Human Settlements Review - Parliamentary Monitoring Group

Human Settlements Review, Volume 1, Number 1, 2010
Significant growth of alternative building
technologies in South Africa may warrant
the local production of polystyrene. This is
a long term objective and will be monitored
and evaluated on a regular basis. Once this
model is working efficiently, the portfolio will
be expanded to include chemicals in the
building and construction industry. Preliminary
industry analysis has indicated the potential
to locally manufacture chemicals required in
the building and construction industry. Further
analysis will be done to identify specific
products and markets that should be targeted.
The opportunity also exists to assist large
building material suppliers and construction
companies in transforming their suppliers into
BEE companies.
9.2. The way forward
South Africa is currently experiencing a spurt in
alternative building technologies. Many of the
technologies are being sourced from foreign
countries where the concept has been proven
for many years. Although the technology
may be suitable, Sasol ChemCity foresees
the need to ensure the development of
sustainable businesses in this industry through
viable business concepts as well as skilled
entrepreneurs. As a business incubator, Sasol
ChemCity plays a vital role in this industry
to distinguish a product from a business. In
doing so, the potential for alternative building
technologies to address the housing backlog
in the country, to contribute to economic
development, thus creating jobs and wealth;
will become a viable solution.
By collaborating with key stakeholders in
the industry, the Polymer Focus Group
is constantly gaining valuable industry
knowledge and creating resourceful networks.
In doing so, a centre of excellence with regard
to business incubation in the alternative
building technology industry is being created.
It is of the Polymer Focus Group’s opinion that
employing alternative building technologies
to supply into certain human settlement
development cannot be totally segregated from
social enterprise development. If sustainable
human settlements are to be created, the two
concepts should be propositioned together.
A theoretical study was done on a 2000 unit
development for subsidised homes, where
the community comprised of 12 000 people
(6 people per household). For an additional
R2500- R3000 per house, 333 veggie
tunnels can be established to feed the entire
community throughout the year and generate
a sustainable income for the business owners.
Approximately 4 bakeries can be established
that will provide 150 loaves of bread per
day. Employment in the community can be
summarised as follows:
People that qualify for houses - 2000 jobs
Veggie tunnels
- 800 jobs
Bakeries
- 40 jobs
Based on these figures, 23% of the community
will be employed. This excludes potential
employment from other opportunities such as
construction of the homes, manufacturing of
bricks, electrical installations, plumbers, etc.
Depending on the building technology being
used, this additional cost can be factored into
the building costs.
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