECT 

CSIR technology for 

improved, more durable 

low-income housing 

Communities who depend on subsidised, low-income houses in South Africa can benefit 

greatly from technology developed and tested by the Council for 

Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). 

While much progress has been made with housing 

provision, the backlog of some 2,1 million homes is 

still a reality facing South Africans. 

Numerous initiatives are underway aimed at increasing delivery 

in this regard. Recognising this as a national priority, the CSIR 

has applied its collective knowledge to contribute towards 

finding a solution for the low-income housing sector, comments 

Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, CSIR President and CEO. 

“Using innovative design and construction technology, 

CSIR researchers have developed a demonstration house 

with significantly improved performance and sustainability. 

If built according to CSIR specifications, and on large scale, 

such houses will be constructed much faster and at similar costs 

than when using conventional methods,” he says. The 

Department of Science and Technology supports this CSIR 

research project. 

The CSIR demonstration house was built according to the 

regulations of the National Home Builders Registration Council. 

The complete house has also been accredited by Agrément 

South Africa, the internationally acknowledged body that 

provides assurance through technical approvals of nonstandardised 

or unconventional products. 

Two other houses have also been built on the CSIR campus in 

Pretoria – both are the standard 40 m2 size and design of 

subsidised low-income houses. While one is a replica of a 

properly built subsidised low-income house, the interior and 

exterior finishing of the other house is according to suburb style, 

illustrating the difference in appearance and experience when 

inside the house. 

36 

Using innovative design and construction technology, CSIR 

researchers have developed a demonstration house with 

significantly improved performance and sustainability 

While being the same size as the other two houses, the CSIR’s 

experimental house has an optimised design with the added 

advantage that it can be extended easily by home owners. 

“The house was constructed combining technologies and 

materials in an innovative way to improve living conditions and 


PROJECT 

The house faces the appropriate direction for ensuring bedrooms can benefit from 

sunlight, while the living room faces north 

the durability of the home,” explains Hans Ittmann, Executive 

Director of CSIR Built Environment. 

Some contractors in the low-income market do not lay 

foundations to standard. To eliminate cracked walls resulting 

from sub-standard foundations, a CSIR technology developed 

for roads was adapted to form the foundation slab of the house. 

“Local labour can be used to construct such foundations, which 

is based on ultra-thin, continuously-reinforced concrete 

technology,” says Ittmann. 

“We used a modular, design-to-fit approach similar to a Lego 

set where pieces have to fit together correctly to form the bigger 

unit,” explains Llewellyn van Wyk, senior researcher at the 

CSIR. One big difference to current low-income houses is the 

design of the bathroom and kitchen area, and the use of a 

waste outlet manifold that is pre-manufactured, quality-tested 

and installed on site. This reduces the extent of the plumbing 

installation substantially while ensuring that the installation is 

done to the required standard. 

“Standard low-income houses have no 

ceilings and thus no insulation, which 

results in incredible variations in 

temperatures,” says Van Wyk. 

The thermal performance of the roof was 

improved dramatically with the addition 

of an insulation material that doubles up 

as a ceiling. The house faces the 

appropriate direction for ensuring 

bedrooms can benefit from sunlight, while 

the living room faces north. 

The CSIR low-income housing initiative is 

a research project-in-progress. The most 

recent additions include a solar-powered 

geyser on top of the roof and a photovoltaic 

panel above the front door for 

powering lights inside the house. “CSIR 

researchers will continue to pursue 

improved performance and sustainability 

for the low-income housing sector to 

impact on the quality of life of 

communities,” concludes Sibisi. 

Incorporating most components of the CSIR-developed lowincome 

house, local authorities will have demonstration units 

constructed in the Buffalo City Municipality in the Eastern Cape 

and at Kleinmond in the Western Cape. 

The use of a waste outlet manifold that is premanufactured, 

quality tested and installed on site 

reduces the extent of the plumbing installation 

substantially 

37 


concrete 

Echo looks to building 

revival in 2010 

Despite the damaging economic down-turn, Echo Group, South Africa’s largest 

manufacturer of hollow-core concrete flooring slabs, sees signs emerging of a slow 

revival of the construction industry early in 2010. 

Echo accurately forecast the tough trading year now 

ending, predicting a year ago that buoyant early months 

of 2009 would be followed by a market decline as the 

year progressed. 

“That was exactly the way things turned out,” said Echo group 

marketing director Melinda Louw. “As we now know, the tidal 

effect of the global economic crisis, exacerbated by high local 

interest rates and official restrictions on credit, put a severe 

damper on building construction, most especially in the 

residential building sector. 

“However, more recently there has been a series of interest rate 

reductions, slight increases have been reported in the number 

of building plans passed, and we are now engaged in tendering 

for a range of projects, big and small.” 

Echo’s reading of the latest market indicators supports 

the findings of economics consultancy Econometrix, which 

reported recently that the slump in the industry could be 

bottoming out. 

In difficult trading conditions, trimming construction budgets 

has become an even more critical imperative, Ms Louw said. 

“In their search for cost-cutting formulas, developers and 

architects are looking with increasing interest at the concrete 

floor slab system as a time – and therefore money – saving 

alternative to conventional in-situ concrete construction 

methods.” 

Although trading levels are lower, the down-turn has had its 

positive side for Echo. “Instead of just sitting around, hoping 

things would get better, Echo proactively embarked on service 

delivery initiatives to combat the effects of the building slump,” 

said Ms Louw. 

“These included price reductions based on working 

smarter, and the introduction of new cost-saving professional 

advisory services which have certainly paid dividends 

for us.” 

38 

• Coincidentally, a panel of built industry professionals 

has completed a research project comparing the costs 

of pre-cast hollow-core concrete flooring systems against 

in-situ concrete in medium-rise structures. Construction 

cost savings of 30,76% were achieved on the Pretoria 

project and 23,7% on the Johannesburg building. In 

addition, time-savings of six weeks on one of the buildings 

and eight weeks on the other were achieved, resulting in 

earlier occupation for tenants and quicker return on 

investment for the developers. The report is available 

from the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) or 

Echo Group. 


MUNICIPAL WORKS 

Munitech Ethekwini nrw 

programme 

Munitech, specialists in the management and maintenance of essential municipal 

facilities, is working on a three year programme with the eThekwini Municipality, on a 

comprehensive Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction programme – the first 

of its kind to be implemented in South Africa. 

Billing verification inspectors, Sanele Ndlovu (left) and Musa Sibiya, inspect a consumer 

meter as part of eThekwini’s Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction programme 

Munitech’s intervention programme in eThekwini’s 

northern metropolitan area is benchmarked against 

the ‘Best International Practice’ and closely follows 

the International Water Association’s water loss 

task force methodology. 

The northern operational region includes the high water loss 

areas of Ntuzuma and Inanda, which present most of the 

challenges faced by NRW interventions, with both high real 

and apparent losses. 

“eThekwini faces an upward trend in non-revenue water, as this 

system both ages and expands. We have adopted a multifaceted 

approach in support of an ambitious target of 20% 

non-revenue water, halving current overall NRW levels,” says 

Munitech’s project engineer, Cindy Wells. 

“We are implementing all NRW reduction initiatives, which 

include pressure management, leak detection and billing 

improvement.” 

Munitech’s GIS capacity – a tool that links information to 

geographic features – is being used extensively throughout the 

NRW programme to process data, as a means for reporting 

and to assist engineers in the application of suitable NRW 

mechanisms that ensure maximum benefit. 

NRW cannot be reduced by desktop analysis alone. Real value 

is achieved in field work, which encompasses measuring flows 

and pressure, logging, documenting and inspecting for billing 

errors or omissions. 

Technical teams have been recruited to probe networks and 

billing inspectors are verifying exceptions in the current billing 

system. The programme also involves specialised leak detection 

services. 

Munitech, with extensive experience in both operations and 

water loss reduction, combined with the recently launched GIS 

capacity, is well positioned to achieve the objectives of 

eThekwini’s NRW programme. 

39 


ROOFING 

Turning shelters 

into homes 

With government’s focus starting to narrow in on quality of housing rather than quantity, 

builders of affordable housing are turning their attention to materials and building 

methods that provide value for money, long-term durability and aesthetic appeal. 

The Philippi Park Housing Association saw a total of 500 units completed between June and December 2008, using concrete roof tiles 

Increasingly, concrete roof tiles have 

been gaining favour for their ability 

to meet these needs economically 

without compromising on high quality 

standards, and a growing number of 

housing developments incorporate these 

tiles into their roofing spec. 

Philippi upgrade 

Philippi is located near the airport in 

Cape Town and has endured many 

district phases such as a farming 

mainland, an industrial area and 

barren degrading land. After the 

1990s, developments such as a bus 

terminus and highly successful fresh 

produce market were introduced as 

new initiatives to turn the neighborhood 

around. 

40 

The Philippi Park housing project, synonymously associated with a ‘Better Life’, 

began taking shape in 2007 

From the 1990s until today, the zone 

of Philippi has received a fresh breath 

of air, imbued with development and 

sustainability. 


ROOFING 

excellent dimensional tolerances. 

They are impermeable to water, with 

good insulation and thermal 

properties. Concrete roof tiles are 

frost and UV resistant, as well as being 

fire resistant. 

Durability and low maintenance add to 

the overall package. 

The residents of Philippi can rest assured 

that their future is covered. The housing 

development has proved to be extremely 

successful, and concrete roof tiles were 

the cherry on the top. 

Coverland roofing, who are also 

members of the Concrete Manufacturers 

Association are proud to be associated 

with the provision of decent, affordable 

housing. 

Concrete roof tiles offer many 

advantages for application purposes 

The Philippi Park housing project 

,synonymously associated with a ‘Better 

Life’, began taking shape in 2007 with 

plans being put in place. A joint venture 

between L. Martin Construction and 

New Africa Construction, the Philippi 

Park Housing Association saw a total of 

500 units completed between June and 

December 2008, using concrete roof 

tiles. 

Coverland was one of the many building 

material suppliers involved, offering 

quality concrete roof tiles in the form 

of the Coverland Double Roman 

Profile. A veteran in the South African 

market since 1976, the company’s 

expertise was established as far back 

as 1949. 

Concrete roof tiles fit into the vision of providing decent affordable housing 

Excellent benefits 

Concrete roof tiles offer many advantages 

for application purposes: ease of laying, 

tolerance to walkability, extension or 

replacement of tiles with ease, frost and 

UV resistance not limiting application to 

certain areas or climatic restrictions, to 

name a few. 

Coverland Concrete Roof tiles 

endure rigorous testing such as Wind 

tunnel testing, and attaining SABS 

accreditation. 

Structural benefits of concrete roof 

tiles include high impact strength with 

The housing development has proved to be extremely successful, and concrete 

roof tiles were the cherry on the top 

41 


news 

Another country, another Moladi launch, 

this time in Accra, Ghana 

A 

competition was called for by Data Bank in Accra, 

Ghana to allow competing building technologies to 

showcase their ability and product on the basis of – 

Speed, Quality, Cost, Social Acceptability and 

Creating Employment for the Unskilled. 

The winner will qualify to construct 100 units for the Ghanaian 

market funded by Data Bank. 

The building technologies qualified to participate were 

Hydraform, Panel Form and moladi. 

Moladi was delighted to be declared the winner of 

the competition. 

The 120m2 units featured will include three bedrooms, two 

bathrooms,lounge, dining room and kitchen. 

A5 advert Landscape 5/7/09 9:06 AM Page 1 

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 

42 

Composite 


news 

Oconbrick winners of the 

Industrial Soccer League 

– 2009 

The Oconbrick soccer team is proudly in possession of the Industrial soccer league 

trophy after winning the final game against Federal Morgan on Saturday 14th 

November 2009 at Rosepark soccer field. 

The Coach Aaron Mawele did intensive preparation with the 

Oconbrick team going into the finals. 

The team led by Captain Russel Ndubani went into the game 

with heart and soul. 

Oconbrick soccer team with the Trophy 

They won the game 1-0 in extra time. All the staff at Oconbrick 

is extremely proud and the company congratulates its team for 

bringing the trophy to Oconbrick. 

President of the Industrial Soccer league is handing over medals to each player 

Oconbrick has moved from a level 7 to a 

level 5 contributor 

Oconbrick has successfully improved its BBBEE rating to a level 5 

contributor that effectively makes Oconbrick a value added vendor 

of choice. Oconbrick is commited and will continue to strive 

improving this rating in the following year. 

43 


energy efficiency 

Service delivery on a budget 

made possible by an innovative 

Eta awards winner 

Stretching municipal budgets without compromising on service benefits to local 

communities is possible in South Africa, a 2009 Eskom eta Award winner has ably 

demonstrated through the introduction of a unique concept. 

Looking for innovative solutions to a traditional problem, 

Light Kinetics, winner of the Residential category in the 

prestigious annual eta awards event, turned their attention 

to bringing light to the dark streets of the Winterveld, a 

poor, underdeveloped area near Tshwane. By concentrating 

their efforts on finding an efficient alternative to traditional 

streetlights, the company found a solution in cutting edge RUUD 

light emitting diode (LED) luminaires. Casting better light, these 

lamps also allowed light poles to be spaced wider apart, 

reducing the costs of installations to the Tshwane Municipality. 

Working with Tunzi Consulting, consultant’s to the municipality, 

Light Kinetics set to work delivering lighting that was not only 

effective, but also reduced energy consumption by a massive 

90%. Side benefits of the project were reduced costs through 

the use of fewer lamps and less cabling-material that is also less 

attractive to thieves. Additionally, the system also exceeds the 

SA standard of IP 65 – for street lighting and exceeds SABS 

requirements. 

LED street lighting has a projected lifespan of 20 years – far 

beyond that of traditional lighting systems and is also selfcleaning, 

using rain fall to flush dirt off fittings. Where weather 

conditions dictate additional cleaning, it simply becomes a 

case of using a high pressure cleaner from the ground as the 

unit is waterproofed and dust proof. “A number of milestones 

were achieved on this project, the most significant of which was 

making this project the first of its kind in South Africa. Winterveld 

is the first area to boast LED street lighting and Tshwane is the 

first municipality to achieve this. 

“Through applying thinking that was out of the box and met 

the needs of an isolated community, Light Kinetics has made 

a significant contribution to the national cause of energy 

efficiency and savings. They are worthy winners of an eta 

award and have set an example that can now be followed by 

many other municipalities facing budgetary and service delivery 

challenges,” said Dr. Steve Lennon, MD of Eskom Corporate 

Services. 

More about The eta Awards: 

The eta Awards are convened annually by Eskom and raise 

awareness about energy conservation to ensure that South 

Africa’s economic growth is supported by the availability of 

energy sources. 

To find out more about how your company can participate in 

the eta Awards, visit www.eta-awards.co.za 

A non profit organisation specialising in housing for the under privileged 

44 

A man is not a man until he has a house 

of his own” – Nelson Mandela 

Volunteer now and help us give a real home to an 

impoverished family, improving the lives 

and aspirations of this and 

future generations. 

Mandy Wallace 

SA Volunteer 

Co-Ordinator 

Cell: 083 230 4294 

TAKE ACTION NOW!!! 

Contact details: 

Noeki Gous 

SA Volunteer & Public Affairs 

Manager 

Cell: 082 567 1772 

SA Volunteer Blog: http://townshiptrustsa.blogspot.com/ 

Website: www.townshiptrust.org.za 

VOLUNTEER and assist us in building houses. Make your mark by contributing to our DEVELOPMENT program in the 

Communities where we are working. Together we can make a difference in building the future of South Africa. 


concrete 

Concrete’s vital 

sustainable role now 

recognised 

Appreciating the sustainability of concrete as a building material is proving to be 

increasingly important as the global concern about environmental preservation 

continues, according to Daniel van der Merwe, architect at the 

Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI). 

Van der Merwe says although concrete is the most 

commonly used building material in the world, much 

of what it can offer as a sustainable material is 

overlooked. 

“Materials specification must play a critical role to reduce 

the embodied energy in a building. Materials manufacture 

also needs to be factored in terms of measurable emissions, 

energy and finite material consumption. Buildings must now be 

constructed with a longer lifespan in mind, with the emphasis 

on durability and retrofitting rather than demolition,” he states. 

Van der Merwe says the cement and concrete industry has 

committed itself to responsible manufacturing. It has managed 

to boost production while decreasing the use of raw finite 

materials, while the use of cement extenders has significantly 

reduced the clinker portion 

in certain cement products. 

“Cement producers have already 

reached 50% of the set target of 

the Department of Minerals and 

Energy which calls for a 15% 

reduction of energy consumption 

by 2015. Through the use of 

alternative fuels and resources – 

including hazardous waste and 

scrapped tyres – as a fuel source, 

further reductions are possible.” 

“New permeable concrete pavers, soil erosion blocks and 

embankment stabilising blocks save water and prevent storm 

water run-offs and flooding; and self-compacting concrete in 

sustainable developments allows for architectural achievements 

previously regarded as impossible. 

“Moreover, new research is producing exciting data on the reabsorption 

of carbon dioxide by hardened concrete. 

A Danish study has found that 50% of the volume of concrete 

will be ‘carbonated’ over 70 years of any building’s service 

life. 

This sponge effect makes concrete a more green choice than 

previously thought. And it emphasises how global sustainability 

can be achieved with concrete,” van der Merwe added. 

The fitting of bag house filters, or 

electrostatic precipitators, is further 

reducing particulate emissions; 

and chemical admixtures are 

helping to reduce the cement and 

water content in concrete mixes. 

Through lightweight void form 

precast hollow-core slabs, the 

volume of in-situ concrete is also 

being substantially reduced. 

Concrete buildings offer unparalleled durability, says the C&CI 

45 


news 

Extremely fast and precise 

measurement 

Small, handy, with many practical functions and a large range: the new 

Laser Rangefinder DLE 70 Professional from Bosch. 

This tool measures distances up to 

70 meters with a typical accuracy of 

±1.5 millimeters and uses these 

measurements to calculate areas, volumes 

or indirect heights using the Pythagoras 

principle. The wall-area function 

calculates the entire area of several 

walls up to ten times faster than a 

folding rule and pocket calculator. 

If the room height is the same for 

each wall, all you have to do is 

measure the wall height once and 

then measure the wall lengths 

consecutively. The areas are 

added up automatically and 

quickly, which is a very useful 

function for painters, decorators, 

tilers or drywallers, enabling them 

to calculate their labor time 

and material requirements 

considerably faster. 

The minimum and maximum functions provide valuable 

assistance to all professional tradesmen involved in interior 

fitting work. The maximum function of the DLE 70 Professional 

can be used to easily check the right angles of a room by 

comparing the measured room diagonals. The DLE 70 

Professional does this by remembering the largest distance 

between two points. The robust 40-millimetre-long metal 

The new Laser Rangefinder DLE 70 fits into any pocket 

measurement pin may be folded out on 

the tool, is a helpful feature for 

measuring from corners and 

hard-to-reach areas. When 

the minimum function is set, 

the DLE 70 Professional 

displays the smallest distance 

between two walls when the tool 

is moved up or down along a wall. 

This is especially helpful when fitting 

built-in cupboards, wardrobes and 

similar custom-made objects. Both functions 

obtain their results from quick, consecutive 

measurements – the laser beam delivers a measured 

value approximately two to three times a second. 

The new Laser Rangefinder 

with dimensions of 100x59x32 

millimeters fits in any shirt 

pocket and it is very robust. 

The large softgrip coverings enable easy handling of the tool 

and protect it against impact. Moreover, the tool is dust and 

splashproof to IP 54. 

The DLE 70 Professional is very easy to operate. The symbols 

on the control buttons are self-explanatory. The large LC display 

shows the user which function is currently being used and which 

reference point is set (rear or front edge, tripod thread or 

measurement pin), as well as showing the measurement result. 

46 

Modern laser technology for accurate measurement up 

to 70 meters 

Measure up to ten times faster due to wall-area, 

minimum and maximum functions 


news 

Dulux Trade 

Weathershield: truly in a 

class of its own 

In today’s tough economic climate, it is tempting to cut costs, and paint, at face 

value, is an easy choice. After all, to the untrained eye, paint all looks the same once 

applied. Fortunately, there is a paint on the market which, having been designed 

specifically for contractors, takes the anguish out of paint choice - in fact, Dulux Trade’s 

WEATHERSHIELD was designed so successfully that it is now in a class of its own. 

This smooth exterior paint represents a significant 

breakthrough in the exterior paint market, primarily 

because its advanced spreading rate of up to 14m2/l 

means more surface is covered with far less paint than its 

competitors, saving both time and money. 

Dulux Trade R&D executive Tony Pillay who headed the team 

that originally formulated this remarkable paint explains: “From 

a trade point of view, what is so different about this paint is its 

in-can structure. 

“The nature of the viscosity or rheology 

of the paint is that it appears very 

thick in the can, but the structure 

has been engineered to allow 

contractors to load it directly from the 

can, and still the paint spreads like 

butter when rolled onto a wall. It has 

superior adhesion to cement-based 

surfaces and offers the best smooth 

coating on the market in a two-coat 

application.” 

After revolutionising the in-can paint 

structure, Pillay and his team worked on 

adding different properties to further 

improve it. Flexibility was added to the 

Dulux Trade WEATHERSHIELD product 

to enable it to bridge hairline cracks and 

allow for marginal movement in the 

substrate. 

The product also contains a fungicide 

that inhibits mould growth on the paint 

film, ensuring it stays cleaner for longer 

and making it particularly suitable for use in changeable 

weather. 

The paint offers superior alkali resistance, negating the need 

for primer on bare plaster. This simple innovation saves both 

money and time, as there is no need to buy primer, and there 

is less time needed for application. 

An added bonus is that, while Dulux Trade WEATHERSHIELD 

delivers lasting quality protection, its excellent sustainability 

properties and low VOC levels radically 

reduce any harmful impacts on the 

environment, as ICI Dulux Head of Trade 

Marketing Xavier Rijmenans explains: 

“Your choice in paint can have serious 

implications on the environment. 

“Huge strides in technology have 

enabled environmentally-conscious paint 

manufacturers to develop ‘greener’ 

paints, which means, today there is no 

need to have a paint that visually 

enhances the appearance of a building 

but impacts negatively on the 

environment.” 

Dulux Trade WEATHERSHIELD is also 

available in 84 trendy exterior colours, 

allowing for great flexibility and 

originality in design. As its name 

suggests, Dulux Trade WEATHERSHIELD is 

a premium quality product that offers an 

outstanding solution to exterior painting 

requirements in harsh South African 

weather conditions. 

47 


news 

‘Concrete for Housing’ presentations now 

available on CD 

Text copies of presentations on the use of concrete for housing and infrastructure 

delivered at the recent Southern African Housing Foundation (SAHF) “Spotlight on 

Housing for 2010” conference in Cape Town can now be obtained from 

the Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI). 

C&CI and the Concrete Manufacturers Association 

(CMA) jointly hosted a workshop session entitled 

“Preferential use of concrete and precast concrete 

products for the development of housing and 

infrastructure” at the top-level conference in early October 

which attracted delegates from all over the world. 

The CD, which has been made available free of charge by 

C&CI and CMA, contains the title presentation by John Cairns, 

director of the CMA; as well as papers by Llewellyn van Wyk , 

Research Architect at the CSIR (“Maximising modular masonry”); 

and Daniel van der Merwe, Architect at C&CI (“Innovative use 

of cementitious products in social housing”). 

The CD also contains 21 technical documents from C&CI and 

CMA relating to the use of concrete in housing and infrastructural 

developments. 

For free copies of the CD, contact Harry Mabaso of the C&CI 

Information Centre on harry.mabaso@cnci.org.za. 

New appointments at c&ci 

John Roxburgh has been appointed as lecturer at the Cement & Concrete Institute’s 

School of Concrete Technology. 

Roxburgh, who holds a Wits University BSc Building 

Science degree, started his career with LTA where, 

as site agent and later as Clerk of Works, he was 

involved in major townhouse and RDP housing 

developments. In 2003, he 

joined Hydraform as Technical 

Manager and was involved in 

the development of important 

new industry technology 

as well as training for 

block making and building 

methods. 

many years at the National Library of South Africa in 

Pretoria, specialising in cataloguing before she became 

Project Leader of the South African National Bibliography 

in 1995. 

He also holds a diploma 

in Mechanical Engineering 

and worked as computer 

programmer at various firms. 

The Institute has also engaged 

the services of Susan Battison 

who has joined the C&CI 

Information Centre as Senior 

Information Specialist. 

48 

After obtaining her BBibl 

degree at the University of 

Pretoria, Battison served for 

John Roxburgh 

Susan Battison 


Let’s start building 

what every community needs, 

from 

homes, 

and the shop 

down the 

street . 

Integrated Residential Developments 

We understand that for society to flourish, families need homes to live in which are socially, 

economically and physically functional, and result in a dignified quality of life. Our response 

to this challenge is to facilitate the implementation of sustainable human settlements. 

Moving Forward 

Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP15). 

The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (Reg.No.1962/000738/06). SBSA 808278-8/09

project - Trademax Publications

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