October 2012 - Trademax Publications

ABTs“For instance, Vela’s Modular Building Solutionsdivision is supplying 1 600 modular homes for aGovernment housing project in the South of Angola.The flat-packed insulated, interlocking panels andother components are being delivered by road fromour Alberton (Gauteng) factory and assembled onsite,” says Brent.In a different arena of affordable housing, Velarecently supplied vast quantities of the cold rolledsteel used in the fast-track construction of the villagein Maputo, Mozambique, that housed the 6 500athletes (from 48 countries) who competed in the 10thAll Africa Games towards the end of last year.After the Games, the village, a government project,was converted to meet its original purpose –affordable housing for the community in the area.“In South Africa, the use of traditional bricks andmortar in fast-track RDP and affordable homeconstruction has steadfastly continued to reignsupreme. However, it remains prone to a huge marginof error – particularly when unskilled workers areinvolved,” says Brent.“Incorrect mixing of concrete is just one of the majorpitfalls. Malpractice, such as skimping on materials, orusing bricks and other materials inferior to thosequoted and contracted for, can also be a majorproblem. When you also factor in the continuedpotential for corruption and maladministration, youhave a recipe for disaster.“By contrast, solid-walled, rapid alternativeconstruction systems, such as those delivered by VelaModular, provide a high-quality permanent house, orother structure, at relatively low cost – by seamlesslyapplying the efficiencies of factory production (of wallpanels and other components) to on-site constructionthat uses low skills.“This not only results in competitive pricing and fasttrackconstruction, but also counteracts the effects ofthe shortage of skilled workers, non-availability ofbuilding materials in remote areas, and the need formaintaining construction quality,” says Brent.“Minister Sexwale’s statement on the poorworkmanship, the sense of contract entitlement, andother problems which beset RDP housing delivery, willhopefully be the key that opens the door to greaterinvolvement by the ABT sector in this crucial – and,until now, much delayed – aspect of human settlementservice delivery,” Brent concludes.OCTOBER 2012 35