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SA<br />
Affordable<br />
Housing Infrastructure & Development<br />
November/December Vol. 1 No. 3
SA<br />
Affordable<br />
Housing Infrastructure & Development<br />
November/December Vol. 1 No. 3<br />
Contents<br />
◗ Editors comment<br />
2 Winding up<br />
◗ Projects<br />
4 Making it work<br />
14 ArcelorMittal South Africa provides<br />
low-cost housing solutions<br />
16 Large Staff Housing Project on Track<br />
30 Modern living made easy in<br />
downtown Jozi<br />
36 CSIR technology for improved, more<br />
durable low-income housing<br />
◗ Women in construction<br />
8 Non-traditional groundbreakers:<br />
women-for-housing<br />
◗ Concrete<br />
18 New name, identity for “reborn”<br />
Technicrete<br />
22 Precast Concrete offers a housing<br />
solution – SA Housing Conference<br />
38 Echo looks to building revival in 2010<br />
43 Oconbrick winners of the Industrial<br />
Soccer League – 2009<br />
45 Concrete’s vital sustainable role now<br />
recognised<br />
◗ Developments<br />
20 Major innovation in the concept of<br />
Affordable Housing<br />
◗ News<br />
24 PPC’s 3-D tanker rebranding benefits<br />
Western Cape charities<br />
42 Another country, another Moladi<br />
launch, this time in Accra, Ghana<br />
46 Extremely fast and precise<br />
measurement<br />
47 Dulux Trade Weathershield: truly in a<br />
class of its own<br />
48 ‘Concrete for Housing’ presentations<br />
now available on CD<br />
48 New appointments at C&CI<br />
◗ Bricks and paving<br />
27 Clay brick masonry’s combination<br />
of benefits right in line with<br />
Governments new Human<br />
Settlements policy<br />
◗ Green Construction<br />
31 PlanetWorks – environmental<br />
protection<br />
◗ Paving<br />
32 Sophisticated technology: Polymer<br />
Road Construction<br />
◗ Finance<br />
34 Agence Francaise De Developpement<br />
Ceo commits Billions to SA<br />
◗ Energy Efficiency<br />
35 Solar Congress Resolution<br />
44 Service delivery on a budget made<br />
possible by an innovative ETA awards<br />
winner<br />
◗ Municipal Works<br />
39 Munitech Ethekwini NRW programme<br />
◗ Roofing<br />
40 Turning shelters into homes<br />
4 20<br />
On our cover<br />
SA<br />
Affordable<br />
Housing Infrastructure & Development<br />
<strong>Trademax</strong> <strong>Publications</strong><br />
SA Affordable Housing<br />
Infrastructure & Development<br />
November/December Vol. 1 No. 3<br />
Tel: 0861 72 7663<br />
Cell: 082 266 6976<br />
Fax: 0866 991 346<br />
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za<br />
P.O. Box 37053,<br />
Chempet,<br />
7442<br />
Editor:<br />
editor@saaffordablehousing.co.za<br />
Publisher:<br />
Billy Perrin<br />
082 266 6976<br />
billy@saaffordablehousing.co.za<br />
Advertising:<br />
Billy Perrin<br />
billy@saaffordablehousing.co.za<br />
Nikki Grebe<br />
nikki@saaffordablehousing.co.za<br />
Daleen Filbey<br />
sales@saaffordablehousing.co.za<br />
36<br />
40<br />
Layout & design:<br />
Vivian du Preez<br />
Administration & Subscriptions:<br />
Shironne Lezar<br />
shironne@saaffordablehousing.co.za<br />
1<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
Editors comment<br />
Winding up<br />
The third issue of SA Affordable Housing coincides with the start of<br />
the holiday season, which is appropriate since there’s been an<br />
air of festivity about the office ever since we launched<br />
our first issue two months ago.<br />
One cause for celebration is the increasing<br />
improvement in the quality of housing we’ve been<br />
seeing in recent <strong>project</strong>s. Contractors truly seem to<br />
be buying in to the importance of building homes<br />
that occupants will be proud of.<br />
This is an important development in the wake of the recent<br />
focus on poor quality of the housing being delivered.<br />
Minister Sexwale’s decision to rebuild poorly constructed<br />
RDP homes will require R1.3 billion from an already shaky<br />
budget, not to mention the lost time which could have been<br />
invested in building new homes – 40 000 houses will be<br />
flattened; a massive blow to the programme.<br />
However, with structures literally collapsing around occupants<br />
ears, it’s easy to see why so many South Africans have been<br />
feeling as if the sky has been falling in.<br />
According to the Minister, blame for this setback should be<br />
laid firmly at the feet of corrupt officials and the construction<br />
companies that have colluded with them, and steps have<br />
been taken to root out the offenders with the assistance of the<br />
Special Investigations Unit.<br />
Sexwale’s tough approach could be just what we need to get<br />
things back on track.<br />
Plans to professionalise the construction industry should<br />
improve service delivery and there are those who believe<br />
that his no-nonsense approach might be just what we need to<br />
review the sustainability of our current housing programme in<br />
the long-term.<br />
Not least of these issues is the viability of providing free housing<br />
indefinitely and some are advocating the introduction of a ‘cutoff’<br />
date.<br />
With all this in the pipeline, 2010 looks primed for some<br />
interesting developments. We’re certainly looking forward to<br />
what the New Year has in store.<br />
On this note we wish all of our readers, advertisers and<br />
contributors a very merry festive season and a very productive<br />
2010!<br />
Happy reading,<br />
Editor<br />
2<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
PROJECT<br />
Making it work<br />
A lot is happening in the affordable housing sector at the moment, and the recent<br />
Tekwane North housing initiative introduced by the Department of<br />
Human Settlements is a good example of a success story.<br />
Most notably, since the<br />
development was launched<br />
in August, the department<br />
allocated 20 of the 53<br />
houses built to SAWIC (South African<br />
Women in Construction), who donated<br />
their construction services to the <strong>project</strong>.<br />
The remaining 33 houses were assigned<br />
to volunteers in the area.<br />
Getting involved<br />
When SA Affordable Housing spoke to<br />
Themba Mthethwa, Business Development<br />
Non-Executive Director at Everite, a<br />
division of Group 5, he explains that the<br />
company had a two-pronged involvement<br />
in the <strong>project</strong>. “Group 5 had two separate<br />
roles in the initiative, firstly by sponsoring<br />
one of the houses to the tune of R50 000<br />
and secondly, in the form of Everite’s<br />
sponsorship of ceilings in all of the<br />
houses.”<br />
Everite also supplied Big Six fibre cement<br />
roofing material, so named because each sheet has six<br />
corrugations. The material has good thermal insulation qualities<br />
The force behind the <strong>project</strong><br />
and was purchased by the Department of Housing as part of<br />
the <strong>project</strong> spec, however Everite donated the ceiling boards in<br />
a bid to draw attention to the need for this material. “It was our<br />
way of inspiring government to recognise<br />
the need for ceilings as an essential<br />
component in RDP housing,” smiles<br />
Themba.<br />
4<br />
Everite’s Big Six fibre cement roof sheets were specified for the <strong>project</strong><br />
“Many such houses are constructed using<br />
steel roofing, and if you’ve ever stood in<br />
your garage, you’ll know how<br />
uncomfortable it can be without insulation.<br />
Imagine living this way. The <strong>project</strong> has<br />
been very successful, including the<br />
participation of the ladies, although I’ll<br />
admit, they did need some male help –<br />
but only for the heavy lifting!” he laughs.<br />
Preferred installers<br />
The company rendered additional support<br />
in terms of on-site training, which will be<br />
backed up in future by the fact that<br />
students will be listed in a register of<br />
recommended Everite installers. As a<br />
preferred supplier for many government<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
PROJECT<br />
The <strong>project</strong> involved the construction of 53 houses in Tekwane North<br />
<strong>project</strong>s, this is extremely beneficial to anyone who has a<br />
knowledge of the products, which Themba assures us requires<br />
careful handling.<br />
“We are very particular about the manner in which Everite<br />
materials are installed,” he emphasises. “We’ve had incidents<br />
where we’ve visited sites where roofs have had to be replaced<br />
after unskilled labourers had simply hammered the sheets into<br />
place. The result is longitudinal cracks which run up the<br />
corrugations of the boards. For optimum lifespan of this material,<br />
we advise government departments to use only our trained<br />
contractors.”<br />
This approach is applied to the company’s other products, and<br />
Themba goes on to tell us about the new Alternative Building<br />
Division, which focuses on steel frame building. “This division<br />
will open up a wider scope of government work for us. We’ll be<br />
able to approach the Departments of Transport, of Education,<br />
of Rural Development with a view to offering solutions for<br />
clinics, schools and road works. It’s very<br />
exciting for us.” Utilising steel frame<br />
structures, clad with Everite’s own boards,<br />
the company will be able to offer effective,<br />
fast building solutions in areas that are<br />
currently lagging in terms of delivery.<br />
it could be possible to do this every month.<br />
Everite has become a strategic partner in<br />
this initiative and we plan to do even<br />
more. Also, I’m sure that if you approached<br />
individuals and said ‘Come and help us<br />
build a house this weekend’, they’d join<br />
you.” While cynics might consider this<br />
approach to be naïve, it indicates an<br />
underlying faith in the human potential for<br />
good.<br />
Highlighting inadequacies<br />
However, playing Polyanna is not<br />
something Themba could be accused of;<br />
when it comes to hard issues, he’s not<br />
afraid to be vocal. “The problem with a<br />
<strong>project</strong> of this nature is that it draws<br />
attention to the inadequacies of other RDP<br />
housing in the area,” he says. “When<br />
overseen by the Department with all the<br />
necessary quality checks adhered to, the<br />
outcome is a home that is vastly superior<br />
to those built in other <strong>project</strong>s.” With the<br />
media focus on Tokyo Sexwale’s decision to invest R1.3 billion<br />
in rebuilding inferior RDP houses built in the past, this problem<br />
has become glaringly apparent.<br />
“There’s no denying that many RDP homes need to be<br />
rebuilt, but it’s a shame when it involves re-allocating budget<br />
intended for new houses,” he laments. “Unfortunately, it is<br />
unavoidable, due to the poor workmanship that has been seen<br />
since 1994. The cost of cheap building in the long-term far<br />
outweighs the immediate savings. The saddest thing is that this<br />
is a simple case of human beings doing terrible things to each<br />
other – cutting corners is the same as theft. Ironically, some<br />
contractors are making a quick buck to build themselves a<br />
bedroom that’s bigger than the house they just built for a poor<br />
person.”<br />
to page 6<br />
More for women<br />
“We’re involved in a number of <strong>project</strong>s<br />
with SAWIC,” he adds. “We feel that it’s<br />
an important contribution because this is<br />
a difficult industry for women to get into.<br />
They struggle to gain experience without<br />
support, and if they have no experience,<br />
it’s difficult for them to gain finance to<br />
build their companies.” In Themba’s<br />
opinion, <strong>project</strong>s such as the one in<br />
Tekwane North should be a regular<br />
occurrence.<br />
“Why only in August,” he asks. “If big<br />
companies are prepared to get involved,<br />
Men helped with the heavy lifting!<br />
5<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
PROJECT<br />
The <strong>project</strong> involved the construction of 53 houses in Tekwane North<br />
from page 5<br />
6<br />
Everite donated insulation material and gave training in its installation, along with that<br />
of the Big Six roof sheeting<br />
Ladies add a touch of colour to the construction site<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009<br />
With the NHBRC warranty<br />
now covering RDP housing,<br />
there’s hope that things will<br />
improve, however the<br />
matter of policing the<br />
system could prove tricky.<br />
With scores of houses<br />
being completed daily, the<br />
Council will be hardpressed<br />
to get inspectors to<br />
every site. However, it does<br />
speak of a general<br />
determination to right<br />
previous wrongs. “The<br />
current Minister is working<br />
towards professionalising<br />
housing, much like the<br />
Chartered Institute of<br />
Housing in the UK. If we go<br />
this route, we could<br />
eliminate a lot of the<br />
problems we’re currently<br />
experiencing,” says<br />
Themba. Themba is also a<br />
member of the CIH (UK).<br />
Housing deadlines<br />
Here, he raises the<br />
somewhat touchy subject<br />
of setting a deadline for<br />
free housing delivery. “It’s<br />
a matter that many don’t<br />
want to face, but we’re<br />
going to have to accept the<br />
probability that we can’t<br />
go on building free houses<br />
forever,” he says. “Although<br />
it’s a fantastic idea, it’s<br />
something that no other<br />
country has ever attempted,<br />
because it’s simply not<br />
feasible. Government must<br />
find a way to set an
PROJECT<br />
acceptable cut-off line and<br />
break the news to the<br />
population in a way that<br />
makes it palatable. They<br />
need to take the current list<br />
of recipients and stop<br />
adding to it, or the <strong>project</strong><br />
will<br />
become<br />
unsustainable.<br />
“Just think of how many<br />
people turn 21 every year;<br />
if each one becomes<br />
eligible for a free house,<br />
the cost will become<br />
insurmountable. As it<br />
stands, taxpayers are<br />
footing the bill and<br />
ratepayers are subsidising<br />
utilities. While South<br />
Africans have never said<br />
that they’re not prepared<br />
to do this, if government<br />
continues to throw the<br />
responsibility at them,<br />
resistance is inevitable. I<br />
think that it’s necessary for<br />
the Minister to consider an<br />
informal gathering to look<br />
into this issue. Certainly<br />
there’ll be an outcry, but if<br />
we provide a solution<br />
immediately, there’s more<br />
chance that people will<br />
see the reasoning.”<br />
Throughout<br />
the<br />
conversation, it’s clear that<br />
Themba has the best<br />
interests of the nation at<br />
heart and he’s not afraid<br />
to express his opinions.<br />
Unusual coming from a<br />
corporate exec, but it<br />
seems that Everite is not an<br />
ordinary company. “At the<br />
end of the day, I like to say<br />
this,” he smiles. “What<br />
works is what matters.<br />
And what matters is what<br />
works.”<br />
Women at work<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009<br />
7
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION<br />
Non-traditional<br />
groundbreakers:<br />
women-for-housing<br />
During pre-historic times men and females participated in the pursuits of<br />
finding food, shelter and raising children.<br />
Mercifully the days of cavemen-hunting-cavewomen<br />
transpired into improved methods and today<br />
women face tremendous opportunities in the<br />
employment sector, entrepreneurship and financial<br />
security.<br />
It is time to pull that jackhammer out of grandma’s apron’s<br />
pocket and face the music – the world is changing forever. Men<br />
and women alike, play an important role in our construction<br />
sector which seems to hover on the brink of the biggest changes yet.<br />
Construction is one of the world’s largest industries, employing<br />
nearly 7 million workers in American and an estimate of<br />
500 000 construction workers in South Africa. Europe’s<br />
Small Business Act (SBA) puts emphasis on the importance<br />
for promoting female entrepreneurship whilst in the world<br />
of construction women represent a huge untapped resource for<br />
an industry begging for skilled labour and talented<br />
professionals.<br />
Female entrepreneurs however still seem to be vastly<br />
outnumbered across the world.<br />
A case study on five Zanzibar construction sites showed<br />
that women still seem to be subordinated with a genuine need<br />
to acquire technical training to improve their employment<br />
situation. Women working on construction sites should reject<br />
discriminatory values and the acquisition of construction skills<br />
and training should be a strong initiative from women<br />
themselves.<br />
A legacy of change-makers:<br />
Since 1995 a non-profitable and non-traditional groundbreaker<br />
organisation sprouted in favour of the development of women<br />
in the housing and construction sector: Khuthaza (meaning<br />
encourage), operating as Women for Housing.<br />
The organisation supports the development of women’s careers<br />
and businesses in the industry via Talent- and Contractor<br />
Development programmes.<br />
“Our growing network extends across<br />
the housing and construction professions,<br />
industry associations, government, nongovernmental<br />
organisations (NGOs),<br />
and academic institutions. While the<br />
organisation is small in structure, we<br />
have strong partnerships within the<br />
industry that enable us to play a<br />
meaningful role.”<br />
Following the latest recession and slow<br />
economic recovery, the construction<br />
world now has to invest in men and<br />
women who will deliver in the long<br />
term.<br />
8<br />
Meeting challenges in the small-,<br />
medium and micro-enterprises is of<br />
vital importance and knowledge should<br />
be shared. The scale of the task<br />
Build with NMTT to page 10<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION<br />
from page 8<br />
remains daunting as the presence of female entrepreneurs in<br />
the housing- and construction trade is still more the exception<br />
rather than the rule.<br />
Bridge building for the nation<br />
Transformation, when viewed as a business imperative,<br />
contributes to business and economical growth and therefore<br />
Khuthaza aims to assist both industry role-players and women<br />
to maximise the opportunities presented.<br />
Female participation as skilled and talented employees,<br />
suppliers, leaders, contractors, developers and customers<br />
should be encouraged: training must be provided in technology<br />
techniques, equipments and materials which will enable women<br />
to be competent right from the bricklaying process to<br />
engineering, plumbing, electrics and carpentry.<br />
A Future Investment<br />
Khuthaza aims to add value to the housing and construction<br />
industry’s pipeline of talent, promoting a new generation<br />
of industry leaders. Also known as Women for Housing,<br />
the organisation has been operating in the housing sector<br />
since 1995. The re-branding reflects the expansion of<br />
the company’s scope into the wider construction sector and<br />
the role it plays in the change and transformation in the<br />
industry.<br />
The National Budget invests<br />
significantly in infrastructure<br />
development as an economic driver.<br />
Public sector clients have taken a<br />
strong stance on the promotion of<br />
transformation and have set<br />
ambitious targets for the involvement<br />
of women in the delivery of<br />
infrastructure and related <strong>project</strong>s.<br />
While women’s interest in the sector<br />
is increasing, the BEE Codes of<br />
Good Practice and the recently<br />
finalised Construction Code provide<br />
a framework that guarantees<br />
incentives to accelerate the<br />
momentum of women in the<br />
transformation process.<br />
Gloria Mbeki of Murray & Roberts was recently<br />
involved in the completion of the Melrose Arch Hotel<br />
“Khuthaza is the main link between women and the<br />
construction sector and we aim at closing the gap between<br />
women and the industry as Bridge-building.”<br />
The company expanded their focus from the basic construction<br />
sector, and classifies its activities as follows:<br />
1. Contractor Development<br />
2. Talent Development and;<br />
3. Bridge-building<br />
A) Contractor Development<br />
Khuthaza has been involved in contractor development for<br />
over eight years and women from all walks of life and<br />
construction disciplines with varying levels of experience<br />
joined up. Four programmes, each developed to target different<br />
levels of experience and business development, were<br />
implemented.<br />
“We encourage greater mastery<br />
of a particular specialisation<br />
amongst contractors and hope to<br />
expand training in line with that<br />
principle. Though our contractor<br />
development programmes are<br />
currently only offered in Gauteng,<br />
we plan to expand our services.”<br />
Talent Development<br />
Khuthaza aims to play a key role<br />
in adding value to the talent<br />
pipeline. Over the years they<br />
emphasised the importance of youthinvestment<br />
into the industry and<br />
developing of women studying,<br />
employed in and leading the industry.<br />
10<br />
Khuthaza believes that diversity brings strength, new<br />
perspectives and a multidimensional vision. The involvement of<br />
women in the industry must be approached not only to reach<br />
BEE targets but also to add diversity to the industry.<br />
As a member of the South African Federation of Civil Engineering<br />
Contractors (SAFCEC) and the Cement & Concrete Institute<br />
(C&CI), Khuthaza also represents the NHBRC Industry Advisory<br />
Committee and the Construction Charter Transformation Group.<br />
The organisation’s work has been recognised during a number<br />
of occasions which includes the following:<br />
• A 2003 award from the Institute for Housing<br />
• In 2006 a Govan Mbeki National Housing Award presented<br />
by Minister Sisulu<br />
• A Building Women Magazine award in 2007 for<br />
contribution to women’s empowerment<br />
• An award for leadership in the sector from the Council for<br />
the Built Environment in 2008<br />
• An OLAY Iconic Woman (Science and Technology) Award<br />
in 2009.<br />
A number of seminars, workshops and training programmes<br />
are being facilitated each year in order to provide individuals<br />
with much required guidance, resources and opportunities for<br />
development.”<br />
Gloria Mbeki could become a dynamic leader in the<br />
future, currently doing an Honours Degree in Construction<br />
Management at Wits. This young wife and mother is employed<br />
as a planner for Murray & Roberts Construction where she<br />
works as part of a team on the Melrose Arch Piazza.<br />
She was recently involved in the completion of the Melrose<br />
Arch Hotel and looks forward to the completion of the Piazza<br />
which she describes as huge and beautiful.<br />
Gloria is astounded by how much she is learning: “It’s a great<br />
<strong>project</strong> to be part of because I am constantly learning. My mind<br />
has been broadened by the creativity and dedication of the<br />
individuals involved.”<br />
to page 12<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
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WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION<br />
from page 10<br />
Gloria developed a passion for the construction industry and<br />
would like to improve people’s standards of living with the<br />
knowledge gained. She believes that the industry has a large<br />
impact on people’s lives which plays a role from residential<br />
developments to retail, office developments and the construction<br />
of roads and power stations.<br />
A purpose-driven person, Gloria seems to be truly surprised at<br />
her abilities and achievements: “Completing my degree,<br />
graduating from Wits and being employed by one the biggest<br />
construction companies in the country are amongst my greatest<br />
achievements thus far. This is a dream come true in the<br />
transformation system of South Africa.”<br />
This is where Khuthaza shifts into centre stage. The<br />
organisation works closely with industry role-players, helps<br />
women to identify career related opportunities in the sector and<br />
assist the industry in identifying women with industry<br />
related skills and experience. As women emerge as role-players<br />
in the construction industry it is<br />
becoming increasingly necessary to<br />
interact with a wider range of industry<br />
leaders and stakeholders. Khuthaza<br />
serves as an intermediate bridge<br />
between women and the industry.<br />
“As a communicator in the nonprofit<br />
sector, our objective is to raise<br />
awareness, foster understanding and<br />
ultimately create a mutually supportive<br />
environment.”<br />
contributions have shaped the organisation’s growth and<br />
development.<br />
“Our people play a much larger role than even they<br />
realise, leaving an indelible mark on the industry with every<br />
interaction. They bring to each encounter vital enthusiasm,<br />
perseverance, conviction and courage. Through their unique<br />
personal strengths they model and spread the spirit that is<br />
Khuthaza.”<br />
The Board of Directors consists of individuals from a number of<br />
related disciplines. Directors all have extensive experience in<br />
the housing and construction sectors. Their input and leadership<br />
is invaluable.<br />
A network of people<br />
“While our team may be small, our network is vast.”<br />
The network extends across the housing and construction<br />
industries, including established construction companies,<br />
industry associations, suppliers, finance institutions, government,<br />
non profit organisations and academic<br />
institutions.<br />
The growing network boasts<br />
students, developers, contractors, subcontractors,<br />
professionals (engineers,<br />
architects, planners, <strong>project</strong> managers,<br />
quantity surveyors etc.), manufacturers,<br />
suppliers, consultants, researchers,<br />
real estate and property management<br />
professionals as well as women in<br />
related trades.<br />
12<br />
Not for the “faint-hearted”<br />
Khuthaza’s work contributes to the<br />
vision of an economic and social<br />
landscape enriched by the<br />
contributions of women as equal<br />
participants across all industries and<br />
levels of development. It encourages<br />
the entry of women into the building sectors and encourages<br />
the development of thriving careers and businesses.<br />
“We are a catalyst for change and socio-economic development<br />
and support government initiatives relating to housing and<br />
infrastructure delivery, the maintenance and growth of the<br />
construction industry and Broad Based Black Economic<br />
Empowerment. Our skills development mandate includes<br />
student development, professional development, contractor<br />
development and the cultivation of leadership within the various<br />
built environment disciplines.”<br />
Khuthaza represents the growing body of women in<br />
the building environment and interacts with government,<br />
industry role-players and other stakeholders to promote the<br />
interests of women and the overall transformation of the<br />
industry.<br />
Ground-breakers<br />
It takes guts to be a change-maker and Khuthaza’s success<br />
can be attributed largely to its small but dedicated team whose<br />
Refilwe Mosadi<br />
The network of like-minded<br />
individuals and organisations<br />
exemplifies the attitudes, experience,<br />
skills, associations and influence<br />
needed to raise the profile of women<br />
in the sector and ensure their continued<br />
development.<br />
Like many of the women involved with Khuthaza, Gloria is a<br />
leading example of someone who was inspired by other<br />
women, learning from their successes and failures. Her advice<br />
to other women is to take time in assessing who you are as an<br />
individual.<br />
Then ask yourself what is it that you stand for and review your<br />
goals from time to time.<br />
More women are joining Gloria, believing that courage and<br />
determination will carry our nation’s men and especially women<br />
to heights never experienced before.<br />
“It’s ok to start again as long as you know where you want<br />
to be.”<br />
It’s the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance.<br />
It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance.<br />
It is the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give.<br />
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.<br />
– Bette Midler<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
<strong>project</strong><br />
ArcelorMittal South Africa<br />
provides low-cost housing<br />
solutions<br />
ArcelorMittal South Africa and the Emfuleni Municipality (Vaal Triangle)<br />
are teaming up to roof houses in two townships adjacent<br />
to the company’s Vanderbijlpark steel plant.<br />
14<br />
The <strong>project</strong> was initiated by ArcelorMittal South Africa at<br />
the request of the communities involved. The aim of<br />
the partnership is to re-roof 3376 houses previously<br />
owned by the Council in Bophelong and Boipatong by<br />
April 2010.<br />
The 3376 houses, now all privately owned, are more than<br />
40 years old. Some of them have asbestos roofs, which have to<br />
be replaced in terms of health regulations. No shacks will be<br />
roofed.<br />
ArcelorMittal has undertaken to supply the roofing sheets and<br />
fastening material, while Emfuleni will co-ordinate the<br />
installation, labour and <strong>project</strong> management. ArcelorMittal<br />
technical staff will provide advice during the two phases of<br />
renovation. The budgeted cost of the <strong>project</strong> is around R1-<br />
million, with the material costs comprising the largest share of<br />
this amount.<br />
Phase 1 of the <strong>project</strong> will kick off in late-2009 with a trial run<br />
with a handful of houses being fitted with galvanised roofing.<br />
Only after the trial run will the exact number of houses to be<br />
completed by the end of the first phase be determined. Phase<br />
2, to start early next year and to be completed by mid-year, will<br />
include the removal of all asbestos roofing.<br />
ArcelorMittal believes that steel roofing is an ideal solution for<br />
roofing low-cost houses. It’s safe, durable, energy efficient and<br />
easy to install. The company however warns of a recent trend<br />
in which ultra thin galvanised material is imported for roofing<br />
applications; it, in effect, lowers the standards of the roofing<br />
products and provides less of the benefit of thicker galvanized<br />
roofing. State housing inspection bodies have been urged to<br />
push for more efficient standardisation and control of steel<br />
products.<br />
The Emfuleni housing <strong>project</strong> will predominantly make use of<br />
labour from the communities involved. One skilled builder and<br />
six labourers will work on a house at a time with two teams<br />
working simultaneously – one in Bophelong and one in<br />
Boipatong.<br />
The key <strong>project</strong> objectives are as follows:<br />
• Re-roof all 3376 identified houses in Bophelong and<br />
Boipatong;<br />
• Follow the approved <strong>project</strong> programme without delay and<br />
interruptions;<br />
• Utilise local labour;<br />
• Implement the <strong>project</strong> using programmes guidelines such as<br />
government’s Expanded Public Works Programme and the<br />
Expanded Public Housing Programme;<br />
• Use this <strong>project</strong> for similar partnerships with other local<br />
communities and companies;<br />
• Empower communities through skills transfer and economic<br />
spin-offs;<br />
• Utilise old roofs as scrap and use these proceeds to<br />
complement the <strong>project</strong> budget.<br />
Marion Green-Thompson, Group Corporate Responsibility<br />
Manager at ArcelorMittal South Africa says the company is<br />
making a concerted effort to uplift the quality of life in the<br />
communities in which it operates. “Whilst this is an area that<br />
has often been contentious in the past, mutually beneficial<br />
stakeholder relations are now one of our top priorities. Projects<br />
like the re-proofing of homes in Bophelong and Boipatong fit<br />
this bill,” she comments.<br />
The roofing <strong>project</strong> is a direct outcome of ArcelorMittal’s<br />
extensive community engagement programme of the past year,<br />
whose primary aim is to contribute to the development of strong<br />
and sustainable local communities wherever the company<br />
operates. “We will do so by being sensitive to local needs and<br />
priorities, by engaging in an open and straightforward manner,<br />
by focusing on practical and tangible activities that deliver<br />
value and by seeking to work in active partnership with<br />
community leaders and NGOs,” Green-Thompson adds.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
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PROJECT<br />
Large Staff Housing<br />
Project on Track<br />
A 320-home <strong>project</strong> for the staff of a leading utilities provider near Lephalale, Limpopo<br />
Province is close to completion and awaits council approval. “This has been a very<br />
fast-track contract, which de facto only commenced in February 2009,”<br />
says Mark Green Director and Project Manager for contracting company<br />
Esorfranki Civils (formerly Patula Construction).<br />
This is a fairly significant building <strong>project</strong>, adds<br />
Green, and the numbers speak for themselves: 12000m³<br />
of concrete for foundations, floor slabs and raft<br />
foundations; 9 million stock clay bricks; more than<br />
100 tons of cement and over 20 000 rolls of brick force will<br />
be used.<br />
“We tried wherever possible to utilise local suppliers but this is<br />
a remote area and it was not always possible.<br />
“Sourcing the concrete material was particularly<br />
challenging and, while we managed to obtain the river<br />
sand locally, the concrete stone came from Thabazimbi<br />
and Naboomspruit, and the cement from AfriSam in<br />
Polokwane.”<br />
The remoteness created other challenges including the lack of<br />
water, which has to be imported in tankers for the entire<br />
<strong>project</strong>.<br />
“Add all this to temperatures that are often between 35<br />
and 40º C, lots of rain in the summer and one can appreciate<br />
that working in these conditions has been testing,” says<br />
Green.<br />
16<br />
An example of one of the houses in the <strong>project</strong><br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
<strong>project</strong><br />
Nurcharing New Growth<br />
The Nurcha Advantage<br />
Nurcha provides bridging finance and support for contractors involved in the<br />
construction of Subsidy Housing, Affordable Housing, and Community Facilities<br />
& Infrastructure.<br />
If you are a contractor or developer involved in housing, community facilities<br />
or infrastructure, you can take on your next contract with confidence knowing<br />
that Nurcha can provide you with the bridging finance necessary to ensure that<br />
your <strong>project</strong> will be successful and profitable.<br />
An aerial view of part of the housing <strong>project</strong> – the infrastructure<br />
was also carried out by Esorfranki Civils<br />
A feature of the housing has been the wide range of<br />
styles. The architect responsible for the design, Lwazi Khumalo,<br />
explains: “There are three basic Tuscan styles – classic,<br />
contemporary and rustic – and 18 different detail footprints<br />
within each style giving 54 different architectural outcomes for<br />
the <strong>project</strong>,” he says.<br />
Nurcha will help you assess the contractual and financial viability of your<br />
<strong>project</strong>, organise the necessary guarantees (where applicable) and loans and<br />
provide all the support you need to professionally manage your <strong>project</strong>.<br />
Subsidy Housing<br />
Frequently Asked Questions<br />
Q What are the requirements to qualify for a Nurcha loan?<br />
A To qualify for a bridging finance loan you must have been awarded a<br />
viable contract for a subsidy housing <strong>project</strong> of not less than 100 houses<br />
or sites.<br />
Q How long does a typical application for a loan take?<br />
A Once the application has been received (complete with all documentation),<br />
the turnaround time is approximately 14 days.<br />
Q How does Nurcha assess the viability of an application?<br />
A Nurcha or the intermediary will conduct an extensive evaluation process<br />
to establish whether you qualify for assistance. The qualifying criteria are<br />
based on the profitability and viability of the contract, and your capability<br />
to meet the contractual requirements. It is in nobody’s interest to progress<br />
with a <strong>project</strong> that is going to fail.<br />
Q Does my credit record affect my application?<br />
A our credit record will not necessarily prevent you from accessing the<br />
services offered by Nurcha and our intermediaries. Nurcha assesses the<br />
viability of the <strong>project</strong>.<br />
Q What documentation is required to support my application?<br />
A The documentation required will depend on your specific application.<br />
The program manager assisting you, will advise you on the exact<br />
documentation needed for your particular application.<br />
Q What agreements will I be required to sign with Nurcha?<br />
A Once you have qualified for financial assistance, you will have to enter<br />
into the following agreements:<br />
• Loan Agreement – this describes all the conditions of the loan<br />
• Construction Support Services Agreement – this sets out the support<br />
services that you are to receive (it will vary according to your needs)<br />
Look out for more information on Affordable Housing in this column, in the<br />
January 2010 edition of SA Affordable Housing.<br />
“The effect of the variety of styles all within the same overall feel<br />
is quite stunning,” says Green adding that each house has a<br />
solar water-heating system and gas-operated stoves making<br />
them energy efficient.<br />
“We have already handed over 250 houses to the Lephahale<br />
Municipality and work on the rest is proceeding unabated,” he<br />
concluded.<br />
17<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
CONCRETE<br />
New name, identity<br />
for “reborn”<br />
Technicrete<br />
Concrete building products manufacturer Concor Technicrete<br />
has been officially re-launched, focusing on its new independent<br />
status within the Murray & Roberts Group of companies.<br />
Once a Concor Group subsidiary, the company<br />
has emerged with a new name – Technicrete – and fresh<br />
corporate identity to meet the challenges of future growth<br />
in the South African building construction<br />
and mining industry.<br />
We are presenting a new face of Technicrete to<br />
our market, with the promise of continuing what<br />
our heritage is built on,” Managing Director<br />
Paul Deppe told industry representatives at the<br />
company’s special re-launch event. “That is great quality<br />
products and great quality service.”<br />
Deppe traced the company’s history, from its founding in 1968<br />
as Concor Technicrete, a division of Concor, through the growth<br />
and development years – during which it became a major<br />
player in the building, construction and mining sectors – to<br />
2006 when the Concor Group was acquired by Murray &<br />
Roberts.<br />
“After the acquisition it became apparent that Concor<br />
Technicrete could benefit from and add value to the other<br />
manufacturing companies within the Murray & Roberts stable,”<br />
Deppe said.<br />
“For this reason the board of Concor Technicrete endorsed a<br />
process which saw the company move away from Concor and<br />
become an independent company within the Murray & Roberts<br />
construction materials cluster.”<br />
That happened in 2008. And since Concor Technicrete was no<br />
longer part of the Concor Group, it was strategically necessary<br />
for it to recreate a new identity for itself.<br />
18<br />
Managing Director Paul Deppe<br />
And in addition to the name-change, new logo and corporate<br />
dress, it meant moving out from under the Concor corporate<br />
roof and relocating its headquarters.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
CONCRETE<br />
“Despite all these changes,” Deppe told his guests at the<br />
company’s new headquarters in Roodepoort, “the values and<br />
entrepreneurial spirit that were the hallmarks of those early<br />
days remain embedded in all we do.”<br />
With concrete brick, paving, roof tiles, precast and<br />
specialist product manufacturing facilities located in six<br />
provinces, Deppe is excited about the newly independent<br />
company’s future.<br />
He says: “In a cluttered marketplace, with many competitors<br />
re-iterating the same message and promising the same, our<br />
brand differentiates itself on three key levels.<br />
We have a strong history, which allows us to build on our trust<br />
marks of heritage and credibility.<br />
We are known to deliver on our key promises of quality and<br />
product service.<br />
We offer a depth of knowledge that is unsurpassed.”<br />
19<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
DEVELOPMENTS<br />
Major innovation in the<br />
concept of Affordable<br />
Housing<br />
UrbanSpace Housing, a joint venture property company owned by Space Developments,<br />
Old Mutual and Vuwa Investments, a black empowered investment company, have<br />
announced a major breakthrough in the evolution of the affordable house in South<br />
Africa with the launch of its new <strong>project</strong> in Randfontein.<br />
20<br />
Oasis Manor comprises 300 architect designed, full<br />
title two- and three-Bedroom single family residential<br />
homes situated on Main Reef Road, touching the<br />
fringe of the Randfontein Central Business District.<br />
Oasis Manor is essentially designed for first time home buyers<br />
who earn a gross salary of R10, 000 a month, individually or<br />
jointly with a partner.<br />
Current market criticisms<br />
Industry critics have for some time called for more innovation in<br />
the field of Affordable Housing and specifically, for a change<br />
of plan from the 40m² affordable homes which they say date<br />
back to the 1950’s.<br />
They ask why developers can’t “give people out there, the<br />
chance of a decent and proper life? Offer four to six different<br />
plans for variety with finish options,” they suggest, “and break<br />
the monotony by painting the houses different colours. Give<br />
people a garage,” they add, “orientate the house more to the<br />
north and use a roof overhang to at least shade some of the<br />
summer sun.”<br />
Oasis Manor – refreshingly different<br />
Like a breath of fresh air, UrbanSpace Housing, using the skills<br />
of architectural practice Messaris Wapenaar, has come up with<br />
a concept that is totally unique for this type of market and<br />
refreshingly innovative and different. One of the first points of<br />
difference is the size of the fully serviced stands which, on<br />
average, measure 300m². Oasis Manor additionally offers a<br />
choice of five different designs and plan layouts to suit most first<br />
time home owner needs, be it for a couple, or even a family.<br />
One has the choice of a 46m² two-Bedroom, single bathroom<br />
home with an open plan kitchen, dining and living room; a<br />
48m² two-Bedroom, single bathroom open plan kitchen,<br />
dining and living room, using a different layout; a 56m²<br />
three-Bedroom, single bathroom home with open plan kitchen<br />
and living room; a 65m² three-Bedroom, single bathroom,<br />
separate toilet with open plan kitchen, dining and living room.<br />
The largest plan, which is the Oasis Manor flagship model, is<br />
an 82m² three-Bedroom, single bathroom home with an open<br />
plan kitchen, dining and living room, separate toilet and a<br />
single lock-up garage.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
DEVELOPMENTS<br />
Oasis Manor – a perfect<br />
situation<br />
Oasis Manor is ideally located on Main<br />
Reef Road, touching the fringe of the<br />
Randfontein CBD. Apart from its proximity<br />
to churches, schools, shopping and<br />
essential services, it offers road commuters<br />
easy access to other centres via the R41<br />
Randfontein Road to Johannesburg,<br />
passing Leratong Hospital. Alternatively,<br />
via Main Road to the Soweto/Lenasia<br />
N12 Highway or even via Main Reef<br />
Road to Krugersdorp. Oasis Manor is<br />
within walking distance of the Metro Main<br />
Line train station, bus and taxi ranks.<br />
Basic house prices for these homes range from R285, 000<br />
for the smallest, to R416, 500 for the flagship home in the first<br />
phase.<br />
One of the most unique features offered is the choice of paint<br />
colour. Unlike so many Affordable Housing <strong>project</strong>s, where the<br />
same uniform, dreary external colours are obligatory,<br />
UrbanSpace Housing decided to do it differently and offer a<br />
choice. Each house type has its own optional colour<br />
specification. Also, reinforcing the home owner choice is<br />
the fact that while each house type is offered on a basic<br />
house price basis, the client has the option to “add on” their<br />
choice of ceramic floor tiles to specific areas or to the entire<br />
floor plan. Wall tiles to full height in bathrooms are optional,<br />
as are two sizes of built-in cupboards and a colour upgrade in<br />
the kitchen. Capping these options, the client may select a<br />
four-plate stove, a single carport or even the addition of the<br />
single, lock-up garage.<br />
UrbanSpace Housing – who<br />
they are and what they do<br />
UrbanSpace Housing is a joint venture<br />
property development initiative between<br />
Old Mutual Life Assurance Company,<br />
Space Developments and Vuwa<br />
Investments. The nature of the business is founded on delivering<br />
sustainable, good quality, affordable housing developments,<br />
and improving the quality of life of people who previously could<br />
not afford a home.<br />
UrbanSpace Housing adopts a fresh and imaginative approach<br />
to property development, willing to place design criteria<br />
and quality above other considerations, while still creating<br />
cost effective and sustainable developments. Its development<br />
products are different in concept, design and structure, and<br />
each is carefully selected and designed to match the<br />
location, the clients’ pocket, taste and style. The company<br />
prides itself on getting to know its clients first and their unique<br />
sales and admin system of pre-qualifying their clients<br />
upfront, means faster home loan grants, and quicker delivery<br />
of homes.<br />
A show village has been built<br />
representative of each house type. Full<br />
details can also be seen on the website<br />
www.urbanspacehousing.co.za.<br />
Oasis Palms – Sectional<br />
Title Apartments<br />
UrbanSpace Housing are using the Oasis<br />
Manor launch as a springboard to<br />
announce the first of a number of 42m²<br />
two-Bedroom, single bathroom Sectional<br />
Title Apartments to be built on the site.<br />
The buildings will be typically two storey<br />
“walk up” and the apartments offered<br />
will provide the buying public with a<br />
further choice to consider as an alternative<br />
to the freestanding homes in Oasis<br />
Manor. The ground floor will be priced<br />
at R290,000 and the first floor at<br />
R280,000. Both prices include all extras.<br />
21<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
concrete<br />
Precast Concrete offers<br />
a housing solution – sa<br />
Housing Conference<br />
Precast concrete can reduce South Africa’s housing backlog dramatically. Just how<br />
was the subject of two papers presented at this year’s SAHF (Southern African Housing<br />
Foundation) International Housing Conference and Exhibition. These were delivered by<br />
CMA director, John Cairns, and Llewellyn van Wyk, a senior researcher at the CSIR.<br />
Staged in Cape Town during October, the conference<br />
was attended by 350 delegates, including a large<br />
overseas contingent. Keynote addresses were made<br />
by Helen Zille, premier of the Western Cape and<br />
the executive mayor of Cape Town, Dan Plato. Both outlined<br />
the immense challenges faced by the city in providing<br />
housing to a growing number of migrants and Zille presented<br />
a convincing case as to why spending R1 billion on a<br />
stadium for the 2010 World Cup benefited the city’s housing<br />
policy.<br />
Cairns focused on the means by which concrete can be<br />
effectively deployed to reduce the housing backlog in his<br />
address “The preferential use of concrete and precast products<br />
for the development of township housing and housing<br />
infrastructure”.<br />
He demonstrated how precast concrete has already made a<br />
positive impact on township housing by presenting a very<br />
Seen here in front of the CMA stand at the SAHF International<br />
Housing Conference and Exhibition are: Llewellyn van Wyk<br />
(left), a senior researcher with the CSIR; John Cairns, CMA<br />
(Concrete Manufacturers Association) director; Hanlie Turner,<br />
marketing manager of C&CI (Cement and Concrete Institute);<br />
and John Sheath, strategy and marketing<br />
manager of Ash Resources<br />
22<br />
Prestressed hollow-core concrete slabs manufactured by Echo<br />
Prestress, shortly after being lowered into position on one of the<br />
double-storied housing units at Pennyville<br />
attractive affordable housing development, Pennyville, south of<br />
Johannesburg’s CBD. Most of the building materials used on<br />
the <strong>project</strong>, including the bricks, the roofing, the paving,<br />
reticulation poles, and hollow-core precast flooring, were<br />
precast concrete based.<br />
“Speed of delivery and aesthetically pleasing finishes were<br />
the hallmark of this development and we believe that if<br />
there were more <strong>project</strong>s like it the housing challenge would be<br />
far less daunting,” he said. Cairns said one of the products<br />
which offers hope for the future is the precast hollowcore<br />
slab.<br />
“When combined in a foundation and flooring system it can be<br />
installed at a rate of 30 per day by a single team. This fasttracking<br />
and Agrément approved method allows building<br />
operations to begin immediately and speeds up the whole<br />
construction process.”<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
concrete<br />
a brick. Corner blocks, reveal blocks, sill blocks, and half<br />
blocks are required to make effective use of modular blocks.<br />
Without the full set the advantages of modular construction are<br />
negated.<br />
“Thirdly, modular blocks are far larger and require a different<br />
set of skills. Because of this contractors and block layers must<br />
be taught how to use modular masonry. It’s encouraging to note<br />
that the educational process has already begun with CETAapproved<br />
modular training initiated by the CMA.<br />
High-quality affordable housing, most of it built using precast<br />
concrete elements, predominate at Pennyville. The picture shows<br />
houses built with Sedibeng concrete bricks and roofed with<br />
Monier concrete tiles, a path paved with Concor Technicrete’s<br />
concrete blocks, and prestressed concrete poles manufactured<br />
by Infraset<br />
Cairns also demonstrated how concrete roof tiles are<br />
increasingly being used on affordable housing <strong>project</strong>s, adding<br />
value to individual housing units far in excess of any initial<br />
purchase price.<br />
However, both the CMA and the CSIR believe that concrete<br />
blocks will remain a key component of low-income housing for<br />
some time to come. How its quality and performance can be<br />
enhanced was the subject of Llewellyn Van Wyk’s paper,<br />
“Maximising modular masonry”.<br />
Van Wyk based his address around the central question: “Can<br />
we build low income housing that performs as well as<br />
conventional housing at the same or a slightly higher cost than<br />
that of a typical poor-performing low-income house?”<br />
“Fourthly, using a full suite of modular masonry will solve<br />
another very prevalent problem, namely, cracked walls. And<br />
lastly, full modular masonry will also require the standardisation<br />
of components such as window and door frames.”<br />
Van Wyk says the CSIR is researching building technologies at<br />
an experimental site at the Pretoria Campus where several<br />
40m² houses have been built to test different technologies. Two<br />
of them were built using modular masonry and the performance<br />
of both is being carefully monitored.<br />
“We are also working on the development of an innovative<br />
new suite of modular blocks which will offer performance and<br />
quality improvements. Concrete blocks will have to meet the<br />
new regulations for building efficiency which should be in place<br />
by April 2010. R and U values are going to be set which means<br />
producers will have to make adjustments in the manufacture of<br />
masonry blocks to meet these performance criteria,” concludes<br />
Van Wyk.<br />
Yes he says, but not just yet. A considerable improvement in the<br />
application of modular masonry must first take place.<br />
“Modular masonry offers a fantastic opportunity to not only<br />
improve housing delivery, but to build houses with zero<br />
wastage. But before this happens several measures will have to<br />
be taken,” says van Wyk.<br />
“In the first instance, houses will have to be designed with each<br />
and every block identified and numbered. If not, the system<br />
won’t work. This places certain constraints on design flexibility,<br />
but at this level the importance of building efficiencies far<br />
outweigh those of design flexibility.<br />
“Secondly, genuine modular designing will require a full suite<br />
of complementary blocks. One can’t treat the 390mm block like<br />
One of the houses at Pennyville which is being built with<br />
diamond-faced concrete bricks<br />
23<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
news<br />
Ppc’s 3-D tanker rebranding<br />
benefits Western Cape charities<br />
Two delighted winners in the PPC (Pretoria Portland Cement) Tanker competition –<br />
Caroline Rheder and Michael Haigh from the Western Cape – each walked away with<br />
R15,000.00 and got to donate 50% (R7,500) of their winnings to charities of their<br />
choice: the Animal Anti-Cruelty League and St Luke’s Hospice, in Cape Town.<br />
The competition, which ran from 31 August to<br />
27 September 2009 in both Gauteng and Western<br />
Cape, was featured on the PPC website and supported<br />
by regional radio campaigns on Good Hope and KFM<br />
in the Western Cape. The public was invited to guess which, in<br />
a series of tanker branding designs, was the 3-D version chosen<br />
by PPC to grace its tankers.<br />
Michael Haigh’s donation of R7,500.00 was warmly received<br />
by his charity of choice, St Luke’s. Raymonde Love, Corporate<br />
Liaison for St Luke’s Hospice said “St Luke’s wouldn’t be able to<br />
continue offering their services free of charge without the<br />
generosity of the general public and corporate.”<br />
Haigh’s decision to support St.Luke’s was motivated by previous<br />
interaction with the organisation. “St Luke’s Hospice looked<br />
after a family member of mine, and I have never forgotten what<br />
they did for my family. I hope the Hospice continues to do great<br />
work, especially with the cancer patients,” commented Haigh.<br />
Caroline Rheder of Tableview, who donated half her prize<br />
money to the Animal Anti-Cruelty League (AACL) said “I am a<br />
supporter of the AACL as they dedicate their service to animals<br />
that cannot fend for themselves. As a lover of animals, PPC has<br />
made my wish come true to offer substantial support to this<br />
cause.”<br />
St Luke’s Hospice – from left to right: Michael Haigh (winner),<br />
Clint Wicomb (PPC) and Pricilla Nelson (St Luke’s Hospice)<br />
In response, Western Cape General Manager of the AACL,<br />
Rene Southwood, said of the donation “We are desperate to<br />
redo the floors in the hospital. With the help of Caroline and<br />
PPC, we can now bring in a specialist to make the floors<br />
sterile.”<br />
PPC’s innovative new tanker branding features 3D images of its<br />
trademark ‘elephant’ portrayed to look like a real elephant is<br />
being transported in the tanker itself.<br />
24<br />
Animal Anti-Cruelty League Western Cape – from left to right:<br />
Caroline Rheder (winner), Ginger Singh (PPC) and Rene<br />
Southwood (AACL Western Cape)<br />
“PPC’s elephant icon is the core of our logo, symbolising PPC<br />
Cement’s strength, great stature and dependability, with its<br />
powerful associations of wisdom, maturity, family-orientation,<br />
caring and loyalty,” says Sibongile Mooko, PPC’s Marketing<br />
Services Manager.<br />
A total of 28 tankers have been rebranded, creating a distinctive<br />
look as they drive on our national roads.<br />
“We are delighted that this initiative has been a success. We<br />
were previously told that a 3-D rendition of our logo, including<br />
the elephant, could not be achieved due to the shape of our<br />
tankers. In celebration of this milestone, PPC has chosen to add<br />
a charity element to the campaign. This will enable us to<br />
continue not only to empower the competition winners and<br />
charity organisations of their choice, but also have a lasting<br />
and emotional impact in the lives of communities in which we<br />
operate,” adds Mooko.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
The Jupiter Drawing Room 38968<br />
Express your individual style and fl air – choose concrete to<br />
complement and enhance the décor on your building <strong>project</strong>.<br />
Distinctive styling coupled with the option of aesthetically<br />
pleasing fi nishes make concrete the ideal product for a vast<br />
range of applications including those all important rooms –<br />
your kitchen and bathroom. Warm, earthy colours and textures<br />
add richness which can be adapted to suit modern or classical<br />
furnishings and fi ttings.<br />
Concrete is an ideal product for creating unique features in<br />
your home as it can be moulded to the shape and design of<br />
your choice. All you need to achieve this is adaptable, reliable<br />
and consistent cement as the essential ingredient for your<br />
concrete mix.<br />
For further information, or for technical advice, contact 0860<br />
CEMCRETE (236 2738) or email info@cemcrete.co.za or visit<br />
www.cemcrete.co.za.
BRICKS AND PAVING<br />
Clay brick masonry’s<br />
combination of benefits right<br />
in line with Governments new<br />
Human Settlements policy<br />
In response to the challenge of the new Ministry of Human Settlements, to put into<br />
effect its new housing policy that favours a holistic approach to housing the indigent<br />
with a focus on the restoration of dignity, the creation of integrated communities and<br />
sustainable development, this in lieu of ‘the most houses for the lowest cost per house’,<br />
Corobrik commissioned WSP Green by Design to research which walling solutions/<br />
construction methodologies as promoted and marketed in South Africa, provide(s) the<br />
best balance between first cost, lifecycle cost, life embodied energy cost and people<br />
upliftment, this in a way most appropriate for meeting the aspirational needs of those<br />
living in disadvantaged communities.<br />
The study was elaborate using computational modeling<br />
and simulation methods to compare “through the wall”<br />
concrete block as typically used in low cost house<br />
construction, clay brick in two leaf and cavity walling<br />
formats, and light steel frame building (LSFB) insulated<br />
lightweight walling, the latter lightweight walling system type<br />
building being chosen for its potential representivity of other<br />
systems/technologies that use insulated lightweight panel type<br />
external walling.<br />
The study found:<br />
• In each of the six climate zones, the clay brick masonry<br />
house required the lowest heating energy per annum in<br />
comparison with both concrete block walled and Light Steel<br />
Frame Building insulated lightweight walled houses.<br />
to page 28<br />
27<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
BRICKS AND PAVING<br />
from page 27<br />
• In each of the six climatic zones, the clay brick masonry<br />
house was found to experience less time that occupants<br />
might experience significant thermal discomfort compared<br />
with both concrete block and the LSFB insulated lightweight<br />
walled alternatives.<br />
adding 500,000 homes per annum in concrete block rather<br />
than two leaf clay brick could cost the country anything<br />
from R45 billion in additional power plant capacity, which<br />
makes the additional capital cost of R9.6 billion referred to<br />
in the point above negligible.<br />
• The concrete block option passes on anything from R2.6<br />
billion in costs compared with two leaf clay brick to the<br />
homeowners in terms of energy costs during that 10 year<br />
period.<br />
• The CO2 emissions over a 10 year period of the concrete<br />
block homes would be approximately 11.7 million tons<br />
more than if these homes were to be built using two leaf<br />
clay brick over the same 10 year period.<br />
• The energy savings produced by choosing clay brick over<br />
concrete block over the 10 year period would be equivalent<br />
of providing enough energy to another 13.5 million clay<br />
brick low cost houses for one year.<br />
• Notwithstanding the higher capital cost of clay brick walling<br />
versus concrete block walling, the lifecycle costs and<br />
lifecycle embodied energy are considerably less for clay<br />
brick homes compared with both concrete block and the<br />
LSFB lightweight walled alternatives.<br />
• If all the 500,000 units were to be built out of concrete<br />
block, this would produce an additional 136,946 metric<br />
tons of CO 2 emitted into the atmosphere annually. This is<br />
equivalent to an additional 26,366 passenger cars on the<br />
road annually.<br />
Conclusions that can be drawn from the study to help define<br />
best walling material choice and building methodology for<br />
future low cost housing include:<br />
• From a first cost perspective, concrete block walling is a<br />
compelling solution, however it falls considerably short,<br />
relative to conventional clay brick built houses in terms of<br />
operational cost (high electrical energy) and high future<br />
maintenance cost to the occupant, this also limiting the<br />
investment value in the longer term. Through the wall<br />
concrete block construction is also recognized as being<br />
vulnerable to moisture ingress particularly in environs<br />
subjected to high rainfall and wind driven rain.<br />
28<br />
• Conventional clay brick walling with a face brick external<br />
skin has a 15.8% lower first built cost than the LSFB insulated<br />
lightweight walled alternative.<br />
The study revealed that the choice of wall type has significant<br />
national ramifications, some of which are noted as follows:<br />
• Should all the targeted 500,000 homes per annum be<br />
rolled out every year over 10 years (assuming no inflation)<br />
in the Johannesburg region [Climate Zone 1], it could cost<br />
South Africa anything from about R9.6 billion more to build<br />
these homes using clay brick (two leaf) compared with<br />
concrete block, and anything from R46.4 billion more to<br />
build these homes using LSFB lightweight walling compared<br />
to clay brick (two leaf). (These costs are based on a house<br />
with an insulated ceiling in both cases.)<br />
• Over 10 years the additional winter peak power requirement<br />
that would be added to the South African national grid by<br />
• From both first cost and lifecycle energy cost perspectives,<br />
LSFB construction comes up short in matching either concrete<br />
block or two leaf clay brick construction as an appropriate<br />
solution for low cost housing in South Africa. In terms of<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
BRICKS AND PAVING<br />
meeting the aspirations of persons in such communities, the<br />
negative perceptions towards, and reticence of persons in<br />
such communities, to being housed in “system built type<br />
housing” cannot be discounted. Compared with the more<br />
labour orientated masonry solutions for low cost house<br />
construction, system type building will probably not address<br />
the important need for greater job creation within<br />
disadvantaged communities where low cost houses are to<br />
be provided, quite as relevantly as masonry alternates. This<br />
latter assessment is subjective and was not quantified in the<br />
study.<br />
• Conventional two leaf clay brick construction affords a<br />
comprehensive ‘best fit’ in terms of meeting Government’s<br />
overall policy intent, providing an economic solution with<br />
the lowest environmental impact. This coupled with the<br />
aesthetic and design considerations that allow expression<br />
of individualism, that clay brick construction has a record of<br />
maximizing the long term value of properties in South Africa<br />
and with that the relative wealth of the occupants, that ‘a<br />
real brick’ house is in any case the benchmark in South<br />
Africa to which persons living in poor communities most<br />
aspire, makes clay brick masonry with a face brick external<br />
skin the most appropriate walling system (building method)<br />
for achieving sustainable low cost housing in South Africa.<br />
• The research clearly established that ceilings with insulation<br />
should be a minimum mandatory requirement in low cost<br />
housing, as this intervention provides a significant<br />
improvement to the thermal performance of such homes at<br />
a reasonable first cost.<br />
Distributed by Corobrik (Pty) Ltd<br />
For more information contact Peter Kidger on<br />
031 5603911<br />
29<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
PROJECT<br />
Modern living made easy<br />
in downtown Jozi<br />
Tenants are moving into modern refurbished apartments in downtown Jozi where<br />
excellent security and superb finishes – including DSTV aerials, VOIP telephones and<br />
wireless internet – cost less than R2000 a month.<br />
30<br />
Over 400 new rental apartments in the old<br />
Greatermans building are the latest offering from<br />
AFHCO in partnership with International Housing<br />
Solutions (I H S).<br />
The new pads are the first in a number of refurbished<br />
developments which are being created to meet growing market<br />
demand for affordable accommodation. Studio apartments go<br />
for R1800 per month while rentals for a two-bedroomed unit is<br />
R3300.<br />
The Greaterman’s refurbishment <strong>project</strong>, which cost over<br />
R80-million, is one of 17 000 units that I H S has consulted on<br />
and helped fund via its R1,7-billion South Africa Workforce<br />
Housing Fund.<br />
Soula Proxenos, Managing Partner of International Housing<br />
Solutions says the Greatermans development which has 419<br />
units is only one of a number of <strong>project</strong>s the group was already<br />
involved in as part of its plan to help alleviate the chronic<br />
shortage of affordable housing in SA.<br />
“This development, which we are proud to be involved with, is<br />
an excellent example of the way in which affordable housing<br />
can be both attractive and allow for stylish living at a reasonable<br />
monthly cost.<br />
“The developer, AFHCO, is already a significant provider of<br />
rental product in the Johannesburg CBD. We like the way they<br />
think and the product they have created which makes for easy<br />
living and is accessible to all. The development takes all aspects<br />
into account and even has provision for a children’s’ play area<br />
in the block, for example.”<br />
She says learnings from the crash in the US housing market<br />
have shown home rentals in addition to home ownership<br />
could be an excellent solution for providing homes for the so<br />
called ‘missing’ middle class.<br />
The missing middle are those salary earners who can afford to<br />
pay rent or reasonable home loans but for whom no suitably<br />
priced accommodation really exists<br />
“The middle market in SA has historically not had access to<br />
properly serviced rental stock, especially not close to where<br />
most people work. They need homes close to jobs and other<br />
social infrastructure too, including shops and schools and<br />
spaces for children to play.”<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
GREEN CONSTRUCTION<br />
PlanetWorks –<br />
environmental –<br />
protection<br />
PlanetWorks, an organisation that offers practical solutions to combat<br />
the effects of climate change and environmental degradation,<br />
was launched early in 2009.<br />
“<br />
With the increasing concerns of global warming,<br />
coupled with rising electricity costs, companies<br />
and individuals need to find a way to change<br />
everyday behaviours, to ensure a sustainable<br />
future,” says Mandy Kerr of PlanetWorks. “PlanetWorks offers<br />
a series of interactive behavioural change programmes that<br />
enhances understanding of these challenges and provides<br />
solutions on how to implement new behaviours to reduce<br />
negative environmental impacts.<br />
“PlanetWorks works primarily with large companies and<br />
institutions, but also designs special programmes for small<br />
organisations. The company is committed to not only creating<br />
better awareness and understanding of environmental issues,<br />
but also facilitates the implementation of a professional system<br />
of action planning, setting eco-improvement goals and<br />
monitoring improvement targets.<br />
“Central to the PlanetWorks methodology<br />
is a sustainability scorecard, which<br />
enables participants to score current and<br />
set targets to improving future ecobehaviours.<br />
The concept of ‘sustainable’<br />
social responsibility also adds a new<br />
dimension to corporate social<br />
responsibility initiatives.”<br />
Programmes also provide access to social responsibility<br />
initiatives, where companies and individuals take what they<br />
learn to poorer communities, which are often unaware of<br />
environmental challenges and cannot afford mitigation<br />
interventions.<br />
The benefits of what PlanetWorks offers encompass heightened<br />
awareness of and greater personal responsibility for<br />
environmental issues, access to practical solutions and<br />
motivational team building. The company also provides<br />
exposure to the latest methodologies for companies to comply<br />
with legislated sustainability reporting. With the rapidly<br />
escalating costs of electricity and water, these initiatives mean<br />
significantly reducing usage in these areas.<br />
PlanetWorks is associated with a range of ‘green’ technology,<br />
product and service suppliers geared to make these eco<br />
improvement plans a reality.<br />
The company’s interactive facilitator-led<br />
workshops are supported by energy use<br />
and waste audits and the implementation<br />
of carbon footprint measurement and<br />
monitoring tools. Exposure to products<br />
and suppliers that are needed for ecoimprovement<br />
plans is also provided.<br />
PlanetWorks assists its client base to<br />
understand climate change and<br />
environmental degradation issues,<br />
focusing on their impact on the African<br />
continent.<br />
Building a thermally insulated home, forms part of a PlanetWorks eco-improvement<br />
social responsibility programme<br />
31<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
paving<br />
Sophisticated technology:<br />
Polymer Road Construction<br />
Charles Dickens undoubtedly had a thorough understanding of Social and Economic<br />
pressures after the publication of his book “Hard Times – For These Times”. If South<br />
Africa’s crippled road and safety quality could be loaded onto the same lorry, a<br />
sequence title might ring “Rocky Roads – For Future Times”.<br />
Unstabilised<br />
32<br />
But, long gone are the dark rat-infested Rochester days<br />
and today we are surrounded by new and improved<br />
innovations. Polymer Technology is one such miracle<br />
concept and is applied right across the globe. We all<br />
know that South Africa needs to reassert itself in the department<br />
of road-works, and polymer road construction is the feasible<br />
solution which will eliminate the unaccountable number of<br />
dangerous roads crisscrossing our country. Polymer Pavements<br />
is a polymer manufacturing company (Gauteng) and focuses<br />
exclusively on manufacturing polymer products for use in road<br />
construction and for dust suppression.<br />
Polymer “Paving” that benefits Rural &<br />
Urban areas<br />
Polymer Technology is the manufacturing, processing, analysis<br />
and application of long chain molecules and is part of a group<br />
of concretes that use polymers to supplement or replace cement<br />
as the binder. Polymer “Paving” refers to the American term for<br />
“roads” and is a proven method of road-construction with<br />
polymers instead of cement.<br />
One of the first benefits for the community is speeding up service<br />
delivery by attending to the roads infrastructure issues in rural<br />
and urban areas.<br />
With polymer paving the turn-around-time for road construction<br />
and maintenance is substantially reduced and gives room for<br />
more roads to be built and maintained.<br />
Another important benefit for the community is that polymer<br />
paving has a job creation component that allows the<br />
empowerment of the working force in the community, for<br />
example a pothole fixing technology.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
Easy, Basic & Road-worthy Equipment<br />
Polymer technology has been commercially available in various<br />
forms and industries (aerospace, clothing, shipping, motor,<br />
medical, housing, etc.) for more than 100 years. The US<br />
Defence Force use a polymer called Envirotac II which reduces<br />
brownout helicopter accidents. This sticky substance was quite<br />
appropriately named Rhino Snot!<br />
We are surrounded by polymers in all aspect of our lives: food<br />
packaging, paints, rubber, foams, adhesive-sealants, varnishes,<br />
bullet proof vests, etc. The use of polymers for road stabilization<br />
is a relatively new technology and has only been under<br />
development for the past fifteen years or so. Polymer paving<br />
does not require special equipment and uses the same<br />
equipments applied in traditional paving namely a grader, a<br />
roller (compacter) and a water tank.<br />
The process of application is quite basic when one has<br />
established the kind of soil the road will be built on.<br />
Cost & Time Effectiveness<br />
Polymer paving guarantees that the cost of road construction<br />
will come down by close to 30%. The practicality, speed of<br />
construction and cost effectiveness is a major benefit to using<br />
polymers. One of the key elements is that with there is no need<br />
to construct several layers of compacted aggregate before<br />
stabilization and sealing, only one layer (150 mm deep) is<br />
needed to stabilize the soil.<br />
Going Green with Great Advantages<br />
Polymer paving is a proven high-tech method of road<br />
construction that can accommodate very low grade materials<br />
that traditional paving<br />
methods would consider<br />
unusable. Roads built with<br />
polymer will not require<br />
any maintenance for 5 to<br />
10 years. Polymers tend<br />
to migrate downward and<br />
the stabilized layers grow<br />
thicker with time as<br />
compaction caused by<br />
traffic makes the layers<br />
harder.<br />
• Polymer concrete has<br />
a higher strength and<br />
faster curing rate than<br />
regular concrete.<br />
• Polymer provides a<br />
safe, fast and clean<br />
method of sealing<br />
joints of various types<br />
of paving. The end<br />
product is a joint that<br />
becomes an integral<br />
part of the paving<br />
(roads) structure which<br />
withstands with ease<br />
the pressure from<br />
heavy vehicles.<br />
Road construction takes<br />
•<br />
place<br />
approximately<br />
paving<br />
four times quicker than traditional methods and reduces the<br />
need for skilled labour to joint/seal a pavement.<br />
• Permeability to water and gases, allowing sub-layers and<br />
tree roots etc. to receive adequate water and ventilation.<br />
• Resistance to weeds (albeit negligible compared with mortar<br />
or pitch) and resistant to ‘mining’ of ants and other<br />
invertebrates.<br />
• Non-polluting once in place, with low carbon.<br />
Polymer Pavements Materials<br />
• SoilTech Mk.III – Soil stabilizer ideal for road stabilization,<br />
hard stands, container depots, airstrip, etc.<br />
• Asphaltech – Polymer based “asphalt” – Cold application<br />
• PotTech – Pre-packaged cold application used to repair<br />
potholes<br />
• DusTech – Dust control product (eliminates dust). Ideal for<br />
dirt roads, mines, etc.<br />
• ClearTech – Spray onto stabilized dirt roads and forms a<br />
clear protective layer with a natural look. Ideal for game<br />
parks and nature reserves<br />
• SealTech – To seal cracks in pools, as well as sealing of<br />
canals and dams<br />
No sticky ends<br />
Polymer Technology speaks the language of the future and<br />
it offers South Africa a strong practical solution of durability<br />
and cost-effectiveness. As we stand in the doorway of a<br />
shaky economical climate, on the brink of the 2010 World<br />
Cup, here we have a solution for our disastrous roads. Polymer<br />
Technology guarantees smoother roads without ditches, cracks<br />
and water-clogged potholes, big enough to plant a tree<br />
or two.<br />
Stabilised road<br />
33<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
finance<br />
Agence Francaise De<br />
Developpement Ceo<br />
commits Billions to SA<br />
Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD and Proparco), the French arm for<br />
international cooperation, will announce its latest capital commitments to South Africa<br />
(Rands 3.5 billion). These funds aim to fulfill AFD’s activities for facilitating economic<br />
growth in South Africa and improving the quality of life for historically<br />
disadvantaged individuals (HDI).<br />
34<br />
This new investment is indicative of the AFD’s financial<br />
assistance to developing and emerging countries. In<br />
2008, AFD committed worldwide nearly €4.5 billion<br />
(R50 billion) to more than 60 developing countries in<br />
Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, South<br />
America, and the French Overseas Territories.<br />
AFD CEO, Jean-Michel Severino will elaborate more on the<br />
funding commitments in SA during his visits to Cape Town and<br />
Johannesburg on November 23rd to 27th, 2009. These will<br />
involve signing of agreements between AFD and Transnet, the<br />
Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, the Development Bank of<br />
Southern Africa, the National Housing Finance Corporation,<br />
and the Central Energy Fund. Severino will also visit the Airports<br />
Company of SA, (ACSA) whom AFD has accompanied in its<br />
investment program, notably for the extension of OR Tambo,<br />
and Capitec that has benefited from Proparco’s support. This<br />
will reflect the diversity of AFD’s developmental approach and<br />
its innovative vision of the role of a Development Financing<br />
Institution in today’s world. On this precise topic, he will give<br />
an address at the Senate Hall of the University of Pretoria on<br />
the 25 th November: “The end of ODA : Death and rebirth of a<br />
global public policy”.<br />
“In order to achieve sustainable and more shared growth in SA<br />
and to address the inequalities that continue to divide the rich<br />
from the poor, AFD has identified areas where our funding can<br />
play an incentive role,” explains Severino. “Our first port of call<br />
will be to finance large production infrastructures to promote<br />
regional economic development in a sustainable way. We<br />
believe the investment in funding for the development of sectors<br />
such as energy, telecommunications and transport will play a<br />
vital role in streamlining growth.<br />
“In the same vein, our continuous support for the regional<br />
financial sector will help to develop these institutions at both an<br />
African and a global level. We believe that through an<br />
intervention such as this, more previously excluded people are<br />
able to have access to banking services.<br />
“At a grassroots level, AFD will continue its support to<br />
municipalities by providing finance for municipal infrastructure<br />
and access to essential services for more South Africans.”<br />
AFD is a bi-lateral development finance institution that works on<br />
behalf of the French government. Since 1994 it has been<br />
operating in South Africa with the primary objective of<br />
supporting public policies to sustain the country’s most deprived<br />
population groups. AFD’s strategy is in line with the Partnership<br />
Framework Document which was jointly developed by France<br />
and SA in 2006. AFD implements various developmental<br />
components on behalf of the French government in an<br />
intervention program, the Country Partnership Strategy for the<br />
2008-2011 period. This strategy is based on improving access<br />
to services for the HDI population, supporting the productive<br />
sector for accelerated and redistributed growth, and preserving<br />
global public goods.<br />
The AFD office in Johannesburg has a regional mandate, which,<br />
in addition to South Africa, covers Namibia, Botswana,<br />
Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Lesotho.<br />
“In show of our commitment to local and regional development,<br />
AFD in Johannesburg finances more than thirty <strong>project</strong>s. Our<br />
activities have also multiplied between 2004 and 2008 to<br />
cope with the need to finance <strong>project</strong>s for development in the<br />
region,” explains Severino. The structure of aid granted by<br />
France to SA is characterised by a relatively low level of<br />
subsidies and the non-sovereign status of AFD’s borrowers.<br />
“AFD’s wishes to accompany SA in its natural role of contributing<br />
to the development of the African continent,” says Severino.<br />
The main objectives of AFD in Sub-Saharan African are to<br />
support growth in order to reduce poverty and to contribute to<br />
the creation of a favorable environment for development. “Even<br />
though Sub-Saharan Africa faces many challenges, we believe<br />
there is hope. The region’s abundance of natural resources<br />
and its versatile markets in the age of globalization will enable<br />
sustained growth in the years ahead,” ends Severino.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
ENERGY EFFICIENCY<br />
Solar Congress Resolution<br />
The ISES Solar World Congress 2009 hosted by the Sustainable Energy Society of<br />
Southern Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa, attended by participants<br />
from all over the world resolves as follows:<br />
The global target of 100% renewable energies is both<br />
attainable and necessary by the middle of the current<br />
century. This is motivated on grounds of ecological,<br />
economic and social sustainability.<br />
The unacceptable backlog in energy supply in the third world<br />
countries can only be covered cost effectively and in time by the<br />
use of renewable energies. Especially the industrialized<br />
countries have to increase their efforts in transitioning to<br />
renewable energies.<br />
The world governments are called upon to implement without<br />
further delay policies that have been proven internationally to<br />
be the most effective and efficient in the rapid transition to<br />
renewable energy world, giving priority to renewable energy<br />
and refraining from any kind of caps that may slow down<br />
renewable energy deployment.<br />
As a guiding principle, local and rural communities and people<br />
should be actively involved and benefit directly from renewable<br />
energies. Governments should especially encourage and<br />
support community power <strong>project</strong>s and distributed generation<br />
as well as investment in renewable energy manufacturing<br />
facilities in order to foster the local creation of jobs.<br />
The Congress applauds the first steps taken by the South African<br />
Government in introducing the renewable energy feed-in tariff.<br />
The Congress requests government to urgently address concerns<br />
expressed by the public and by potential investors about<br />
aspects of REFIT policy. These include transparency, certainty,<br />
removal of contradictions between legislation and regulations<br />
governing the REFIT and providing a roadmap with clear<br />
commitments and timelines to it’s implementation. The<br />
introduction of a Green Energy Act is strongly recommended as<br />
crucial to providing an overarching and comprehensive<br />
framework for renewable energy uptake so that in the near<br />
future the necessary steps will be taken to attract local as well<br />
as international investors.<br />
The Congress strongly recommends the world’s governments to<br />
establish an obligation to use renewable energy for water<br />
heating as well as space heating and cooling in residential,<br />
industrial, commercial and public sector buildings.On the<br />
international level, the introduction of a global feed-in tariff<br />
system is recommended as a primary instrument to foster<br />
international technology transfer and finance scaling up of<br />
renewables, especially in the third world. Such a global feed-in<br />
tariff has the unique potential of overcoming the blockage in<br />
the current climate change negotiations.<br />
For off-grid and non-electrical systems, further intelligent<br />
financing mechanisms such as large-scaled microcredit and soft<br />
loan programmes should be applied. All aspects of capacity<br />
building for renewable energy, including resource assessment,<br />
have to be given priority in education as well as in research<br />
and development. This is ineluctable in order to create<br />
awareness and knowledge of the true and full potential and<br />
vast variety of renewable energies as well as the true threats of<br />
fossil and nuclear energies.<br />
The Congress welcomes and endorses the strong support and<br />
the co-operation of all the renewable energy technologies<br />
through the International Renewable Energy Alliance.<br />
The congress is delighted by the recent establishment of the<br />
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and urges all<br />
renewable energy proponents worldwide as well as the world’s<br />
governments to give full support to the establishment process in<br />
order to make sure that IRENA can realize its leadership role on<br />
our way to a renewable energy world.<br />
Johannesburg, 14 October 2009<br />
35<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
PROJECT<br />
CSIR technology for<br />
improved, more durable<br />
low-income housing<br />
Communities who depend on subsidised, low-income houses in South Africa can benefit<br />
greatly from technology developed and tested by the Council for<br />
Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).<br />
While much progress has been made with housing<br />
provision, the backlog of some 2,1 million homes is<br />
still a reality facing South Africans.<br />
Numerous initiatives are underway aimed at increasing delivery<br />
in this regard. Recognising this as a national priority, the CSIR<br />
has applied its collective knowledge to contribute towards<br />
finding a solution for the low-income housing sector, comments<br />
Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, CSIR President and CEO.<br />
“Using innovative design and construction technology,<br />
CSIR researchers have developed a demonstration house<br />
with significantly improved performance and sustainability.<br />
If built according to CSIR specifications, and on large scale,<br />
such houses will be constructed much faster and at similar costs<br />
than when using conventional methods,” he says. The<br />
Department of Science and Technology supports this CSIR<br />
research <strong>project</strong>.<br />
The CSIR demonstration house was built according to the<br />
regulations of the National Home Builders Registration Council.<br />
The complete house has also been accredited by Agrément<br />
South Africa, the internationally acknowledged body that<br />
provides assurance through technical approvals of nonstandardised<br />
or unconventional products.<br />
36<br />
Using innovative design and construction technology, CSIR<br />
researchers have developed a demonstration house with<br />
significantly improved performance and sustainability<br />
Two other houses have also been built on the CSIR campus in<br />
Pretoria – both are the standard 40 m2 size and design of<br />
subsidised low-income houses. While one is a replica of a<br />
properly built subsidised low-income house, the interior and<br />
exterior finishing of the other house is according to suburb style,<br />
illustrating the difference in appearance and experience when<br />
inside the house.<br />
While being the same size as the other two houses, the CSIR’s<br />
experimental house has an optimised design with the added<br />
advantage that it can be extended easily by home owners.<br />
“The house was constructed combining technologies and<br />
materials in an innovative way to improve living conditions and<br />
the durability of the home,” explains Hans Ittmann, Executive<br />
Director of CSIR Built Environment.<br />
Some contractors in the low-income market do not lay<br />
foundations to standard. To eliminate cracked walls resulting<br />
from sub-standard foundations, a CSIR technology developed<br />
for roads was adapted to form the foundation slab of the house.<br />
“Local labour can be used to construct such foundations, which<br />
is based on ultra-thin, continuously-reinforced concrete<br />
technology,” says Ittmann.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
PROJECT<br />
as a ceiling. The house faces the<br />
appropriate direction for ensuring<br />
bedrooms can benefit from sunlight, while<br />
the living room faces north.<br />
The CSIR low-income housing initiative is<br />
a research <strong>project</strong>-in-progress. The most<br />
recent additions include a solar-powered<br />
geyser on top of the roof and a photovoltaic<br />
panel above the front door for<br />
powering lights inside the house. “CSIR<br />
researchers will continue to pursue<br />
improved performance and sustainability<br />
for the low-income housing sector to<br />
impact on the quality of life of<br />
communities,” concludes Sibisi.<br />
The house faces the appropriate direction for ensuring bedrooms can benefit from<br />
sunlight, while the living room faces north<br />
“We used a modular, design-to-fit<br />
approach similar to a Lego set where<br />
pieces have to fit together correctly to form<br />
the bigger unit,” explains Llewellyn van<br />
Wyk, senior researcher at the CSIR. One<br />
big difference to current low-income<br />
houses is the design of the bathroom and<br />
kitchen area, and the use of a waste outlet<br />
manifold that is pre-manufactured, qualitytested<br />
and installed on site. This reduces<br />
the extent of the plumbing installation<br />
substantially while ensuring that the<br />
installation is done to the required<br />
standard.<br />
Incorporating most components of the<br />
CSIR-developed low-income house, local<br />
authorities will have demonstration units<br />
constructed in the Buffalo City Municipality<br />
in the Eastern Cape and at Kleinmond in<br />
the Western Cape.<br />
“Standard low-income houses have no<br />
ceilings and thus no insulation, which<br />
results in incredible variations in<br />
temperatures,” says Van Wyk.<br />
The thermal performance of the roof was<br />
improved dramatically with the addition<br />
of an insulation material that doubles up<br />
The use of a waste outlet manifold that is pre-manufactured, quality tested and<br />
installed on site reduces the extent of the plumbing installation substantially<br />
37<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
concrete<br />
Echo looks to building<br />
revival in 2010<br />
Despite the damaging economic down-turn, Echo Group, South Africa’s largest<br />
manufacturer of hollow-core concrete flooring slabs, sees signs emerging of a slow<br />
revival of the construction industry early in 2010.<br />
Echo accurately forecast the tough trading year now<br />
ending, predicting a year ago that buoyant early months<br />
of 2009 would be followed by a market decline as the<br />
year progressed.<br />
“That was exactly the way things turned out,” said Echo group<br />
marketing director Melinda Louw. “As we now know, the tidal<br />
effect of the global economic crisis, exacerbated by high local<br />
interest rates and official restrictions on credit, put a severe<br />
damper on building construction, most especially in the<br />
residential building sector.<br />
“However, more recently there has been a series of interest rate<br />
reductions, slight increases have been reported in the number<br />
of building plans passed, and we are now engaged in tendering<br />
for a range of <strong>project</strong>s, big and small.”<br />
Echo’s reading of the latest market indicators supports<br />
the findings of economics consultancy Econometrix, which<br />
reported recently that the slump in the industry could be<br />
bottoming out.<br />
In difficult trading conditions, trimming construction budgets<br />
has become an even more critical imperative, Ms Louw said.<br />
“In their search for cost-cutting formulas, developers and<br />
architects are looking with increasing interest at the concrete<br />
floor slab system as a time – and therefore money – saving<br />
alternative to conventional in-situ concrete construction<br />
methods.”<br />
Although trading levels are lower, the down-turn has had its<br />
positive side for Echo. “Instead of just sitting around, hoping<br />
things would get better, Echo proactively embarked on service<br />
delivery initiatives to combat the effects of the building slump,”<br />
said Ms Louw.<br />
“These included price reductions based on working<br />
smarter, and the introduction of new cost-saving professional<br />
advisory services which have certainly paid dividends<br />
for us.”<br />
38<br />
• Coincidentally, a panel of built industry professionals<br />
has completed a research <strong>project</strong> comparing the costs<br />
of pre-cast hollow-core concrete flooring systems against<br />
in-situ concrete in medium-rise structures. Construction<br />
cost savings of 30,76% were achieved on the Pretoria<br />
<strong>project</strong> and 23,7% on the Johannesburg building. In<br />
addition, time-savings of six weeks on one of the buildings<br />
and eight weeks on the other were achieved, resulting in<br />
earlier occupation for tenants and quicker return on<br />
investment for the developers. The report is available<br />
from the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) or<br />
Echo Group.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
MUNICIPAL WORKS<br />
Munitech Ethekwini nrw<br />
programme<br />
Munitech, specialists in the management and maintenance of essential municipal<br />
facilities, is working on a three year programme with the eThekwini Municipality, on a<br />
comprehensive Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction programme – the first<br />
of its kind to be implemented in South Africa.<br />
Billing verification inspectors, Sanele Ndlovu (left) and Musa Sibiya, inspect a consumer<br />
meter as part of eThekwini’s Non-Revenue Water (NRW) reduction programme<br />
Munitech’s intervention programme in eThekwini’s<br />
northern metropolitan area is benchmarked against<br />
the ‘Best International Practice’ and closely follows<br />
the International Water Association’s water loss<br />
task force methodology.<br />
The northern operational region includes the high water loss<br />
areas of Ntuzuma and Inanda, which present most of the<br />
challenges faced by NRW interventions, with both high real<br />
and apparent losses.<br />
“eThekwini faces an upward trend in non-revenue water, as this<br />
system both ages and expands. We have adopted a multifaceted<br />
approach in support of an ambitious target of 20%<br />
non-revenue water, halving current overall NRW levels,” says<br />
Munitech’s <strong>project</strong> engineer, Cindy Wells.<br />
“We are implementing all NRW reduction initiatives, which<br />
include pressure management, leak detection and billing<br />
improvement.”<br />
Munitech’s GIS capacity – a tool that links information to<br />
geographic features – is being used extensively throughout the<br />
NRW programme to process data, as a means for reporting<br />
and to assist engineers in the application of suitable NRW<br />
mechanisms that ensure maximum benefit.<br />
NRW cannot be reduced by desktop analysis alone. Real value<br />
is achieved in field work, which encompasses measuring flows<br />
and pressure, logging, documenting and inspecting for billing<br />
errors or omissions.<br />
Technical teams have been recruited to probe networks and<br />
billing inspectors are verifying exceptions in the current billing<br />
system. The programme also involves specialised leak detection<br />
services.<br />
Munitech, with extensive experience in both operations and<br />
water loss reduction, combined with the recently launched GIS<br />
capacity, is well positioned to achieve the objectives of<br />
eThekwini’s NRW programme.<br />
39<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
ROOFING<br />
Turning shelters<br />
into homes<br />
With government’s focus starting to narrow in on quality of housing rather than quantity,<br />
builders of affordable housing are turning their attention to materials and building<br />
methods that provide value for money, long-term durability and aesthetic appeal.<br />
The Philippi Park Housing Association saw a total of 500 units completed between June and December 2008, using concrete roof tiles<br />
Increasingly, concrete roof tiles have<br />
been gaining favour for their ability<br />
to meet these needs economically<br />
without compromising on high quality<br />
standards, and a growing number of<br />
housing developments incorporate these<br />
tiles into their roofing spec.<br />
Philippi upgrade<br />
Philippi is located near the airport in<br />
Cape Town and has endured many<br />
district phases such as a farming<br />
mainland, an industrial area and<br />
barren degrading land. After the<br />
1990s, developments such as a bus<br />
terminus and highly successful fresh<br />
produce market were introduced as<br />
new initiatives to turn the neighborhood<br />
around.<br />
40<br />
The Philippi Park housing <strong>project</strong>, synonymously associated with a ‘Better Life’,<br />
began taking shape in 2007<br />
From the 1990s until today, the zone<br />
of Philippi has received a fresh breath<br />
of air, imbued with development and<br />
sustainability.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
ROOFING<br />
excellent dimensional tolerances.<br />
They are impermeable to water, with<br />
good insulation and thermal<br />
properties. Concrete roof tiles are<br />
frost and UV resistant, as well as being<br />
fire resistant.<br />
Durability and low maintenance add to<br />
the overall package.<br />
The residents of Philippi can rest assured<br />
that their future is covered. The housing<br />
development has proved to be extremely<br />
successful, and concrete roof tiles were<br />
the cherry on the top.<br />
Coverland roofing, who are also<br />
members of the Concrete Manufacturers<br />
Association are proud to be associated<br />
with the provision of decent, affordable<br />
housing.<br />
Concrete roof tiles offer many<br />
advantages for application purposes<br />
The Philippi Park housing <strong>project</strong><br />
,synonymously associated with a ‘Better<br />
Life’, began taking shape in 2007 with<br />
plans being put in place. A joint venture<br />
between L. Martin Construction and<br />
New Africa Construction, the Philippi<br />
Park Housing Association saw a total of<br />
500 units completed between June and<br />
December 2008, using concrete roof<br />
tiles.<br />
Coverland was one of the many building<br />
material suppliers involved, offering<br />
quality concrete roof tiles in the form<br />
of the Coverland Double Roman<br />
Profile. A veteran in the South African<br />
market since 1976, the company’s<br />
expertise was established as far back<br />
as 1949.<br />
Concrete roof tiles fit into the vision of providing decent affordable housing<br />
Excellent benefits<br />
Concrete roof tiles offer many advantages<br />
for application purposes: ease of laying,<br />
tolerance to walkability, extension or<br />
replacement of tiles with ease, frost and<br />
UV resistance not limiting application to<br />
certain areas or climatic restrictions, to<br />
name a few.<br />
Coverland Concrete Roof tiles<br />
endure rigorous testing such as Wind<br />
tunnel testing, and attaining SABS<br />
accreditation.<br />
Structural benefits of concrete roof<br />
tiles include high impact strength with<br />
The housing development has proved to be extremely successful, and concrete<br />
roof tiles were the cherry on the top<br />
41<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
news<br />
Another country, another Moladi launch,<br />
this time in Accra, Ghana<br />
A<br />
competition was called for by Data Bank in Accra,<br />
Ghana to allow competing building technologies to<br />
showcase their ability and product on the basis of –<br />
Speed, Quality, Cost, Social Acceptability and<br />
Creating Employment for the Unskilled.<br />
The winner will qualify to construct 100 units for the Ghanaian<br />
market funded by Data Bank.<br />
The building technologies qualified to participate were<br />
Hydraform, Panel Form and moladi.<br />
Moladi was delighted to be declared the winner of<br />
the competition.<br />
The 120m2 units featured will include three bedrooms, two<br />
bathrooms,lounge, dining room and kitchen.<br />
A5 advert Landscape 5/7/09 9:06 AM Page 1<br />
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K<br />
42<br />
Composite<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
news<br />
Oconbrick winners of the<br />
Industrial Soccer League<br />
– 2009<br />
The Oconbrick soccer team is proudly in possession of the Industrial soccer league<br />
trophy after winning the final game against Federal Morgan on Saturday 14th<br />
November 2009 at Rosepark soccer field.<br />
The Coach Aaron Mawele did intensive preparation with the<br />
Oconbrick team going into the finals.<br />
The team led by Captain Russel Ndubani went into the game<br />
with heart and soul.<br />
Oconbrick soccer team with the Trophy<br />
They won the game 1-0 in extra time. All the staff at Oconbrick<br />
is extremely proud and the company congratulates its team for<br />
bringing the trophy to Oconbrick.<br />
President of the Industrial Soccer league is handing over medals to each player<br />
Oconbrick has moved from a level 7 to a<br />
level 5 contributor<br />
Oconbrick has successfully improved its BBBEE rating to a level 5<br />
contributor that effectively makes Oconbrick a value added vendor<br />
of choice. Oconbrick is commited and will continue to strive<br />
improving this rating in the following year.<br />
43<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
energy efficiency<br />
Service delivery on a budget<br />
made possible by an innovative<br />
Eta awards winner<br />
Stretching municipal budgets without compromising on service benefits to local<br />
communities is possible in South Africa, a 2009 Eskom eta Award winner has ably<br />
demonstrated through the introduction of a unique concept.<br />
Looking for innovative solutions to a traditional problem,<br />
Light Kinetics, winner of the Residential category in the<br />
prestigious annual eta awards event, turned their attention<br />
to bringing light to the dark streets of the Winterveld, a<br />
poor, underdeveloped area near Tshwane. By concentrating<br />
their efforts on finding an efficient alternative to traditional<br />
streetlights, the company found a solution in cutting edge RUUD<br />
light emitting diode (LED) luminaires. Casting better light, these<br />
lamps also allowed light poles to be spaced wider apart,<br />
reducing the costs of installations to the Tshwane Municipality.<br />
Working with Tunzi Consulting, consultant’s to the municipality,<br />
Light Kinetics set to work delivering lighting that was not only<br />
effective, but also reduced energy consumption by a massive<br />
90%. Side benefits of the <strong>project</strong> were reduced costs through<br />
the use of fewer lamps and less cabling-material that is also less<br />
attractive to thieves. Additionally, the system also exceeds the<br />
SA standard of IP 65 – for street lighting and exceeds SABS<br />
requirements.<br />
LED street lighting has a <strong>project</strong>ed lifespan of 20 years – far<br />
beyond that of traditional lighting systems and is also selfcleaning,<br />
using rain fall to flush dirt off fittings. Where weather<br />
conditions dictate additional cleaning, it simply becomes a<br />
case of using a high pressure cleaner from the ground as the<br />
unit is waterproofed and dust proof. “A number of milestones<br />
were achieved on this <strong>project</strong>, the most significant of which was<br />
making this <strong>project</strong> the first of its kind in South Africa. Winterveld<br />
is the first area to boast LED street lighting and Tshwane is the<br />
first municipality to achieve this.<br />
“Through applying thinking that was out of the box and met<br />
the needs of an isolated community, Light Kinetics has made<br />
a significant contribution to the national cause of energy<br />
efficiency and savings. They are worthy winners of an eta<br />
award and have set an example that can now be followed by<br />
many other municipalities facing budgetary and service delivery<br />
challenges,” said Dr. Steve Lennon, MD of Eskom Corporate<br />
Services.<br />
More about The eta Awards:<br />
The eta Awards are convened annually by Eskom and raise<br />
awareness about energy conservation to ensure that South<br />
Africa’s economic growth is supported by the availability of<br />
energy sources.<br />
To find out more about how your company can participate in<br />
the eta Awards, visit www.eta-awards.co.za<br />
A non profit organisation specialising in housing for the under privileged<br />
44<br />
A man is not a man until he has a house<br />
of his own” – Nelson Mandela<br />
Volunteer now and help us give a real home to an<br />
impoverished family, improving the lives<br />
and aspirations of this and<br />
future generations.<br />
Mandy Wallace<br />
SA Volunteer<br />
Co-Ordinator<br />
Cell: 083 230 4294<br />
TAKE ACTION NOW!!!<br />
Contact details:<br />
Noeki Gous<br />
SA Volunteer & Public Affairs<br />
Manager<br />
Cell: 082 567 1772<br />
SA Volunteer Blog: http://townshiptrustsa.blogspot.com/<br />
Website: www.townshiptrust.org.za<br />
VOLUNTEER and assist us in building houses. Make your mark by contributing to our DEVELOPMENT program in the<br />
Communities where we are working. Together we can make a difference in building the future of South Africa.<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
concrete<br />
Concrete’s vital<br />
sustainable role now<br />
recognised<br />
Appreciating the sustainability of concrete as a building material is proving to be<br />
increasingly important as the global concern about environmental preservation<br />
continues, according to Daniel van der Merwe, architect at the<br />
Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI).<br />
Van der Merwe says although concrete is the most<br />
commonly used building material in the world, much<br />
of what it can offer as a sustainable material is<br />
overlooked.<br />
“Materials specification must play a critical role to reduce<br />
the embodied energy in a building. Materials manufacture<br />
also needs to be factored in terms of measurable emissions,<br />
energy and finite material consumption. Buildings must now be<br />
constructed with a longer lifespan in mind, with the emphasis<br />
on durability and retrofitting rather than demolition,” he states.<br />
Van der Merwe says the cement and concrete industry has<br />
committed itself to responsible manufacturing. It has managed<br />
to boost production while decreasing the use of raw finite<br />
materials, while the use of cement extenders has significantly<br />
reduced the clinker portion<br />
in certain cement products.<br />
“Cement producers have already<br />
reached 50% of the set target of<br />
the Department of Minerals and<br />
Energy which calls for a 15%<br />
reduction of energy consumption<br />
by 2015. Through the use of<br />
alternative fuels and resources –<br />
including hazardous waste and<br />
scrapped tyres – as a fuel source,<br />
further reductions are possible.”<br />
“New permeable concrete pavers, soil erosion blocks and<br />
embankment stabilising blocks save water and prevent storm<br />
water run-offs and flooding; and self-compacting concrete in<br />
sustainable developments allows for architectural achievements<br />
previously regarded as impossible.<br />
“Moreover, new research is producing exciting data on the reabsorption<br />
of carbon dioxide by hardened concrete.<br />
A Danish study has found that 50% of the volume of concrete<br />
will be ‘carbonated’ over 70 years of any building’s service<br />
life.<br />
This sponge effect makes concrete a more green choice than<br />
previously thought. And it emphasises how global sustainability<br />
can be achieved with concrete,” van der Merwe added.<br />
The fitting of bag house filters, or<br />
electrostatic precipitators, is further<br />
reducing particulate emissions;<br />
and chemical admixtures are<br />
helping to reduce the cement and<br />
water content in concrete mixes.<br />
Through lightweight void form<br />
precast hollow-core slabs, the<br />
volume of in-situ concrete is also<br />
being substantially reduced.<br />
Concrete buildings offer unparalleled durability, says the C&CI<br />
45<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
news<br />
Extremely fast and precise<br />
measurement<br />
Small, handy, with many practical functions and a large range: the new<br />
Laser Rangefinder DLE 70 Professional from Bosch.<br />
This tool measures distances up to<br />
70 meters with a typical accuracy of<br />
±1.5 millimeters and uses these<br />
measurements to calculate areas, volumes<br />
or indirect heights using the Pythagoras<br />
principle. The wall-area function<br />
calculates the entire area of several<br />
walls up to ten times faster than a<br />
folding rule and pocket calculator.<br />
If the room height is the same for<br />
each wall, all you have to do is<br />
measure the wall height once and<br />
then measure the wall lengths<br />
consecutively. The areas are<br />
added up automatically and<br />
quickly, which is a very useful<br />
function for painters, decorators,<br />
tilers or drywallers, enabling them<br />
to calculate their labor time<br />
and material requirements<br />
considerably faster.<br />
The minimum and maximum functions provide valuable<br />
assistance to all professional tradesmen involved in interior<br />
fitting work. The maximum function of the DLE 70 Professional<br />
can be used to easily check the right angles of a room by<br />
comparing the measured room diagonals. The DLE 70<br />
Professional does this by remembering the largest distance<br />
between two points. The robust 40-millimetre-long metal<br />
The new Laser Rangefinder DLE 70 fits into any pocket<br />
measurement pin may be folded out on<br />
the tool, is a helpful feature for<br />
measuring from corners and<br />
hard-to-reach areas. When<br />
the minimum function is set,<br />
the DLE 70 Professional<br />
displays the smallest distance<br />
between two walls when the tool<br />
is moved up or down along a wall.<br />
This is especially helpful when fitting<br />
built-in cupboards, wardrobes and<br />
similar custom-made objects. Both functions<br />
obtain their results from quick, consecutive<br />
measurements – the laser beam delivers a measured<br />
value approximately two to three times a second.<br />
The new Laser Rangefinder<br />
with dimensions of 100x59x32<br />
millimeters fits in any shirt<br />
pocket and it is very robust.<br />
The large softgrip coverings enable easy handling of the tool<br />
and protect it against impact. Moreover, the tool is dust and<br />
splashproof to IP 54.<br />
The DLE 70 Professional is very easy to operate. The symbols<br />
on the control buttons are self-explanatory. The large LC display<br />
shows the user which function is currently being used and which<br />
reference point is set (rear or front edge, tripod thread or<br />
measurement pin), as well as showing the measurement result.<br />
46<br />
Modern laser technology for accurate measurement up<br />
to 70 meters<br />
Measure up to ten times faster due to wall-area,<br />
minimum and maximum functions<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
news<br />
Dulux Trade<br />
Weathershield: truly in a<br />
class of its own<br />
In today’s tough economic climate, it is tempting to cut costs, and paint, at face<br />
value, is an easy choice. After all, to the untrained eye, paint all looks the same once<br />
applied. Fortunately, there is a paint on the market which, having been designed<br />
specifically for contractors, takes the anguish out of paint choice - in fact, Dulux Trade’s<br />
WEATHERSHIELD was designed so successfully that it is now in a class of its own.<br />
This smooth exterior paint represents a significant<br />
breakthrough in the exterior paint market, primarily<br />
because its advanced spreading rate of up to 14m2/l<br />
means more surface is covered with far less paint than its<br />
competitors, saving both time and money.<br />
Dulux Trade R&D executive Tony Pillay who headed the team<br />
that originally formulated this remarkable paint explains: “From<br />
a trade point of view, what is so different about this paint is its<br />
in-can structure.<br />
“The nature of the viscosity or rheology<br />
of the paint is that it appears very<br />
thick in the can, but the structure<br />
has been engineered to allow<br />
contractors to load it directly from the<br />
can, and still the paint spreads like<br />
butter when rolled onto a wall. It has<br />
superior adhesion to cement-based<br />
surfaces and offers the best smooth<br />
coating on the market in a two-coat<br />
application.”<br />
After revolutionising the in-can paint<br />
structure, Pillay and his team worked on<br />
adding different properties to further<br />
improve it. Flexibility was added to the<br />
Dulux Trade WEATHERSHIELD product<br />
to enable it to bridge hairline cracks and<br />
allow for marginal movement in the<br />
substrate.<br />
The product also contains a fungicide<br />
that inhibits mould growth on the paint<br />
film, ensuring it stays cleaner for longer<br />
and making it particularly suitable for use in changeable<br />
weather.<br />
The paint offers superior alkali resistance, negating the need<br />
for primer on bare plaster. This simple innovation saves both<br />
money and time, as there is no need to buy primer, and there<br />
is less time needed for application.<br />
An added bonus is that, while Dulux Trade WEATHERSHIELD<br />
delivers lasting quality protection, its excellent sustainability<br />
properties and low VOC levels radically<br />
reduce any harmful impacts on the<br />
environment, as ICI Dulux Head of Trade<br />
Marketing Xavier Rijmenans explains:<br />
“Your choice in paint can have serious<br />
implications on the environment.<br />
“Huge strides in technology have<br />
enabled environmentally-conscious paint<br />
manufacturers to develop ‘greener’<br />
paints, which means, today there is no<br />
need to have a paint that visually<br />
enhances the appearance of a building<br />
but impacts negatively on the<br />
environment.”<br />
Dulux Trade WEATHERSHIELD is also<br />
available in 84 trendy exterior colours,<br />
allowing for great flexibility and<br />
originality in design. As its name<br />
suggests, Dulux Trade WEATHERSHIELD is<br />
a premium quality product that offers an<br />
outstanding solution to exterior painting<br />
requirements in harsh South African<br />
weather conditions.<br />
47<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
news<br />
‘Concrete for Housing’ presentations now<br />
available on CD<br />
Text copies of presentations on the use of concrete for housing and infrastructure<br />
delivered at the recent Southern African Housing Foundation (SAHF) “Spotlight on<br />
Housing for 2010” conference in Cape Town can now be obtained from<br />
the Cement & Concrete Institute (C&CI).<br />
C&CI and the Concrete Manufacturers Association<br />
(CMA) jointly hosted a workshop session entitled<br />
“Preferential use of concrete and precast concrete<br />
products for the development of housing and<br />
infrastructure” at the top-level conference in early October<br />
which attracted delegates from all over the world.<br />
The CD, which has been made available free of charge by<br />
C&CI and CMA, contains the title presentation by John Cairns,<br />
director of the CMA; as well as papers by Llewellyn van Wyk ,<br />
Research Architect at the CSIR (“Maximising modular masonry”);<br />
and Daniel van der Merwe, Architect at C&CI (“Innovative use<br />
of cementitious products in social housing”).<br />
The CD also contains 21 technical documents from C&CI and<br />
CMA relating to the use of concrete in housing and infrastructural<br />
developments.<br />
For free copies of the CD, contact Harry Mabaso of the C&CI<br />
Information Centre on harry.mabaso@cnci.org.za.<br />
New appointments at c&ci<br />
John Roxburgh has been appointed as lecturer at the Cement & Concrete Institute’s<br />
School of Concrete Technology.<br />
Roxburgh, who holds a Wits University BSc Building<br />
Science degree, started his career with LTA where,<br />
as site agent and later as Clerk of Works, he was<br />
involved in major townhouse and RDP housing<br />
developments. In 2003, he<br />
joined Hydraform as Technical<br />
Manager and was involved in<br />
the development of important<br />
new industry technology<br />
as well as training for<br />
block making and building<br />
methods.<br />
many years at the National Library of South Africa in<br />
Pretoria, specialising in cataloguing before she became<br />
Project Leader of the South African National Bibliography<br />
in 1995.<br />
He also holds a diploma<br />
in Mechanical Engineering<br />
and worked as computer<br />
programmer at various firms.<br />
The Institute has also engaged<br />
the services of Susan Battison<br />
who has joined the C&CI<br />
Information Centre as Senior<br />
Information Specialist.<br />
48<br />
After obtaining her BBibl<br />
degree at the University of<br />
Pretoria, Battison served for<br />
John Roxburgh<br />
Susan Battison<br />
SA Affordable Housing November/December 2009
Let’s start building<br />
what every community needs,<br />
from<br />
homes,<br />
and the shop<br />
down the<br />
street .<br />
Integrated Residential Developments<br />
We understand that for society to flourish, families need homes to live in which are socially,<br />
economically and physically functional, and result in a dignified quality of life. Our response<br />
to this challenge is to facilitate the implementation of sustainable human settlements.<br />
Moving Forward<br />
Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP15).<br />
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (Reg.No.1962/000738/06). SBSA 808278-8/09