imiesa october 2014

ESAIMESA

I S S N 0 2 5 7 1 9 7 8 V o l u m e 3 9 N o . 1 0 • O c t o b e r 2 0 1 4 • R 5 0 . 0 0 ( i n c l VAT )

The official magazine

of the Institute of Municipal Engineering

of Southern Africa

IMIM

TTTTT

ttttthhofofofEnEE

uuthth

ooofofoff

ofofoff SSouooINFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT • MAINTENANCE • SERVICE DELIVERYFRAIINNNNIII F

Pravin GordhanTaking the hard line in local governance

NATIONAL ASPHALTPioneering Innovations

www.infrastructurene.ws

IINN TTHHEE HHOOTT SSEEAATT IIWe strive to be real consultants – the Afrikaans version articulates this better: to be ‘raadgewende ingeneurs’ – someone who gives

professional advice.” Stan Mkhacane, Chairperson, Nyeleti Consulting

PPPPPrrrrraaaaavvvvviiiiiiinnnnn GGGGGooooorrrrrdddddddhhhhhhhaaaaannnnn

R 5 0 0 0 ( i n c l VAT )

ss

HEROES OF INFRASTRUCTURE

IMESA 2014Celebrating eThekwini – Proud partner –

The PartnersUnlocking infrastructure development together

The ProvidersSolving the sanitation challenge

HEAD OFFICE Unit 19 Alexander Park, 24 Alexander Road, Westmead, Pinetown, KZN, SA 3610 • Postnet Suite 23, Private Bag X4, Kloof 3640

t +27 (0)31 700 1177 • f +27 (0)31 700 9853 • Contact Daryl Spencer [email protected] c 083 555 9996

NATIONAL OFFICES • Pietermaritzburg • Port Elizabeth • Johannesburg • Cape Town • Shelly Beach

In response to this approach, JOAT has invested in wide-ranging

technology and partnerships that can be harnessed for the

benefit of municipalities. Flow metering solutions (permanent

or temporary, monitoring or revenue-generating), data manage-

ment solutions (data loggers, GSM data loggers), control valve

solutions (pressure-reducing valves, pressure controllers, surge

control), leak detection solutions (leak detection equipment

and service) and energy efficiency solutions (variable speed

drives and system optimising) are all available to be presented

into cost-effective, custom-made packages.

JOAT has also expanded into the optimisation of energy

consumption in the water cycle and has a number of in-house

experts that can undertake energy audits and design energy

efficiency solutions for pump stations and treatment works. This

forms part of its overall approach to making the distribution of

water as efficient as possible.

THE JOAT GROUP OF COMPANIES has moulded itself into an

efficient and market-leading solutions-orientated team that pri-

marily addresses the optimisation of water supply to consumers

through the minimisation of water losses, application of appro-

priate technology, revenue improvement and energy efficiency.

The group’s key focus areas of operation are consulting and

operations engineering (essentially the reduction of nonreve-

nue water and stabilising of water supply), product sales and

support, energy efficiency and mentorship. JOAT’s passion and

vision is to ensure that municipalities become as efficient as

possible in delivering water to consumers and has adapted its

approach towards an outcomes-based partnership that has

shared responsibility and accountability. The ultimate objective

of any successful partnership with JOAT is to provide water ser-

vice authorities with an efficient distribution system that they

are fully equipped and trained to continue to operate.

IMIESA October 2014 1

VOLUME 39 NO 10 OCTOBER 2014CONTENTS

45 Government voice – All systems go

65 De Hoop Dam – Building a legacy

National Asphalt, a member of the Raubex Group, is introducing the latest innovations in road maintenance and rehabilitation to the South African market. Recent business developments have positioned the company to offer further advanced solutions to the market. P6

2014 has been a big year for Nyeleti Consulting. Two awards at this year’s CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards; a new branch in KwaZulu-Natal; great projects – and a formidable executive. Stanford Mkhacane, chairperson; Abe Thela, vice-chairperson; Sundran Naicker, director, KwaZulu-Natal office; Vishal Krishandut, officer manager, KwaZulu-Natal office all take a turn…in the Hot seat.

PROJECT: The eThekwini Western Aqueduct 21

Early succes for Esor 25

Partners in infrastructure COVER STORY: Sasol – Building communities 32

COMPANY PROFILE: Quality Services 35

Consulting in the new South Africa 36

HOT SEAT: Nyeleti Consulting – Engineered to excel 38

CESA Aon Awards: Rewarding engineering excellence 41

PROFILE: CESA’s Young Engineer of the Year 44

Government voiceAll systems go 45

SABITAWarm mix asphalt a sustainable technology 48

Water and sanitationTechnical paper: Expanding containment barrier boundaries 54

De Hoop Dam – Building a legacy 65

Progress at Ingula 67

COMPANY PROFILE: Amanzi Meters – David and Goliath 69

Background to pour flush toilets in SA 72

COMPANY PROFILE: Calcamite – Sanitation comes full circle 74

Technical paper: Enhancing Johannesburg WWTW’s sludge digestion 76

COMPANY PROFILE: Aquadam's Muleby Tank System 80

The Jeffreys Bay WWTP upgrade 82

PipesCOMPANY PROFILE: Fiberpipe's corrosion-free GRP 86

SAPPMA Pipes VIII: Hard work & hope 87

COMPANY PROFILE: Sangio Pipe KZN achieves ISO 9001 listing 91

n thhee HOOTT SEATSEEAAT

iin HSSSS

COMPANY PROFILE: Isuzu trucks drive service delivery 93

Safety, health, environment and qualityEngineering for road safety 95

RoadsReconstruction of Putfontein Road 102

RAMS project transfers skills, builds capacity 105

ArchitectureCelebrating award-winning women in architecture 106

Cement and concreteCall to professionalise concrete supplies 115

ProAll Reimer gets to mix with the best 119

SA needs a sustainable construction industry 121

Restoring Margate tidal pool 123

Technology in constructionCOMPANY PROFILE: IMQS – The municipal engineer’s responsibility 127

IT in Africa’s construction industry 128

Turning data into imagery for better decision-making 131

Construction vehicles and equipmentPower leads to economic resilience 136

New home for Metso mobile 139

‘Superfloor’ status for SA’s largest indoor concrete polishing project 141

Transforming the brick-making business 143

IMESA newsNorthern Branch AGM 145

Obituary: Vincent Granger 146

RegularsEditor’s comment 3

President’s comment 5

Africa round-up 26

Index to advertisers 148

Cover story National Asphalt pioneers latest innovations 6

eThekwini COVER STORY: NPC 10

Municipal feature: Cornubia 12

Electron Road waste facility 17

EDITOR’S COMMENT

IMIESA August 2014 3

To our avid readers, check out what we are talking about on our website, Facebook page or follow us on Twitter and have your say.

@infrastructure4 Infrastructure News

PUBLISHER Elizabeth ShortenEDITOR Nicholas McDiarmidEDITORIAL ASSISTANT Danielle PettersonHEAD OF DESIGN Frédérick DantonSENIOR DESIGNER Hayley MendelowDESIGNER Kirsty GallowayCHIEF SUB-EDITOR Tristan SnijdersSUB-EDITOR Beatrix KnopjesCONTRIBUTORS R Bagatsing, L de Villiers Roodt, D Granger, CJ Gundle, P Heyns, PJ Meyer, W Meyer, H Mtemeri, D Petterson, F Stevens & K WallCLIENT SERVICES & PRODUCTION MANAGER Antois-Leigh BotmaPRODUCTION COORDINATOR Jacqueline ModiseFINANCIAL MANAGER Andrew LobbanMARKETING MANAGER Hestelle RobinsonDIGITAL MANAGER Esther LouwADMINISTRATION Tonya HebentonDISTRIBUTION MANAGER Nomsa MasinaDISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Asha PursothamSUBSCRIPTIONS [email protected] United Litho Johannesburg +27 (0)11 402 0571___________________________________________________

ADVERTISING SALESJenny Miller Tel: +27 (0)11 467 6223___________________________________________________

PUBLISHER: MEDIA No. 4, 5th Avenue, Rivonia 2056PO Box 92026, Norwood 2117 Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Fax: +27 (0)11 234 7274/5 E-mail: [email protected] www.3smedia.co.za

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: R550.00 (INCL VAT) ISSN 0257 1978 IMIESA, Inst.MUNIC. ENG. S. AFR.© Copyright 2014. All rights reserved.___________________________________________________

IMESA CONTACTSIMESA Administration Officer: Narisha SoganP O Box 2190, Westville, 3630Tel: +27 (0)31 266 3263Fax: +27 (0)31 266 5094Email: [email protected]: www.imesa.org.za

BORDER BRANCHSecretary: Melanie MatroosTel: +27 (0)43 705 2401Fax: +27 (0)43 743 5266E-mail: [email protected]

EAST CAPE BRANCHClarine ColtmanTel: +27 (0)41 505 8019Fax: +27 (0)41 585 3437E-mail: [email protected]

KWAZULU-NATAL BRANCHSecretary: Rita MatthewsTel: +27 (0)31 311 6382Fax: +27 (0)31 701 2935

NORTHERN PROVINCE BRANCHSecretary: Rona FourieTel: +27 (0)82 742 6364Fax: +27 (0)86 634 5644E-mail: [email protected]

SOUTHERN CAPE KAROO BRANCHSecretary: Henrietta OliverTel: +27 (0)79 390 7536Fax: 086 536 3725E-mail: [email protected]

WESTERN CAPE BRANCHSecretary: Erica van JaarsveldTel: +27 (0)21 938 8455Fax: +27 (0)21 938 8457E-mail: [email protected]

FREE STATE AND NORTHERN CAPE BRANCHSecretary: Wilma Van Der WaltTel: +27(0)83 457 4362Fax: 086 628 0468E-mail: [email protected]

All material herein IMIESA is copyright protected and may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa or the publishers.

Cover opportunity In each issue, IMIESA offers advertisers the opportunity to get to the front of the line by placing a company, product or service on the front cover of the journal. Buying this position will afford the advertiser the cover story and maximum exposure. For more information on cover bookings contact Jenny Miller on tel: +27 (0)11 467 6223.

Projects

We know that on the municipal infra-

structure side, there are many

obstacles to be overcome in

improving the approval rates and

delivery times of projects. The lack of profession-

als at municipal level, including building inspec-

tors, and centralised decision-making processes

only add to the problem.

The level of input from the private sector into

public infrastructure is on the increase. All across

the country, big industry is contributing to local

government projects in a major way and, in this

edition, we celebrate the work of Sasol in the Free

State and Mpumalanga. The value of such pro-

jects is actually quite hard to measure. As Lucky

Kgatle points out, a footbridge may be a humble

bit of infrastructure, but how do you measure the

eradication of a mile journey on foot every day for

the local residents? Sasol has taken a true value

measure, like this one, in all their interventions

and, for other companies engaged in similar pro-

jects, this kind of approach may be one to follow.

Celebrating eThekwiniThis is the conference edition, and what an edition

it has been. Its sheer size attests to the robust-

ness of an industry that is thriving, despite trying

conditions. I would like to take a moment for us

all to reflect on the sheer determination and com-

mitment of the individuals working in our sector.

I will not deny that I have heard rumblings of

discontent and disappointment over the year, but

this has not stopped development; it has yielded

some interesting solutions, and the ingenuity of

our engineers is as fresh as ever. Let us not let

politics hijack this. Let us truly think about it and

let this energy carry us forward.

One of our top-achieving metros has partnered

with IMESA for this year’s conference. And a

proud partner it is too. The City of eThekwini’s

Department of Water and Sanitation was the recip-

ient of the extraordinarily prestigious Stockholm

Industry Water Award (SIWA) and our president,

Frank Stevens, describes collecting the award as

one of the proudest moments of his career. Make

no mistake; the proof of excellence in our country

is not only confined to this:

• The City of Cape Town is the Design Capital of

the World this year and remains on the Top 5 list

of Best Cities to Live in.

• Two Johannesburg Development Agency Projects

won awards over the last year.

• Five new centres of excellence have been

launched in South Africa this year, committed

to research and development in areas crucial to

economic development and well-being.

• South Africa still leads the world in terms of

corporate reporting.

• The IMESA CESA Excellence Awards have report-

edly attracted the most entries ever and the

standard of entries has never been higher (I am

reliably told).

We are a troubled country, but we are also a group

of robust individuals, and we persist. IMESA as an

institute is becoming increasingly robust, and its

role in improving service delivery, procurement,

skills development and retention, asset manage-

ment and promotion of its members has grown

steadily over the last year.

This edition also celebrates the partners so

crucial to public sector infrastructure develop-

ment and we take our hats off to the consulting

engineers, the contractors, the innovators and the

manufacturers.

Once again, I look forward to seeing you all at

this year’s conference and to celebrating another

year of keeping on…

IMESA

The official magazine of the Institute

of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT • MAINTENANCE • SERVICE DELIVERY•

I S S N 0 2 5 7 1 9 7 8 Vo l u m e 3 9 N o . 8 • A u g u s t 2 0 1 4 • R 5 0 . 0 0 ( i n c l VAT )“Sasol’s needs are being met and so are government’s, so it is a real win-win

situation” Maureen Mboshane, president of public and regulatory affairs, Sasol

MEDIA

in the HOT SEAT

Open for business

in the Western CapeSPRAYPAVE

Cement and

concrete

SARMA Readymix

2014

Civil engineering

State of the

industry

Panel discussion

The road to

excellence

osac

IMESMESIMIMEMEMESAESMESESESASAASASA

• E ICCRRVVISEER ELIVERYDE• CEVIICRRVSEER EICCRVRVVISEER ELIVERYDEELIVERYDE

’s, so it is a real win-w

ory affairs, Sasolaffairs,

ory Sasoly affairs,

ory Sasol

iiHHSESSE

n fooorr bbbuussinness

e WWeeesststteerrn CapeRAAYYYYYPPPAAAVE

w

ininHHSESE

win n n

in the in the HOT HOT SEATSEATeerinngg

the

I remember boarding the plane out of Port Elizabeth in October 2013, following the fantastic IMESA conference, as though it were last week. I remember the conversations; the thoughts I was having; the plans for the year to come.

The tightrope of The tightrope of engineering excellenceengineering excellence

Nicholas McDiarmid

• Late Registration IMESA members@ R4725• Late Registration Non-IMESA members@ R5250

• Last Minute Reg IMESA Members@ R5200• Last Minute Reg Non-IMESA Members @ R5775

031 266 3263 • www.imesa.org.za

Towards the middle of this year, I was asked to deliver the key note address at the second international No-Dig Conference held at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria.

Frank Stevens, president of IMESA

The importance of utility tunnelling to municipal engineering


THE THEME of the con-

ference was worded as

follows: “Trenchless is

an attractive option for

crossing roadways and other

transportation corridors, as

well as rivers and waterways.

Trenchless methods can also

be applied to install, rehabilitate

or replace utilities located in

environmentally sensitive areas

and locations where surface

access may be restricted due

to the existence of structures or

vegetation. Trenchless technolo-

gies are often the only viable

construction option, the least

disruptive and, in many cases,

the most cost-effective.”

After listening to a number

of international speakers and

benefiting from networking with

many people involved with utility

tunnelling, I once again realised

the importance of tunnelling to

the municipal engineer.

History around municipal tunnelling in South AfricaThe Woodhead Tunnel at

Slangolie Gorge in Cape Town

is one of the earliest recorded

municipal tunnels in South

Africa. Constructed in 1891, it

has a diameter of 1.7 m and

is 360 m long. Its function was

to convey water from Table

Mountain to Camps Bay. Recent

statistics gathered by the South

African National Committee on

Tunnelling suggest that 39% of

South Africa’s 516 tunnels are

related to water and sanitation

service delivery.

eThekwini Water and Sanitation

owns 18 tunnels, which include

the subaqueous harbour

entrance tunnel and the recently

completed Mahatma Ghandi

(Point Road) microtunnel. This

tunnel – which will be featured

in both a paper presentation and

part of a site visit at the 2014

IMESA Conference – conveys

effluent from Durban’s CBD to

its sea outfall via the newly com-

plete Point Road Pump Station

and the Central Wastewater

Treatment Works on the Bluff.

Asset management of tunnelsThrough the activities of its

national training and initia-

tives, IMESA is endeavouring to

emphasise the importance of

the maintenance and replace-

ment of the country’s much-

neglected municipal assets.

Municipal tunnels are probably

the most forgotten assets with

many municipalities spending

little or no money on these often

high-risk components of their

service delivery networks. In

many cases, municipalities do

not know of the position or exist-

ence of all of their tunnels.

The latest tunnelling equipment and methodsUseful information and literature

will be available within the con-

ference exhibition area to assist

municipal engineers and consult-

ants when choosing the most

suitable tunnelling equipment to

meet their needs.

Factors such as geology, tun-

nel diameter and length, ground

water conditions and access

each influence the final decision.

Machine types available include

EPB shields, AVN, Mixshields

and gripper tunnel boring

machines for large-diameter tun-

nels and auger boring machines,

horizontal directional drilling

(HDD) rigs and direct pipe equip-

ment for smaller tunnels.

Examples of two recent chang-

es of technology used interna-

tionally are:

• Pipe bridges have been

replaced by tunnels under

river beds using HDD equip-

ment (eThekwini Water and

Sanitation had a near-crisis

situation earlier this year when

a large water pipe suspen-

sion bridge collapsed into the

Umgeni River as a result of

hanger cables being stolen).

• Sea outfalls are now laid well

below the sea-bed to prevent

damage and they are more

environmentally acceptable

(eThekwini’s 60-year-old sea

outfalls were simply laid on

the seabed and evidence of

erosion due to currents is a

cause for concern).

In conclusionThe use of municipal utility tun-

nelling in South Africa has yet to

reach its full potential. I would

like to close with the following

statement made by the Mayor of

Tshwane, Councillor Ramokgopa,

during his opening speech at the

No-Dig Conference: “While we

must continually be aware of the

need for job-creation opportuni-

ties, we must also realise that

the latest tunnel equipment and

methods will often offer the

better or only solution – it is all

about finding the right balance.”

These sentiments well

echo the theme of the 2014

IMESA Conference.

ABOVE Umgeni River suspension pipe bridge collapse

BELOW Breakthrough of the Mahatma Gandhi Road microtunnel

6 IMIESA October 2014

COVER STORY

SEAN PRETORIUS, managing direc-

tor of National Asphalt, says,

“Having recently acquired a major-

ity shareholding in Shisalanga

Construction, National Asphalt is now in a

unique position to offer further advanced

solutions to this sector.”

This includes hydro texturising, a cost-

ef fective and environmentally sound

solution for repairing flushed bituminous

pavements.

“With this acquisition, National Asphalt is

now able to build on the initial momentum

created by Shisalanga Construction in the

road maintenance and rehabilitation sec-

tor by promoting hydro cutting technology,”

Pretorius adds.

Shisalanga Construction was established

in KwaZulu-Natal in 1998 and recently intro-

duced three high-pressure system hydro

cutters into its equipment fleet. “Keeping up

to date with the latest technology is critical

for the road industry, particularly with the

current focus on the large-scale rehabilita-

tion of the South African road network. This

means looking at the latest surface textur-

ing and rubber, and spillage removal tech-

nology,” Pretorius comments.

The hydro cutter can remove flushed

seals – including bitumen, all asphalts and

concrete – leading to a substantial improve-

ment of the micro and macro texture of the

seal. This results in a safer runway or road

surface, as well as extending the life of the

asset. Once the excess bitumen is removed,

the stone chip matrix remains.

In terms of multiple seal layers, the hydro

cutter dramatically improves seal stability

and reduces the overall bitumen content

ratio by up to 1 ℓ/m2 in a single treatment.

“That is an exciting potential application

for National Asphalt and we are carrying

out demonstrations in the Eastern Cape in

particular. It is new territory for us but is a

major boost for our innovation and technol-

ogy profile,” Pretorius says.

The high-pressure solution restores the

texture and friction of a pavement by means

of high-pressure water blasting. The hydro

cutter combines variable water pressure

with a high-velocity vacuum system to leave

sur faces safe and stable. The vacuum

system allows the machine to control the

pressure at which it cuts. “The vacuum, and

the ability to control the pressure, means

that the texture depth can actually be

determined while the machine is in motion,”

Pretorius says. “It is a major advantage that

the hydro cutter can actually capture and/

or secure all spillages and waste material

for disposal at designated waste sites,”

he adds. Removing excess bitumen and

rubber from the road surface increases

skid resistance, which results in fewer acci-

dents on South Africa’s roads and runways.

The hydro cutter process can be used to

National Asphalt, a member of the Raubex Group, is introducing the latest innovations in road maintenance and rehabilitation to the South African market.

NATIONAL ASPHALT pioneers latest innovations


COVER STORY

clean open-graded asphalt that has been

clogged by debris. Simply changing the

spray bar nozzles, cutting speed and pres-

sure to create a ‘washing’ action will revi-

talise the asphalt by removing all detritus

material. The vacuum system guarantees

that all unwanted material is removed from

the road surface for proper disposal. The

improved porosity of the treated asphalt

layer also reduces the risk of aquaplaning,

limits the road spray generated by vehicles

by as much as 90%, and reduces road noise

factor by 50%.

The hydro cutter from Shisalanga

Construction consists of a truck-mount-

ed, high-pressure water pump and vacuum

recovery system with a 0.75 m to 3.45 m

variable treatment width. The water pres-

sure is variable and can be adjusted to

suit a particular application. It includes

5 000 ℓ and 10 m3 wastewater storage.

“Water energy is focused in fine streams at

high speed via five rapidly rotating blasting

heads. The water streams physically cut

the binder from the stone with the energy

of each ‘needle’ of water dissipated upon

contact,” Pretorius says. The environmental

friendliness of the technology is due to

the fact it uses water only as opposed to

non-renewable resources such as sealing

aggregates and bitumen, and is safer than

other forms of remediation.

The use of hydro texturising to remediate

flushed bituminous pavements has been

pioneered in Australia and New Zealand, in

addition to Europe and the United States,

with no appreciable reduction in the struc-

tural life of the road surface being noted.

Every year, about 2.2 million m2 of hydro

texturising is carried out by the Australian

and New Zealand road authorities. This

indicates that such leading road authorities

have moved away from traditional forms of

remediation, with South Africa expected to

follow suit as Sanral seeks to introduce the

latest technology to assist with the rehabili-

tation of local roads and runways.

“Technologies are advancing in leaps and

bounds for those involved in the asphalt

pavement industry. Recent developments

and advances with regard to the use of

modified binders, hard bitumen and the like

are affording practitioners such as National

Asphalt the opportunity to utilise its skills

to push the envelope of pavement design,”

says Pretorius. An increasingly important

requirement for road owners is the availabil-

ity of pavement technologies that will limit

interventions on heavily trafficked routes,

thereby reducing disruptions due to conges-

tion and minimising road-user delay costs.

“The technologies available in the inter-

national market for us to piggyback on are

quite huge. Obviously the European, US and

Australian markets are becoming increas-

ingly environmentally conscious as they

strive to comply with increasingly stringent

environmental concerns,” Pretorius says.

National Asphalt’s strides in this arena

include reclaimed asphalt (RA) technol-

ogy, based on successful warm-mix tri-

als conducted in the eThekwini region in

KwaZulu-Natal, where 40% RA was used in

a number of trial mixes. “We have carried

out a lot of development work in the eThek-

wini Metropolitan Municipality, which has

been very supportive of new technologies.

SANRAL has also been watching this very

closely in its drive to spearhead innovation.”

While there are many benefits to introduc-

ing RA, the main advantage is the ability to

recycle an existing pavement layer which

comprises a mix with an inherently good

aggregate and a certain proportion of bitu-

men. National Asphalt has also developed a

unique dual-purpose environmentally friendly

additive manufactured from renewable raw

materials. Termed EcoNat, it can be used in

the manufacture of warm and low tempera-

ture and cold asphalt mixes. In addition, its

use as a powerful asphaltene dispersant

means it is ideal for the manufacture of RA

mixes where it rejuvenates the properties of

age hardened bitumen.

National Asphalt has a number of licence

agreements in place with leading technology

developers in the US. “We always try to

secure new technologies upfront to main-

tain our competitive edge in the market,”

Pretorius says. An example of this is the

acquisition of a majority shareholding in

Shisalanga Construction and spearhead-

ing the adoption of the latest innovations

such as hydro texturising. “National Asphalt

continues to invest significant funds on

the technical and technology side and in

ongoing skills development and expertise,”

Pretorius concludes.

www.nationalasphalt.co.zawww.shisalanga.com

IMIESA offers advertisers an ideal platform to ensure maximum exposure of their brand. Companies are afforded the opportunity of publishing a two-page cover story and a cover picture to promote their products to an appropriate audience. Please call Jenny Miller on +27 (0)11 467 6223 to secure your booking.

“Technologies are advancing in leaps and bounds for those involved in the asphalt pavement industry.”

SPECIALISING IN:Water and sewerage reticulation

Bulk transfer pipelines

Reinforced concrete structures

Shoring of excavations

Industrial buildings

Enterprise development

P.O. Box 374, Mount Edgecombe, 4300 67 Siphosethu Rd, Mount Edgecombe 4302Tel: 087 350 1400 Fax: 031 502 5433 Email: [email protected] www.iconconstruction.co.za

ETHEKWINI PROJECTS OVERVIEW

ELECTRON ROAD WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY

THE WESTERN AQUEDUCT

NPCA MEMBER OF INTERCEMENT

Partnering to solve SA’s housing needs

TILT UP SYSTEMS



ETHEKWINI | COVER STORY

NPC IS THE ONLY cement, aggre-

gate and concrete producer in

KwaZulu-Natal, and is heavily

invested in the well-being of the

communities in which it operates. Tilt Up

Systems is a KwaZulu-Natal based company

that was formed in 1999 and has developed

into the leading tilt up contracting service in

South Africa, providing full forming, casting

and erecting services

The concept of tilt-up construction has

been introduced to the Department of

Human Settlements and has created a great

deal of interest as an alternative building

method for affordable housing in South

Africa, which is urgently needed.

Tilt-up technology is a method of cast-

ing reinforced concrete wall panels on a

restricted surface area. The wall panels are

cast on the floor slab of the building in a

predetermined sequence. After the concrete

has cured, the walls are then lifted into posi-

tion and braced until all are secured. This

method allows for the speedy construction of

affordable, durable and high-quality housing.

Tilt-up technology

Tilt-up technology has evolved to address

weaknesses in traditional construction meth-

ods. The method is fast gaining acceptance

across South Africa and is destined to

become the construction method of choice

for low-rise projects. The NPC-Tilt Up system

delivers a high-quality product within tight

time and monetary constraints. Because

wall panels are pre-manufactured, construc-

tion is quick and cost-effective. It offers

numerous other benefits including:

• a high-quality finish

• a hardwearing/durable end product

• an efficient utilisation of available

labour resources

• an economical building method

• reliable quality control

• reduced shrinkage during the

building phase.

NPC and Tilt Up Systems believe that this

concept has exciting potential to help solve

South Africa’s housing needs.

The advantages of tilt-up technologyTilt-up construction remains somewhat

overlooked as a construction alternative,

despite its impressive advantages and range

of utility; including its malleability in accom-

modating specific applications.

Tilt-up construction is a technique that

maximises many of the unique and sustain-

able benefits of concrete for a cost-effective

and efficient construction method. Elements

that are to be tilted up are formed on a con-

crete slab – usually the building floor – but

sometimes a temporary concrete casting

surface near the building footprint.

After the concrete has cured, the ele-

ments are tilted from horizontal to vertical

with a crane and braced into position until

the remaining building structural compo-

nents (roofs, intermediate floors and walls)

are secured.

By forming the concrete elements on the

ground as opposed to the final position, tilt-

up provides a convenient construction meth-

od saving time, man-hours and formwork.

Conventional tilt-up panels are structural

elements within a building that span from

base to roof diaphragm, acting as beams

and capable of carrying roof and slab loads.

KwaZulu-Natal partners for tilt-up innovationTogether, NPC – a member of InterCement – and Tilt Up Systems have developed a tilt-up construction solution for a patented affordable housing system that is set to transform low-income housing development in South Africa.

LEFT Lifting tilt-up panels

BELOW Temporary concrete casting surface

RIGHT Precast elements combine the building facade, structure and final finish


ETHEKWINI | COVER STORY

They combine the building facade, structure

and final finish in one operation.

Panels are set out in accordance with

a predetermined casting layout drawing.

Ideally, panels are cast on the surface bed

of the project or on final concrete hardstand

areas around the building. Tilt Up Systems

provided the famous roadside panels along

the N2 highway in KwaZulu-Natal.

Ngcwayi Housing ProjectThe first project to make use of tilt-up tech-

nology was the 48-unit Ngcwayi Housing

Project at Port Shepstone.

NPC and Tilt Up Systems commenced

work on the Ngcawyi Housing Project in June

2011. At a cost of around R8.9 million,

the project set out to build 48 houses for

the Ngcawyi community using the NHBRC-

approved NPC-Tilt Up system.

The community of Ngcwayi was select-

ed following comprehensive consultation

with stakeholders, such as the Ezinqoleni

Municipality, regarding their inability to

access basic services due to their location.

The municipality indicated that it would

be difficult and costly to bring services to

the community because of the location of

the area. It was therefore decided, together

with the relevant traditional authorities, that

new land should be provided for the com-

munity. NPC and Tilt Up Systems then

committed to building good-quality houses

in an area where there will be adequate

access to basic services as well as other

necessary amenities.

Located at Murchinson in an area called

Newtown, the project enables the community

of Ngcwayi to acquire proper housing and

have access to the basic services provided

by the municipality.

Community, social and labour developmentNPC CIMPOR By the end of the project, the companies

developed and trained 60 local community

members in the building system. For NPC

the benefit lies in implementing their SLP

project and being compliant with the relevant

mining legislation as well as offering the

opportunity to strengthen the good relations

the company enjoys with these important

stakeholder communities.

The first set of houses was handed over to

families in December 2012 by the Minister

of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu.

The remaining houses were handed over

in April 2013. The company hopes that the

innovative concept will gain acceptance by

the Department of Human Settlements and

its partners so that it can be used on other

projects in the country.

As NPC managing director, Piet Strauss

said at the time: “As a company, we strive

for sustainability. We must not only be profit-

able, but must also contribute to environ-

mental improvement and the communities

in which we operate. Since 1964, we have

been the only cement producer in KwaZulu-

Natal, and now also produce aggregate and

concrete. By being present here, we provide

employment and also long-term local busi-

ness opportunities. We trust that communi-

ties and business in this province continue

to support each other.”

Tilt Up SystemsTilt Up Systems initially operated as a spe-

cialist supplier and consultant, promoting

and facilitating the use of tilt-up construc-

tion. By 2003, the company was providing

a full-service subcontracting service that

included forming, casting and erecting tilt-

up panels countrywide. In 2008, Tilt Up

Systems moved into the precast market and

has, to date, successfully completed more

than 121 contracts, including:

• 40 000 m2 industrial projects

• 125 000 m2 retail project developments

• numerous award-winning projects,

hallmarked by innovative tilt-up

construction techniques.

Charles van Eck, owner and managing direc-

tor of Tilt Up Systems, started his career

in 1985, working as a specialist in a tilt-up

division.

His 25 years specialising in tilt up con-

struction have led to national recognition

as one of the foremost experts in this

construction technique. This recognition has

extended beyond South Africa’s borders:

in 2006, Van Eck was recognised by the

American Tilt Up Concrete Association when

he was awarded the Tilt Up Contractor of the

Year award.

Van Eck’s work with NPC on the patented

housing system reflects a passion for social

upliftment and housing development. “From

a commercial perspective, I see our key

opportunities in the retail, industrial and

commercial sectors, and our success in

these areas has led to our ability to devote

resources to research and development, in

partnership with NPC-CIMPOR, to this hous-

ing technology.”

The range of Tilt Up Systems projects is

extremely impressive, from large stadiums

to highly visible retail projects, such as the

Gateway Shopping Centre, the Sibaya Casino

and even Walter Sisulu Square.

Tilt Up Systems

t +27 (0)31 765 4104

c +27 (0)82 331 5864

NPC – a member of InterCement

t +27 (0)31 450 4411

Tilt Up Systems’ award-winning feature panel on the road to King Shaka airport, KwaZulu-Natal

THE TILT-UP PROCESS • Perimeter formwork• Apply bond breaker • Fix reinforcing• Position and secure• Lift and brace inserts• Cast and float panel• Cure• Erect and temporarily brace• Connect into unified structure


ETHEKWINI | MUNICIPAL FEATURE

The R25 billion Cornubia Housing

Project in Durban was officially

opened by President Jacob Zuma

in April this year. Spanning over

20 years, the project is the province’s

and eThekwini’s first Cabinet lekgotla

priority project.

Cornubia is a joint-venture dev elop-

ment between the National Department

of Human Settlements, the KwaZulu-

Natal Department of Human Settlements,

eThekwini Municipality and Tongaat Hulett

Development, and is set to be eThekwini’s

largest sustainable and integrated human

settlement initiative.

Once completed in 2030, the 1 200 ha

property will consist of 84 000 housing

units, of which 15 000 will be low-cost

homes. It will house 2 million m2

of commercial space and an 80

ha industrial development.

The construction phase will

create up to 15 000 new jobs,

while the completed develop-

ment will create space for about

48 000 permanent retail and

industrial jobs. Residents will

contribute approximately R300

million in rates to the eThekwini

coffers and a further R2.1 bil-

lion in VAT receipts for the

national fiscus.

Development principleThe housing project is being developed

in accordance with the principles of the

Breaking New Ground (BNG) policy to pro-

mote the achievement of a non-racial, inte-

grated society through the development of

sustainable, integrated human settlements

with associated economic opportunities

for citizens.

The BNG’s strategic focus includes ensur-

ing the delivery of affordable housing in

sustainable and habitable settlements. Its

strategic priorities are to accelerate hous-

ing delivery; improve the quality of hous-

ing products and environments to ensure

asset creation; restructure and integrate

human settlements.

The project is an integrated human set-

tlement which aims to effectively eradicate

a significant number of the informal settle-

ments across the municipality. The house-

holds earmarked for relocation to Cornubia

are selected on predefined criteria that

KEY FOCUS AREAS OF BNG:• accelerating housing delivery as a key strategy

for poverty alleviation• using housing provision as a major job

creation strategy• ensuring that property can be accessed

by all as an asset for wealth creation and empowerment

• leveraging growth in the economy, combating crime and promoting social cohesion

• using housing as an instrument for the development of sustainable human settlements in support of spatial restructuring.

Building a new cityCornubia, a mixed-use and -income development, is altering the Umhlanga skyline and becoming a major industrial area. Danielle Pettersen explores this innovative project.


ETHEKWINI | MUNICIPAL FEATURE

include: people residing in river floodplains,

unstable land, in the way of current and

medium-term development, child-headed

households, disabled persons, women-

headed households, aged persons, the

eradication of complete settlements among

other criteria as approved by the municipal-

ity and province.

More than just housingThe Cornubia development is expected to

contribute to the integration of the city and

seeks to end the legacy of spatial and eco-

nomic imbalances of historical planning by

bringing communities close to job opportu-

nities, social amenities, major services and

public transport. It embraces all aspects of

human settlements and the natural, social

and economic environments.

According to former Human Settlements

Minister Connie September, the depart-

ment has shifted its focus from housing to

human settlements.

A key principle behind Cornubia is the

integration of different income levels and

a mix of freehold and rental housing. In

line with international design concepts,

provision has also been made for social

infrastructure. “The planning was driven

around the need for accessibility, so all

facilities – schools, health and other social

infrastructure – will be within a five-minute

walk,” explains Karen Petersen, the human

settlement executive at Tongaat Hulett.

According to Petersen, Cornubia puts

an end to the stereo-

type that social housing

is simply about putting

a roof over someone’s

head. The communal spaces are

designed to encourage social inter-

action and create a sense of owner-

ship and commitment to commu-

nity. “There is a real social implica-

tion of poorly designed housing.

If you don’t create places where

people are proud to live, then you’re

just reinforcing the idea that neither

the building nor the tenant is worth

the effort.”

Building connectionsThe development is strategically

located between the historically

disadvantaged areas of Phoenix,

Ottawa and Waterloo and newer

areas of Mt Edgecombe and

Umhlanga, and has been planned

to integrate these very different and

disparate communities in a manner

that adds value and enhances linkages and

opportunities to all.

Two bus rapid transit (BRT) routes are

expected to link Cornubia, Umhlanga and

the nearby township of Phoenix. The BRT

routes will also link the area to the Dube

Tradeport and King Shaka International

Airport approximately 7 km north.

A multinodal transport interchange for

taxis and buses has been planned and the

general approach is to make all facilities

accessible to both pedestrians and vehi-

cles. Upwards of R100 million has already

been spent on building linking roads.

“For the City of eThekwini, Cornubia is

set to be a catalyst project that will unlock

development in the northern corridor linking

to King Shaka International Airport and the

Dube Tradeport. It is

encouraging that the

adjacent industrial

sites that will provide

job opportunities for

the local community

are being taken up

by the private sec-

tor,” says Mayor Cllr

James Nxumalo.

Progress The first phase of

482 housing units

is already completed

and the first group

of beneficiaries took

occupancy of their

ONCE COMPLETE, CORNUBIA WILL HOUSE:• 28 000 housing units (15 000 low cost)• 2 million m2 of commercial space • 80 ha of industrial development• schools, clinics and amenities such as

public transport • environmentally friendly and eco-sensitive

industrial and business parks• two BRT routes.

units in November and December 2013.

Interim retail facilities have been provided

to meet residents’ daily needs, includ-

ing arrangements to transport scholars to

neighbouring schools.

Construction on Phase 1B commenced in

November 2013 and is on track to be com-

pleted by April 2015. Phase 1B will see 13

main contractors delivering fully serviced

houses at a cost of R533 million.

Approximately 1 000 affordable hous-

ing units will be developed in the area

around Marshall Dam adjacent to Phase

1B, over a period of two to three years,

from 2016. This will be private sector and

market driven.

On the periphery of Phase 2 is the exist-

ing informal settlement of Blackburn. The

plan is to integrate this existing settlement

into Phase 2. However this is to be under-

taken separately due to the land procure-

ment process not being finalised and a

separate EIA to be conducted.

The industrial precinct is expected to be

completed by 2018. Mass earthworks are

already under way on the retail park and

building construction will commence in

June 2015.

Tongaat Hulett is also in the process of

positioning and branding another 70 ha

gross area adjacent to the retail park as an

affordable lifestyle estate making provision

for approximately 3 500 affordable and

middle-income housing units. It is antici-

pated that construction will commence

in 2018.

OVERALL BULK SERVICESThe total bulk anticipated for the overall development is 3.7 million/m2 split as follows:• 1.7 million m2 residential (46%)• 1.2 million m2 commercial (32%)• 0.8 million m2 light industrial (22%).


THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY in

KwaZulu-Natal will be the first of

many public sector entities that

will benefit from a new Smart City

mobile application.

This app is designed to integrate a range

of services offered by the municipality. It is

a responsive service delivery tool designed

to enable municipalities to interact with

their customers in real time. This not only

saves the customers from having to queue

at service points, but also allows speedy

resolution and communication of cases.

In this way, it can serve as the ultimate

customer participation and customer rela-

tions tool for municipalities of all sizes.

This revolutionary app was launched at

the Mobile Government Summit, a national

initiative to advance the use of mobile

technology at national, provincial and local

government level.

Integrated Service Management solutionAsked to position the Smart City app in this

broader service delivery context, DynaTech

CEO Ntokozo Xaba explains that the Smart

City app is only one part of the company’s

broader Integrated Service Management

(iSM) e-government solution.

“Overall, the iSM solution covers mobil-

ity, big data, the cloud and the Internet

of things – what Gartner refers to as the

nexus of forces – using very advanced

software for managing service delivery

issues. This means that eThekwini will be

the first municipality to benefit from this

technology, which I believe will transform

service delivery in the public sector, provid-

ing a truly 21st century approach to this

vexing issue.”

It is clear that the move from outdated,

paper-based systems into e-government

solutions needs to occur sooner, rather

than later. Gathering together public sector

thought leaders at the Mobile Government

Summit and launching new apps like Smart

City are vital steps on the path to enabling

municipalities and other government enti-

ties to not only keep up with, but get ahead

of the current service delivery backlog.

Smart City app to reinvigorate service delivery

ETHEKWINI


ETHEKWINI WATER and Sanitation

received the Stockholm Industry

Water Award at a ceremony dur-

ing World Water Week, for its trans-

formative and inclusive approach to provid-

ing water and sanitation.

“I stand here today as part of a team of

dedicated professionals who have worked

with me over the past 22 years. It is a tre-

mendous honour for all of us in Durban,”

said Neil Macleod of eThekwini Water and

Sanitation on receiving the prize.

In his acceptance speech, Macleod under-

lined the role policy has had in the success

of eThekwini Water and Sanitation. “If the

politicians had not dared to take bold deci-

sions, we would not have been able to do

what we did. You need an enabling environ-

ment,” he said.

Most progressive water utility in AfricaeThekwini has been called the most progres-

sive water utility in Africa by the Stockholm

Industry Water Award (SIWA) jury. “eThek-

wini has championed the approach to pro-

vide sufficient water to sustain human

life, as expressed in the South African

Constitution, now embedded in national pol-

icy. The methods used and results achieved

by eThekwini Water and Sanitation serve

as a sterling example for the many com-

munities worldwide facing similar challeng-

es,” stated the SIWA jury in its citation.

In the past 14 years, an additional 1.3 million

ETHEKWINI

Most progressive water utility in Africa

people in greater Durban have been con-

nected to piped water and 700 000 people

have been provided with access to toilets.

Access to basic water supply and sanita-

tion is provided at no cost to poor families,

while higher levels of service and consump-

tion are charged at full cost, thus respecting

the constitutional right to water while main-

taining financial sustainability.

At the forefront of innovationIn addition to successfully providing basic

services to a large and diverse popula-

tion, eThekwini Water and Sanitation is

at the forefront of exploring technical and

social solutions.

One example is a mini hydropower project.

Instead of using pressure-reducing valves

in pipes running down steep hillsides, the

company is installing mini turbines using

the excess pressure to generate electricity

for the city’s low-tension grid. The eThek-

wini municipality is also pioneering solutions

to convert urban wastewater challenges

to agricultural opportunities, as well as

harvesting rainwater.

The combined result is one of the most

progressive utilities in the world. The open

approach to experimenting and piloting new

solutions across both technical and social

aspects of service delivery has made eThek-

wini a forerunner in the world of utility-

run services.

ABOVE Neil Macleod of eThekwini Water and Sanitation and Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane accept the Stockholm Industry Water AwardPhoto credit: Cecilia Östberg, Exray

ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY, in partnership with the Small

Enterprise Development Agency, launched the construction

incubator centre as part of the city’s plans to promote local

economic development and investments in the townships

and rural areas.

The centre was donated by the local church to the residents of

Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu to develop their skills in order to

improve the quality of their lives.

Mayor Cllr James Nxumalo says the municipality decided to work with

the community to convert the structure into a construction incubator

and training centre. This idea comes after a number of infrastruc-

tural development activities were taking place in the region and most

emerging contractors were not benefiting due to inadequate skills.

Nxumalo says the primary aim was to assist emerging contractors in

these areas in sharpening their skills so that they will be able to grow

their businesses in an innovative and cost-effective way.

“The construction sector makes a vital contribution to the com-

petitiveness and prosperity of the economy. For the country to drive

economic development, it is dependent on the performance of infra-

structure. In this case investors will consider the quality of the infra-

structure as one of the key factors when considering investments,”

says Nxumalo.

Philip Sithole, head of business support, tourism and markets, says

the launch of this construction incubator will play a central role in the

city’s drive to promote sustainable growth.

“That is why it is vital that we invest in the right people with the right

skills, to ensure that this sector continues to positively play a mean-

ingful role in our day-to-day lives. This programme will not only benefit

the contractors but will contribute through its job-generating ability to

local people,” says Sithole.

Construction incubator develops skills

THE COLLECTION and transporta-

tion of waste costs South Africa

over half-a-billion rand every year.

The Electron Road Waste

Management Facility is one of the first large-

scale greenfield waste management facili-

ties in South Africa that includes a refuse

transfer station (RTS). The site is located

north of central Durban, near the Umgeni

River, just south of Umgeni Road and east

of the N2 national road.

A key focus of the facility is to move waste

management towards a more sustainable

municipal service – one that meets new

national waste regulatory requirements,

reduces waste transportation costs, pro-

vides employment opportunities, allows

waste to be effectively diverted from land-

fill and enhances the beneficial recycling

of waste.

At present, most of the waste in Durban

city is disposed of at the Bisasar Road

landfill site in Springfield Park, but this site

is reaching full capacity. When capacity

is reached, waste collection vehicles will

have to travel to the Buffelsdraai landfill

site approximately 33 km away – more than

double the distance of 15 km, which is con-

sidered an economical travelling distance

for collection vehicles.

These prohibitive transport costs have

made the provision of a WTS financially

prudent, particularly since the Electron Road

Electron Road Waste Management FacilityThe R135 million Electron Road Waste Management Facility won first prize for technical excellence at the SAICE Durban Branch Awards 2014 as well as a commendation at the 2014 CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards.


ETHEKWINI


ETHEKWINI

site is less than 1 km from the Bisasar Road

site. The reduced transportation will also

reduce fuel consumption and wear and tear

on road systems, with an overall reduction

of carbon emissions, by implementing this

more efficient transport system.

The Electron Road transfer station has

been designed to transfer 1 200 tonnes

each day. This equates to an entire foot-

ball field covered 1 m deep in waste

that needs to be handled, managed and

transferred daily.

It is able to receive waste from local

household waste collection vehicles and

compact this waste into specially designed

containers. Each container load is at least

twice as big as the load carried by a local

waste collection vehicle. These containers

are then taken by lower-maintenance long-

haul vehicles to landfill. That means, one

single load by a vehicle with lower running

costs replaces what would have been trips

by at least four other higher-cost vehicles

on the roads.

The project teamThe Jeffares & Green team, as lead consult-

ant, undertook the project management,

civil, structural, roads and transportation

designs along with site supervision and

contract management duties. GJA and Allan

Cunninghame were responsible for the elec-

trical, electronic and mechanical duties.

Specialist mechanical-plant consultant

ConsulTech was also involved. There were

many other consultants involved, including

surveyors, architects, a landscape archi-

tect, groundwater specialists and geotechni-

cal scientists, among others.

The construction was undertaken by

Aveng Grinaker LTA. Akura supplied and

installed the specialised mechanical plant

as a subcontractor.

Overview of the facility

Innovation, originality• Design elements were adopted from

a facility in Hong Kong and made to

suit the South African environment and

labour situation.

• It sees the first-time use of the modern-

day Husmann compaction equipment and

related side-pushers. These specialised

German units were brought in through a

South African supplier and also installed

by a local company. This is an interna-

tional skill-transfer for South Africa.

• By introducing side-pushers to the facil-

ity, the processing speed of the facility

is massively enhanced and allows for its

optimal use.

• A focal point of the project is the ± 100 m

x 55 m x 18 m refuse transfer station

SCALE OF THE FACILITY• Over 5 000 m3 of concrete• Over 24 000 m2 of formwork• 500 tonnes of steel• 13 000 m2 of brickwork 6 100 m2 of

roof covering• 5 km of trenching and pipework• 17 000 Terraforce blocks• 10 500 m2 of concrete surface• 11 100 m2 of brick surfacing

LEFT Electron Road Waste Management Facility

ABOVE Compaction hall beneath tipping hall floor with Husmann compactors and the underside of the chutes on the right

BELOW Final weighbridge structure and recording station with truck approaching for control weighing and billing


ETHEKWINI

structure designed by the Jeffares &

Green Cape Town Structures section. The

majority of the facility has no internal sup-

ports, allowing for the free movement of

vehicles, quicker movements and turna-

round times, and greater efficiency. The

ceiling also required a clearance height

of 7.5 m.

• A special stormwater treatment pro-

cess was designed using the newly for-

mulated sustainable drainage system.

Provincial government is now starting

to recognise the new effective natural

process for the treatment of potentially

polluted stormwater.

• A new type of loading magazine that

handles the roll-on, roll-off reinforced steel

containers was designed and constructed.

These magazines also allow live weighing,

so the operator of the facility can imme-

diately ascertain whether the containers

have been optimally filled for transporting.

• The design of the building maximised

natural light and natural air flow.

• Special attention was paid to pollution pre-

vention. The site now consists of a num-

ber of silt/sand traps, oil traps and litter

traps. This was done to allow key pollution

prevention actions such as the capture

of oils, litter, silt/sand and to lower the

chemical oxygen demand of the effluent.

• Specialised control booths were installed

for optimal control of the facility.

Greening initiatives• All external lights on daylight switches

• Maximised use of daylight on apron floor

• Stepped lighting inside the RTS building

• Localised control of air conditioning

• Motion sensors on lights in offices/store

• Recycled rubble used for fill where possible

• Litter and silt traps in catch pits

• Rainwater harvesting to wash bays and for

floor washing

• Low-flush toilets/hold flush

• Low-flow showerheads.

The design of the entire facility needed clear

modelling of traffic movements, capacities

and the structures themselves. This was

accomplished by Jeffares & Green undertak-

ing 3D modelling.

Budget• The contract was completed with over R5 mil-

lion in savings against the tendered amount.

• The tendered amount (due to clear, con-

cise documentation and detailed draw-

ings) allowed the pricing to be over R30

million less than the estimated amount.

• All tenders were within approximately 7%

of each other.

Managerial vision and competence• The project involved many years of inten-

sive option analysis to optimise such

a facility. The project involved a wide

range of expertise including mechanical,

electrical, civil and structural engineer-

ing, as well as industrial architecture,

polluted water treatment, greening initia-

tives, etc., all of which required close and

efficient coordination.

• The financial management of the project

led to a significant cost saving on the ten-

dered civil and mechanical components

of the works.

Construction methods• The geotechnical conditions on-site were

less suitable than other sites, and unique

piling methods and systems had to

be adopted.

• Tilt-up wall panels were used – a first on

this scale – which also allowed for a face-

brick finish, requiring special moulds and

casting techniques on-site. A great deal

of the preparatory work could be done in

parallel to other works on-site, and moulds

allowed for easier, efficient quality control.

This also prevented the need for very high

scaffolding and high-risk bricklaying.

• Over 33 specialist subcontractors were

used to ensure high-quality installation

and, with their experience, ensure correct

product choices were made.

• The contract achieved over 15% for its con-

tract participation goal, which to amounts

to over R19 million spent on empower-

ment. This was over the required target.

• The construction contract involved a budg-

et for the training and upliftment of local

residents and local labour.

• Over R73 000 was spent on direct, dedi-

cated training of less-skilled workers to

enable better employment opportunities

in the future.

• The other benefit of this facility was

employment creation. A range of new jobs

will be created. The design of the facility

was to emphasise manual-labour control

rather than automated/mechanised con-

trol, where possible and logical.

FIGURE 2: 3D model of RTS tipping hall floor, offices, ramp up to the floor, exit ramp, etc.

FIGURE 1: 3D model of the entire facility. The roofing layout allows natural lighting and ventilation

Roll-on, roll-off vehicles for moving containers full of waste or material for beneficial use


Combining time-honoured engineering with

cutting-edge solutions

J&G is proud of its award winning projects

Kraaifontein Integrated Waste Management Facility

Winner of the 2012 National SAICE Award for

Technical Excellence

Electron Road Integrated Waste Management Facility

Winner of the 2014 Durban Branch SAICE Award for

Technical Excellence

ContactsW Cape: Richard Emery on 021 532 0940 or [email protected]

Gauteng: Stuart Gower-Jackson on 011 807 0660 or

[email protected]

KZN: Colin Scott on 033 343 6700 or [email protected]

E Cape: Richard Fyvie on 041 363 1900 or [email protected]

www.jgi.co.za

ETHEKWINI

Aesthetics• The building was oriented and designed to suite local styles.

• Special colour coding was adopted to corporate needs.

• Modern-day colour blending was used to lessen the impact of the

scale of the structure.

Quality of Engineering• Up to this point, over 25 000 hours of professional design

and site work went into completing the facility. Over 402 000

man-hours were spent to construct the facility. The contract

was geared towards labour-intensive construction methods,

to allow for experience gains by the workforce and optimal

employment opportunities.

• Design was done in compliance with current legislation and

building codes.

Complexity• Waste in itself is not consistent in nature. It is not consistent

in character (moisture content, free liquids, bulk-mass items,

level of organic waste, and amount of packaging waste) and a

system was required to be able to process the varying character

of the waste.

• Pollution control, in detail, is required. This includes liquids

squeezed or escaping from the waste mass to special collection

pits in the floors, or drainage from the compactor units.

• The height of the building and the timeframes required special

construction techniques.

• The entire operation of this facility is dependent on data, records

and billing systems. This key control is done using special

weighbridges of a particular length and width, with specialised

drainage pits beneath (to control run-off of polluted stormwater).

This data system, combined with data from the compaction units,

provides critical information.

Environmental• A lengthy environmental EIR/BA process was followed over many

years. This led to a successful construction and operating licence

being issued.

• Some similar sites in South Africa are still busy with their envi-

ronmental processes after 12 years, far from even commencing

the construction stage.

Specially designed ramps allow access for a range of vehicle types


Visit us at theIMESA Exhibition 28-31 October 2014

Durban - ICCStand 55

[ Water Solutions ] [ In Africa, water is a scarce and valuable resource. With over 30 years of experience, Robor delivers exible, ef cient and customised steel pipe solutions and products to the water industry. ]

Value added services for complete water solutions include:

• Lining and coating• Jointing systems• Fire protection solutions• Robotic and submerged arc welding facilities• On-site services and training• Technical supportOur innovative technology ensures superior water pipeline

performance, even in the harshest environments. In addition, Robor offers a variety of value added steel pipe and complete pipe systems perfectly suited to the conveyance of water and sewage, including lined, coated and uncoated steel pipe, as well as ttings and jointing systems.

For more information: Tel: +27 (0)11 971 1600 • E-mail: [email protected] • www.robor.co.za

2283 Robor Water Ad'14 IMESA 297X210S.indd 1 2014/09/17 1:20 PM


ETHEKWINI | PROJECT

THE ETHEKWINI Western Aqueduct

is set to add further capacity of

400 megalitres of water per day to

the 1.1 million megalitres of water

currently consumed per day by the city. This

project comprises approximately 73 km of

welded steel pipelines in diameters ranging

from 1.6 m to 0.5 m, which will be laid along

existing pipeline servitudes. The pipeline

route will run along existing municipal roads

through the eThekwini region from Umlaas

Road terminating at Ntuzuma, Pinetown and

Tshelimnyama, eventually branching off to

the Northern Aqueduct.

Planned over seven phases, Esor Civils was

awarded the contract for Phase Three and

Five and began work on the project in January

this year. Stephen Cahi, with a background in

both road building and pipelines, is the pro-

ject manager and acted as tour guide.

As this is a 25 km stretch of the pipeline,

work has commenced at three fronts in Kloof,

KwaDabeka and Ntuzuma.

Project scopeThe project is labour intensive and is

scheduled to employ 250 labourers during

peak activity times. It is comprised of the

earthworks, trenching, laying of the pipe-

line and welding and the road layer works,

with the pipeline lying beneath the road.

It follows a standard back-to-fill operation.

“The scope of both phases is to lay the

pipeline and do the roadworks for a stretch

The eThekwini Western Aqueduct

The Western Aqueduct is the single largest water infrastructure project ever undertaken by eThekwini City Council, with an estimated value exceeding R800 million. Nicholas McDiarmid, generously hosted by Esor Pipelines, a division of Esor Construction (Pty) Ltd, visited sections of the project and was suitably awed.


ETHEKWINI | PROJECT

of 25 km, approximately equally divided.

Phase One and Two runs from Inchanga to

the Ashleigh Pressure Tank in Hillcrest. From

the Ashleigh Pressure Tank, the pipe line

will extend to the NR5 reservoir in Ntuzuma.

There is about 6 km of road to rehabilitate

and re-align, which is a complete cut-to-fill

operation. We are also digging a new service

trench for the electricity and communications

lines,” explains Cahi. “The new pipeline runs

in new alignment; so we have to do the basic

earthworks first, followed by the trenching and

pipe-laying and finally the road layer works.”

The pipeline itself runs three meters

beneath the road to the invert of the pipe

and about one and a half meters to the crown

of the pipe.

The Western Aqueduct itself originates at

the Midmar Dam and terminates near Ballito.

This phase of the project joins with sectors

one and two, which runs from Inchanga all

the way through to the break pressure tank at

Hillcrest, which is where this phase picks up,

from where it runs to the NR5 reservoir. The

pipeline then branches off to the Northern

Aqueduct where Esor is involved in two further

phases of the Northern Aqueduct. As this is

a brand new pipeline and not an upgrade of

the existing one, no diversions are required.

Pipes and equipmenteThekwini issued all the materials including

the pipes and valves. Welded steel pipes

were supplied by Hall Longmore and vary in

grade from X42 through to X65, with diam-

eters of between 1 and 1.4 m.

While Esor has its own equipment, the

company is also renting equipment and

vehicles from a number of sources, due to

the number of sites involved. This include 30

tonne excavators, pay loaders, side-booms

(for laying the pipe), 30 tonne and 50 tonne

cranes, horse and trailers to move the pipes,

graders and rollers.

“We all have our favourites: I favour

Caterpillar; our contracts manager favours

Komatsu and our site agents prefers Hitachi,

so we have all three on site,” jokes Cahi.

When it comes to trenching, Cahi would like

to see a day when most projects can be done

trenchlessly. “Imagine being able to do a no-

trench through the road. The big challenge

is getting large-sized pipes in trenchlessly.

To jack a pipe of the size we are using 150

m into the ground, you are looking at 500 kg

per running meter! This is a massive weight

– achievable, but very expensive.”

Specification and designAll the specifications came off design

from the engineers – the Western Aqueduct

Consultants Joint Venture – which is com-

prised of Knight Piesold, Royal HaskoningDHV

and Naidu Consulting. The design documents

specify all aspects of the pipeline design,

including size and route of the trenches,

depth of trenches, bedding materials and

trench fill materials.

Decomposed granite is being used for bed-

ding the pipeline in the trench, as it meets

all the requirements. The environment itself

is very stable with little to no seismic activ-

ity. The geotechnical reports do suggest that

some areas along a railway line might be

given to some instability but ultimately this

could only be dealt with once the work begins

at those spots and any tension cracks are

revealed. “As you dig, you see cracks form-

ing and if they appear to be large enough to

be unsafe, then shoring will be put in place,”

says Cahi. Shoring is done either through

sheet piling or driving wedges and beams

with timber between them.

Work on the current phase has been split

up across a number of fronts. Six fronts are

currently in operation: one in Everton Road,

one in Pioneer Road, two fronts in Wyebank

Road, a section proceeding down towards the

Umgeni Valley, a front at the Umgeni River

itself and another descending from the NR5

reservoir towards the Umgeni River. Another

front that would have been in operation was

along a railway line, beginning at the Ashley

break-pressure tank.

The intention was to begin at the Ashley

break-pressure tank, but due to problems

encountered along the rail servitude, this

section has been put on hold temporarily.

There had been a concern that the track

might be undermined, though this has sub-

sequently been resolved. Instead of the

railway line route, work has begun along

Everton Road and has been completed to a

distance of about 1.5 km from the point of

origin in Everton Road, proceeding toward the

NR5 reservoir.

“Ensuring that the specifi cations are followed and aligned with the General Conditions of Contract means that each process and procedure has to be tracked very closely.”


ETHEKWINI | PROJECT

Heavy blasting Approximately 500 m of road excavation

and earthworks has been completed and

the teams have encountered a lot of rock.

This has called for a lot of blasting to be

done – 5 000 m3 to date – and the amount

of rock requires blasting activity on a daily

basis. Blasting has been very intricate,

occurring between houses and roads in

some fairly densely populated suburbs. Two

blasting experts have been contracted to

these works: Trench and Bulk Blast and SBS

Surface Blasting Systems. All the blasts

have been covered, either by mats or exca-

vated materials and the charges cannot

exceed 25 m per second. The teams use

Vibrarecorders to ensure the blasts fall below

the specified limits.

A crack survey is being carried out on the

nearby houses prior to blasting and post

blasting to ensure any damage is document-

ed and managed, and of course as a protec-

tion against any subsequent false claims.

From a contractual point of view, the liability

for any blasting damage lies with the blasting

contractor, if it is found that any aspect of the

operation fell outside of the specifications.

If damage is found to be as a result of any

unforeseeable conditions, it becomes a force

majeure. Because of the potential impact

blasting has on communities, the process

calls on a lot of resources.

Working with the communitiesA project of this magnitude has an impact

on many stakeholders, including the people

living and working in the vicinity and the local

labour market. Esor has appointed public

relations officer (PRO) Simphiwe Twala to

engage the communities directly, a process

which has been remarkably successful.

The blasting process itself is a good example

of this. Residents are kept informed about the

whole process and notified about construc-

tion activities, road closures and the blasting

schedules. Twala continuously liaises with the

political counsellors of the area as well.

Cahi reckons that the positive impact of the

work of the PRO, along with good signage,

well-thought-out detours and the high level

of communication with the affected com-

munities have seen minimal complaints and

greatly enhanced cooperation. “When con-

cerns are brought forward, we don’t ignore

them, we respond meaningfully and this

creates a trusting relationship. The public

relations work as a whole is truly facilitating

our progress on the project and I now see

it as intrinsic to our continued success,”

explains Cahi. What seems like a ‘soft’ issue

can make a concrete difference.

“We also work with a community liaison

officer (CLO), assigned by the local council,

who is also making a significant contribu-

tion. He is the link between the PRO and

the community, as well as human resources

and the community. He organises the local

labour for us in a systematic and fair man-

ner, split across three communities. We have

no say in the matter at all.” The community

provides the lists and the CLO then draws

the names, with no favouritism involved. This

also ensures that Esor retains neutrality.

Meeting the challenges“There are a lot of challenges on a project

of this magnitude,” says Cahi. “It is very

intensive from a project management per-

spective, because there are so many vari-

ables that change from moment to moment.

Ensuring that the specifications are followed

and aligned with the general conditions of

the contract means that each process and

procedure has to be tracked very closely.

It’s a matter of getting everything to link

up in the same direction while following the

original scope of work. Apart from not know-

ing what is buried under the ground from one

patch of site to the next, where volumes of

rock are far greater than anticipated, working

with the community is extremely important.”

A recent service delivery strike spilled over

into Esor’s portion of the works, causing

disruptions. “A project like this, which is

located in an area of high unemployment,

can be the object of a lot of dissatisfaction,

because not everyone in the community is

able to get employment, and this can be

frustrating for them.”

Much more to comeThe scale of the Western Aqueduct is

massive. Phases Three and Five cover

enormously dif fering terrains, including

incredibly steep canyon walls, which will

call for certain aerial interventions when

laying the pipeline. The Esor team – led by

Cahi – is comprised of highly experienced

and qualified individuals whose passion

for their work is highly evident. Since bulk

water pipelines are hidden from view, it is

only during the construction phase that one

can appreciate the enormity and extent of

the infrastructure.

ABOVE LEFT The project consists of laying 73 km of welded steel pipelines. The pipes are being laid along existing pipeline servitudes

ABOVE The pipeline route will run from Umlaas Road, terminating at Ntuzuma, Pinetown and Tshelimnyama

w w w.uti l i ty-systems.co.za

Market leading innovators in

the field of prepaid water

metering and electronic

flow limitation devices

Early success with low-cost housingPartnering with Government on low-cost housing projects has proven successful for one civil engineering company.

SINCE ENTERING the low-cost

housing sector six months ago,

Esor Civils has experienced suc-

cess beyond expectation and

is presently working on two Government-

subsidised projects to provide 1 000 low-

cost houses in the village of Enhlangweni,

in the Umzumbe Local Municipality near

Ixopo in KwaZulu-Natal, and 500 units in

the village of Ezinqolweni, in the Ezinqoleni

Local Municipality near Port Shepstone in

KwaZulu-Natal.

More recently, Esor Civils has secured the

provision of low-cost housing in Bhobhoyi,

close to Port Shepstone. The company

is earmarked for a further project in the

Umzumbe area and has also set its sights

on the Eastern Cape.

“Low-cost housing is something quite

new for us and it’s working out very well,”

says Mark Rippon, managing director of

Esor Civils. “We already have a diversified

portfolio that includes road building, mining

and township infrastructure work, water

and sewage reticulation contracts, and con-

crete projects for Government, major mining

houses and the private sector. Although our

move into low-cost housing is at the incep-

tion stage, we’re very excited about these

early successes and we believe there is

significant potential to expand into this sec-

tor of the market. We’re proving that we’re

reliable and able to deliver these projects to

the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

“Low-cost housing is still very much a gov-

ernmental focus and the recent increased

subsidy will see the specifications improve

from the two-roomed 40 m2 dwelling with

rainwater harvesting and an outhouse,

that we are building at Muzumbe and

Thimude, to dwellings of the same size but

now plumbed and electrified, and includ-

ing an inside bathroom with a basic hand

basin, toilet and shower. The upgraded

specifications will also be applicable to

the scope of the Bhobhoyi and second

Muzumbe projects.”

Building partnershipsOn these projects, Esor Civils has teamed

up with consulting engineers Bigen Africa, a

leading design engineering company with a

strong presence in Southern Africa and a

growing African footprint. Bigen Africa takes

responsibility for the design of the houses,

provides site supervision during construc-

tion and conducts quality assurance before

the houses are handed over.

On each low-cost housing project, the

Esor Civils team identifies local emerging

subcontractors and supports them with the

procurement of materials and the provision

of training, effectively equipping them with

experience and marketable capabilities.

ETHEKWINI | HOUSING

“Low-cost housing is something

quite new for us and it’s

working out very well.”

Mark Rippon,

MD, Esor Civils


BELOW RIGHT A low-cost house with rainwater harvesting

BELOW Low-cost housing in KZN


INFRASTRUCTURE NEWS FROM AROUND THE CONTINENT

NIGERIAN485 trillion for infrastructure master planNigeria has announced a N485

trillion (R32.6 trillion) National

Integrated Master Plan. The

N166 billion (R11 billion) first

phase will focus on building

major infrastructure and will run

from 2014 to 2018.

According to deputy chair-

man of the National Planning

Commission Abubakar

Olanrewaju Sulaiman, Phase

One will focus on major infra-

structure such as transport

– roads, railways, sea, airports

and power – oil and gas, hous-

ing, water, and information and

communication technology.

Sulaiman noted that Nigeria

has low levels of infrastructure

compared to countries like

Japan, Singapore and China. He

emphasised a need for planning

and stated that over a thousand

stakeholders, including foreign

and local consultants and politi-

cians, technocrats, bureaucrats

and all others, were brought on

board to ensure that the right

environment is provided.

The public sector will finance

52% of the 30-year developmen-

tal plan, while the private sector

will make up the remaining 48%.

“The good thing about it is

that it is going to be private, but

public driven,” said Sulaiman.

He added that the public financ-

ing is expected to come from

the Sovereign Wealth Fund and

the Debt Management Office,

among others.

KENYA African project managers receive trainingThe African Water Facility (AWF),

with the support of the African

Development Bank’s (AfDB) East

Africa Regional Resource Centre,

brought together more than 40

project managers from over 15

English-speaking African coun-

tries to participate in a five-day

Nigeria has announced a N485 trillion National Integrated Master Plan to focus on transport infrastructure

project management training

programme in Nairobi earlier

this month.

The workshop was designed to

increase AWF grantees’ capacity

to navigate through the AfDB

and AWF rules and procedures,

as well as to help enhance their

ability to manage various admin-

istrative aspects of their pro-

jects, thereby maximising results

on the ground and benefits to

targeted populations.

“The AWF has committed itself

to working closely with its grant-

ees to help them overcome the

challenges of project manage-

ment and implementation,” said

Akissa Bahri, coordinator of the

AWF. “Enhanced familiarity with

our project management rules,

as well as knowledge sharing

and capacity building, is of tre-

mendous value to our grantees

and can significantly increase

the success of their projects in

the short and long term.”

At the workshop opening,

Gabriel Negatu, director of the

AfDB’s East Africa Regional

Resource Centre, acknowledged

AWF’s role in the identifying and

financing preparation of projects,

particularly those involving

complex, niche or innovative

approaches and the increas-

ing number in the regional

AWF portfolio.

He encouraged participants

to use the workshop as an

opportunity to address bottle-

necks affecting implementation,

which lead to start-up delays.

He emphasised the need to

ensure project delivery is done

in a timely manner to enable

faster achievement of intended

benefits and avoid cancellation

of funds. The workshop was

designed to:

• enhance the knowledge of the

project management team

members on the rules and

procedures of the AfDB and

the AWF in administrative,

technical and financial man-

agement of projects

• review the constraints and

difficulties encountered in the

implementation of projects

• review the terms of distill-

ing and documentation

of lessons learned and

knowledge products

• foster discussions among pro-

ject management team mem-

bers and exchange experi-

ences to make the appropriate

recommendations to improve

procedures for the monitoring

and supervision of projects

reporting to the AWF.

Participants included a mix

of professionals, such as

project coordinators, procure-

ment and financial specialists,

for whom the training was

specifically tailored.

WEST AFRICA$19 billion infrastructure investmentEight West African nations

agreed to $19 billion worth of

infrastructure deals at the recent

West Africa Investment Forum.

Investments will be injected

into roads, railways, airports,

energy, food security and water.

The largest investment comes

from the UAE company Trojan

General Contracting, which will

spend $16 billion on road and

rail projects across the region.

Essar Projects, the UAE

subsidiary of Essar Group, will

invest up to $1.98 billion in

road, bridge, airport and thermal

power plant projects in Benin,

Guinea Bissau and Niger. Oman-

based Hasan Juma Backer

Trading will invest approximately

$700 million in a dry-port devel-

opment project in Cote d’Ivoire.

A total of 16 agreements were

signed at the investment forum.

AFRICA ROUND-UP


AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANKAfDB, Japan sign $300 million loan agreementThe African Development Bank

(AfDB) and Japan have signed a

concessional loan for $300 mil-

lion to support the private sector

in Africa.

The AfDB was represented by

its President, Donald Kaberuka,

and Japan by its Ambassador in

Côte d’Ivoire, Susumo Inoue.

This agreement formed part

of the Enhanced Private Sector

Assistant (EPSA) initiative. EPSA

is an innovative multidonor,

multicomponent initiative for

resource mobilisation and

development partnership to

support AfDB's private sector

development strategy. It was

designed in partnership with the

Japanese government.

At the 2008 G8 Summit in

Gleneagles, the Japanese gov-

ernment announced a major

initiative to support the develop-

ment of the African continent in

the areas of infrastructure and

the private sector.

Implementation of the EPSA

initiative has three components:

to fast-track the set-up of cofi-

nancing for the public sector; the

Fund for African Private Sector

Assistance; and loans to the

private sector. In recent years,

major projects have been cofi-

nanced within this framework.

The signing of this agreement

comes further to the announce-

ment made by Japanese Premier

Shinzo Abe, that his country

would be doubling its commit-

ment to the EPSA account from

$1 billion to $2 billion over the

next three years. This was dur-

ing his official visit to Abidjan in

early 2014.

TANZANIADeveloping Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam portTanzania and the World Bank

have signed a memorandum of

understanding to develop the

Dar es Salaam port.

The cooperation will be deliv-

ered through the Dar es Salaam

Maritime Gateway Project.

It includes the provision of

financial support to facilitate

the deepening and strengthen-

ing of berths one to seven,

the dredging of the entrance

channel and turning basin in

the port, the construction of a

new berth and roll-on, roll-off

terminal, and improvements in

the spatial efficiency and opera-

tional effectiveness of the port.

The provisional cost of the

project is $565 million, and will

be covered by a mixture of loan,

credit, and grant from the devel-

opment partners.

The overall objective of the

cooperation is to support the

TPA to realise the objectives

of the Tanzanian government

for the maritime sub-sector, as

expressed in the Big Results

Now initiative, part of the

Tanzania Vision 2025, and

increase the capacity of the

port to 28 million tonnes by

2020, from the current 14.6

million tonnes handled in

2013/14.

The Port of Dar es Salaam is

arguably Tanzania's most impor-

tant infrastructure asset. Future

growth of the economy depends

on the port's ability to improve,

become more efficient and be

able to handle more trade,”

stressed Ros Cooper, acting

head of office for DFID.

“We are extremely excited to

be part of this initiative that will

help Tanzania be more competi-

tive and that will support eco-

nomic development and growth

across the region. Through this,

the lives of millions of people

will be improved.”

World Bank Country Director

for Tanzania Phillipe Dongier

added, “This memorandum of

understanding marks another

significant milestone in the his-

tory of relations of the World

Bank and Tanzania.

“The World Bank Group has

been a consistent supporter

to the transport sector in the

country in the past and we

are delighted that we are now

closely working with the UK

Department for International

Development and TradeMark

East Africa, which has had an

ongoing support programme

for the last four years since its

establishment in Tanzania, and

the Tanzania Ports Authority to

deliver a project that will make

a substantive contribution to the

development of both the country

and the East Africa region,”

said Dongier.

CONGOIncreasing access to electricity

The Republic of Congo

has received a $15 million

International Development

Association credit and a

$45 million International

Bank for Reconstruction and

Development loan to increase

access to electricity and improve

the efficiency and reliability of

the distribution system.

The additional financing will

provide the country’s National

Electricity Utility – SNE – with

tools to improve the quality of

services provided to its custom-

ers, and to enhance overall

efficiency, transparency and

accountability of its performance

in all business areas. It will also

help improve the performance

and governance of the SNE to

implement sound operations

and maintenance conditions of

the goods, works and services

financed under the project.

The financing also provides

additional funds for new activi-

ties to enhance the electricity

utility’s managerial, technical

and commercial performances

that complement the electric-

ity portion of the ongoing

Water, Electricity and Urban

Development Project (PEEDU).

The project will help increase

access to basic infrastructure

services, safe drinking water

and electricity for the urban

poor living in Brazzaville and

Pointe Noire.

Approved by the World Bank

board in 2010, the project has

strong support from the govern-

ment and has already benefited

over 260 000 people. The stud-

ies conducted under the first

phase of the PEEDU revealed

that the power sector was in

need of reforms and essential

investments in order to restore

the reliability and viability of

the sector.

“The electricity demand in

these cities is expected to dou-

ble in the next few years and the

major transmission lines essen-

tial to supply power are not up

to the standard to meet these

needs,” said Sylvie Dossou, the

World Bank Country Manager

for the Republic of Congo. “This

project will support investments

to retrofit or upgrade the infra-

structure to improve the opera-

tion and management of the

power system.”

AFRICA ROUND-UP

Tanzania and the World Bank will develop the Dar es Salaam port

AREAS OF EXPERTISE Roads and Stormwater. Bulk water and sewage installations. Water and Sewage reticulation networks. EPWP Projects. Structures and Buildings (Facilities) Sport and Recreational Facilities. Solid Waste Projects. Community Centres. Multi-Disciplinary Project Management. Labour Intensive Projects. Township Establishments and Housing Projects. Railway Engineering Services. Mining Infrastructure Projects.

LEVEL 3 BBBEE PROCUREMENT CONTRIBUTEROFFICES:

ALBERTON-Gauteng118 Hennie Alberts StreetBrackenhurst: PO Box 145851Bracken Gardens 1452Tel: 011 868 2494 Fax: 011 868 1348E-mail: [email protected]

ERMELO-Mpumalanga67 Fourie StreetPO Box 1903Ermelo 2350Tel: 017 819 1985 Fax: 017 819 4017E-mail: [email protected]

NEWCASTLE-Kwa-Zulu Natal34 Paterson StreetNewcastlePO Box 27 Newcastle 2940Tel: 034 315 3232 Fax: 086 669 7533E-mail: [email protected]

www.lekwaconsulting.co.za

CESA

SABTACO

Our historyLekwa Consulting Engineers was established in 2002 by two dedicated professional engineers, Kibiti Ntshumaelo and Gert Smit, who seized and developed an entrepreneurial opportunity in the civil engineering industry. Our approach is based on finding synergies with the public and private sector stakeholders, including communities. We believe that through this partnership approach, we could be instrumental in unlocking skills development and job creation initiatives in South Africa. Our office network covers the Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Free State and North West provinces.

What 12 years means to usTwelve years in a sector that is constantly and rapidly advancing is an achievement we are proud of, and we have successfully establishedourselves in the civil engineering consultancy sector. The company has grown progressively over the past 10 years from being a small consultancy to a fully-fledged medium-scale firm. Through our dedication and consistency, we have strived to fulfil our mission and offer our clients:

internationally accepted standards

through networking with specialist partners and associates to provide conventional and turnkey project solutions to our clients

We continue our commitment to offering our clients a professional and unrivalled service. We would like to thank all our clients, stakeholders, suppliers and staff for supporting us through all these years and look forward to continuing the journey with you.

CONSULTING IN THE NEW

SOUTH AFRICA

CESA AON AWARDS 2014

SASOLBuilding communities through partnerships


in the HOT SEAT

“The planned Government infrastructure gives consulting engineering companies

such as Nyeleti an opportunity to develop engineering capacity and capability through

infrastructure provision.” Abe Thela, Vice-chairperson, Nyeleti Consulting

Delivered through strong partnerships, AECOM is proud to be the engineer for the CESA award winning Spring Grove Dam, which augments water supply to five million domestic and industrial users.

www.aecom.com

SUSTAINING FIVE MILLION PEOPLE

PARTNERING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE


32 Cover storySASOL – Building communitiesSasol is committed to making a

meaningful and practical difference to the lives of the people living in the communities in which it operates.

CCover tstory

36 InterviewConsulting in the new South Africa

“South Africa is watched by the rest of Africa. One of the key challenges is that, as much we want to thrive as a developmental state, we have to be very cognisant of capacity.” Lefadi Makibinyane, CEO, CESA

41 CESA Aon Excellence Awards 2014

44 Meet CESA’s Young Engineer of the Year – HHO Africa’s principal engineer Makotsene Makgalemele.

“Always ask, ‘Is what I am doing meaningful?’ If it is, do what you need to do to get it done whether you like it or not.”

Nyeleti ConsultingExpanding as a multidisciplinary consulting engineering leader

IINN TTHHEE THHOOTT SSEEAATT 38CONTENTS


PARTNERS IN INFRASTRUCTURE | COVER STORY

Positive news about mining and labour in the mining sector has been hard to come by recently, but Sasol Mining, a subsidiary of the integrated energy and chemical giant Sasol, has been making a considerable positive impact on the lives of not only its labour force but the communities in the areas in which it operates.

non-employees alike. Lucky Kgatle, vice-pres-

ident: Enterprise and Business Enablement

at Sasol Mining, leads the company's SLP

projects, which comprise infrastructure and

enterprise development, service delivery

support and job creation.

“Although our infrastructure projects do

form part of the SLP, they are primarily

driven by Sasol’s commitment to making a

difference in people’s lives,” says Kgatle.

All mining companies need to have SLPs to

obtain or retain mining licences to operate.

“We have taken great care in how we work

with multiple stakeholders to ensure that we

support projects that make an overarching

difference in the lives of the communities,”

he explains.

The role of the local municipalities, in

the areas in which Sasol Mining operates,

is central to Sasol Mining’s SLP projects,

guiding the company’s selection of projects

and facilitating relevant processes: “Our

projects are aligned with the municipalities’

Integrated Development Plans (IDP), but

also take into account the actual needs of

the communities they serve as a primary

point of reference. It is the communities

who best understand the challenges they

face on a daily basis, and it is they who

are best equipped to guide us and ensure

that what we do is optimally effective,”

explains Kgatle.

Maximising impact – Selecting the projectsKgatle explains that the process of working

with the municipalities and the communities

is done through regular SLP forums. These

forums are formed per municipality and are

made up of Sasol Mining and municipality

teams. They regulate all aspects related to

the implementation of the projects in all

municipal areas.

In addition to the existence of the munici-

pal SLP forums, community liaison officers,

who are paid by Sasol Mining but interface

directly with municipalities, communities

and the project teams on the ground, are

appointed in consultation with municipali-

ties. These community-sourced project offi-

cials are responsible for resolving and esca-

lating all incidents and issues that arise in

the project on a daily basis. They also serve

as public relations officials for the projects.

“I always tell my teams to consider the

multiplier effect when selecting projects.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR has a crucial

role to play in the development

of South Africa’s public infrastruc-

ture. Since 2008, in addition to

its CSR programmes, Sasol Mining has

been working closely with the Department

of Mineral Resources, and the municipali-

ties in which it operates, to identify and

provide life-changing infrastructure to local

communities, as part of its Social and

Labour Plan (SLP) commitments.

True partnershipsSasol Mining is committed to making a

meaningful and practical difference to the

lives of the people living in the communi-

ties in which it operates, positively impact-

ing the lives of both Sasol employees and

LEFT Sasol's SLP sees the company partner with all levels of Government

SASOLBuilding

communities


TWO YEARS LATER, Sasol Mining

has managed to complete more

than ten of these projects. A key

feature of the SLP is that the pro-

jects may have no direct or indirect benefit

to the mining right holder.

“If Sasol were to build a road that might

equally benefit a community as much as

it does our mining operation, it would not

meet the requirements. We have put a lot

of effort into finding the right selection

criteria for these projects,” explains Dr

Sarel Booyens, senior manager: Reserve

Acquisition.

Two footbridges

Two footbridges, with an estimated value of

R1 million, were constructed in Mpumalanga

in 2010, the first of which now enables com-

munity members to safely access the local

community clinic, as the bridge crosses a

path that floods during rainy seasons. The

second footbridge enables the community to

safely cross the Welas River, providing access

to schools, clinics, shopping centres and local

factories. Before this bridge was constructed,

an average of four people drowned each year.

It is estimated that some 32 000 households

will benefit from these footbridges.

Lebohang stormwater drainage projectLebohang is located in Govan Mbeki

Municipality and its lack of stormwater sys-

tems resulted in several tragedies.

“We first designed a Total Stormwater

Drainage Plan, which we then split into

two phases, focusing on the most criti-

cal areas first,” explains Booyens. “It was

also important that whatever we installed,

the municipality would be able to expand

on later. Because of limited resources, we

considered maintenance challenges and,

for that reason, chose to install ‘V’ drains,

which are relatively maintenance free.” The

R1.3 million project has made the commu-

nity of Leandra much safer and created 20

jobs during the construction period. It also

incorporated a skills transfer programme,

including cement handling and drainage sys-

tem assemblage. These skills prepared the

workers for Phase Two.

Charl Cilliers sewerage servicesCharl Cilliers is a town located in the Govan

Mbeki Municipality (GMM) and is largely pro-

visioned with pit latrines and septic tanks,

but no vehicles were available to service the

town. This had resulted in serious health

hazards and had become intolerable to

the inhabitants.

Sasol decided to invest in two sew-

age removal vehicles (honeysuckers) and

engaged Mercedes-Benz to supply and equip

the sewage removal trucks. The trucks were

supplied and assembled locally.

Each truck has a capacity of 10 000 litres

and is equipped to empty pits and septic

tanks, twice a day. This removes around

40 000 litres of sewage sludge per day from

Charl Cilliers and transports it to the Evander


THE PROJECTSIn 2012, Sasol formally announced that

a total investment of R200 million in the

communities of Govan Mbeki Municipality in

Mpumalanga and Metsimaholo Municipality

in the Free State was underway.

The impact must be far reaching while also

meeting the requirements of the SLP.”

Since the start of the implementation of

these projects, an impressive number have

been completed and, as Kgatle explains, the

projects chosen reflect the integrity of Sasol

Mining’s intentions.

“At first glance, these are not all head-

line projects,” he says. “A footbridge, for

example, may not seem like much; it’s not

a massive structure, but the difference it

makes in the lives of the affected community

is substantial.”

Instead of implementing one or two head-

line projects, benefiting just a few communi-

ties, Sasol has rolled out a significant num-

ber of smaller projects, which collectively

have changed the lives of many people.

Jobs, skills and empowermentSasol Mining is also fully behind empower-

ing South African businesses. “We spe-

cifically focus on black-owned companies

when employing consulting engineers and

contractors,” continues Kgatle. “We also

have a minimum requirement of 70 per cent

local labour, and strengthen them through

training programmes.” The idea is to identify

non-skilled workers, train them, and develop

a pool of skilled labour for current and future

projects. “We invite local entrepreneurs to

join our training programmes, particularly

those related to construction, like brick mak-

ing and welding,” explains Kgatle. “Sasol

Mining also has training programmes to

develop portable skills that can be used

outside of the company.” Sasol Mining has

partnered with a training provider and has

broadened its training programmes to look

beyond Sasol Mining’s areas of operations.

Because of the broad spectrum of skills

required on Sasol’s SLP projects, not all the

skills can be sourced locally. “Ultimately,

we want to be sourcing 90 per cent of the

skills locally, so once we start implement-

ing large-scale projects, Sasol Mining will

have the paving specialists and welders on

hand locally.” Sasol is currently planning a

housing project for employees that will entail

some 2 000 homes and attendant infrastruc-

ture and services.

Kgatle reports that feedback from the com-

munities benefiting from the SLP projects is

extremely positive, and Sasol appears to be

hitting the mark.


sewage plant of the GMM. The trucks are

valued at R3.5 million and training was pro-

vided to the operators and drivers.

Repair of the Kinross water reservoirKinross is a small town located 70 km north

of Standerton and falls under the Govan

Mbeki Municipality. “The five-million-litre res-

ervoir was initially built and commissioned

in 2009,” explains Booyens. “Prior to Sasol

Mining’s involvement, it posed several risks,

not least was the fact it was leaking before

it even came into use.”

Sasol conducted a study of the structure of

the reservoir and identified what was caus-

ing the leaks in early 2013. During the repair

process, the water system to the town was

diverted into the Rand Water system. The

total cost of the repair and seal initiative was

R2.8 million.

The Leandra Fire Station

Lebohang, in Leandra, is a large informal

settlement and, due to the lack of fire-

rescue services, was identified by Sasol as

a significant fire risk. Whilst the area had no

way of dealing with veld fires, it was also at

incredibly high risk from domestic and veld

fire accidents.

The R10.2 million project included the

construction of a fully fledged 24-hour opera-

tional fire station instead of the initially

planned low-level fire station. Sasol also

committed to the procurement of a new fire

truck, one light delivery response vehicle

and the required firefighting equipment. The

fire station is located next to the municipal

offices and has direct electricity supply from

Eskom and a back-up generator has also

been installed. Training of firefighters has

also been provided, construction is complet-

ed and the station is expected to become

operational in November 2104.

Upgrade of the Koppies ClinicKoppies is a small town in the Free State

and Sasol Mining realised that the clin-

ic servicing the area was too small and

under-resourced. Operated by the Free State

Provincial Department of Health, the clinic

required more consulting rooms, space for

administrative records, a larger emergency

room and an improved pharmacy to man-

age and store medicine effectively. Sasol

is also solving existing sewage reticulation

and supply problems by installing a 20 000

litre water supply tank. The company is

also paving the area around the clinic,

fencing it off and supplying furniture for the

new extensions.

Now almost complete, the R7 million

upgrade has seen the clinic double in size

and boast fully operational emergency and

maternity sections, and a pharmacy. Serving

around 20 000 households, it provides a

full range of primary health services, includ-

ing maternity, dental, tuberculosis and HIV/

AIDS treatment.

The eMzinoni Clinic

Sasol has also recently upgraded the eMzino-

ni Clinic, in Bethal, Mpumalanga, beyond its

initial project scope to ensure that the clinic

can provide more health-care services, such

as dental care, overnight care, a maternity

ward and rooms for consultation and wound

dressing, as well as social and support ser-

vices, including administration rooms, wait-

ing rooms and a dispensary. Around 23 000

households will benefit from the upgraded,

fully equipped clinic.

“This clinic has been transferred to the

Mpumalanga Provincial Department of

Health, although currently, only some of the

facilities are being used. It is a challenge to

attract professionals to the area, including

doctors and nurses, but the state of the

facility may well change that,” says Booyens.

“We also upgraded the sewerage, water and

electricity infrastructure, and an emergency

water and oxygen supply system has been

installed. Our initial budget for the project

was R7 million, and our total investment was

R11 million,” he concludes.

Nthoroane Road project

Sasol has completed the paving of roads

in Nthoroane Extension near Greylingstad

in the Dipaleseng Municipality. The entire

area was in great need, having only gravel

roads, and this R10 m project also included

the designing of the stormwater drainage.

Before paving could begin, the entire area

had to be levelled and access to properties

had to be factored in.

Sasol also installed a drainage system.

During this project it was ensured that

as many local people as possible were

employed and local procurement was pro-

moted by sourcing goods locally.

eMbalenhle sewerage pipeline projectAlthough the GMM had installed a gravity-

based pipeline in eMbalenhle, the system

became blocked due to the installation of

incorrect pipes. Sasol is installing new,

larger pipes, including feeder lines into the

sewerage works.

Future projectsSasol will continue with the implementation

of community development projects as part

of its SLP, and upcoming project include:

• the upgrade of a wastewater treatment

plant in Nthoroane/Greylingstad

• connection of sewerage reticulation pipe-

lines to the local sewage works in eMzinoni

• Phase Two of the Lebohang/Leandra

stormwater project

• Phase Two of the eMbalenhle

footbridge projects

• a bridge for the Sakhisizwe community

(replacing the current, inadequate bridge)

in a community near Evander

• construction of community centres in Charl

Cilliers and Steenbokpan/Lephalale.

This broad range of projects has been

chosen, designed and implemented to max-

imise impact on the communities in a

sustainable and directly beneficial manner.

The manner in which the company’s SLP is

being executed reflects a commitment to

its communities far beyond any regulatory

requirements. Sasol Mining’s investment

in infrastructure, particularly, is also a

reflection of how well the public and the

private sector can partner each other to

great benefit.

The support and cooperation of all levels of

Government have resulted in demonstrable

improvements in the daily lives of the affect-

ed communities. The benefits are both far

reaching and sustainable and demonstrate

the progressive realisation of a better life for

all South Africans.



QUALITY SERVICES has been

successfully servicing the pet-

rochemical, oil and gas, power,

mining, construction, engineer-

ing and other industries for the past 17

years. During this period the company has

grown from strength to strength and cur-

rently employs more than 30 full-time staff.

Quality Services’ mission is to provide a

superior welding consulting service. Since

obtaining SANAS accreditation in 2011,

the company has been able to provide cli-

ents with confidence in the activities they

undertake, whether for statutory inspection

and testing, welding consulting, third-party

quality assurance or expediting activities on

a variety of projects.

Skills, training and standardsAt Quality Services, the importance of

knowledge sharing by staff is emphasised,

as well as training, skills, social and enter-

prise development. This is evident in the

fact that it has been able to maintain

its Level 1 B-BBEE certification for four

consecutive years.

One of Quality Services' core strengths

is offering valued clients assistance in

aligning and enforcing both regulatory and

client-specific standards and specifications

in fabrication, supply, mining upgrade and

civil contracts. As an added service the

company also assists in the compilation,

implementation and maintenance of quality

management systems in accordance with

ISO 9001, ISO 3834 as well as various

other SANS specifications.

Company owner Gordon Voogt is an active

member of the Association of Inspection

Authorities, South African Institute of

Welding, Installation and Fabrication Plastics

Pipe Association and the Southern African

Quality ServicesPlastic Pipe Manufacturers Association.

Quality Services is thus actively engaged

in the market, contributing to its develop-

ment and ensuring it remains current with

best practices.

Quality Services also services the non-

metallic sector with its valuable input in the

non-metallic (HDPE) welding field by assist-

ing clients in ensuring compliance to the vari-

ous SANS, ISO and SABS standards during

supply, fabrication and installation of HDPE

piping and other plastic components.

www.qservices.co.za

PARTNERS IN INFRASTRUCTURE | COMPANY PROFILE

GM Voogt cc t/a Goovveernmment Appprovvedd Inspeectionn AAuuthoriityDDeparrtment of LLabbour AIA PEERR 0075

DDDeparrtment oof MMinerals RResouurccees 44Depaartttmentt of Labbourr In-Service PEERR 0000022 INS

SANAASSS Accrredited Insppecction BBody, NNo.. LVUUP080

Services Offered on Metallic & Non-Metallic Equipment:

Gordon Voogt a proud member of: IFPA, SAPPMA, AIA & SAIW


PARTNERS IN INFRASTRUCTURE | CONSULTING

CONSULTING ENGINEERS are the

keystone to all infrastructure pro-

jects and play an increasingly

important role from conception

to commissioning. CESA is the representa-

tive body for all consulting engineers in

South Africa, with a reach into the SADC

and beyond.

Development and capacity “South Africa is watched by the rest of Africa.

One of the key challenges is that, as much

we want to thrive as a developmental state,

we have to be very cognisant of capacity.

You can’t really classify yourself as a devel-

opmental state if you have a glaring lack of

capacity. It is time that Government acknowl-

edges South Africa has a very strong engi-

neering fraternity, with formidable strength

and experience. The roll-out of infrastructure

for the FIFA World Cup proved this, as does

our world-class functional infrastructure. The

Gautrain, the freeway systems; these are not

just examples of excellent infrastructure but

of innovations as well.

“So the proof is clearly visible: South Africa

is capable of producing highly sophisticated

infrastructure. We are not that challenged

concerning capacity. The way engineering

services are procured is now the prime chal-

lenge. This is CESA’s position and it is what

we are working on with Government to find a

solution. We need to change the legislation

around procurement of professional consult-

ing engineering services and all other built

environment professionals.

Positive transformation“The context of the problems today obviously

harks back to the past and the remedies

per se, whilst not flawed, were ill-advised.

Transformation – especially economic – is

a given key necessity. All CESA member

firms are embracing transformation but the

drive towards economic transformation has

been flawed, largely by generalising the way

engineering services procurement is done.

I think the fatal flaw lies in the Preferential

Procurement Framework Management Act.

A profession is a quality-based offering;

for professional services to be effective

they need to be based on the foundation

of quality.

Quality, competence and price“Qualifications and competence really are

the primary factors. Historical impediments

notwithstanding, if you are going to call

yourself a consulting engineer, certain profes-

sional standards and qualifications are non-

negotiable. As it stands, the pre-qualifications

are price and BBBEE. The BBBEE element is

actually very small – only 10%. The remaining

90% is simply price – and when you view a

professional service purely through price, you

commoditise it. Let me be clear: professional

services are not a commodity.

The fundamental role of consulting engineers“You have to look carefully at the value

offering of public engineering. Consulting

engineering stands at the very foundation

of any project. Innovative solutions that are

overarching and sensitive to the long-term

issue of cost are based on multiple factors

and take more time. In an environment of

price against all odds, you compromise. We

need a solution to this urgently.

“The fees charged by consulting engineers

are around one or two per cent of the project

cost. This is a global figure and a drop in the

ocean, so why should the emphasis be on

trying to undercut competitors? Undercutting

directly impacts the overall quality of a pro-

ject. There are additional irrationalities to

the whole process: bidders are not allowed

the opportunity to present to tender commit-

tees and unpack their proposals, missing

opportunities for potential innovations.

“Aside from missing out on innovations,

those involved at the tender process are

denied the opportunity to learn more about

infrastructure development. This is very

negative for development; one could say

it is anti-development. Simply reading bids

off a piece of paper without finding out the

reasoning behind certain elements of a

Consulting in the new South Africa

Over the last couple of years, Consulting

Engineers South Africa has engaged with Government,

seeking to support and aid the public sector to fulfil its

challenging mandate. CESA’s CEO,

Lefadi Makibinyane, sat down with

Nicholas McDiarmid, providing insight

into the organisation and its increasingly

important role.

“The way engineering services are procured

is now the number one challenge.”


PARTNERS IN INFRASTRUCTURE | CONSULTING

bid is highly limiting and disempowering to

all parties.

The consequences of under-cutting“The utilisation of our member firms in South

Africa is 91 per cent. This shows that there is

work and there is development. The problem,

again, is in the details. Companies have to

undercut each other, abandoning training

programmes and the like. Youth programmes

are crucial and these costs need to be fac-

tored into pricing.

“Our work is foundational, and should not

be constricted. ECSA provides pricing guide-

lines – if we simply stick to those, it will

prove a major improvement for the industry. To summarise, if we

put quality as the first criterion, followed by BBBEE and then price,

guided by ECSA, we have a solution.

Inclusive growth“The presidential business bilateral, Inclusive Growth, is an initia-

tive launched by President Zuma in early 2013. The President’s

goal in this is aligned to the National Development Plan (NDP) of

which the Strategic Infrastructure Plans are central. He wanted to

draw closer to the business sector, being aware that the technical

and financial ability of the government to implement the plan is

very limited. This showed foresight, as both the skills and finances

of the private sector will need to be co-opted to deliver on the

NPD. If you unpack the economic infrastructure and follow the

Public Private Partnership model, you can really start attracting the

private sector towards public infrastructure investment, and thus

accelerate the roll-out of the infrastructure components of the NDP.

“There are a couple of working groups that have developed

from these meetings and they are working between the relevant

Government departments. This is what is going to influence policy

and regulatory development. CESA is playing a significant role

on the Infrastructure Task Team and the President has taken

cognisance of the need for inclusivity at all levels. He realises the

need to provide confidence in government policy to ensure invest-

ment, and the need to work with private sector investors to gain

their confidence.

“At our last meeting, on 6 August 2013, President Zuma said he

is really looking for solutions. We are facing challenges and it is

important that business also suggests solutions. The key objective

of Inclusive Growth is to advance solutions from both the private

and public sectors, ensuring that, when key policies or regulations

are amended, business’s input is included.

Looking ahead, looking beyond“Twenty years into democracy, it is time to look beyond race. A

professional meets the same standards, irrespective of race, and

our national imperatives really would be better served from a place

of inclusivity. The national interest is a shared one and we need

to rally behind South Africa with a humble acknowledgement of the

past and a vision of an inclusive future. Though much work has

been done, we would like to call for more Government/business

bilaterals to keep the momentum going.

The appointment of Pravin Gordhan as head

of Cooperative Governance and Traditional

Affairs is the most visionary one. If anyone

can clean up local government, where the

majority of infrastructure development hap-

pens, it is he. He understands the fiscal

limitations of the country and what munici-

palities need, and we look forward to some

meaningful transformations.

South Africa in Africa“As CESA, we promote the trading of our

services across the continent. We developed

the Built Environment Professional Export

Council (BEPEC) – now under the auspices

of the Department of Trade and Industry

and charged with establishing support structu res to assist our

member firms to work in other countries. Consulting engineering

firms are often small entities, but capable of establishing large

developments and, to do this, they need assistance. So, we call on

Government to sustain its support of BEPAC to promote the export

of professional services and thus facilitate the integration of our

member firms into the rest of Africa.

“The point of building a stronger presence for our member firms in

Africa is in support of South Africa itself. Stronger neighbours mean

stronger trading partners and stronger economic communities.”

CONSULTING ENGINEERS SOUTH AFRICACESA is the ‘Voice of Consulting Engineering in South Africa’. The organisation represents, for its members, a body that promotes their joint interests and, because of its standing, provides quality assurance for clients. Over 500 firms employing just over 23 300 staff, who collectively earn a total fee income of almost R19 billion per annum, are members of CESA. CESA is committed to the key principles of sustainability and sees the promotion of engineering excellence as vital.


THE COMPANY recently

open a branch in

KwaZulu-Natal to

establish Nyeleti as

the consultancy of choice in the

region. Nyeleti intends to build

a local office with specialists

that can respond to the specific

needs of KwaZulu-Natal.

Abe Thela, Vice-chairpersonWhat drives Nyeleti’s

commitment to meeting South Africa’s infrastructure development needs? We see infrastructure

development as being more

about improving the quality of

life of people and enhancing

their economic prospects. The

National Development Plan and

previous government policies

acknowledged this fact and

have placed infrastructure

development at the centre of

the country’s socio-economic

development. Employing a

staff compliment of 110,

Nyeleti contributes directly to

job creation for its employees

and the well-being of their

families. We have also seen

the living conditions of many

communities improve through

infrastructure we have designed

such as water, sanitation and

access roads. We are also

driven by technical excellence

in engineering solutions to

complex infrastructure projects

such as bridges, dams and

power stations.

Noting the complexities of the South African infrastructure environment, what is the most important contribution Nyeleti is striving to make? The planned government

infrastructure gives consulting

engineering companies such

as Nyeleti an opportunity to

develop engineering capacity

and capability through

infrastructure provision.

Since its inception Nyeleti

has trained a number of

young technical staff,

mostly from disenfranchised

backgrounds, some of whom

now run successful consulting

engineering businesses and

some occupy senior technical

positions in Government.

Over and above empowering

individuals, we help to create

the much-needed capacity in

both the private and public

sector. We need an informed

client, not only to ensure

proper implementation

of infrastructure projects

but also to ensure the

appropriate maintenance of

such infrastructure. We will

continue to create this capacity

and also mentor smaller

consulting engineering firms

through our small enterprise

development programme.

How has Nyeleti needed to adjust its view of the traditional role of consulting engineers in order to make its contribution? Traditionally

appointments of consulting

engineers were made through

established client panels and

rosters. With the introduction of

competitive bidding, we had to

look at making our operations

more efficient and also look

at innovative approaches to

the design of infrastructure

projects. We have invested

in a number of innovations

that make our company

more competitive.

How has Nyeleti engaged with Government in terms of finding solutions to the country’s challenges? Nyeleti is a member of a

number of industry business

organisations such as CESA

and South African Black

Technical and Allied Careers

Organisation (SABTACO) who

deal with the business-related

issues of our sector. As I am

the current president of CESA,

the company contributes to

discussions and lobbying with

Government towards finding

solutions to business-related

challenges in our sector. We

also participate in a number of

technical and learned societies

such as SAICE where we

provide the current president,

Stanford Mkhacane, and deputy

president, Sundran Naicker,

from our own ranks. Some of

these organisations are in the

forefront of finding technical

solutions which are sustainable

and suit the local South

African conditions.

How does Nyeleti ensure that its principles and focus is understood and implemented throughout the company? Our

management structure includes

all heads of department who

ensure that management

decisions and the company’s

principles and focus are

understood and implemented.

We also hold regular weekly

discussions on various aspects

of the company principles, as

well as on external issues that

have an impact on the company

and on individual employees.

Stan Mkhacane, ChairpersonWhat are the

key guiding principles employed by Nyeleti in its approach to project design and roll-out? In

line with our commitment and

aspirations to always add

value in whatever we do, our

Nyeleti Consulting

Engineered to excelNyeleti Consulting, a firm of consulting engineers, was formed in August 1999. Fitting to the company’s slogan, ‘Engineered to excel’, Nyeleti won the award for business excellence at this year’s CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards.

PARTNERS IN INFRASTRUCTURE | HOT SEAT



guiding principles are rooted

around ensuring that we deliver

excellent value in each project

we get an opportunity to be

involved in. It is essential

that we correctly understand

and interpret the needs of

our clients for successful

project design and roll-out.

The accurate definition of a

project is a very important

stage; it is the foundation

towards an acceptable and

effective solution that we can

present to the client and the

end users. We spend adequate

time and resources for this

stage in order to ensure that

we have evaluated all potential

alternatives prior to engineering

design work. As consulting

engineers, we have to close

the gap between the client’s

wishes and needs, and the final

infrastructure that is provided

to the end-user community, by

proposing a solution that will

answer to the real needs of the

community without imposing

constraints, negative impacts

and challenges during the

operation and maintenance of

the project.

How does the company cater to the demands of project delivery in the context of job creation, skills transfer, community development and training? South

Africa is reeling with

huge unemployment. The

construction industry has an

enormous potential to create

jobs which would contribute

tremendously towards stemming

unemployment. In response to

the dire need to create jobs,

Nyeleti Consulting always

looks at the optimisation of

labour intensive construction

elements inherent in the design,

construction and operation

and maintenance functions in

service delivery. The question of

skills transfer also forms part

of the design process, where

young engineering professionals

in our employment are sent for

training at courses presented

mainly by SAICE and CESA, and

are involved throughout the

project cycle – in design and

construction supervision.

We believe that the projects

we implement in communi-

ties should be used to impart

knowledge about civil engi-

neering, in order to create the

understanding of its impor-

tance and thereby enhance

ownership by communities.

Ownership of infrastructure by

communities could go a long

way in preserving these very

important economic invest-

ments in our country – we

could aim at minimising the

destruction of infrastructure

when communities demon-

strate to register their unhap-

piness. There is no wisdom

in burning a school or a clinic

when you want better water

supply. We believe that if ben-

eficiary communities correctly

understand the value of the

infrastructure that Government

provides, these insensible

actions would not happen. We

also look at opportunities to

identify learners from local

communities who we send to

university for civil engineering.

What is the most important characteristic you look for in an engineer? I believe

that engineering – and civil

engineering in particular –

is a noble profession. We

normally talk of a calling in the

theological profession, but I

believe that civil engineering

is also a calling. An engineer

should be dedicated and

motivated to providing a service

in such a manner that money

should not be the main and

foremost objective.

Some of the characteristics

that define an engineer are:

• being a problem solver

• originality and independence

of thought

• an ability to think out of

the box

• being a good listener and

being sensitive to issues

• level-headedness

• being a smart worker.

What role does mentoring play in Nyeleti? The process of

mentoring consists of taking

a young graduate through a

well-defined path in his or her

early professional life, in order

to produce a well-balanced

engineering professional at

the end of a period – normally

the first three to five years

after graduation. In our

case, we aim to have these

individuals be able to be

registered as professionals

by ECSA. Nyeleti Consulting

has a programme where all

civil engineering graduates are

allocated to mentors – who

are registered civil engineering

professionals – to support

them in their development over

this period. These mentors

ensure that each mentee

develops a programme that

forms a guideline for training.

Each engineering graduate

is located in a department

in the company. Importantly,

however, we also provide them

with opportunities for rotating

to different departments over

time. The senior members in

the company conduct regular

talks on subjects that are

of interest to the mentees

towards their registration.

These subjects could range

from issues relating to ECSA

requirements, CESA, SAICE,

OHS and many others.

What do you identify as the lasting legacy Nyeleti is seeking to create? We want to create positive

impressions with our clients,

beneficiary communities or end

users, as well as the general

public who see and experience

or learn about our services. We

strive to be real consultants –

the Afrikaans version articulates

this better: to be raadgewende

ingeneurs – someone who gives

professional advice. We also

strive to put the profession first

in all that we do, everywhere.

Sundran Naicker, Director, KwaZulu-Natal office

In establishing the KwaZulu-Natal office, what impact do you think Nyeleti’s presence will have on the infra-structure sector in that province? Being a proudly

South African brand, Nyeleti will

broaden the skills base within

the province, showcasing its

technical and empowerment

achievements. The endeavour

is ultimately aimed at the

social and socio-economic

development of the broader

KwaZulu-Natal community.

Considering its company culture, values and objectives, what is the most important thing that future clients in KwaZulu-Natal should know about the company? Nyeleti is

a solution-based enterprise

focused on value engineering.

Clients will experience innovation

and technical excellence.

Nyeleti’s approach is to engage

with clients at the highest level.

What particular technical and professional services will the KwaZulu-Natal office be offering? The local office

will offer the full scope of

professional civil engineering

services with further support

provided from our head office.

The vision is to provide clients

with a hands-on approach

that will allow them to call on

Nyeleti’s services.



What mechanisms are you employing to establish the Nyeleti ethos in the KwaZulu-Natal office? Nyeleti’s ethos

in KwaZulu-Natal is reinforced

through its people. We will

expand on this by employing

staff that share in the value

system Nyeleti has cultivated

since its inception.

What is the long-term vision for the KwaZulu-Natal office? The long-

term vision for the office is

to establish our company as

the consultancy of choice in

the region. We intend to build

a local office which will have

specialists that will respond

to the specific needs of

KwaZulu-Natal.

Vishal Krishandutt, Office Manager, KwaZulu-Natal office

From a technical perspective, what systems is the KwaZulu-Natal office deploying and how do they interact company-wide? At Nyeleti,

we use advanced technology to

operate our network, computers,

servers and IT-related

equipment and all existing

offices are connected by a

virtual private network managed

and controlled at the Tshwane

office. The KwaZulu-Natal office

will be connected to this network

and this will allow staff at our

office to do a daily backup of

all data onto the system. This

system allows for controlled

access of design data, which

can be accessed by authorised

members of staff to scrutinise

designs and drawings.

At present Nyeleti is recog-

nised as an industry leader in

3D design, and the KwaZulu-

Natal office will be no differ-

ent. In terms of the municipal

infrastructure, which Nyeleti

is also very strong at, the

KwaZulu-Natal office will also

be using PCSWMM hydraulic

modelling software as well

as HEC RAS stream and river

analysis software, in addition

to WaterMate and ModelMaker,

which is already being used

company-wide. This creates

uniformity, as well as allowing

us to conform to our ISO 9001

quality and assurance stand-

ards – which is the backbone

of Nyeleti.

What have the challenges been in establishing the office? One of the main

challenges was creating the

awareness that there is a new

consultant in the KwaZulu-Natal

market and that we were going

to make our presence very

much felt. Nyeleti’s brand is

very well known in the Gauteng

and Limpopo region, and the

majority of the work has been

done in these areas. The

challenge is that the majority

of the clients in KwaZulu-Natal

and local public entities expect

consultants to have done a lot

of work in KwaZulu-Natal, and it

is now my task to ensure them

that my staff and I can provide

the service that they require

as we are very familiar with the

local conditions and culture and

that collectively we have done a

considerable amount of work in

KwaZulu-Natal. It is also worth

mentioning that we are a proudly

South African company with an

excellent track record and with

some of the best engineering

practitioners in the country.

How have you gone about translating the company culture to the Durban office? Nyeleti

Consulting has a strong

organisational culture. It has

a culture of inclusion as well

as friendliness, friendship and

pride. The CEO encourages staff

to perform at their best and to

quote him from a recent Nyeleti

eMagazine, “Nyeleti’s biggest

asset is its staff, no, Nyeleti is

its staff” shows the confidence

and faith senior management

has in its staff. I would also

like to transfer this ethos to the

KwaZulu-Natal office to ensure

that employees know that they

make a difference at Nyeleti,

and that their contribution to

the success of the company

is paramount and will be

highly recognised.

What advantages do you believe Nyeleti Consulting has to offer the KwaZulu-Natal community? Nyeleti’s

strategies are not based purely

on international requirements

and demands, it is focused on

Southern African needs using

international standards. This

is a distinct advantage, as

difficult decisions can be made

timeously by people who are

familiar with our African culture

and heritage. KwaZulu-Natal is

steeped in history and culture

and who better to understand

this and react to this more

profoundly than local people?

Locally based management

can significantly reduce the

turnaround time for feedback

and productivity than those who

are hindered by decision-making

management sitting in far

reaches of the world. The quality

of work at Nyeleti is continuously

improving and this is directly

linked to capacity building in

all facets of projects from the

development and training of

design staff to mentoring and

training of site staff as well

as improving the knowledge

of construction personnel with

regards to efficient construction

techniques and occupational

health and safety. Nyeleti is

creating a footprint in KwaZulu-

Natal, not only because it

makes good business sense,

but also to add value to projects

undertaken to improve the

quality of lives of the millions

of people who live in KwaZulu-

Natal. As a company, we have

a proud history of developing

communities as well as skills

transfer, and this will continue in

KwaZulu-Natal.

With its strong culture of employee empowerment, mentoring and training, what can employees expect from the company? I am proud to

say that from our ‘Mentoring

Company of the Year' award

received at the recent CESA

2014 Awards function, Nyeleti

is an industry leader in

empowering, mentoring and

training its employees. The

contributions Nyeleti makes

to these programmes far

exceeds the minimum B BBEE

requirements and the KwaZulu-

Natal branch is no different.

It has 100% black employees

and with regard to enterprise

d evelopment, the KwaZulu-Natal

office’s enterprise development

partner is also 100% black-

owned and staffed. Employees

can expect to reap the rewards

of excellent mentoring for

professional registration with

ECSA and they will also be

able to further their studies to

complete their qualifications as

well as take on postgraduate

studies if the time permits

and when the need arises.

Employees will also be able to

attend accredited courses in

order to further expand their

knowledge and also qualify

for CPD points in order to

maintain their ECSA registration.

I firmly believe that a strong

and knowledgeable staff

complement translates into a

productive and efficient office

that is also profitable.

www.nyeleti.co.za


PARTNERS IN INFRASTRUCTURE | CONSULTING ENGINEERING AWARDS

CONSULTING ENGINEERS SOUTH

AFRICA recently hosted its annual

CESA Aon Engineering Excellence

Awards. The awards focus on con-

sulting engineers and their clients who partici-

pate in, or initiate, projects that promote the

advancement of the nation and the continent.

Consulting engineers are key“We too have a good story to tell,” Abe

Thela, CESA President, told those present

at the awards. Government has identified

infrastructure development as key to the

socio-economic development of the country

and there is no denying that consulting engi-

neers are at the forefront of this. Adequate

infrastructure is one of the areas crucial to

encouraging investment. With Government’s

plan to grow the economy and triple GDP by

2030, the consulting engineering industry

has a significant role to play through infra-

structure provision.

Minster of Water and Sanitation Nomvula

Mokonyane attended the event and appealed

to the consulting engineering community to

help Government deliver quality projects

within the specified time frame.

“I believe there are good men and women

[here] that can change the landscape of our

country,” said Mokonyane.

She added that consulting engineers

need to be game changers, providing skills

and making a serious commitment to

finding solutions.

Mokonyane also emphasised the need for

a 10-year plan on infrastructure, as opposed

to the short-term plans currently in place.

The winners

Projects with a value in excess of R250 million Nominees: AECOM | GIBB | Zithole Consulting

| Hatch Goba | Ingérop South Africa

Commendations: AECOM – Komati Water

Supply Augmentation Scheme | GIBB –

Kalagadi Manganese railway siding project

Winner: AECOM – Spring Grove Dam and

appurtenant works for the Trans-Caledon

Tunnel Authority

Projects with a value of between R50 and R250 millionNominees: Aurecon | Bosch Stemele |

GIBB | HHO Africa | Jeffares & Green |

Nyeleti Consulting

Commendations: Jeffares & Green –

Electron Road Waste Management

Facility | Aurecon – Grundfos office and

warehouse

Winner: Aurecon – Malmesbury Wastewater

Treatment Works

Projects with a value of less than R50 millionNominees: AECOM, GIBB,

Rewarding engineering excellence

CESA hosts its annual awards as a platform to showcase the outstanding achievements of its member firms.

CESA AON AWARDS



PROJECTS WITH A VALUE IN EXCESS OF R250 MILLION: AECOM

PROJECTS WITH A VALUE OF LESS THAN R50 MILLION: AURECON

Aganang Consulting Engineers joint

venture | Aurecon | GIBB |

Royal HaskoningDHV | Hatch Goba |

SMEC | UWP Consulting |

Zithole Consulting

Commendations: GIBB – Facter ton

informal sector electrification project |

SMEC – Isando pedestrian bridge

Winner: Aurecon – KwaMashu Interchange

upgrade

Best international projectNominees: Jeffares & Green | UWP

Consulting | WSP

Winner: Jeffares & Green – Lowlands

Waterworks joint venture for the Metolong

Dam pedestrian bridge

Business excellenceNominees: GIBB | Nyeleti Consulting

Commendation: GIBB

Winner: Nyeleti Consulting

Visionary client of the yearWinner: Department of Water and

Sanitation – Policy and Regulations

Directorate

Mentoring company of the yearNominees: Hatch Goba |

Nyeleti Consulting

Winner: Nyeleti Consulting

Young engineer of the yearNominees: Pavanya Pillay – GIBB | Noqobo

Bongoza – Hatch Goba | Makotsene

Makgalemele – HHO Africa | Cobus van

Dyk – UWP Consulting | Teboho Mofokeng

– Aurecon | Effor t Mokoena – SMEC |

Meethan Gokool –

Bosch Holdings

Commendations:

Cobus van Dyk – UWP

Consulting | Teboho

Mofokeng – Aurecon

Winner: Makotsene

Makgalemele

– HHO Africa

Mentor of the yearNominations: Johann van der Westhuizen

– Hatch Goba | Vernon Joubert – GIBB |

Zulch Lötter – UWP

Winner: Vernon Joubert – GIBB

Job shadow initiative of the yearRunners up: Royal HaskoningDHV | GIBB

Winner: IHSO Consulting

CESA branch of the yearWinner: KwaZulu-Natal

Publisher of the year – tradeWinner: Creamer Media

Publisher of the year – daily newspapersWinner: Independent Newspapers

“I believe there are good men and women [here] that can change the landscape of our country.” Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane



PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR – DAILY NEWSPAPERS: INDEPENDANT NEWSPAPERS

PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR – TRADE PUBLICATIONS: CREAMER MEDIA

VISIONARY CLIENT OF THE YEAR:DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION – POLICY AND REGULATIONS DIRECTORATE

BEST INTERNATIONAL PROJECT: NYELETI CONSULTING

MENTORING COMPANY OF THE YEAR: NYELETI CONSULTING

YOUNG ENGINEER OF THE YEAR: MAKOTSENE MAKGALEMELE – HHO AFRICA

MENTOR OF THE YEAR: VERNON JOUBERT – GIBB

JOB SHADOW INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR: IHSO CONSULTING


PARTNERS IN INFRASTRUCTURE | PROFILE

MAKOTSENE WAS a bursary

student of HHO Africa and

began her career at the com-

pany’s Cape Town branch in

the transport division. “It’s definitely right up

my alley, it gave me such good exposure at a

very junior level,” she says.

She believes the work that she has done

for her age, the responsibility that she carries

and the faith of her colleagues at HHO Africa

are what made her stand out above other

candidates for the CESA Young Engineer of

the Year Award.

Makotsene’s first project was working on

the feeder system and conceptual design

of the MyCiti IRT between Cape Town and

Atlantis. She believes this project helped

her understand how her work directly affects

people and that engineering is more than just

a technical science.

The project that won her the award was the

rehabilitation of Newclare Road for the JDA.

Makotsene took the project from inception

to completion and acted as the resident

engineer on-site.

Winning the awardMakotsene was nominated for the award by

HHO Africa’s operations manager Don Hugo.

Makotsene explains that it was an honour

from her mentor, to feel she was worthy of

being nominated. “It meant validation, that

my company believes in me and what I do,”

she says.

“It was quite exciting and humbling to be

seen competitively with the other nominees,

because some of them were my tutors at

university and some have their masters and

PhDs, and I don’t even have my masters yet.”

Makotsene says being named the Young

Engineer of the Year has given her a sense

of confidence that doing your job really well

and doing what you believe in can make a

big difference in its own way. “Qualifications

are important, but they’re not the only thing

that makes you an outstanding citizen of the

industry,” she says.

“Potential is truly fruitful when it is applied.

Apply yourself and you will always grow.”

Volunteering and youth developmentMakotsene is passionate about youth devel-

opment and is very active in voluntary organi-

sations such as SAICE, ECSA and CESA. She

formed the CESA YPF in Johannesburg and

was involved in the formation of the Cape

Town YPF.

“I’ve got a lot of interests in the engineer-

ing industry that are beyond the technical

role of engineers. I work with a lot with

students. Most of the work I do is oriented

at positioning the youth in viable positions,”

she explains.

“Mentoring is a very big part of our indus-

try. I’ve always received great mentorship

and that mentorship has been critical in

my career.”

Making a meaningful contribution“Always ask, ‘Is what I am doing meaning-

ful?’ If it is, do what you need to do to get

it done, whether you like it or not.” This is

how Makotsene describes her stance on

engineering. “I don’t believe in doing things

that don’t add value,” she says.

Makotsene doesn’t see herself as a ‘green

finger’, but argues that sustainability has

to work economically, environmentally and

socially. For Makotsene, a key question is,

“are we producing the right people in the

right places?”

The future of the industry“I honestly hope that the future of consulting

engineering is that we are more in tune with

the political, economical and social land-

scape of the country. I think, as an industry,

we’re integral, yet we’re so removed from

those things,” Makotsene emphasises.

“The consulting engineer is meant to pro-

vide a broader input to his environment.

I’d like that we have more engineers in

Government acting politically. I think 99%

of the time, if someone were sitting with a

decision maker who was also an engineer,

some of the projects we have seen go wrong

wouldn’t have gone wrong, because they

understand the industry,” she explains.

She would also like to see consulting engi-

neers become more involved in their direct

community. “I’d like to see us get down

to grass-roots level and make changes in

municipalities that we believe in personally.

Goals for the future“I do see engineering as more than just a job.

I see it as being as essential as doctors,”

says Makotsene. “I think the position of the

industry at the moment creates the need for

individual engineers to start filling in roles

that are community-based and who can deal

with community-related issues without there

having to be a long ladder of communication.”

Makotsene hopes to one day become a

community-based resident engineer and aims

to get her master’s degree next year with a

focus on data capturing.

www.hho.co.za

Meet CESA’s

Young Engineer of the YearMakotsene Makgalemele, principal engineer at HHO Africa, has been named CESA’s Young Engineer of the Year.


ACCORDING ECONOMIST JP

Landman, South Africa’s current

investment level in infrastructure,

as a percentage of GDP, is already

much higher than most developing nations

and is just short of China’s 8%. Standing at

7.4%, we are back to the levels we saw just

prior to the FIFA World Cup. With numbers

like these, and public sector professionals

like Pravin Gordhan, Lindiwe Sisulu and

Nomvula Mokonyane, we may be on the

verge of another growth spurt.

Maladministration, corruption, tender

fraud, incompetence, skills shortage and

policy stagnation; these are the words we

hear whenever the subject of municipal deliv-

ery and administration is discussed. There

are instances where all of the above apply

and the recent dissolution of the Ngaka

Modiri Molema District Municipality in the

North West is one such example. However,

the situation is far more nuanced and suc-

cessful interventions require a deeper under-

standing of the problems.

In theory, levers such as the Municipal

Finance Management Act (MFMA) and the

Municipal Systems Act (MSA) should weed

out the problems, and help identify what skill

sets are needed to fix them. Other than in

cases of gross mismanagement and criminal

behaviour, these problems did not develop in

isolation or overnight. The perspective that a

once-working system has been broken is fal-

lacious. Since 1994, local government has

been revolutionised to attempt to deliver on

their constitutional mandate of delivery to

all. The technology revolution experienced

since then has created a completely dif-

ferent set of opportunities and challenges.

The question is whether or not the existing

regulatory and policy levers take advantage

of this.

Pravin Gordhan – experience and disciplineThe Department of Cooperative Governance

and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) is in charge

of developing national policies and leg-

islation with regard to provinces, munici-

palities and local government. It is also

responsible for overseeing the traditional

leadership of South Africa’s indigenous

communities. The appointment of former

Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan as

CoGTA minister was seen by some as a

step down for Gordhan, but several leading

economists consider Gordhan’s experience

and discipline is exactly what is needed.

Gordhan aims to professionalise local

government and tackle political par ty

structures that compromise efficient ser-

vice delivery by employing unqualified or

incompetent people.

“The first thing we need is the support

mechanism to get off the ground. Where

the law is being defied either in Government

terms, financial terms or delivery terms,

then the appropriate action is required,”

says Minister Gordhan.

He says his department will support

municipalities and build their capabilities

to enable them to deliver. He also outlines

that one of the objectives within the National

Development Plan is to reduce the cost of

living for South Africans.

Working for citizens“A very high percentage of our people’s

disposable incomes are spent on transport

and a very large percentage of time is spent

on travelling to and from work. Over the next

five to ten years, restructuring our environ-

ment in cities, towns and villages is going

to be a key area that we look into,” Minister

Gordhan adds. “We need to collaborate with

organised local government to ensure that

there’s stability, and that people’s lives are

improved on a systematic basis.

“This is about ensuring that the rights

of ordinary South Africans that are in the

Bill of Rights are enjoyed by all, whether

it is access to water, housing or a safe

environment. None of these are going to be

achieved overnight because we are still a

young democracy,” says Minister Gordhan.

Minister Gordhan has emphasised that

for municipalities to be effective, CoGTA will

work and monitor them closely to institution-

alise systems that will ensure that they:

All systems goKey post-election appointments earlier this year reflect a new commitment to delivery from Government. In this new regular feature, Nicholas McDiarmid examines the development of public/private cooperation in infrastructure development.

GOVERNMENT VOICE


Personal Date of Birth: 12 April 1949Marital status: Married with two children

Positions• Member of Parliament

from 1994 until 1998• Chairperson of

the Constitutional Committee in Parliament from 1996

• Deputy Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service from March 1998

• Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service from November 1999

• Minister of Finance of the Republic of South Africa from 11 May 2009 to 23 May 2014

Academic Qualifications• Bachelor of Pharmacy

from the University of Durban Westville (1973)

Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities • Became involved in poli-

tics during the late 1960s• Organised and led the

student movement and civic structures during the 1970s and 1980s

• Took part in the Natal Indian Congress call to boycott elections in the 1980s

• Detained three times by the apartheid government

• Spent four years in underground structures

• Was also involved in the South African Communist Party and African National Congress

• Worked as a pharmacist at the King Edward VII hospital in Durban until he was expelled after his detention by the police (1974 to 1981)

• Participated in the multiparty talks at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) (1990)

• Co-chairperson of the Transitional Executive Council that prepared the country for the 1994 elections (1991 to 1994)

• Played a role in draft-ing the White Paper on

Local Government, which laid the founda-tion for developing local government authorities

• Chairperson of the Constitutional Committee in Parliament, which had oversight over the imple-mentation of the new constitution, a dopted in 1996

• Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) until July 2006

• Chairperson of the Forum on Tax Administration (FTA) within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) from 2008

Awards/Presentations/Bursaries• Doctorate of Commerce

honoris causa from University of South Africa (May 2007)

• Doctorate of Law honoris causa from the University of Cape Town (June 2007)

• DTech: Business Administration from the Free State Central University of Technology (March 2009)

• provide and deliver a basket of services

to citizens

• implement governance structures, with

relevant committees, that meet and func-

tion properly and provide transparency

and accountability

• lead administration systems staffed by com-

petent individuals who are suitably qualified

• put financial management systems with

the necessary controls that are supported

by cash-backed budgets, municipalities will

also be monitored to ensure that wasteful

expenditure is cut and that procurement

processes are properly implemented

• implement post-audit action plans in order

to clear out findings and matters that have

been raised in their audits. They need to

take decisive action to deal with instances

of fraud and corruption.

These interventions will lower service deliv-

ery protests and speed up service delivery.

Value and integrity in the public sectorMinister Gordhan recently issued a call to

establish an Advisory Committee of Eminent

Persons, drawn from various sectors –

including civil society – to advise him on

issues arising in the procurement system

within local government, as well as on how

to increase integrity and the value system in

this sphere of the public sector.

Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA)

has voiced explicit support for such a body,

noting that this aligns with its own call for

the establishment of a Chapter 9 institution

for the construction industry. “For years now,

we have been calling for a total overhaul of

the current procurement regime, which has

relegated the duty of consulting engineers

from that of the trusted adviser to clients, to

a situation where engineers have to tender

for work. Hence, we are ready to partner

with CoGTA in its quest to create an Advisory

Committee of Eminent Persons,” says CESA

CEO Lefadi Makibinyane.

Transparency and National TreasuryThe municipal audits conducted by the

Auditor-General have shown over many years

that financial management falls short of

requirements. This has been severely com-

pounded by the exodus of technical skills

and engineering expertise from municipali-

ties since 1994, to the point where very

MEET THE MINISTER: PRAVIN JAMNADAS GORDHAN

GOVERNMENT VOICE


few professional engineers are employed within the municipal

sector. Approximately 70% of the country’s municipalities do not

count even a single engineer among its staff. “CESA is commit-

ted to assisting municipalities in addressing this problem in the

short term through the employment of its member firms and in

the long term through the training and mentoring of municipal

technical staff.”

CoGTA will work closely with the National Treasury and the

Auditor-General to improve its audits and ensure that performance

improves. Minister Gordhan has committed CoGTA to establishing

systems to enable the ministry to monitor the performance of

every municipality on a day-to-day basis, providing a high degree of

transparency and accountability to citizens.

Private sector support Makibinyane adds that with regard to the Minister’s views on

economic development, such as the Community Work Programme

and the development of local economics, CESA believes that its

member firms – being responsible for infrastructure planning and

design – are in a strong position to support municipalities and

contribute significantly in this regard.

“We shall continue making it clear that the preparation of infra-

structure development projects as well as their planning and design

lie within the expertise of the consulting engineering profession.

Until such time, which may take decades, that the municipalities

have built this capacity, our member firms shall continue to be the

only source of support at all levels of Government. CESA is the

integral professional resource that must be effectively utilised to

conceptualise, design and supervise the procurement and imple-

mentation of the infrastructure projects while, at the same time,

providing the fertile experiential training and development ground

for the future internal capacity of the municipalities. This will be

the litmus test of the technical capability of the municipalities,”

emphasises Makibinyane.

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula MokonyaneThe Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, has

made a passionate plea and a clarion call for consulting engi-

neers to partner with Government and perform their duty with

integrity and improve the quality of life of the people for a better

life for all.

“We represent a new department informed by the National

Development Plan. Government is repositioning water and sanita-

tion, after 20 years of democracy, owing to service delivery chal-

lenges. We require your radical contributions to deliver water and

sanitation solutions to our people. You are game changers and

help us make a difference in the lives of our people by delivering

services to some who have become observers of service delivery

but not beneficiaries,” urged Mokonyane at this year's CESA Aon

Engineering Excellence Awards.

The Minister focused on the role that consulting engineers can

play in partnering with government to ensure the roll-out of the

National Infrastructure Plan is effectively implemented. Other high-

profile dignitaries that graced this auspicious occasion with their

esteemed presence included one of the top six leaders in the ruling

party as well as its Treasury General, Dr Zweli Mkhize and Ismail

Vadi, Member of the Executive Council for Roads and Transport in

the Gauteng provincial government.


GOVERNMENT VOICE

WorleyParsons has a strong track record in delivering innovative solutions utilising pipelines, groundwater and membrane technologies and sustainability modelling for cost-effective water solutions.

- Over 30 years’ experience- Deep local knowledge- Global expertise- BBBEE Level 2

www.worleyparsons.com

37,50043 166 peoplecountries offices

WATER

Water Supply | Water Treatment | Industrial Water Management Minesite Water Management | Water Reuse & Recycling Chemistry and Geochemistry | Numerical Modelling

Water management

for sustainable business


SABITA

IN THE ROAD construction industry, the

most prevalent consumption is in natu-

ral and processed aggregates/gravels

and in the energy required to manufac-

ture hot mix asphalt (HMA) at temperatures

of up to 180°C.

HMA, the most widespread paving technol-

ogy until 2006, came under scrutiny at the

World of Asphalt Conference in Orlando,

USA, in 2006, where it was noted that – with

the addition of certain additives – asphalt

mixes can be successfully prepared in a

temperature range of 120°C to 135°C, while

achieving adequate aggregate coating and

workability during laying and compaction.

An important benefit is the significant

reduction in fume emissions both during

manufacture and application – an issue

vital to the continued health and safety of

workers in the asphalt manufacture and

paving sectors.

A research programme initiated by the

Southern African Bitumen Association

(Sabita) resulted in the formation, in

September 2008, of the Warm Mix Asphalt

Interest Group made up of representatives

of Sabita and the client bodies. Tasked with

laying the groundwork for the development

of guidelines and evaluation of trial sections

to assess the benefits of various warm mix

asphalt technologies, the group decided

to initiate trials with a single mix, while

keeping the door open for future technologi-

cal variations.

South Africa’s first WMA trialsThe country’s first warm mix asphalt

(WMA) trials were successfully carried out

on Brackenhill Road near Durban, during

November 2008. The main aim of the trial

was to confirm that asphalt mixes could be

produced and paved at significantly lower

temperatures, and to develop a working

template for use in further trials. The trend

towards the use of WMA was already widely

accepted in Europe, North America and the

Far East, where the cost and environmental

benefits had been recognised, resulting in a

significant increase in the use of WMA.

A second series of WMA trials was carried

out in May and early June 2009 on Leicester

Road, in the industrial area of Mobeni, over

a total area of about 20 000 m2, using

WMA technologies incorporating Sasobit and

Rediset additives. An innovation, further sup-

plementing the sustainability benefits of WMA,

was the incorporation of recycled asphalt to

underpin the element of resource conserva-

tion. Additional trials were carried out through-

out 2009 and 2010, aimed at testing the:

• 30˚C temperature reduction frontier in the

manufacturing and paving processes

• use of between 40% and 60% reclaimed

asphalt in the trial mix

• use of polymer modified binders in WMA.

It was also intended that experience with

varying WMA technologies would be expand-

ed to incorporate the use of foamed bitu-

men. In order to expand the traditional

avenues of quality control, thermal imagery

and compaction management software were

employed to encourage ‘whole area’ quality

control rather than by sampling only.

Technology of choiceBy the end of 2010, the routine use of WMA

was a reality in South Africa and already

entrenched as eThekwini Municipality’s

technology of choice. Two separate tech-

nologies had grown in preference – the first

consisting of a locally developed foamed

bitumen technology, which was used in the

asphalt base mix on the Route M5 through

the Durban suburb of Malvern and the

other, a rheology modifier polymer hybrid

type WMA, used as an asphalt sur facing

mix in Greyville. The mixes on both projects

contained 15% of reclaimed asphalt (RA),

significantly reducing the dependence on

natural aggregate supplies.

The WMA interest group noted at the

end of 2010 that a by-product of the WMA

trials to that date was that they sparked

intense scrutiny throughout the asphalt man-

ufacturing and paving chains, placing issues

ranging from moisture used in quarrying

Warm mix asphalt – a sustainable technology

Sustainability relies on the cornerstones of natural resource conservation and minimising energy utilisation.

SABITA


operations for processing materials to total

quality control and energy consumption under

the spotlight.

Benefits and risksBased on the initial research and industrial

experience gained through the extensive tri-

als conducted by the eThekwini Municipality,

an MSc thesis paper – investigating the

benefits and risks of both WMA and RA –

was recently published by Riaan Stander of

Roadmac Surfacing.

The thesis notes: “WMA technology is

currently not used extensively irrespective

of the prospects for its successful, wider

application in South Africa, however, major

asphalt suppliers in the country have geared

themselves up to implement this technology,

and it is expected that as practitioners come

to realise and appreciate both the economic

and environmental benefits of these technol-

ogies, an increase in their usage will become

established practice.”

The successful use of higher percentages

of RA incorporated in WMA is allowing the

revisiting of the return on capital invest-

ment on initial road construction and itera-

tions of rehabilitation. Factors such as

international peer pressure and the pros-

pects of the imposition of a carbon tax were

identified as further drivers to establish

these technologies.

It has become clear that while a number

of road authorities are supportive of RA and

WMA technologies – notably the KwaZulu-

Natal Department of Transport, the Gauteng

Department of Roads and Transport, eThek-

wini Municipality and SANRAL, other provinc-

es and municipalities appear to be lagging

behind in their implementation.

The thesis reached a number of conclusions:

Both the RA and the WMA technology offer a

reduction in both environmental impact and

cost. This advantage is underpinned by three

references, namely: the literature review,

specialist interviews and the LCA and LCCA.

The combined use of these technologies

offers even more benefits in relation to the

environment and project costs.

Four of the five life-cycle phases of asphalt

benefit from the application of RA and WMA

technologies. They are the procurement, pro-

duction, construction and end-of-life phases

(as yet, we have proved that asphalt has no

end-of-life phase and with rejuvenators even

less so). RA technology was found to have

a beneficial effect on the procurement and

the end-of-life phases, and WMA technology

was found to have a beneficial effect on the

production and construction phases.

A limited number of authorities are cur-

rently supporting these technologies. Four

authorities were identified as being innova-

tive and supportive, of which two are provin-

cial, one is municipal and one is a national

authority. The lack of interest can be attrib-

uted to the eroded professional resources

and a lack of creative thought and policy for-

mulation in respect to these technologies.

The phases that hold the most risk for the

integration of these technologies are the

design and production phases due to a lack

of national standards and guideline manu-

als. The construction phase is considered

not to hold much risk.

Mr J Pelser Actophambili Roads (Pty) LtdPO Box 16661 Atlasville 1465

Mr JJS Weidemann Aecom SA (Pty) LtdPO Box 3173 Pretoria 0001

Mr R Bonser Afrisam SA (Pty) Ltd PO Box 6367 Weltevreden Park 1715

Mr KP Thomas AG Thomas (Pty) Ltd PO Box 100 Manzini, Swaziland M200

Ms AJ Broom AJ Broom Road Products CCPO Box 16421 Dowerglen 1612

Mr A Pegge Amandlagcf Construction CC PO Box 6064 Welgemoed 7534

Mr R Lehman Ammann Construction Machinery Sa Suite 253, Private Bag X43 Rynfield Benoni 1500

Ms I Erlank Anton Paar Southern AfricaPO Box 50471 Randjiesfontein 1683

Mr JPJ Webb Aqua Transport & Plant Hire (Pty) Ltd Private Bag X11 Ashwood 3605

Mr A Page-Wood Asphalt Services CCPO Box 1765 East London 5200

Mr P Grindley Astec – Asphalt Technology CCPO Box 589 Rothdene 1964

Mr J Calitz AureconPO Box 74381 Lynnwood Ridge 0040

Mr DA Rose AureconPO Box 494 Cape Town 8000

Mr AH Beosumbar Beosumbar and Associates CCPO Box 605 Westville 3630

Mr JW Hodgson Bigen Africa Services (Pty) LtdPO Box 1070 Bellville 7535

Mr AL Botha Bitumen Supplies & Services (Pty) LtdPO Box 1028 Sunninghill 2157

Mr D SmithBitumen World (Pvt) Ltd PO Box AY 20 Amby, Harare, Zimbabwe

Mr DC Collings BSM Laboratories (Pty) LtdPO Box 15318 Westmead 3608

Mr A Greyling BVI Consulting Engineers WC (Pty) LtdPO Box 86 Century City 7446

Mr P Neal Cape Peninsula University of Technology ABC Building, 1st Floor, Symphony Way Bellville 7530

Ms S Britz Colas Sou Th Africa (Pty) LtdPO Box 82 Eppindust 7475

Mr B Theron Concor Roads & EarthworksPO Box 585 Bedfordview 2008

Mr L Song Daewoo Industrial Co Ltd #54-2,Soomyeon Jeongnam Gyeonggi, Korea

Ms Z Coetzee Delta Bec (Pty) LtdPO Box 35703 Menlo Park 0102

Mr RC King Dick King Lab Supplies (Pty) Ltd PO Box 82138 Southdale 2135

Mr WAG Venter Dmv Harrismith (Pty) Ltd PO Box 912 Harrismith 9880

Mr R Ntombela Dupont de Nemours Int Sa PO Box 3332 Halfway House 1635

Mr TW McKune Durban University of TechnologyPO Box 101112 Pietermaritzburg 3209

Sabita listings

SABITA


52 IMIESA October 201452 IMIESA October 2014

Mr TD La Grange EFG Engineers (Pty) LtdPO Box 3800 Durbanville 7551

Mr G Brown Gavin Brown & Associates 24 Botanic Grove Berea 4001

Mr AJ Moffett Gibb (Pty) LtdPO Box 3965 Cape Town 8000

Mr GM Hattingh GMH Tswelelo Consulting EngineersPO Box 2201 Randburg 2125

Mr TF Moolman Group 5 Civil Engineering (Pty) LtdPO Box 1750 Bedfordview 2008

Mr GJ Loubser Hatch Goba (Pty) LtdPO Box 180 Sunninghill 2157

Mr AJ Laatz HHO AfricaPO Box 6503 Roggebaai 8012

Mr LC Raman Iliso Consulting (Pty) LtdPO Box 686 Gillits 3603

Mr J Pietersen ImesaPO Box 2190 Westville 3630

Mr S Tinarwo Instant Tar SurfacesPO Box 17219 Norkem Park 1631

Mr J Van Niekerk Javseal (Pty) LtdPO Box 26317 Isipingo Beach 4115

Mr PA Olivier Jeffares and Green (Pty) LtdPO Box 1109 Sunninghill 2157

Mr GR Tyndall Kantey and Templer (Pty) LtdPO Box 3132 Cape Town 8000

Mr GM James Kaymac (Pty) Ltd T/A KaytechPO Box 116 Pinetown 3600

Mr M Fynn Lafarge Industries SA (Pty) Ltd Private Bag X26 Gallo Manor 2052

Mr MA Van ReenenLetaba Lab (Pty) LtdPO Box 739 White River 1240

Mr W TendaupenyuLidwala Consulting Engineers (Pty) LtdPO Box 2930 Nelspruit 1200

Mr SRM Adande Mdubane Energy Services (Pty) LtdPO Box 4876 Durban 4000

Mr W Reusch Milling Techniks (Pty) LtdPO Box 779 Gillits 3603

Mr B Burger Mmila Civils & Traffic Services (Pty) LtdPO Box 40158 Faerie Glen 0043

Mr JA Krüger More Asphalt (Pty) LtdPO Box 2180 Durbanville 7550

Mr JR Uys Mott MacDonaldPO Box 7786 Roggebaai 8012

Mr S Dewnath MTTC (Pty) LtdPO Box 1901 Silverton 0127

Mr BC Greyling Much Asphalt (Pty) LtdPO Box 49 Eersterivier 7103

Mr DS Judd N3 Toll Concession (Pty) LtdPO Box 67166 Highveld Park 0169

Mr F Samaai Nadeson Consulting ServicesPO Box 51121 V&A Waterfront 8002

Mr M Manicum Naidu Consulting (Pty) LtdPO Box 2796 Westway Office Park 3635

Mr J Strydom Namibia Technical Services CCPO Box 30623 Pioneers Park Windhoek Namibia

Mr N Nathoo Nathoo Mbenyane EngineersPO Box 47595 Greyville 4023

Mr S Pretorius National AsphaltPO Box 1657 Hillcrest 3650

Mr A Nagel Nelson Mandela Metropolitan UniversityPO Box 77000Port Elizabeth 6031

Mr N Govender Nolans Earthworks & Plant CCPO Box 28617 Haymarket 3200

Mr L Heathcote Outeniqua Lab (Pty) LtdPO Box 3186 George Industria 6536

Mr G Catin Phambili Road Surfacing (Pty) LtdPO Box 145 Mkondeni 3204

Mr T FreestonePolokwane Surfacing (Pty) LtdPO Box 288 Ladanna 0704

Mr N BurgerPower Construction (Pty) LtdPO Box 129 Blackheath 7581

Mr M Kohlberg Rand Roads (Div of Grinaker-Lta) Ltd Private Bag X030 Kempton Park 1620

Ms S Rattray Rankin Engineering ConsultantsPO Box 50566 Lusaka Zambia

Mr KG Rocher Raubex (Pty) LtdPO Box 10302 Ashwood 3605

Mr T Saks Reliance Lab Equip (Pty) LtdPO Box 911-489 Rosslyn 0200

Mr F Kemp Roadspan Asphalt Plants (Pty) LtdPO Box 30550 Jet Park 1469

Mr PB Joubert Royal HaskoningDHVPO Box 867 Gallo Manor 2146

Mr JB Lansdell Salphalt (Pty) LtdPO Box 234 Isando 1600

Mr BI Jonsson SarfPO Box 8379 Birchleigh 1621

Mr J van Heerden Sasol Technology Fuels ResearchPO Box 1 Sasolburg 1947

Dr SJ Strydom Sasol Wax (Div of Sci) Chemcity 2PO Box 1 Sasolburg 1947

Mr RL Hornsey Shell SA Marketing (Pty) Ltd 6 Ipivi Road Kloof 3610

Mr A Taute SMEC South Africa (Pty) LtdPO Box 72927 Lynnwood Ridge 0040

Mr CH Loots Specialised Road Technologies (Pty) LtdPO Box 15324 Westmead 3608

Mr SO Single Spray Pave (Pty) LtdPO Box 674 Alberton 1450

Mr A Van Rooyen Tar Spray (Pty) Ltd Suite 418, Private Bag X153 Bryanston 2021

Mr MP Prinsloo Tau Pele Construction (Pty) LtdPO Box 13125 Noordstad 9302

Mr D Pagel Tosas (Pty) LtdPO Box 14159 Wadeville 1422

Mr G Diepraam Total SA (Pty) LtdPO Box 579 Saxonwold 2132

Mr RB Purchase TPA Consulting (Pty) LtdPO Box 1575 Westville 3630

Prof GJ Jordaan Tshepega Engineering (Pty) LtdPO Box 33783 Glenstantia 0010

Mr A Philip Unique Trading & Outsourcing (Pty) Ltd PO Box 5424 Benoni South 1502

Mr D Bullock Unitrans Supply Chain Solutions (Pty) Ltd PO Box 31 Tableview 7439

Prof WJvdM Steyn University of PretoraDept Civil Eng Lynnwood Road, Hatfield 0002

Prof KJ Jenkins University of Stellenbosch Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602

Mr J McLoughlinWorldwide Tanks on Hire CC PO Box 2250 Durban 4000

Mr G Verwey WorleyParsons Rsa (Pty) Ltd PO Box 22 Menlyn 0063

Mr MP Bouwmeester WSP Group Africa (Pty) Ltd PO Box 98867 Sloane Park 2152

Mr JM Pearce Zebra Surfacing (Pty) Ltd PO Box 14335 Kenwyn 7790

SABITA

ENERGY

ww

w.zest.co

.za+

27 11 723 6000

AFRICAN MULTI-NATIONAL

INTEGRATED SOLUTIONSCUSTOM

ER FOCUSSED

WH

Y 24/7 technical back-up Fully qualifi ed technicians 5 Fully equipped training centres across A

frica 187 site visits into A

frica per year

24/7T

EC

HN

ICA

LS

UP

PO

RT

24/7T

EC

HN

ICA

LS

UP

PO

RT

SU

PP

OR

TW

HERE YOU NEED IT, WHEN YOU NEED IT

MA

RK

ET

OFFE

RIN

GZ

ES

T E

lectric Mo

tors

Electric M

otors Variable S

peed Drives

Soft S

tarters Transform

ers LV

Sw

itchgear D

iesel Generator S

ets

ZE

ST

Energ

y P

ower G

eneration &

Energy S

olutions S

ubstations & E

lectrical Infrastructure

Mobile P

ower S

olutions

Shaw

Co

ntrols

Packaged S

witchgear

Motor C

ontrol Centres

E-H

ousing C

ontainerised Substations

WE

G Transfo

rmers A

frica M

ini Substations

Transformers

Sw

itchgear

EnI E

lectrical S

upply and installation of electrical instrum

entation and control/P

LC S

CA

DA

Construction specialist in all

major sectors across A

frica


WATER AND SANITATION | TECHNICAL PAPER

THESE INCLUDE storage of toxic

chemicals under exothermic condi-

tions while maintaining GCL hydra-

tion and removing volatile organic

compounds. A recent publication states:

“Pollution flows from the ageing, leaky

ponds that many plants use to store their

toxic slurries.”

It further states: “Toxic chemicals also

seep from unlined ponds and dry waste

landfills into ground and surface waters

leaving behind a persistent lethal legacy.”

The much-respected EPA admits according to

this publication that these standards “do not

adequately address the toxic pollutants dis-

charged from the electric power industry.”

Background1.1 Composite Liner PerformanceAn analysis of regulatory requirements

(Koerner and Koerner, 1999) indicates that

containment barriers regularly comprise of

a leachate collection system which is to

reduce the hydraulic gradient across the

liner; a liner system which is typically a

Technical paper

Expanding containment barrier boundaries

Clean water is a basic human right, we all deserve safe drinking water and clean lakes and rivers to boat and play. This paper proposes a method to extend the life expectancy and efficiency of geosynthetics where used in combination with challenging environments. By W. Meyer, P.J. Meyer and C.J. Gundle



composite geomembrane and clay compo-

nent to fulfil a containment function, and a

leak detection system which is given effect

by the provision of a secondary liner.

The performance of such composite liners

should be evaluated based on total solute

transport, which considers both advec-

tive losses as well as diffusion of volatile

organic compounds in the waste stream

(Foose et al., 2002).

1.1.1 Construction Phase Influences

The climatic conditions during construction

can significantly reduce liner performance.

Sunshine may induce desiccation, cracking

of the clay component, in particular of pre-

hydrated and uncovered GCLs, as well as

induce wrinkles in the geomembrane, which

would lead to increased advective losses.

Excessive rain on the clay component can

lead to displacement of the fine fraction at

the interface and resultant pervious zones,

while wind too can displace the fine fraction,

which is critical to controlling impermeability.

Hydration of the GCL component of a com-

posite liner prior to its exposure to leachate

is required; however, this hydration should

take place after application of a normal load

(Vangapaisel et al., 2002). This is extremely

difficult when the GCL is part of a compos-

ite liner and isolated from soil moisture

by either the leakage detection system or

underlying secondary liner geomembrane.

Pre-hydration by means of spraying water

on the GCL immediately prior to covering

with a geomembrane induces damages such

as squeeze of the bentonite and preferential

flow paths through cracks. The failure to pre-

hydrate a GCL prior to its exposure to lea-

chate, especially if containing hydrocarbons

or salts, will result in a loss of performance.

1.1.2 Service Life Influences

The lifetime prediction of a geomembrane

has been addressed by numerous authors

(Sangam & Rowe, 2002; Koerner & Hsuan,

2003; Rowe, 2005) for exposure to elevat-

ed temperature and various fluids. These

elevated temperatures significantly reduce

the service life of the geomembrane, may

induce desiccation cracking of underlying

clay components of composite liners and

increase the total solute transport.

The relatively small temperature increase

in the lower range of 10°C to 35°C on a com-

posite liner, increased diffusion by 100%

and hydraulic conductivity (or advection) by

80% (Rowe, 2005). Similar considerations

need to be given to the drainage system per-

formance, which is affected by both normal

stress resulting in intrusion, and elevated

temperature-induced deformations, causing

a reduction in performance of geosynthetic

drainage systems.

1.2 Temperature ConsiderationsThe negative effect of temperature on geo-

synthetic components is a topic that attract-

ed the attention of numerous researchers

over the past decade. The seriousness of

this limitation has been recognised by lead-

ing geomembrane manufacturers who are

investing in the development of tempera-

ture resistant geomembranes (Ramsey &

Wu, 2013).

The thermal conductivity of GCLs was

investigated and showed that the thermal

conductivity increased with the increase in

moisture content (Sing & Bouazza, 2013).

This may lead to the GCL acting as an insu-

lator if it is not properly hydrated, which will

cause elevated temperatures on the primary

geomembrane due the heat buildup.

1.2.1 Landfill Barrier Systems

The heat generated within the waste body

due to exothermic biological degradation or

chemical reactions or combinations there-

of result in elevated temperatures of the

leachate and gas, and hence the base

liner system.

It was found that the rate of rise of tem-

perature can vary and that while the onset

of the rise may be some years after the start

of deposition, this elevated temperature

could last as long as forty years (Yoshida &

Rowe, 2003). They conclude that the tem-

peratures around landfill liners are gener-

ally below 50°C while the waste is generally

above 50°C, for the municipal solid waste

landfills studied.

At a hazardous waste site in South Africa,

temperatures have been measured in the

leachate above the composite liner in the

range of 57°C to 65°C. Partial clogging or the

reduction in drainage efficiency of the overly-

ing leachate collection system can result in

leachate mounding and higher temperatures

directly above the geomembrane. Similarly,

piggyback liners above MSW are reported to

be at 60°C and liners beneath MSW furnace

bottom ash temperature as high as 85°C

due to pozzolanic action (Legge, 2011). The

industry press has reported still higher tem-

peratures in an MSW landfill in the US result-

ing in leachate temperatures in the order of

100°C due to aluminium dros reacting with

ash and a resultant out-of-court settlement

accompanied by $10 million fine by the US

Environmental Protection Agency.

1.2.2 Heap Leach Pads

The use of geomembranes underneath heap

leach facilities is common practice as the

chemicals used to extract the metals from the

ore are exceptionally damaging to the environ-

ment. Furthermore, the chemicals’ main func-

tion is to extract the metal from the ore body

and the pregnant solution migrates towards

the base of the leach pad where it is collected

and extracted for further processing.

Biooxidation of sulphide minerals, being

an exothermic process, produces significant

heating in heaps (Pradhan et al., 2008).

Computer modelling has shown that the

base of heap leach pads can reach 45°C

(Thiel & Smith, 2004). The rain shield com-

monly used over heap leach pads to prevent

water from entering the heap acts as an

insulator, thereby trapping the heat within

the heap (Ramsey & Wu, 2013).

2. Expanding the boundariesThe foregoing shows that there is a need in

the geomembrane industry to mitigate the

effects of elevated temperature on compos-

ite liners, post loading hydration of GCLs

and the removal of volatile organic com-

pounds to expand the performance of the

conventional geomembrane installations.

2.1 PrincipleA concept was developed which involves

drawing a fluid under negative pressure

through a pervious zone adjacent to the bar-

rier so that the fluid could be used to both

cool the primary composite lining and adja-

cent drainage systems, as well as introduce

moisture to the GCL beneath the overlying

geomembrane for its hydration (after place-

ment of a normal load and prior to the risk

of its exposure to leachate).

The failure to pre-hydrate a GCL prior to its exposure to leachate, especially if containing hydrocarbons or salts, will result in a loss of performance



The fluid (gaseous, liquid or two-phase

mixture) passing through the pervious zone

would also maintain the leak detection sys-

tem at a low to zero concentration of VOCs,

thus preventing their further diffusion into

the adjacent environment. The possibility

of the negative pressure to enhance the

intimate contact between the geomembrane

and the GCL, especially on a micro scale,

should not be overlooked.

The negative pressure is essential so as

to ensure no introduction of oxygen to the

waste body through a discontinuity of the

base geomembrane, which could induce

spontaneous combustion, depending on

the composition of the contained waste.

The negative pressure results in a net

outward flow toward the leakage detection

system sump.

This concept was proven by a range of

laboratory experiments as well as an infield

application. The results of these experi-

ments were previously published (Gundle

et al., 2013) and will not be dealt with in

this publication.

2.2 BenefitsThe regulatory standards are becoming

increasingly stricter. Regulators are mov-

ing in the direction of requiring designers

to address the mitigation effects of heat

on a barrier installation to ensure that the

required design service life is achieved.

Furthermore, should VOCs be present in

the containment facility, the designer has to

address this and provide a solution to pre-

vent VOCs from contaminating the subsoil.

This system provides designers with a

practical, low-maintenance and cost-effec-

tive solution to address the requirements

enforced by regulators but even more impor-

tant, it couples the expansion of the bar-

rier’s service life, extracts VOCs as well

as overcomes construction challenges to

hydrating and maintaining the optimal hydra-

tion of the clay component to ultimately

protect our environment.

Important and very exciting to note is

the ability of the system to transform a

geosynthetic barrier into a closed system

where the user has the ability to manipulate

the environmental conditions surrounding

the barrier in such a manner that we

can extend the service life of our geosyn-

thetic materials to greater boundaries than

currently achievable.

3. Design and constructionThis section reports on the design and

construction on two facilities where

the enhanced barrier system (EBS) is

being applied.

The first facility where this technology will

be utilised is at a hazardous waste sludge

lagoon for a multinational company. The

facility is 50 hectares in footprint and 10

metres deep. The waste facility design was

able to conform to the conventional double

composite liner with an intermediate leak-

detection layer of a hazardous waste lagoon

containment barrier standard. This barrier

design addressed seepage but required the

EBS to resolve diffusion and hydration of the

primary liner GCL.

The second facility where this technology

will be utilised has, at the time of writing



this publication, just been completed from

a design point of view and construction is

to commence soon. This installation is for

a hazardous waste landfill facility and will

make use of all three functions of the EBS,

removal of heat from the geosynthetic bar-

rier, hydration of the primary liner GCL as

well as the removal of VOCs.

3.1 DesignThe most important design aspect to ensure

successful operation of the system is that

of even air flow throughout the facility. Each

facility is unique and the site-specific param-

eters as well as the composition of the bar-

rier system components have to be taken

into account at the start of a design.

To ensure even air flow through the facil-

ity as well as optimise the size and power

consumption of the mechanical extraction

fan the facility is divided into compart-

ments. The widths of the compartments are

calculated based on the pressure drop over

the corresponding flow section to ensure

evenly distributed flow as well as taking

into account the width of the geomembrane

sheets to ensure a practical design. Refer to

Figure 1 below for a typical segment at the

50 hectare facility.

The design of the air flow, selection of the

mechanical extraction fan as well as the

required piping are all based on the basic

fundamentals of fluid dynamics, refer to the

Bernoulli equation below.

Where p1 = inlet pressure

ρ = fluid density

g = gravitational acceleration

V1 = inlet velocity

z1 = elevation at inlet

p2 = outlet pressure

V2 = outlet velocity

z2 = elevation at outlet

hf = system frictional head losses

hm = minor head losses

hp = pump head.

3.1.1 Hazardous Waste Lagoon

Getting back to the hazardous waste lagoon,

we had to consider pre-hydration means of

the GCLs in the primary and secondary com-

posite liners, the rate and direction of the

advancing wetting front, and the direction of

pollutant migration. This led to the selection

of different GCLs in the enclosed primary

liner and in the secondary liner applications.

The vacuum induction system with

inlets and outlets was designed so as to

make use of readily available fittings and

vacuum pumps.

The system is designed to induce conden-

sation at the fluid inlet to assist with the

rapid hydration of the primary liner GCL.

3.1.2 Hazardous Waste Landfill

The design at this facility took into consid-

eration the same aspects as described in

section 3.1.1 above. However due to the

requirement to extract heat from the bar-

rier system, the fluid flow design was opti-

mised to ensure adequate convection heat

transfer between the barrier components

and that of the cooler fluid passing under

a negative pressure through the leakage

detection layer.

3.1.3 Working Principle

Figure 2 below describes the working princi-

ple of the fluid movement through the pervi-

ous zone in the barrier system from a more

practical perspective.

The vacuum pump induces the negative

pressure to the system, which consequently

allows a fluid to enter the flow distribu-

tion header, typically located within the

anchor trench of a segment. To control the

volume flow through the compartment, a

control valve is located on the fluid inlet

side to vary the flow resistance to meet the

system requirements.

From the distribution header, the fluid

spreads evenly along the pervious zone to

the suction manifold, which is located at

FIGURE 1: Typical segment at a specific facility

FIGURE 2: Working principle



the deepest point, as it may be utilised as

the leakage detection piping. The fluid is

further conveyed towards the pump station

where the piping from all the segments joins

into a common manifold, which is ultimately

connected to the vacuum pump inlet. Due

to possibility of liquid in the piping, a coun-

terweight mechanism is attached to the end

of each segment’s leakage detection piping

that is closed during normal operation until a

certain static head is reached, at which the

mechanism will open, discharge the fluid,

and close to continue with normal operation.

3.2 Construction3.2.1 Earthworks

The basic geomembrane-lined earth dam

construction principals are applied, and

include: engineered sloping walls and floors

with a regular slope towards the lowest

point of the dam with subsoil drains, stand-

ard compaction requirements and surface

finishes.

3.2.2 Geomembrane Installation

Standard geomembrane installation prac-

tice is followed giving attention to specific

design principles and thermal expansion

and contraction wrinkles.

3.2.2.1 Anchor Trenches

Anchor trenches are adapted to accommo-

date the fluid extraction system.

Timeous backfilling of trenches is impor-

tant to prevent any localised tension in the

geomembrane due to thermal expansion

and contraction.

3.2.2.2 Installation of Components of the

Fluid Extraction System

Particular care should be taken to ensure

that the installation is according to the

design requirements. Connection of the

piping to the geomembrane in the anchor

trench as well as to the leakage detection

piping is critical to proper performance of

the system.

3.2.2.3 Compartment Segmentation

Effective separation of compartments needs

to be achieved.

3.2.2.4 Quality Control

As with any installation, the quality control

needs to be an integral part of the installa-

tion. QC procedures and documentation are

completed and exercised diligently. Electric

leak detection is performed on all the

geomembranes to ensure that a quality

product is delivered.

4. ConclusionThis paper acknowledges that barrier sys-

tems have limitations to per formance

influenced by temperature, hydration of

clay components post loading but prior

to exposure to waste, and diffusion of

VOCs. Regulations require designers to

quantify the service life of geosynthetics

in waste facilities and specify how they are

FIGURE 3 Earthworks preparation

FIGURE 4 Progress of geomembrane installation



to mitigate the effects of heat on the geo-

synthetic components as well as the total

solute transport through the geomembrane.

Consequently, a proven system is described

that has the ability to overcome these chal-

lenges and expand the boundaries of barrier

systems. The system applies a fluid under

negative pressure to pass through the leak-

age detection system to remove the heat

from the geosynthetic components, hydrate

a GCL after application of a normal load and

prior to exposure to leachate, as well as

remove the diffused VOCs from the barrier

system to prevent them from contaminating

the groundwater. Furthermore, some insight

into the design and practical installation of

the system was shared to improve the under-

standing on the system.

Ultimately, the system described provides

the industry with an innovative technology

that can be utilised to overcome the limita-

tions faced in geosynthetic barrier systems.

FIGURE 5 Suction manifold connection in anchor trench

WORLDWIDE PATENTAquatan is the proprietor of this worldwide

patent, a copy of which is available. This

patent is currently in force and is relied

upon to protect Aquatan’s interests in

the claimed invention. The purpose of

3S Media’s AWARD-WINNING

MAGAZINES keep you informed

• Topical and relevant news and articles • Projects and case studies • Unique content• Expert analysis from industry experts and thought leaders• Updates on activities of companies and key roleplayers • Industry association endorsements

www.3smags.co.za

Expert Opinion

WIRED FOR WASTE

ISSN

168

0-49

02

R50.

00 (

incl

VA

T)

• V

ol 1

6, N

o 3,

Aug

201

4

OILKOL

Promoting integrated resources management

The of cial journal of the Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa

Institute ofWaste Managementof Southern Africa

Robinson Deep: gas-to-energy project launched

Industry commits to ‘Zero plastics to landfill by 2030’

A viable and effective power source for Durban

Africa’s first concentrating cooling system

is printed on 100% recycled paper

Andre Venter, divisional leader of integrated waste

management solutions,

r

m

er

m

Expe Opin

binsons-to-enect lau

Anmanagement mmm

The official magazine of the Water Institute of Southern Africa

Water & SanitationAfricaComplete water resource and wastewater management

The best way to promote sound water resources management principles is through working and sharing lessons with other organisations. Phakamani Buthelezi, CEO of BGCMA P14 MEDIA

OPINIONManaging groundwater

through technology sharing

ODOUR CONTROLManaging plant odour

Promoting professional excellence in the water sector

IN THE HOT SEAT

Partnering change in Africa

WASTEWATERQuality and sustainability

in service delivery

RAND WATER

Watemplete water reso

Tp

eringND

IMESA

The official magazine of the Institute

of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT • MAINTENANCE • SERVICE DELIVERY• SERVICESERVICE DELIVERYDELIVERY

I S S N 0 2 5 7 1 9 7 8 Vo l u m e 3 9 N o . 8 • A u g u s t 2 0 1 4 • R 5 0 . 0 0 ( i n c l VAT )“Sasol’s needs are being met and so are government’s, so it is a real win-win

situation” Maureen Mboshane, president of public and regulatory affairs, Sasol

MEDIA

in the HOT SEAT

Open for business

in the Western CapeSPRAYPAVE

w

ininHHSESE

e

HOHHHHOHHHHOHOHHSEATSEATATSEAS

tPartarttrrttartrtrrtrrrrtttaartaartrtartartrttaaaaa tttttneen

HOHHHOHHHHOHHHwwin n n n n

in thin the e HOT HOT SEATSEATCement and

concrete

SARMA Readymix

2014

Civil engineering

State of the

industry

Panel discussion

The road to

excellence

Call Trust on (011) 233 2600 or email [email protected]

Special offer for IMIESA readers, quote this coupon number and qualify for a 30% discount. IM-O-14



this note is to formally bring the existence of the patent to the

reader’s attention.

References

Foose, G. J., Benson, C. H., & Edil, T. B. 2002. Comparison of solute transport in three composite liners. Journal of Geotechnical and Geo-Environmental Engineering, Volume 128, p. 391-403.

Gundle, C. J., Meyer, P. J., Meyer, W., & Schäffner, M. 2013. Technological response for mitigating environmental impacts to achieve long-term pollu-tion prevention. GhIGS GeoAfrica 2013 Conference.

FIGURE 6 Compartmentalisation in progress

Koerner, J. R., & Koerner, R.M. 1999. A survey of solid waste landfill liner and cover regulations: Part 2 – Wordwide Status. GRI Report #23.

Koerner, R. M., & Hsuan, Y. G. 2003. Lifetime prediction of poly-meric geomembranes used in new dam construction and rehabilitation. Proceedings Assoc. of State Dam Safety Officials Conference, Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, ISBN 0-13-726175-6.

Legge, K. R. 2011. Towards revised containment barrier standards. Keynote address, Landfill Interest Group Seminar, Durban, South Africa.

Pradhan, N., Nathsarma, K. C.,Srinivasa Rao, K., Sukla, L. B., & Mishra, B. K. 2008. Heap bioleaching of chalcopyrite: A Review. Volume 21, Issue 5, Minerals Engineering, p. 355-365.

Ramsey, B., & Wu, Y. 2013. Advances in Geomembranes: Thermal proper-ties and elevated usage temperatures. GhIGS GeoAfrica 2013 Conference.

Rowe, R. K. 2005. Long term performance of containment barrier sys-tems. Geotechnique 55 (9), p. 631-678.

Sangam, H. P., & Rowe, K. 2002. Effects of exposure conditions on the depletion of antioxidants from high density polyethylene geomembranes. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, Volume 39, p. 1221-1230.

Singh, R. M., & Bouazza, A. 2013. Thermal Conductivity of Geosynthetics. Geotextiles and Geomembranes 39, p. 1-8.

Thiel, R., & Smith, R. E. 2004. State of the practice review of heap leach pad design issues. Geotextiles and Geomembranes 22, p. 555-568.

Vangpaisal, T., Bouazza, A., & Kodikara, J. 2002. Gas permeability of a needle-punched geosynthetic clay liner subjected to wetting and drying. Geosynthetics – 7th ICG – Delmas, Gourc & Girard (eds), p. 841-844.

Waterkeeper Alliance, The Environmental Integrity Project, The Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, Earth Justice. Closing the Flood Gates: How the coal Industry is Poisoning our water and how we can stop it.

Yoshida, H., & Rowe, R. K. 2003. Consideration of landfill liner tempera-ture. Proceedings Sardinia, Ninth International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium.

Aveng Manufacturing Infraset produces a diverse range of precast concrete products

to world-class quality standards and actively contributes to SADC

infrastructure development. Our range includes concrete pipes, culverts,

manholes, special precast products, various types of pre-stressed

railway sleepers, turnouts, maintenance-free railway

electrification masts and poles, paving blocks, retaining wall

systems and roof tiles.

Aveng Manufacturing Infraset’s admired

heritage is founded on innovation, technical

and serviceexcellence.

SEVEN WAYS TO LASTING

INFRASTUCTURE

KERBS

INFRASTRUCTURE

PAVING

POLES & MASTS

RETAINING WALLS

ROOF TILES

RAILWAY

INFR SET

KERBS

INFRASTRUCTURE

PAVINGPAVING

POLES & MASTSPOLES & MASTS

RETAINING WALLS

ROOF TILES

RAILWAY

Pipes • Culverts • Manholes: GautengTel: +27 (0)11 876 5100

Cape TownTel: +27 (0)21 908 1156

Kwazulu Natal (Pietermaritzburg)Tel: +27 (0)33 387 2236

Aveng Manufacturing House

Tel: +27 (0)11 876 5500Fax: +27 (0)11 872 1713

email: [email protected]

www.infraset.com

Railway Sleepers • Poles & MastsNationalTel: +27 (0)11 813 2340

Paving • Retaining Walls • Roof TilesRossway (Midrand) Tel: +27 (0)12 652 0000

Kwazulu Natal (Effingham) Tel: +27 (0)31 569 6900

International BranchesSwazilandTel: +2682 518 4236

ZambiaTel: +260 21 131 1838


WATER AND SANITATION

THE LATEST of these projects, the

De Hoop Dam project, will see a

significant rise in potable and irri-

gation water to people living in the

Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.

South African President Jacob Zuma

attended the opening ceremony, which took

place barely a week after the country cel-

ebrated National Water Week.

“The dam will be used for two primary pur-

poses. First, to supply water to the towns,

industries and poorly serviced rural com-

munities in the Sekhukhune, Waterberg, and

Capricorn districts of Limpopo. Secondly,

the dam will supply water to the mines in

order to help unlock vast mineral deposits,

mainly in the form of platinum group metals

found in the region. The dam will be a cata-

lyst for both social and economic develop-

ment for this region,” said Zuma.

At 347 million m3, the De Hoop Dam, a pio-

neer in the Southern African cement industry,

was commissioned in 2007 and is one of the

largest concrete dams in South Africa. It used

cement products supplied by PPC and cost in

the region of R3.5 billion to complete. It took

a staggering 94 963 tonnes of cement to

construct the De Hoop Dam.

“We are thrilled that the Department of

Water Affairs (DWA) chose our products to

construct this much-needed infrastructure

project. We have been a part of South

Africa’s infrastructure development for over

120 years and we plan to continue to be

for the foreseeable future,” said Naseam

Ismail, PPC’s Mpumalanga area manager.

The dam will supply water to the surround-

ing communities and to the mining industry

in the province to help stimulate economic

growth in Limpopo.

The De Hoop Dam is the first project that

forms part of the Presidential Infrastructure

Building a legacyDe Hoop Dam

South Africa is currently experiencing a surge in infrastructure development projects, which aim to better the lives of all South Africans.

The dam will supply water to the surrounding communities and to the mining industry in

the province to help stimulate economic growth in Limpopo


royalhaskoningdhv.com/za

Welcome to the future – a future of Mwangaza We are all writing a part of the script which tomorrow’s society will play out. At Royal HaskoningDHV we would like the title to read: ‘Welcome to the future’ - and for our chapter in that script to read ‘Mwangaza’ - a Swahili word which means ‘light’. Together with our partners and clients we consider how we can create a welcoming future - developing efficient and smart living.

Whether switching on a light, travelling to work or drinking a clean glass of water - the solutions and work of our engineers surround us, making lives better and brighter. Our work contributes to the sustainable development of communities. Together, we deliver innovative sustainable answers to today’s challenges.

Royal HaskoningDHV is an independent, international engineering and project management consultancy.


Coordinating Commission, which seeks to

boost infrastructure development in the

country and stimulate economic growth and

job creation.

The construction of the De Hoop Dam also

signalled several firsts for PPC and the con-

struction of cement dams in the country. At

the last Fulton Awards in 2013, the project

was awarded the Civil Engineering Structure

Award and the Sustainable

Concrete Award.

The work done at the

De Hoop Dam Project led

to significant simplifica-

tion of the construction

process and allowed one

of the highest construc-

tion rates achieved in

South Africa, with a peak

of more than 130 000 m3

of RCC placed in one month.

The De Hoop Dam project is also a flag-

ship project for the DWA and will address

a significant portion of future water needs

in Limpopo.

South Africa is currently seeing a call

for collaboration to boost infrastructure

development. During the 2014 State of the

Nation Address, Zuma reiterated the call for

Government, business and labour to work

together and come up with solutions in order

for the economy to grow in South Africa at

significant levels.

“We have to work together as Government,

business and labour to grow our economy at

rates that are above 5%, to be able to create

the jobs we need. Fortunately this collabora-

tion is already taking place,” said Zuma.

The president went on to say that steps

had been made during 2013 to engage

with various businesses on specific steps

Government could take to make doing busi-

ness in South Africa easier.

“The willingness of the private sector to

engage with government in order to speed

up infrastructure delivery is very clear;

there are many initiatives. The Business

Leadership of South Africa has created

a working group that is interacting with

Government. Everybody is very excited, it

is clear everybody needs a new way for

infrastructure to be delivered,” said Ketso

Gordhan, CEO at PPC.

The construction rate of the De Hoop Dam project was one of the highest achieved in South Africa



PROGRESS HAS BEEN made

since the incident in October

last year, both underground and

above ground.

The Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme is

now in its seventh year of construction

and had it not been for the tragic acci-

dent, one of the four 333 MW revers-

ible pump turbines would currently be

undergoing commissioning.

The Eskom project is located between

Ladysmith and Harrismith in the Little

Drakensberg, and will have a generating

capacity of 1 332 MW available during peri-

ods of peak demand and supplement the

base load when necessary – for example

Progress at IngulaThe multibillion rand Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme, like many of this magnitude and complexity, has suffered delays, not least the site closure ordered by the Department of Labour after last year’s tragic accident claiming the lives of six construction workers.

during outages or essential maintenance of

other generating plants.

The design Ingula is a peaking hydropower station com-

prising an upper and a lower dam or res-

ervoir separated in elevation by 480 m,

an underground powerhouse located 116

storeys underground in two excavated under-

ground caverns and housing 4 x 333 MW

Francis-type pumps/turbines.

An underground labyrinth of interconnect-

ing tunnels/waterways extends 6.5 km, and

3 km of access tunnels and a number of

shafts allow water to be released from the

upper Bedford Dam and delivered to the

turbines producing power, before being cap-

tured in the lower Bramhoek Dam. During

off-peak times, the turbines are reversed

pumping water back from Bramhoek Dam

to Bedford, in readiness for the next

peak event.

Progress Construction senior supervisor Jacques du

Plessis from Royal HaskoningDHV, one of

ABOVE This Eskom project is located in the Little Drakensberg

BELOW Aerial shot of the dam wall


WHEn SIZE mATTERS,our newest pumps measure up.GORMAN-RUPP PRIME AIRE PLUS® PUMPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN LARGER SIZES. TO MOVE EVEN LARGER VOLUMES OF WATER.From sewage bypass operations, to construction site dewatering, to applications where intermittent flows present a problem, Gorman-Rupp Prime Aire Plus® priming-assisted pumps get the job done. Gorman-Rupp engineers these rugged pumps to move large volumes of water and move them fast—even when sticks, stones, and debris get in the way. For your biggest jobs, our Prime Aire Plus pump series has been expanded to offer discharges up to 16”, heads up to 575 ft., and flows up to 15,000 gallons per minute. So you can stay above water. No matter how much comes your way.

FrFrFrommomom ssssewewewagagaggeee bybbybybypaapapasssssss oooopepepeperaraa itititionono s,s,s ttttooo cococoonsnssttrtrt ucuc itititionnono ssssiitititeee dddededewawawattetetet ririringngngng, ,, ttototo aaaappppppplilililicacaa itititionono sss whwhwhwhererereee iininnnttetetermrmmiititittettetentntntn flflflflowowowssss prprprresesesenenent t t a a a prprpr bobobobllelelemm,mm GGGGororo mamaman-n-n-RuRuRuRuppppppppp PrPrPrP iimimmeeee AAiAiAirere PPPPlululussss®®® ppppririr miimimingngngng a-aaassssssiisisisttetedddd pupupumpmpmppss s gegegegeet t t tththheee jojojoobbbb ddododoneenene. GoGoGoGormrmmannana -R-R-RRRupupuppppp eenenengigigigig neneneererersss thththheseseseeee ruruuuggggggggededede ppppumumumpsspsps tttoo momomoveveve lllararargeegegeg vvv lolololumumumesseses ooof f f wawawatteteterr raananandddd momomom veveve ttthehhehem mm fafafaasttstst—e——eeevevevennn wwhwhwhennene sssstititi kckks,s,ss sssstototonenenes,s,ss aaandndnd ddddebebebe riiris ss gegegegeett t ininin ttthehehehe wwwwayayayay.. FoFooF rr yyoyoyoururu bbbbigigigggegegeg tststs jjjobobobss,s,s ooourruu PPPPririmeememe AAAAiriri eee PlPlPlPlususu ppppumumump p pp sseseseririessese hhhasasas bbbeeeeeennneexexexpapapa dndndndeddeded ttto o o oofofoffefefef r r r didididiscscschhahahargrgrggessese uuuup p p p tototo 1116”6”6”6”, , hehehehe dadadadss s s upupupupp ttto o o 5757575755 55 ftftft.,., aaaanddndnd flflflflowowowsss upupupupp tttooo 1151551 ,0,0,000, 000000000 ggggalalala lololonsnssn pppperrere mmmminiini tutututee..ee SSSSoooo yoyoyoyoy u u u cacacaannn sstststayayayayy aaaabobbobovvveeee wwawawateteter.r.rr NoNoNoNoNo mmamamattttttttererree hhhhowwowow mmmmucucu h h h cococoomememes ss s yoyoyoyoy urururu wwwwayayayayay...

From sewage bypass operations, to construction site dewatering, to applications where intermittent flows present a problem, Gorman-Rupp Prime Aire Plus® priming-assisted pumps get the job done. Gorman-Rupp engineers these rugged pumps to move large volumes of water and move them fast—even when sticks, stones, and debris get in the way. For your biggest jobs, our Prime Aire Plus pump series has been expanded to offer discharges up to 16”, heads up to 575 ft., and flows up to 15,000 gallons per minute. So you can stay above water. No matter how much comes your way.

GORMAN-RUPP AFRICA 2 KELLY ROAD, JET PARK, BOKSBURG | GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA

PH: +27 11 397 3536 | WEB: PUMPTRON.CO.ZA | EMAIL: [email protected] © Copyright, The Gorman-Rupp Company, 2014

AFRICA


the three firms of consultants that make

up the design and construction supervision

team, Braamhoek Consultants Joint Venture,

explains recent progress milestones.

“Underground work is proceeding apace

with the concrete lining in the tailrace and

headrace tunnels completed; cavity and

consolidation tunnel grouting are about 75%

complete and; concrete slip forming at one

of two 91 m high surge chambers recently

commenced. All civil works in the trans-

former hall have been completed and the

machine hall and underground control room

are nearing completion” he explained.

“The first turbine shaft and runner were

taken underground recently, two genera-

tor transformers have been installed and

mechanical and electrical fit-out work is

underway. Above ground the operations and

maintenance building on the intake structure

is nearing completion as is the stop-log stor-

age facility at the outlet,” says Du Plessis.

The double-storey administration building,

whose basement has direct access to the

main tunnel leading to the underground

power station, has also recently been com-

pleted. In addition to office space, the

building accommodates the external con-

trol centre for the power station. Also

recently completed is the visitors centre,

which comprises a small office wing, a

cinema, various display halls, an audito-

rium and facilities wings. The surrounding

area will be landscaped with indigenous

plants to minimise the visual impact of the

surface buildings.

Environmental responsibilities“Amid all this heavy engineering work, Eskom

is conscious of its environmental responsi-

bilities and in particular the site’s bird life,”

explains Du Plessis. More than 275 bird spe-

cies have been sighted at Ingula, including

all three crane species that, although rare,

are regularly seen there.

“The endangered southern bald ibis is a

resident of the conservation area and thirty

breeding pairs have been counted. However,

construction of the upper Bedford Dam,

completed in 2011, robbed them of their

historic nesting ledges, causing Eskom to

construct a massive artificial nesting site

to compensate for the loss of their original

ones,” he explains.

The dam is expected to fill to capacity dur-

ing 2015 for the first time, and the hope is

that before then the birds will discover the

new nesting site themselves. Several dum-

mies were placed in the new site to entice

them to relocate. The change in habitat due

to the construction of the dams is being

monitored by conservation staff and already

new species are moving into the area such

as spoonbill and flamingo.

Anticipated completion and operation of the

first of the four pump s/turbines is expected

by May 2015 with the remaining units coming

on stream over the following 12 months.


WITHIN A SHORT space of

time they have managed to

establish an exciting busi-

ness with innovative products

that compete on price and quality, and also

have export potential.

All standards compliantThe water reticulation industry has high

barriers to entry due to high development

cost and required technology. The regula-

tory environment is similarly stringent and

requires much attention to detail. Amanzi’s

manufacturing ranges from raw material to

final products, which include water meters,

ball valves and meter boxes. Products are

NRCS approved where required, a pre-req-

uisite for obtaining municipal tenders. The

water meters are also YASWIC accepted.

State of the art manufacturing technologyThe factory is based in Tongaat, KwaZulu-

Natal with easy access to the N2 and in

close proximity to Durban’s King Shaka air-

port. Advanced manufacturing technologies

are applied, which start in the design room

with CAD drawings done by experienced

designers and engineers. Before any tooling

is manufactured, a 3D model of the item

can be made to check for functionality and

ease of manufacturing.

Diversity and supportThe founders have diverse backgrounds

that include manufacturing design, banking

and electronic engineering. Amanzi owes

much of its success to local suppliers who

allowed credit while Amanzi was still in

an incubator phase. This gave Amanzi the

opportunity to engage in R&D, build pro-

totypes and obtain NRCS approval for its

water meters before any sales took place.

On 1 September 2013, Amanzi Meters

became a subsidiary of Sebata Municipal

Solutions, a member of the MICROmega

Group, a public company listed on the main

board of the JSE. The synergies within

the group pro-

vide the oppor-

tunity for growth

and the ability

to provide an

end-to-end water management solution to

municipalities. They now offer a complete

meter reading and data management solu-

tion to meet the increasing demands on

water utilities and to bring water losses

under control.

Products and servicesAmanzi Meters designs, develops and manu-

factures its own products. Moulding is done

in an ISO-rated facility and water meters

are tested according to the Trade Metrology

Act of 1977 in a SANAS-accredited labora-

tory to ensure the highest quality. Ongoing

development accommodates customer

requirements and ensures robustness for

field applications.

Product Range • Plastic, volumetric water meters –

15 mm x 114/15 mm x 165/20 mm

• Water meter boxes – surface boxes and

above-ground boxes

• Ball valves – consumer and municipal ball

valves, including a tamper-free solution

• Restrictor valves – the iMvubu valve is

approved for the dispensing of free water

• AMR – an AMR device that clips onto the

meter for data collection

David and Goliath

Amanzi Meters designs, develops and

manufactures its own products

The founders of Amanzi took a huge leap of faith when they pooled their resources to start their business in an industry dominated by well-established international players.

WATER AND SANITATION | COMPANY PROFILE

BELOW The assembly line INSET Amanzi meter and iMvubu assembled in a surface box

telon

wn

Amanzi Medevel

mmmmaoooooow

RE-THINKWATERMunicipalities are losing up to 40% of potable water supplied and therefore

need to implement measures to effectively manage resources. Robust and durable products that can withstand the

harsh South African conditions are therefore a prerequisite for

effective water management.

South African manufacturer and supplier of Water meters Ball valvesMeter boxesLimiter valves

Tel: + 27 32 944 6034Fax: +27 86 547 5499

[email protected] Walter Reid Road,Tongaat, KZN, 4399,

South Africa

A Micromega Group Company



• Prepaid metering – these are being devel-

oped and refined.

Amanzi has developed the iMvubu valve for

the allocation and dispensing of free water

to indigent communities.

This product is cost-effective and has the

potential to save municipalities millions

of rands due to the serviceability of the

unit. The long-life battery is easily replace-

able without exposing the electronics of

the unit. An AMR unit is being tested and

a prepaid meter and valve combination is

being developed as a natural progression

of the product.

Research and developmentAmanzi is committed to the ongoing develop-

ment and enhancement of their products to

best serve the needs of their customers. The

company’s management philosophy is based

on responsibility and mutual respect, while

encouraging ownership of responsibilities to

help foster personal growth. Amanzi focuses

on productivity for growth and profitability,

as well as respect for its customers and

employees to increase repeat and referral

business while minimising employee turno-

ver. Additionally, the company encourages

employees to have fun by allowing creative

independence and providing work challenges

that are realistic, attainable and rewarding.

A strong manufacturing sector is a cru-

cial component of a country’s intellectual

capital, innovation capacity and economic

prosperity. Manufacturing competitiveness

is driven by an empowered talent base,

especially as manufacturers around the

world integrate technology platforms and

interfaces into their products.

A broader contributionThe manufacturing sector provides a locus

for stimulating the growth of other activi-

ties, such as services, and achieving spe-

cific outcomes, such as employment crea-

tion, development and economic empower-

ment. Amanzi is collaborating with ter tiary

institutions to assist in a much-needed

skills transfer, which will allow previously

disadvantaged people to get involved in

the manufacturing sector.

Amanzi’s initiative to establish a South

African manufacturer of water management

systems and devices is therefore in support

of Government’s drive for local procurement

to create meaningful jobs.

+27 (0)32 944 6034

[email protected]

www.amanzimeters.co.za

Verification Laboratory



Background to pour fl ush

WHEN PROPERLY designed,

built and maintained, the VIP

provides a decent basic level

of sanitation, and is robust.

However, many aspire to a higher level of

sanitation, with flush toilets being univer-

sally desired.

The problem with flush toilets is that they

require enormous amounts of water – water

that is not always available or affordable in

semi-arid areas. The water needed for flush-

ing is significant enough, but what really

causes crippling debt is leaking toilets.

VIP toilets, though they do not need water

for operation, also have their drawbacks. As

they do not have a water seal, they have to

be separate from the house. Because the

pit is readily accessible, people use them

to dispose of all manner of personal and

household domestic waste, which means

they fill up much faster than they should.

When they are full, emptying is a messy,

unpleasant and expensive operation.

Exploring pour flush technology in SAFor these reasons, Jay Bhagwan of the

Water Research Commission in Pretoria

wanted to see what would happen if pour

flush sanitation was tested in South Africa.

Pour flush is an intermediate technology,

which is different from

the VIP in that it has a

water seal, and differ-

ent from full flush in

that much less water is

required for opera-

tion and that flushing

is done manually. For

50 years, it has been

the basic sanitation

standard in South Asia,

but it was always felt

that it would not

suit African conditions.

In 2009, Bhagwan

engaged a research

team led by David Still to

test the appropriateness

of the pour flush tech-

nology in South Africa.

The main dif ferences

The ventilated improved pit latrine, or VIP, was developed in Zimbabwe in the early 1980s and was soon accepted as the standard for basic sanitation in Africa, including South Africa.

FIGURE 1: Ventilated improved pit latrine schematic (Sanitation Technology Options, 2002)

FIGURE 2: Schematic for pour flush latrine(Sanitation Technology Options, 2002)



ELEVATED TANKS CIRCULAR SECTIONAL STEEL TANKS

GROUND LEVEL TANKS

The name that really holds water

toilets in SAbetween South Africa and South Asia are

that in South Africa it is customary to sit on

a toilet pedestal rather than to squat over a

hole, and it is common to use toilet paper,

whereas, in South Asia, people use water.

Due to these differences, pour flush had

never been considered as a potential sanita-

tion option in South Africa.

Still’s research team integrated the

Asian pour flush concept into a South

African-style toilet pedestal and, after a few

design iterations, found that the new toilet

worked far better than expected. The first

field test units were commissioned near

Pietermaritzburg on 1 September 2010 and,

in 2011 and 2012, a further 30 test units

were constructed. These toilets discharge

via a short length of pipe to a local soak-

age pit where the effluent is allowed to

dry and compost in the same manner as a

VIP latrine, but with the notable absence of

solid waste.

Pour flush trials Following the success of the KZN trials, the

WRC commissioned Maluti GSM Consulting

Engineers to establish pour flush trials in

the Western Cape. The ‘front end’ of the

toilet is unchanged from the design devel-

oped by David Still but, in order to make the

technology more accessible to dense urban

settlements, the toilets are connected to a

simplified sewerage network that discharges

to a centralised biodigestor or septic tank.

This small-scale trial is operating suc-

cessfully in three Western Cape municipali-

ties, made possible through the willingness

of the users and collaboration with the

Sustainability Institute, AgriProtein and the

Lighthouse Mission.

The pour flush toilet requires no mains

water connection, as it is flushed manually

by pouring as little as 1 litre of water (or

greywater) into the toilet bowl, compared to

6 litres or more for a conventional toilet. In

a dense urban context, the pour flush toilet

may present the opportunity for sanitation

to be installed closer to the user or even

inside the house. The technology can assist

with the hygienic disposal of greywater and,

at a wider scale, has the potential to reduce

demand for potable water and alleviate pres-

sure on overstressed sewer networks.

Based on the success of the testing and

demonstration work, Durban is now plan-

ning to install 600 units at the Oakford

Priory housing development, scheduled for

construction this year, and Stellenbosch

municipality is considering incorporating

pour flush into its design standards.

A Durban-based plastics company,

Envirosan, is planning to start making the

pedestal using injection-moulded plastic.

This is an exciting development as it will

not only result in a high-quality finish, but

it will also bring down the costs of the ped-

estals and make it possible for the technol-

ogy to compete on price with the current

market alternatives.

OPPOSITE AND RIGHT Typical pour flush latrine installations, Edendale, Pietermaritzburg



THE ROLE OF standards in sanita-

tion in South Africa has never been

more important. Calcamite Tanks

has been developing effective SABS

and Agrément certified on-site sanitation

solutions for the last 30 years and is ready

to meet the challenge.

The Department of Water and Sanitation’s

slogan, ‘water is life, sanitation is dignity’, is

an oft-repeated phrase that belies the fact

that South Africa often finds itself falling

short of this by rolling out solutions that are

substandard and a quick fix. A viable solu-

tion must be based on products that meet

standards and are fit for purpose.

“When it comes to sanitation, there is

no ‘one size fits all’ solution,” states John

Telford, managing director of Calcamite

Tanks. For 20 years, Calcamite Tanks has

insisted that a sanitation solution can only

be effective if it meets the relevant stand-

ards. “We have seen the sanitation cycle

come full circle,” says Telford. “In early

democracy, the focus was on sanitation,

where it belonged. However, it gradually

shifted to the more visible elements, such

as the top structure. While South Africans

can be proud of the top structures that have

been developed, it has shifted the focus

away from the heart of the matter; which is

providing adequate, above- and below-ground

sanitation solutions.”

The sanitation innovation challenge“Calcamite is unique in that it is the only

company in world, that we know of, that

offers everything from a pit latrine to a

package treatment plant and everything in

between – all to recognised standards,”

notes Telford. “Our product range allows

us to service both the high-end home and

informal settlements in the most appropri-

ate and effective manner. South Africa’s

extreme demographics demand a variety

of solutions.”

The company was pioneering in becoming

the first company in the world to receive an

Agrément certificate for a sanitation system

in 1994.

Right for now, ready for the futureCalcamite possesses three Agrément certifi-

cations and an SABS certificate for its prod-

ucts, and stands ready to help Government

roll out sanitation solutions that meet

demand. “We are sensitive to the urgency of

this rollout, both to the decision-makers and

the affected communities. South Africa may

not have the luxury of conducting two-year

pilot studies, so only products that already

conform to recognised standards should

be considered.”

A solution for every challengeCalcamite is ready to deliver four distinct

types of sanitation solutions, fit for a variety

of purposes and environments, especially

those for which pit latrines are not a viable

option. These include the:

• Calcamite Ecomite dry toilet: a waterless

dehydration toilet with optional urine division.

• Calcamite low flush/pour-flush system

(agrément certified): an anaerobic pri-

mary digester that flows into a evapotran-

spiration field that consumes between

zero and three litres of water per person,

per day.

• Calcamite septic tank: an anaerobic pri-

mary digestion system which is combined

with secondary treatment in the form of

the biomat-type soakaway.

• Calcamite wetloo: a full, water flush,

recycling toilet which is a closed, recycling

system requiring no further water input

once installed. It has a patented aerobic

treatment process which sees the water in

CALCAMITE TANKS

Sanitation comes full circleCalcamite’s mission statement: “To uplift the living standards of our communities by providing safe, acceptable, hygienic and affordable on-site sanitation and water solutions by means of appropriate technologies.”

BELOW LEFT Biomite recycling system

BELOW RIGHT Biomite cistern



continuous flow, preventing stagnation and

allowing for uninterrupted usage.

All products are easily maintained and give

a critical advantage to municipalities using

them: servicing and maintenance is mini-

mised and the need for emptying pit latrines

vanishes. Calcamite tests all its products

on-site and no product that fails these tests

makes it into the market.

InstallationCalcamite’s product design and manufactur-

ing process is geared for the rapid roll-out

so urgently needed right now. “The success

of the Calcamite technology is not only that

it works, but that it’s been manufactured

from tough, durable materials and designed

to facilitate ease of transportation, han-

dling and installation. Any contractor with

plumbing or building experience with a CIDB

grading would be able to install a system,

and we are there to support the process

throughout,” says Telford.

“Our products lend themselves to mak-

ing the best of both worlds in the areas

of job creation and rapid roll-out. Labour

intensive methods can slow some pro-

jects down, but the ease of installation

of our products ensures quick turnaround

times. Authorities that choose Calcamite

products are automatically suppor ting

emerging contractors, who are our ideal

installation partners.”

Calcamite opens its doorsCalcamite invites engineers, municipal man-

agers, counsellors, contractors and pro-

ject managers to visit its state-of-the-art

manufacturing facilities in Rosslyn, Tshwane.

Showcasing in situ installations, visitors will

see first-hand the innovative advantages

offered by its products. The strength, sim-

plicity of design and physical appeal of all its

products are as impressive as their water-

saving ability, recycling and efficiency. The

visitor leaves with no doubt that Calcamite’s

sanitation innovations are indeed ready now,

and for the future.

Calcamite’s solutionsDry toilets: Ecomite.The Ecomite toilet was developed to conform

to the globally accepted criteria for ecologi-

cal dry sanitation.

It works on the dehydration principle where-

by the urine and faeces are separated

from each other, thus allowing the faecal

matter to rapidly dehydrate into a stable,

non-offensive substrate which can then be

easily handled.

It has a superior venting system that

speeds up the drying process.

Water-based toilets• Conservancy tank: Empty tank with an

inlet but no outlet. All wastewater from

toilets is collected and is then emptied by

a vacuum tanker.

• Septic tank: Tank has an inlet and an outlet.

Solids are intercepted in the tank, anaero-

bically liquefied into black water which, by

hydraulic displacement, overflows into a

French drain/soak-away system.

• BRS (Biomite recycling system): As per

septic tank except the black water is

cleaned to a level which allows it to be

reused to flush toil ets. It also runs on

solar power. This full flush toilet cleans

and recycles its own water.

• Biomite package plant: As per septic tank

except the black water is further cleaned

using an aerobic process which then allows

the water to be reused for irrigation or

toilet flushing. It usually runs off 220 volts.

It is an ideal upgrade to failing septic

tank installations.

Calcamite head officet +27 (0)12 742 0900f +27 (0)12 543 2234

Product and technical advice:John Telford: +27 (0)82 440 9930Email [email protected]

www.calcamitetanks.co.za

ABOVE LEFT Modular conservancy tanks

ABOVE RIGHT Diepsloot BRS

LEFT School model Biomite recycling system


IN ORDER TO safeguard against this

potential burden, Johannesburg Water

has embarked on the implementation of

a combined heat- and power-generation

programme, using biogas produced at their

wastewater treatment works.

In 2013, the five large treatment works

operated by Johannesburg Water had the

potential to generate 9.5 MW of electricity.

This would have accounted for 54% of the

treatment works’ electrical power require-

ments and resulted in a saving of R80 million

in electricity supply costs.

In order to obtain the maximum benefit

from the operation of the existing meso-

philic digesters, implementation of the fol-

lowing additional treatment processes

were recommended:

• thicken the digester feed sludge from 2.5%

dry solids concentration to between 5% and

6%, using gravity belt thickeners

• lysis the waste activated sludge cell mem-

branes using ultrasound technology

• remove the potential for struvite precipita-

tion by the recovery of nitrogen and phos-

phorus from the digested sludge, prior to

sludge dewatering.

This article describes the various technolo-

gies evaluated by Johannesburg Water for

the enhancement of the existing digester

operation in order to fully comply with the

2006 Sludge Guidelines, increase biogas

production and electrical power generation

and control struvite precipitation.

IntroductionThe recent increases in electricity tariffs

imposed by Eskom have had a direct bearing

on the operational cost of wastewater treat-

ment in Johannesburg and the cost could

rise from 81c/m³ in 2013 to above 124c/

m³ by 2020. This probable increase will place

an additional financial burden on both the

WSA (City of Johannesburg) and the WSP

(Johannesburg Water SOC Limited).

In 2010, Johannesburg Water (JW) began

implementation of a combined heat and

power (CHP) programme that would assist in

reducing the impact of this financial burden.

In 2013, JW treated 998 Ml per day of

wastewater, 249 dry tonnes of sludge and

consumed 17.5 MWe of electricity at their

six wastewater treatment works. The five

large wastewater treatment works had the

potential to generate 9.5 MWe of electricity by

enhancing their sludge digestion operations.

Fifty-four per cent of the electricity required for

wastewater treatment could have been gener-

ated on-site and resulted in a saving of R80

million in electricity supply costs.

CHP generation programmeThe revised Sludge Guidelines were prom-

ulgated by the Department of Water Affairs

in March 2006 and these guidelines now

form part of the Johannesburg wastewater

treatment works licence conditions. One of

the 10 options offered in the guidelines, for

sludge stabilisation, was anaerobic diges-

tion, and this option was considered the

most cost-effective and sustainable process

for Johannesburg.

In order to comply with the new Sludge

Guidelines, JW had to embark on a major

sludge digester refurbishment programme

that included structural repair and the instal-

lation of heating and mixing equipment at

Northern, Olifantsvlei and Goudkoppies

Works. New mesophilic sludge digesters have

been recently installed at both Driefontein

and Bushkoppie Works.

During 2013, the successful installation

of a 1.14 MWe CHP unit at Northern Works

led to the decision to extend the programme

to Driefontein Wastewater Treatment Works

Technical paper

Enhancing Johannesburg WWTW’s sludge digestionThe recent increases in electricity tariffs imposed by Eskom have had a direct bearing on the cost of wastewater treatment in Johannesburg and could lead to an additional financial burden for the water services authority (WSA) and water services provider (WSP) in the future.


COST OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT


by the installation of 2 x 380 kWe reciprocating engines. The

experience gained from the Northern Works digester and CHP

operations identified areas of concern and the need to implement

solutions for improved sludge thickening, cell lysis and control of

struvite precipitation.

Enhancement of the sludge digestion operation All of Johannesburg’s treatment works incorporate the biological nutri-

ent removal (BNR) process for wastewater treatment. Fermentation of

primary sludge and controlled solids carry-over enhances the biologi-

cal nutrient removal process but, at the same time, also reduces the

amount of waste fermented sludge available for biogas production.

The digester feeds therefore consist mainly of waste activated sludge

(WAS), which is thickened from an average 0.35% dry solids concen-

tration to 2.5% in concrete gravity thickeners.

Additional sludge thickeningThe present problem with the steady production of biogas at Northern

Works is that the digesters are being fed with gravity-thickened waste

activated sludge of < 2.0% dry solids concentration. The feed sludge

therefore contains an excessive amount of water and it is necessary

to increase the digester feed solids concentration from < 2.0% to

between 5% and 6% in order to enhance the volatile solids reduction

and biogas production rates. Information obtained from a literature

survey indicated that the following could be achieved if the digester

feed sludge were to be further thickened:

• The volatile solids loading rate could be increased from 1.2 kg VS/

m³ of digester capacity to 2.6 kg VS/m³ at a 15 day solids reten-

tion time.

• Volatile solids reduction during the sludge digestion process could

be increased by about 25%.

• The solids retention time in existing digesters would be increased.

VOLATILE SOLIDS LOADING RATEDigester feed solids conc.

12 daysretention

15 daysretention

20 daysretention

2.5 % 1.5 kg VS / m³ 1.2 kg VS / m³ 0.9 kg VS / m³5.0 % 3.0 kg VS / m³ 2.4 kg VS / m³ 1.8 kg VS / m³5.5 % 3.3 kg VS / m³ 2.6 kg VS / m³ 2.0 kg VS / m³6.0 % 3.6 kg VS / m³ 2.9 kg VS / m³ 2.1 kg VS / m³

Sludge thickening methodsIn order to thicken the waste activated sludge further, the following

processes were investigated:

• dissolved air flotation (DAF) – 2 variants

• gravity belt thickeners (GBT) – 5 variants

• rotary drum – 1

• thickening press – 1.

All of the above processes require polymer addition with the DAF

system requiring the lowest dosing rate. Due to past experience with

GBTs in Johannesburg and that redundant GBTs were available for

refurbishment on the works, it was decided that this mode of sludge

thickening was the most cost-effective option and carried the least

risk for Johannesburg Water.

Cell lysis Cell lysis involves the breakdown of cell clusters and disintegration of

the cell membrane of waste activated sludge prior to sludge digestion,



which allows the release of the organic frac-

tion to be readily available for enhanced

biogas production. Some of the advantages

of incorporating cell lysis technology into the

existing sludge digestion operation are:

• an increase in the carbon available for

biogas production

• enhanced electrical power generation

• a reduction in digester foaming

• a reduction in the mass of digested

sludge produced

• improved sludge stabilisation and a reduc-

tion in odour and vector attraction.

In order to decide on which cell lysis technol-

ogy to include in the enhanced sludge diges-

tion programme, the following processes

were investigated:

• thermal hydrolysis – 2 variants

• thermo chemical hydrolysis – 1

• mechanical disintegration – 2 variants

• ultrasound/ultrasonic – 2 variants

• electric pulse – 2 variants

• chemical treatment – 1

• mechanical shearing – 1.

Valuable process and operational information

was provided by literature surveys, pres-

entations by local agents and contact with

overseas users of some of the above tech-

nologies. The results of the investigations

indicated that the ultrasound option was prob-

ably the most cost-effective and suitable cell

lysis technology for Johannesburg.

Anticipated improvement in sludge treatment operationIt is anticipated that the following could be

achieved by enhancement of the existing

sludge treatment operations:

• 25% increase in volatile solids reduction

during digestion

• 25% increase in biogas production

• 15% increase in electrical power generation

• 20% decrease in digested sludge

production

• 50% to 55% decrease in the wastewater

treatment electrical power costs.

Struvite precipitationStruvite is commonly referred to as MAP

(magnesium, ammonium, phosphate) and

during the digestion process, phosphorus is

released from cells and ammonia produced

by the reduction in volatile solids concentra-

tion. Struvite precipitates after the sludge

digestion process by the entrainment of air

mainly through turbulence in pipelines and

pumps, an increase in pH through CO2 strip-

ping and a MAP mole ratio of 1:1:1.

Struvite forms crystals in pipelines, pumps,

sludge storage tanks and dewatering equip-

ment and, to prevent the struvite forming, fer-

ric salts or alum salts or commercial additives

are dosed into the digester feed to chemically

precipitate phosphorus and so prevent stru-

vite crystals from forming after the digestion

process. However, this process does not pre-

vent high concentrations of ammonia in the

sludge dewatering liquors from being recycled

back to the bioreactors for treatment, which

could lead to final effluent non-compliances.

The recovery of both nitrogen and phospho-

rus from the digested sludge can be achieved

by the controlled precipitation of struvite crys-

tals. Since magnesium is the limiting element

for struvite precipitation, magnesium ions are



added to the digested sludge to increase the

magnesium concentration.

In most cases, after magnesium enhance-

ment, phosphorus becomes the limiting fac-

tor in struvite precipitation. Although phos-

phorus in the digested sludge is reduced

to low concentrations by controlled struvite

precipitation, test results also indicate that in

excess of 90% of the ammonia concentration

in the digested sludge can be removed at a

pH of 9.0 and a MAP mole ratio of between

1:1:1 and 1.2:1:1.

The recovery of struvite crystals for use

as a slow-release fertiliser was being inves-

tigated by JW.

Enhanced sludge treatment operationIn order to enhance the existing mesophilic

sludge digestion operation in a cost-effec-

tive and efficient manner, a combination of

technologies is required. After thoroughly

investigating the suitability of the various

technologies available for sludge thickening,

cell lysis and struvite recovery, the following

recommendations were made:

• Thicken the WAS, using existing gravity

thickeners, to achieve a solids concentra-

tion of 2.5%.

• The gravity-thickened WAS is to be further

thickened to between 5% and 6% dry solids

concentration, using gravity belt thickeners.

• The thickened WAS is lysed using ultra-

sound technology.

• The lysed WAS is combined with waste fer-

mented sludge and recovered fats, oils and

greases before being fed to the existing

mesophilic digesters.

• After the sludge digestion operation, the

digested sludge is passed through a MAP

recovery process for ammonia and phos-

phorus removal.

• The sludge is then dewatered on existing

belt filter presses, solar dried, composted

and screened before final disposal.

• The recovered struvite crystals can either

be blended with the compost or used sepa-

rately as a slow-release fertiliser.

The recommended sludge treatment pro-

cesses are to be installed at the Driefontein

Wastewater Treatment Works in order to verify

the assumptions made for digester volatile

solids loading, volatile solids reduction, vol-

ume of biogas produced, electrical energy

generated and the reduction in the mass of

digested sludge to be dewatered.

Reduction in greenhouse gas emissionsBy implementation of an enhanced sludge

digestion operation at Driefontein Works, it is

estimated that the following reduction in green-

house gas emissions would be achieved:

• CO2 6 690 tonnes/annum

• SO2 113 tonnes/annum

• NOx 31 tonnes/annum

• CH4 26 tonnes/annum

• CO 20 tonnes/annum.

If all five large treatment works in

Johannesburg incorporated the enhanced

digestion operation, the reduction in green-

house gas emissions would then be:

• CO2 146 000 tonnes/annum

• SO2 2 480 tonnes/annum

• NOx 672 tonnes/annum

• CH4 582 tonnes/annum

• CO 438 tonnes/annum.

ConclusionsFuture increases in electricity tariffs will

place an additional financial burden on

the WSA and WSP, especially for power-

intensive activated-sludge-type processes.

An improved anaerobic sludge digestion

operation enables wastewater treatment

plants to fully comply with the 2006 Sludge

Guidelines, increase biogas production and

enhance CHP generation.

The introduction of additional sludge thick-

ening from 2.5% to between 5% and 6%,

enables the volatile solids loading rate to

be increased from 1.2 kg VS/m3 to 2.6

kg VS/m3 at a solids retention time of 15

days in the digesters. This substantially

reduces the digester capacity required for

sludge stabilisation.

Cell lysis of thickened waste sludge

increases the organic carbon available for

the enhancement of biogas production and

on-site electrical power generation.

Precipitation of struvite immediately

after the digestion process allows the

digested sludge treatment operation to

function without blockages to pipelines,

pumps and sludge dewatering equipment.

It also prevents high concentrations of

nitrogen and phosphorus, in the dewatered

sludge filtrate, from being recycled to the

bioreactors, which could cause effluent

non-compliances.

The proposed enhancement of the sludge

digestion operation would ensure reduc-

tions in future electricity supply costs for

wastewater treatment.

The reduction in greenhouse gas emis-

sions is dependent on the amount of kWh

of electricity produced, and large reductions

in CO2 emissions could be achieved by

the wastewater treatment works incorporat-

ing CHP generation from the biogas that

they produce.


Struvite precipitation



AQUADAM has expanded its

engineer-designed water storage

solutions to cover just about any

application, and beyond conser-

vation, the products are cost-effective and

functional, making the company a true force

to be reckoned with in South Africa.

Aquadam’s product range includes the

Future Tank, Smart Tank, Muleby System

Tank, Rhino Steel Coated Tank and the

Gunite Dam. These locally manufactured

water tanks are the safest, healthiest, most

cost-effective solutions available.

Modular precast concrete systemThe Muleby System Tank precast pre-

stressed reservoir – also known as the MST

– is a tough and versatile modular tank with

a prefabricated production process that is

engineer-designed. This modular system

is comprised of standard concrete panels

that are precast in Aquadam’s factory to

ensure exceptional quality. The product is

then transported and assembled on-site on

a reinforced concrete base. The concrete

panels are sealed and stressed both verti-

cally and circumferentially, resulting in a

structurally sound and stable reservoir.

The post-tensioned panel reservoir is

available in volumes that range from

174 m3 to 5 715 m3.

Individual panels are 1.58 m wide, between

130 mm and 160 mm thick, and vary in

height from 3 m to 7 m. The number of panels

used in a single reservoir construction can

range from 15 to 66 panels, which means the

system offers outstanding versatility.

The vertical joints between the precast

panels consist of a waterproofing mortar,

and, once the panels and joints have been

assembled, the entire system is post-

tensioned using horizontal circumferential

mono strands. This ensures an exception-

ally durable, per fectly watertight system.

Manholes, pipes, anchorages etc. are

cast into the concrete panels during the

manufacturing process as required, and the

concrete panel tank system can be closed

with a pre-cast or cast-in-situ concrete roof.

Installation and standardsThe Aquadam pre-stressed panel reservoir

meets the highest European standard of

water tightness, Euro Code 2: design of

concrete structures – Part 3: Liquid retain-

ing and containment structures.

Durable competitive advantage• The concrete units are produced in a

controlled factory environment that guar-

antees high quality.

• High-quality concrete ensures durability.

• The pre-stressing process allows

for a slender panel that reduces

transport costs.

• Efficient production and fast assembly

provides short construction time.

• The Muleby System Tank can be installed

vir tually anywhere: sunken, partially bur-

ied or at ground level.

• ‘Supply and install’ saves money and

empowers people.

• Rapid construction turnaround allows for

increased installations.

• Rapid, safe, labour-non-intensive installa-

tion, in almost all weather conditions.

t +27 (0)12 810 0940

www.aquadam.co.za

AQUADAM’S ALL-PURPOSE, ALL-ENVIRONMENT

Muleby Tank SystemA leading South African manufacturer of water storage solutions has developed their broad range of tanks and reservoirs with conservation of this precious resource as their guiding principle.

VERSATILITY FOR MULTIPLE APPLICATIONSThese tanks can be used in any number of applications, such as sedimentation tanks, digestion tanks, aeration tanks, stormwater retention basins, elevated reservoirs, clarifiers, filtration tanks, sprinkler tanks, firefighting tanks, flammable and/or environmentally dangerous liquids safety tanks, loose storage tanks (salt, sand, chipping, etc.), agricultural application tanks and rainwater harvesting tanks.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN MARKET LEADER IN SPIRALLY WELDED STEEL PIPES

WATER IS LIFE AND THE JOURNEY STARTS WITH US.Group Five Pipe design and manufacture their own pipe making, pipe handling and pipe testing equipment.

Group Five Pipe manufacture spirally welded steel pipes ranging from 610 mm to 3.5 m in diameter, using various steel grades up to 25 mm in thickness. Standard lengths are 12 and 19.2 m, but any other length can be manufactured.

Group Five Pipe’s involvement in pipe making extends beyond the manufacture of pipes to include a service for the design of the actual pipe needed for a specific application.

Group Five Pipe offers linings and coatings that are essential in prolonging the life of any pipeline used in a corrosive environment.

Pipes are manufactured to API, SABS or to clients’ specifications.

CAPE TOWNMontreal Drive, Airport IndustriaPO Box 6074, Roggebaai 8012Cape Town, South AfricaTel: +27 (0)21 386 1923Fax: +27 (0)21 386 2514

GAUTENGVerwoerd Street, MeyertonPO Box 694, Meyerton 1960Meyerton, South AfricaTel: +27 (0)16 362 2236Fax: +27 (0)16 362 2235

[email protected]

www.groupfivepipe.co.za


THE EXISTING treatment plant – an

oxidation pond system – was con-

stantly exceeding its capacity and

producing an inferior treated-efflu-

ent quality, as a result of the considerable

growth in the area. The Jeffreys Bay WWTP

was in urgent need of being upgraded.

Jeffreys Bay is a constituent part of the

Kouga Local Municipality in the Cacadu

District, in the Eastern Cape. Speaking at

the launch, on behalf of the consulting engi-

neers that were appointed for the project,

Willem Hofmeyr, technical director: Water

and Civil Infrastructure for WorleyParsons,

commented: “When we received approval

for this project, the Department of Water

Affairs required that the initial oxidation

ponds be scrapped and used for stor-

age. However, working with Tecroveer, we

developed technology that enabled us to

put a portion of water through the original

oxidation pond system, to clean water to

the requisite standard. As a result, rather

than creating a system capable of treating

the 5 Mℓ of water per day that was initially

needed, the plant is now capable of treating

8 Mℓ per day.”

Tecroveer, an established water and envi-

ronmental engineering business, put in an

alternative bid on a design- and supply-type

basis to retrofit the existing oxidation pond

system by incorporating their PETRO process

into a Tecroveer-type design. The name

PETRO is a proprietary name and is an

acronym of the concept title ‘Pond Enhanced

Treatment and Operation’.

The system makes maximum use of anaer-

obic biodegradation followed by aerobic deg-

radation in oxidation ponds prior to the

polishing stage in a secondary unit. This pro-

cess was originally developed by the Water

Research Commission to which Tecroveer

has acquired the rights. This solution, with

Tecroveer’s layout and design, presented sig-

nificant savings for the Kouga Municipality.

Tecroveer president Zack van den Berg

says: “This project opened the door for us

to offer a completely innovative solution.

As a design and supply contractor, we are

generally limited to smaller projects. The

size of the project and the opportunity to


The Jeffreys Bay WWTP upgradeA state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant has been unveiled at an official ceremony in Jeffreys Bay.


offer a design and supply solution gave us

the ability to develop a new, innovative and

cost-effective technology.

“This project is a good example of a strong

partnership that was developed through the

client, the consultant, the funders, the main

civil contractor and ourselves as the design

and supply contractors, who together were

responsible for implementing this project,”

says Van den Berg.

Technological innovationsOn discussing the technological innovations

used in this project, Van den Berg says:

“In this country we have a considerable

number of ponds and when these plants

are upgraded, they are discarded. On the

Jeffreys Bay project, we already had the the

ponds needed for the PETRO process, and

we were able to utilise these, which immedi-

ately gave us an edge on the capacity.

“However, we did not offer this process

as a saving, we offered it as an extra over,

and therefore won the bid based on the

5 Mℓ specification. We have provided a

sustainable solution, together with the extra

capacity, so that in the future the Kouga

Municipality will be able to undertake extra

developments,” says Van den Berg.

Another technology that was deployed in

the design was Tecroveer’s patented trans-

fer mixer, which in effect reduces the num-

ber of pumps that are required for the inter-

nal process recirculation to take place, in

order to optimise the process performance.

“There are no pumps that perform the

major recycling. The recycling of the return

sludge from the secondary settling tank by

using transfer mixers is a first in the world,”

comments Van den Berg.

Van den Berg explains that they built a full-

scale model in their factory. “We physically

tested and calibrated the full-scale mixer in

our test bay in Glenharvie before shipping it

out to Jeffreys Bay. We have now developed

the capability to elevate raw sewage into the

reactor, A-recycle, R-recycle and S-recycle

with transfer mixers. The low energy require-

ment, non-clog capability and adjustable

transfer rate have created new equipment

frontiers for us. There are huge opportuni-

ties opening up globally with this technology.

“Keeping in mind that innovation is only

innovative if it creates a cost saving in the

application, the technology we have devel-

oped here is going to play a major role in the


offer a design and supply solution gave us

LOCATIONTown: Jeffreys BayCity: Port ElizabethMunicipality: Kouga Local Municpality/Cacadu District MunicipalityPopulation: 27 000+

LEFT Secondary settling tank with adjoining chlorine contact tank in the foreground

TOP View of pond systems incorporated into the new design

ABOVE Quality of the treated final effluent being discharged from the new treatment works



future of activated sludge worldwide,” says

Van den Berg.

ChallengesThe area where the plant is situated is called

Fountains, known for the high level of ground

water in the area. One of the challenges

encountered on-site was the fact that there

were actual fountains underneath the reac-

tor. Van den Berg explains that during con-

struction, they were excavating to 5 m and

there were considerable quantities of ground

water to cope with during the construction.

“We have to compliment LRC Civils, the civil

contractor, for operating in these difficult

conditions and producing high-quality civil

work,” says Van den Berg.

Van den Berg also points out that they

were not working on a greenfield site, but

that this was an active site that was receiv-

ing flow as they constructed and integrated

PROJECT TEAM:Client: Kouga Local MunicipalityConsulting Engineers: WorleyParsonsTurnkey Contractor: Tecroveer ProjectsMain Civil Contractor: LRC Civils

the existing process stages into the design.

The treatment of sewage during construction

and converting the existing ponds into a

PETRO system was an additional challenge

and as a result the project duration had to

be extended.

Wastewater qualityHofmeyr comments: “The quality of the

water before this project was implemented

was poor, but it now exceeds the required

‘general limit’ by quite a margin. In fact, the

treatment facility is close to ‘special limit’

effluent standards. This shows that the plant

goes above and beyond the required stand-

ards of efficiency.”

Over the past two years, the Jeffreys Bay

plant has been upgraded from treating 3 Mℓ per day to 8 Mℓ, meaning that the plant

can, with some small future adjustments,

augment municipal supply. Because of the

system’s current efficiency, engineers pre-

dict that treatment capacity could easily be

increased to 10 Mℓ per day, at a relatively

low cost.

“In the past, it was thought that effluent

from an old plant like this, with ponds, was

a liability. This plant changes all that. The

plant is no longer a liability but an asset,”

says Hofmeyr.

In closing, Van den Berg comments, “We

are a total-solution engineering company and

apart from designing and implementing solu-

tions we also operate and maintain a number

of wastewater treatment plants throughout

the country. Tecroveer not only supplies a

solution but maintains and sustains it to

ensure clean water for future generations.”

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

Official unveiling of the plaque. From left: Cllr Vernon Stuurman, Cllr Patrick Kota, Willem Hofmeyr – technical director of water & civil infrastructure of WorleyParsons, and Piet van der Merwe – managing director of Tecroveer Projects

Piet van der Merwe, managing director of Tecroveer Projects speaking at the opening function

Process controllers have received training to ensure the efficient operation and maintenance of the new plant

Pic 6 – New Jeffreys Bay WWTP in the background. From left: Ashley Perils - PMU manager of Kouga Municipality, Cllr Vernon Stuurman, Cllr Patrick Kota, Jacques van Heerden - CEO of the Mufasa Coaching Practice, and Gary Brown – marketing manager of Tecroveer

GRP SYSTEMS are a cost-effective

piping solution as the pipes are

corrosion free, have a proven

resistance to acidic environ-

ments in water and sewage systems, and

are lightweight and therefore easy to handle.

The advantages of Fiberpipe’s GRP pipe

systems go far beyond its light weight and

resilience, as the table illustrates.

Advantages of GRPHein Momberg, managing director of

Fiberpipe, has placed significant focus on

ensuring customers get the most value from

the company’s products: “Fiberpipe’s combi-

nation of manufacturing and sales engineer-

ing services enables us to deliver value-

added services based on the requirements

of its customers. Through partnerships, we

find workable solutions aimed at achieving

maximum utilisation of pipe systems where

operational effectiveness is sought.” The

company provides training in installation and

maintenance, free of charge to South African

customers, among other value-adds.

GRP pipe and fittings are used in potable,

raw and industrial water applications, as well

as in seawater, wastewater, bulk water and

sewer applications.

The GRP products are manufactured

according to the following local and interna-

tional standards: SABS 1748-1 (glass-fibre-

FIBERPIPE

Corrosion-free GRPFiberpipe is currently the only glass reinforced pipe (GRP) manufacturer in sub-Saharan Africa. The advantages of GRP pipes and fittings are increasingly appreciated in markets that reach beyond South Africa’s borders, including Zimbabwe, Namibia and Malawi.

CHARACTERISTIC ADVANTAGE

Corrosion-resistant

• long, effective service life• no need for linings, coatings, cathodic protection, wraps or other

forms of additional corrosion protection• low maintenance costs• hydraulic characteristics are essentially constant over time.

Lightweight (1/4 weight of ductile iron pipe, 1/10 weight of concrete)

• low transportation cost (able to nest pipes)• eliminates need for expensive pipe handling equipment.

Long standard lengths, 12 m

• fewer joints reduce installation time• more pipes per truckload means lower delivered cost.

Smooth bore • low friction loss• lower operating costs.

Superior hydraulic characteristics

• extremely smooth bore• Hazen-Williams flow coefficient of approximately C=150• low friction means less pumping energy needed and lower

operating costs• Manning’s flow coefficient n + 0.009• minimal slime build-up means lower cleaning costs• excellent abrasion resistance.

Precision Flowtite coupling with elastomeric gaskets

• tight, efficient joints designed to eliminate infiltration or exfiltration• ease of joining reduces installation time• accommodates small changes in line direction or differential

settlements without additional fittings.

Flexible manufacturing process

• custom diameters can be manufactured to provide maximum flow volumes with easy installation for slip lining projects

• custom lengths can be manufactured to provide maximum flexibility for ease of direct bury or slip lining installation.

Advanced technol-ogy pipe design

• multiple pressure and stiffness classes to meet the design engineer’s criteria.

PIPES | COMPANY PROFILE

t +27 (0)11 864 2040 • www.fiberpipe.co.za


reinforced thermosetting plastic pipes),

AWWA C950 (fibreglass pressure pipe for

water services), ASTM D3754 (fibreglass

sewer and industrial pipe), ASTM D2996 (fila-

ment-wound fibreglass pipe) and AWWA C950

(fibreglass pressure pipe). The 113-employee

company’s 13 500 m2 factory, located in

Germiston South, boasts a continuous fila-

ment winder for the manufacture of Flowtite

products and a non-continuous winder for the

manufacture of Vectus products.


PIPES | SAPPMA

MORE THAN 200 DELEGATES

attended this year’s confer-

ence entitled ‘Plastic Pipe

in Infrastructure’ – the only

2014 conference specifically dedicated to

plastic pipes. Sixteen local and international

experts, from as far afield as Germany,

Switzerland, Abu Dhabi and the United

States, shared their views on matters relat-

ing to water infrastructure.

The audience consisted of exper ts

involved in the manufacture, installation and

specification of plastic pipes, as well as the

development of pipelines around the world,

and included civil engineers, plastic pipe

manufacturers, representatives of local and

provincial governments, and the media.

“Government has been making promises

of massive expenditure (R800 billion) to

improve the country’s infrastructure. The

NDP has set a fixed investment target of

30% of GDP by 2030 and, concurrently,

the Department of Trade and Industry is

developing a strategic vision for the broader

plastics industry. All of these plans cer-

tainly appear to be good news, but we are

not yet seeing them translated into reality,”

said Jan Venter, SAPPMA chairperson.

The supply/demand imbalanceAccording to SAPPMA, the supply of plastic

pipes currently far outweighs the demand.

“The simple fact is that local municipalities

are not investing in replacing or upgrading

their water infrastructure. As a result, our

industry is currently taking strain and is

battling for survival despite the fact that the

country’s infrastructure is sorely lacking.

Many of our member companies are forced

to shift their focus to elsewhere in Africa in

order to keep their doors open,” Venter said.

PIPES VIII

Hard work and hopeThis year’s Pipes VIII conference, hosted by the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers’ Association (SAPPMA) at the Bytes Conference Centre in Midrand, highlighted the important role plastic pipes have to play in ensuring a country’s infrastructure is able to provide daily necessities such as clean drinking water and a working sewage system.

LEFT Delegates at Pipes VIII

BELOW LEFT Marley Pipe Systems Gold winner

BELOW RIGHT Awaiting the next speaker

Sasol Chemicals PolymerTelephone: +27 (0) 11 790 1111 Fax: +27 (0) 11 790 1058 Website: www.sasol.com/polymers

PVCREAL BENEFITS, NO PIPE DREAMSPVC pipes are all around us, mostly invisible, but always present. It forms an indispensable part of our daily lives, transporting clean drinking water; drainage for the waste we produce, for surface water; and protection for our telecommunication systems.

The performance of PVC piping is exceptional thanks to the key attributes of this type of plastic, which allow it to outperform traditional metal pipes. PVC pipes can be recycled over and over again without any degradation of its physical properties. PVC pipes are versatile and can be moulded into various forms, and an impressive longevity means that it can function for well over 100 years with minimal maintenance.

Low-cost installation, outstanding recyclability and durability, excellent hydraulic performance and low maintenance costs all amount to a tremendously cost-efficient piping system.

Even though we might not notice it, PVC pipe offers significant advantages to Southern Africa and we experience these benefits every day.


Water distribution, waste disposal, irriga-

tion and telecommunications all rely on pipe-

lines to function, and an extensive network

of reliable water and sewage pipelines is

essential for the establishment and growth

of civilisation.

“South Africa is experiencing a great need

in this regard, and one would therefore

expect our industry to flourish. Ironically,

though, the South African plastic pipe indus-

try repeatedly finds itself in a situation of

low demand and this scenario is simply

unacceptable,” he reiterated.

SAPPMA represents more than 80% of the

plastic pipe produced in South Africa, and

focuses its efforts on ensuring pipe sys-

tems are leak-free and durable for long-term

use. It also focuses on the rehabilitation of

old pipelines. According to SAPPMA, both

water quality and quantity are under severe

pressure in South Africa, aggravated by rap-

idly increasing demand, severe pollution and

huge losses in distribution.

Ageing infrastructureVenter explained that the majority of the

country’s existing pipes were installed in

the early 1960s. “They have undoubtedly

reached the end of their effective lifespan

and have begun to corrode. Unless urgent

attention is given to the replacement and

maintenance of the water infrastructure,

the end result is predictable: bursts will

start occurring on a daily basis, followed by

catastrophic component failure and regular,

prolonged disruptions in service delivery,”

Venter warned, alluding to recent violent

protest actions by angry residents left

without water or sanitation in the North

West province.

“The two major causes of water loss are

corrosion and poor jointing. For this rea-

son, old steel or asbestos pipes should be

replaced with plastic pipes, because they

do not corrode and the joints are leakproof

if done correctly. We are therefore urging

municipalities to realise that pipelines lie

at the heart of South Africa’s infrastructure

and should be replaced before they fail.”

JP Landman, analyst and author of The

Long View, came on stage after Venter’s

presentation and managed to lighten the

mood by convincing the industry that all was

not doom and gloom.

Landman’s presentation was entitled ‘No

miracle, but no apocalypse either’ and

PIPES | SAPPMA

“It will take consistent, hard toil and working together, but our country has a bright future that beckons.” JP Landman, analyst and author

of The Long View

focused on how the country’s economy is

growing and industry is succeeding in mov-

ing forward. “South Africa is on a steady

forward trajectory. It will take consistent,

hard toil and working together, but our coun-

try has a bright future that beckons,” he told

the audience.

Other highlights of the day’s presen-

tations included Manglin Pillay (CEO of

SAICE), Colm Lyons (Georg Fischer

Schaffhausen, Switzerland), Ulrich Schulte

(PE100+ Association, Germany), Andrew

Wedgner (Borouge, UAE) and Andrew Seidel

(Underground Solutions Inc., USA).

ConclusionOverall, SAPPMA concluded that there is

much to be excited about, but also a lot of

hard work is required if promises are to be

turned into action.

“South Africans are finally waking up

to the fact that water is fast becoming a

critical problem as they begin to experience

first-hand the impact of failing water infra-

structure. We can only hope that decision-

makers pay attention to the warning signs

by implementing a pipe-replacement project

and investing in developing the necessary

technical skills required – something greatly

lacking in our country,” Venter concluded.

“As an industry, we are appealing to

Government to preserve and distribute

scarce water resources effectively, to put

promises into practice by investing in infra-

structure and rolling out the much-talked-

about project, and to absolutely reject

incompetence and inefficiencies.”

Tel: +27 21 957 5600 Tel: +27 11 345 5600

www.dpiplastics.co.za [email protected] Southern African Vinyls AssociationMember of the Dawn Group

NOW AVAILABLE

up to 630mm

Resistance to abrasion and scouring Resistance to attack from acid or alkaline soils Impervious to chemicals found in all sewage Good flow characteristics Not damaged by modern cleaning methods Good impact properties, an important factor in

installation, transportation and use

SANS 791PVC-U (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride) solid wall sewer and drain pipe systems

DETAILED PIPELINE DESIGN TECHNICAL INFO CONTAINED IN CD OR PDF FORMAT IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM DPI PLASTICS AND CONTAINING, INTER ALIA:


PIPES | COMPANY PROFILE

THE COMPANY, which is now 100%

owned by the JSE-listed DAWN

Group, has been placed under DPI

Plastics management control with

product quality, factory efficiencies and cost

containment as a focus. As a fellow ISO

9001 listed company and SAPPMA member,

DPI Plastics will also provide technical assis-

tance to Sangio’s customers as well as to

Sangio’s factory personnel.

Obtaining an ISO 9001 listing was the

first step in achieving Sangio’s long-term

objectives and the company is very proud to

announce its recent accolade. Some of the

benefits of ISO 9001 listing are:

Increased efficiency and improved qualityCompanies that go through the ISO 9001

certification have clearly defined their pro-

cesses and how to maximise quality and

efficiency. Guidelines are in place for anyone

to follow easily, making training, transitions

and troubleshooting simpler.

International recognitionISO is recognised worldwide as the authority

on quality management.

Factual approach to decision-making The ISO 9001 standard sets out clear

instructions for audits and process reviews

that facilitate information gathering and

decision-making based on data.

Raw materials supplier standardsMutually beneficial supplier relationships

are one of the attractions of ISO certifica-

tion. Following the processes for documen-

tation and testing ensures that quality raw

materials from reputable suppliers go into

the production system.

Comprehensive workflow documentation The ISO standard requires documentation

of all processes and any changes, errors

and discrepancies. This ensures consist-

ency throughout production and account-

ability of all staff. This also guarantees

traceable records are available in the case

of non-compliant products or raw materials.

Consistency across all departmentsAll processes, from research and devel-

opment to production and delivery, are

defined, outlined and documented, which

minimises room for error.

Enhanced customer satisfaction Customer satisfaction is a key focus of

ISO 9001 as it aims for company effi-

ciency, consistency and dedication to

quality service.

Sangio Pipe employs in excess of 160

staff members at their Cato Ridge fac-

tor y, predominantly from previously

disadvantaged backgrounds, and is com-

mitted to providing training and upliftment

for the staff.

Sangio’s Aquaflow HDPE ranges proper-

ties, such as impact resistance and resist-

ance to abrasion, have made it the pipe of

choice in the mining and industrial markets.

Piping made from polyethylene is a cost-

effective solution for a broad range of pip-

ing applications in the municipal, industrial,

marine, mining, landfill, duct and agricul-

tural industries. It has been tested and

proven effective for above-ground, sur face,

buried, slip-lined, floating and sub-surface

marine applications.

HDPE can carry potable water, wastewa-

ter, slurries, chemicals, hazardous wastes,

and compressed gases. In fact, polyethyl-

ene pipe has a long and distinguished his-

tory of service in gas, oil, mining and other

industries. It has the lowest repair frequen-

cy per kilometre of pipe per year compared

with all other pressure pipe materials used

for urban gas distribution.

Polyethylene is a strong, extremely tough,

very durable product that offers long ser-

vice and trouble-free installation.

HDPE is generally used for high-pressure

applications ranging from 3.2 to 25 bar, in

conjunction with compression, butt-weld or

electrofusion fittings. Sangio’s Aquaflow

HDPE piping conforms to the SABS ISO

4427 specification.

+27 (0)31 782 3781www.sangiopipe.co.za

Sangio Pipe KZN achieves ISO 9001 listing

Founded in 1997, Sangio Pipe is one of South Africa’s leading manufacturers of HDPE piping in Southern Africa. They service the construction, mining, agricultural and industrial markets.

Automated Manual Transmission means that the transmission is manual but the shifting mechanism that changes the gears is electronically controlled. There is no driver operated clutch, which limits the risk of abuseon that component. The truck is always in the right gear, at the right time. No more expensive clutch replacements. With AMT Isuzu Trucks brings to market a range of N- and F-Series models that retain performance, durability and fuel economy usually associated with a manual transmission.

Customer Care and 24 Hour Roadside Assist call 08600 ISUZU (47898).For more information or to locate your nearest Dealer, visit www.isuzutrucks.co.za

JOIN THE DRIVETO COST SAVINGSWITH AMT


COMPANY PROFILE

Truck crew cabs – essential feature for municipal operationsService delivery not only requires efficient

wheels but, in many cases, is conducted by

a municipal crew that must be transported

with the truck. Regulation 247 is a legis-

lated risk for those engaged in construction

and service industries where staff is con-

veyed on trucks.

There is no restriction on the number of

persons that may be carried on the back

of a goods vehicle but it must be empty of

tools or goods – with the exception of per-

sonal effects – unless they are separated

by a partition. While the number of persons

is unrestricted, a truck’s GVM may still not

be exceeded. However, the ‘people factor’

is an essential part of the GVM makeup.

The solution to this challenge is provided

through Isuzu truck crew-cabs.

Isuzu has established a leadership role

in offering municipalities standard crew-cab

models for both medium and heavy-duty

4 x 2 trucks. Isuzu can supply three models

with stepped GVMs at 5 200 kg, 7 500 kg

and 13 500 kg respectively. Isuzu N-Series

crew-cab models NMR 250 and NPR 400

can seat six and seven respectively – both

including the driver. The new heavy-duty

Isuzu F-Series range includes one crew-cab

model. The heavy-duty Isuzu FSR 750 is a

13 500 kg GVM (around 6 500 kg payload)

truck offering fully homologated seating

for seven.

AMT – an advanced technological feature for municipal driversAn additional benefit is that the Isuzu NPR

400 crew-cab model has a significant fea-

ture not found on any medium-class truck,

providing a unique technical advantage – an

automated manual transmission designat-

ed as ‘Smoother AMT’.

Automated manual transmission has

been a major success for Isuzu trucks

wherever it has been introduced into

South African municipal operations. It con-

ver ts a standard transmission into an

Isuzu trucks drive service delivery

Service delivery is a term on everyone’s mind in

modern society and effective municipal service

delivery requires road transport to match the tasks

that South African urbanisation is creating. This is

where Isuzu trucks are proving their versatility and

worth in both large and small municipal fleets.


COMPANY PROFILE

automated shift gearbox for a positive drive

and fuel efficiency.

Isuzu was the first truck manufacturer to

take a step forward by introducing the AMT

concept in their N-Series medium truck

range in 2010. The concept has been so

well received in municipal operations that

Isuzu has now extended its heavy F-Series

truck range with an additional four AMT

models, ranging from 11 000 kg GVM up to

15 000 kg GVM. These Isuzu trucks offer

a payload from around five to eight tonnes,

depending on the type of cargo body fitted.

AMT is a standard feature on one of the four

heavy F-Series Isuzu mod-

els – the seven-person

crew-cab model FSR 750.

What makes AMT so

suitable for municipal

work? Isuzu AMT makes a

good driver out of a poor

or mediocre driver, and

fuel consumption will ben-

efit from improved driving

style. Further, because it

ensures the correct gear

ratio for take-off and gradi-

ent, clutch abuse is elimi-

nated. Smooth, seamless

AMT gear changing has

a positive effect on the

whole driveline. That’s why

Isuzu trucks equipped with

AMT are identified as ‘Smoother’ models.

Road safety is not negotiable in a munici-

pal truck fleet. In today’s ever-increasing

traffic conditions, a truck driver is con-

stantly monitoring the surrounding rapid

changes on the road. AMT provides a truck

driver with more scope to concentrate on

the situation at hand without the distraction

of selecting the correct gear.

Isuzu AMT starts the day efficiently and

ends a day on the road with the same

efficiency. This is not possible for any

driver, who will tire behind the wheel, and

multiple drivers will only aggravate driveline

wear. Isuzu AMT Smoother models are a

technological answer to modern municipal

transport problems.

A GVM for every taskWhen it comes to payload and applica-

tion, it’s not possible to find a universal

answer in one truck model with one GVM.

A truck range must offer a wide GVM

choice for payload efficiency and the cost

of capital investment. That’s where Isuzu

trucks have the answer for municipal and

government operations in their new N- and

F-Series trucks because there is a GVM for

every task.

Warranty and service Isuzu trucks have a class-leading warranty

– two years with an unlimited distance or

two-year warranty for all Isuzu trucks from

3.5 tonnes GVM and above. A three-year

anti-corrosion warranty for the entire Isuzu

truck range completes the warranty package.

There are currently 35 Isuzu truck deal-

ers in Southern Africa. Isuzu trucks over

3.5 tonnes GVM are assembled from SKD

packs in Port Elizabeth.

www.isuzutrucks.co.za

A truck range must offer a wide GVM choice for payload effi ciency and the cost of capital investment


SHEQ

AS ROAD AUTHORITIES, munici-

palities are liable for faults that

cause damage through negligent

acts or omissions. Gone are the

early days of motorisation when the concept

of sovereign immunity guided the views

of engineers and politicians with respect

to road safety. Accidents were seen as a

consequence of mobility. Damages suffered

from faults and failures of roads were thus

not claimable from the road authorities. Use

of a public road was considered a privilege,

not a right.

Since the 1970s, the society has come to

appreciate the cost of road crashes in terms

of health services, loss of production and

opportunities. Internationally, road crashes

are considered to be a burden on the health

and financial system, as well as having a

grave psychological impact on the commu-

nity. Road safety is a public policy issue and

the promotion of road safety a reflection of

the good values of society.

The International Traffic Safety Data and

Analysis Group (IRTAD) in its 2013 Annual

Report (OECD/ITF 2013) reports that in

South Africa in 2011 about 13 500 deaths

resulted from road crashes, giving a rate of

27.6 fatalities per 100 000 of population.

The country with the lowest rate for 2011 is

the United Kingdom with a rate of 3.1 fatali-

ties per 100 000 people. “It is estimated

that road crashes cost around $36 bil-

lion every year” (OECD/ITF 2013: 384).

The cost was calculated using the human

capital method.

In the foreword to a publication An update

on the implementation of the Road to

Safety Strategy – 20 November 2002 the

then Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar,

stated that:

“On 20 November 2001, I – together with

the MEC’s of Transport – was privileged

to launch the ‘Road to Safety Strategy’

with our Deputy President, Jacob Zuma.

The objective of the strategy is to reduce

crashes, deaths and injuries on South

Africa’s roads by 5% year-on-year until the

year 2005 – at a saving to the economy of

R770 million per annum – and then, based

on the strengthened institutional platform,

Engineering for road safetyThe function of municipal engineers to provide roads comes with obligations, including safety. Roads are public property: they are provided at public cost for common use. At the level of local government, municipalities are the road authorities in terms of Section 156 of the Constitution of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. By Louis de Villiers Roodt, Department of Civil Engineering, Stellenbosch University

Chapman's Peak Drive has long battled safety issues for motorists


by at least 10% per year-on-year until the

year 2009.

Notwithstanding the strategy, fatal crashes

increased from 11 200 in 2001 to 15 400

in 2006, before declining to 14 000 in 2008.

The World Health Organisation declared

the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011

– 2020 to reduce road fatalities:

“The most important reason, though, is

that road deaths are preventable – and it

is our collective responsibility to support

every effort possible to curb the carnage

on our roads. Leading road safety experts

believe that, with the right action, up to

5 million lives could be saved and 50 mil-

lion injuries prevented during the Decade

of Action. This will represent a reduction of

about 50% on the predicted global death

toll by 2020.”

The Decade of Action is built on five pillars:

• road safety management

• safer roads and mobility

• safer vehicles

• safer road users

• post-crash responses.

Flowing from safer roads and mobility, road

safety engineering should entail a roads

development plan: “A strategy that requires

that systematic attention be paid to upgrad-

ing the road infrastructure and signage on

the basis of continuous audits of hazardous

locations and accident red spots,” according

to the WHO.

South Africa has subscribed to the World

Health Organisation Decade of Action for

Road Safety 2011 – 2020 strategy and

the goal to reduce road fatalities by 50%

by 2020. This is now considered policy.

Road safety policies are seen to be the

expression of the good values or the general

legal convictions of the community and the

actions of a road authority will be measured

against these.

Legal duty of road authoritiesThe question of the legal duty of the road

authority and the road engineer arises where,

in cases of delict, damages have been suf-

fered and claims on the grounds of negli-

gence follow. The South African courts treat

each case on its merit, preferring not to pre-

scribe what the legal duty or the standards of

care in provision or maintenance should be.

Loubser & Midley (2010) define legal duty

as “a duty to act without negligence or not

to be negligent”.

Legal duty can stem from statutory duty.

Neethling, Potgieter & Visser (2001) state:

“The causing of damage by means of con-

duct in breach of a statutory duty is prima

facie wrongful.”

The highest authority of this statutory duty

in the context of the road environment stems

from the Constitution of South Africa as

stated in the Bill of Rights:

“ 24. Environment. – Everyone has

the right –

(a) to an environment that is not harmful to

their health or well-being”.

The example given by Neethling et al. (2001)

is of the old Divisional Councils Ordinance

18 of 1976, but it could be argued that if

the principle was good then, it must still

apply now.

In certain provinces, a divisional council is

compelled by ordinance to build and main-

tain roads (Divisional Councils Ordinance 18

of 1976). Consequently, the council has a

statutory duty to take care that defects do

not develop in the roads. If the council fails

to do so and someone is injured as a result

of such omission, the council’s conduct is

prima facie wrongful.

The concept of safety was only recently

incorporated into legislation. The SANRAL

and National Roads Act 7 of 1998 states the

functions of SANRAL are, inter alia:

“ 25 (e) to provide, establish, erect and

maintain facilities on national roads

for the convenience and safety of road

users; [-]

39 (3) The Agency must determine its

business and financial plan and strategic

plan and the standards and criteria for

road design and construction and for

road safety within the framework of the

national roads policy as determined by

the Government and published in terms

of subsection (1).”

In the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Roads Act 4

of 2001, the KwaZulu-Natal province legis-

lated that it would only be liable should loss

or damage result from the “wilful or negligent

act or omission of an official.” Scott JA elab-

orated on this point in McIntosh v Premier,

KwaZulu-Natal (632/07) [2008] ZASCA 62

(29 May 2008):

“In the present case the second respond-

ent is enjoined in terms of s 3(1) of the

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Roads Act 4 of

2001 to administer the provincial road net-

work in accordance with national and pro-

vincial norms inter alia ‘to achieve optimal

road safety standards within the Province’

and to ‘protect and maintain provincial road

network assets’.

In terms of s 3(2) the second respond-

ent’s responsibility is said to be ‘within the

Province’s available resources’. However, a

public law obligation does not necessarily

give rise to a legal duty for the purpose of

the law of delict. See Rail Commuters Action

Group v Transnet Ltd t/a Metrorail 2005 (2)

SA 359 (CC) paras 79-81. But in the present

case s 9(3) of the Act puts the issue beyond

doubt. It provides: ‘9(3) The Minister (i.e.

the second respondent) is not liable for any

claim for damages arising from the exist-

ence, construction, use or maintenance of

Flowing from safer roads and mobility, road safety engineering should entail a roads development plan

SHEQ

Chronic road failures like this are costly and dangerous


SHEQ

any provincial road, except where the loss or

damage was caused by the wilful or negligent

act or omission of an official.”

Principles of law of delict: impact on road authoritiesThe liability of municipal road authorities

falls under civil law. The law of delict (civil

wrong) is the part of civil law that set the

standards of behaviour. This is the branch

of law under which claims are made against

road authorities. It is thus important that

municipal engineers are familiar with the

terms. If wrongful and blameworthy conduct

results in harm or damage to someone,

there is a right to claim compensation.

The law of delict comprises five elements:

the act, wrongfulness, fault, causation and

damage/loss.

The act is the conduct that leads to dam-

age and could be in the form of a positive act

or an omission. In the context of municipal

roads this may be the erection of misleading

signage or not erecting signage where this

was required to warn of danger.

Wrongfulness in the context of road safety

is the breach of the legal duty owed to the

public to ensure reasonable safety, mitigate,

reduce or control risks and hazards, and

warn of danger. As such, wrongfulness is

determined with reference to the general

legal convictions of the community. Policies

on road safety indisputably prove socie-

ty’s convictions that road transport safety

is important.

In the verdict in Graham v Cape

Metropolitan Council 1999 (3) SA 356 (C),

J van Deventer said:

“ The legal principles to be applied in cases

of this kind may be summarised as fol-

lows: Wrongfulness in terms of the sense

of justice and legal convictions of the

community now applies to omissions by

a public authority. A duty of care towards

road users should apply to the controlling

public authority unless there is a valid

basis for its exclusion. However, as this,

is whether the sense of justice of the

community would view the failure of the

local authority to take positive action as

wrongful, subject to the qualification that

the local authority is not required to do

more than may be reasonably expected.”

Fault has two main forms of fault: intention

and negligence. The latter is typically the form

present in road maintenance-related claims.

These terms refer to the legal blameworthi-

ness of conduct. The criterion established to

determine whether a person acted carelessly

is relative to the objective standard of the

reasonable person. Note that in a technical

environment, the reasonable person is not

the man in the street, but an appropriately

experienced and competent technical per-

son. A person would act with negligence if he

were in a position to foresee the reasonable

possibility of his conduct injuring another in

his person or property and causing him loss

and not taking reasonable steps to guard

against such occurrences.

Negligence must be proven by the plaintiff.

The determination of fault as conduct of the

defendant can be offset against the contribu-

tory fault of the conduct of the plaintiff. The

defence of contributory negligence must be

proven on a balance of probabilities.

Causation is the requirement that the

wrongful act must be the proximate cause

of the damage or loss: there must be a

plausible connection between the act and

the result to be determined from the facts of

the case. The series of linked actions cannot,

however, be stretched to extreme ends: the

wrongdoer is not liable for harm that is ‘too

remote’ from the conduct.

Damage: Neethling et al. (2001) give a

definition of damage as the diminution, as a

result of a damage-causing event, in the util-

ity or quality of a patrimonial (transmissible

or relating to money) or personality interest

in satisfying the legally recognised needs

of the person involved. The losses typically

involved in accidents at maintenance work

are real rights (e.g. property), loss of rights

(e.g. profit), direct and consequential loss,

general (intrinsic, e.g. pain and suffering)

and specific (e.g. medical expenses incurred

up to trail) losses. The loss of future rights

such as income, profit or expenses is the

subject of prospective patrimonial damages.

Mitigation of loss places some obligation on

the plaintiff to take all reasonable steps to

limit the damage caused by the defendant’s

delict. A plaintiff who fails to take reasonable

steps cannot recover damages in respect of

loss that could have been prevented.

CasesThe municipal engineer should be aware of

the cases that have been decided on the lia-

bilities of municipalities and roads authorities.

The following cases serve as illustrations.

Administrator, Natal v Stanley Motors and Others 1960 (1) SA 690 (A)One of the oldest cases against a road

authority involved a bridge that was washed

away during heavy rain and the ensuing flood

in the Natal South Coast in October 1956.

The judge set a stringent test of duty for the

engineers for the design of bridges as critical

elements of roads.

The duty of engineers constructing a bridge

across a river is to construct it in such a

manner as to be capable of resisting all the

violence of weather which in the climate con-

cerned might be expected, though perhaps

rarely, to occur.

Cape Town Municipality v Bakkerud 2000 3 SA 1049 (SCA)Mrs Bakkerud tripped in a pothole

on the sidewalk. Marais JA found the

municipality negligent.

In the present case there is very little in the

way of evidence to go on when it comes to

deciding whether or not it should be held that

the municipality was under a legal duty either

to repair these holes or to warn the public of

their existence and that its failure to do either

was negligent. However, there is just enough

to warrant a finding that it was. Sea Point is

a densely populated suburb. The pavement

abutted on residences and would have been

in constant use. There were two holes in

close proximity to one another and they were

not shallow. There was also a pole near the

holes from which a wire cable ran which was

attached to the pavement in the vicinity of

the holes. It had the effect of shepherding a

passer-by in the direction of the holes. The

pavement was relatively narrow. The holes

had been there for many months. No evi-

dence was given on the municipality’s behalf.

In this court Mr Binns-Ward adopted the posi-

tion that unless the immunity conferred by

the municipality cases were reaffirmed, the

The municipal engineer should be aware of the cases that have been decided on the liabilities of

municipalities and roads authorities


municipality accepted that it would be liable.

In the circumstances, it is unnecessary to

subject to any further scrutiny the factual

foundation for the existence of a legal duty

and a finding that there was culpa in failing

to fulfil it.

Graham v Cape Metropolitan Council 1999 (3) SA 356 A rock fell on Mr Graham’s vehicle on

Chapman’s Peak Drive in June 1994, paralys-

ing him. The ensuing court cases led to what

can be regarded as some of the most com-

prehensive judgements on the duties of the

road authority. Not only the condition of the

road, but the understanding of the weather

and geotechnical conditions of the land adja-

cent to the road came under scrutiny.

The judgment listed inter alia the following

points from which some principles could

be deduced:

“Held, that wrongfulness in terms of the

sense of justice and legal convictions of the

community applied to omissions by a public

authority.” The act that causes damage

is not only a positive action, but could be

an omission.

“Held, further, that a duty of care towards

road users had to apply to the controlling

public authority unless there was a valid

basis for its exclusion. Such a duty only

arose, however, when the injury could have

been avoided by reasonably practical means.

Put differently, the norm to be applied in

cases such as the present was whether the

sense of justice of the community would

view the failure of the local authority to

take positive action as wrongful, subject

to the qualification that the local authority

was not required to do more than might be

reasonably expected.” The cost of mitigating

measures is a consideration in the determi-

nation of the reasonableness of imposing a

legal duty, where the legal convictions and

sense of justice of the community are taken

into account.

“Held, further, that on the above approach

it followed that a local authority which was

in control of a dangerous road such as

in the present case was under a duty to

warn intending road users specifically of the

nature of the hazard and the risk involved, by

special and appropriate road signs or other

means.” The law acknowledges that a road

cannot be perfectly safe. However, where

hazards occur, there is a duty to warn.

MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport v Esterhuizen 2006 SCA 96 (RSA)A group of young people were travelling

from Dealesville to Bloemfontein in 2001.

The driver, Joubert, testified that a small

buck tried to cross the road and he swerved

to the left, driving off the road. Attempting

to return to the road, he drove over an

edge drop-off greater than 75 mm and

lost control, driving into the veld on the

right. Esterhuizen – a passenger in the

vehicle – was seriously injured. Cachalia,

AJA found that:

“The court found as a fact that the point

at which Joubert had attempted to bring the

two left wheels back on to the tar had a

dangerous difference in height between the

gravel and the tar.

This, it concluded, was the cause of the

jerking action of the steering wheel which

resulted in Joubert’s loss of control of

the vehicle. The appellant was held liable

because it had failed properly to maintain

the road.”

McIntosh v Premier, KwaZulu-Natal (632/07) 2008 ZASCA 62McIntosh and friends went cycling on a rural

road in the Kamberg district in KwaZulu-

Natal in 2004. Riding down a hill, McIntosh

encountered a pothole in the middle of the

road and swerving to avoid the pothole,

SHEQ

Gone are the days when road safety was no longer a public liability


the pedal cycle skidded and he fell on the

guardrail, sustaining severe injuries. Scott

JA found that:

“The pothole which resulted in his fall had

been allowed to grow to such a size as to

be described as creating a dangerous situa-

tion. Given that the road was inspected on a

weekly basis, the failure to repair the pothole

over such a long period is indicative, I think,

of a greater degree of negligence than that

attributable to the appellant. In the circum-

stances an apportionment of 60:40 in favour

of the appellant seems to me to be fair and

equitable in all the circumstances.”

Recent investigated crashes settled out of courtThe following cases illustrate dangerous

conditions on the road that could and should

have been corrected.

Pothole on side of Class 2 road In 2009, a Vespa scooter driver drove

off from the stop line of a traffic signal

controlled intersection on Jean Avenue in

Centurion. A pothole with sharp edges had

developed in the bell mouth where a slight

depression held water when it rained, weak-

ening the sub-base of the pavement. A late

right-turner from the side road drove across

the scooter’s line of driving, forcing it to the

side of the lane. The scooter tire burst on

hitting the sharp far end of the pothole. The

rider was flung from the scooter. Despite the

crash helmet the driver sustained brain dam-

age. This Class 2 road should be inspected

often, especially as it is in a dolomitic area.

In fact, by the time the author’s inspection

was done, the road was closed due to a sink-

hole that appeared less than 100 m further

on. Potholes should not be allowed to devel-

op on this class of road in this area. The

case was settled in favour of the plaintiff.

Burst water pipe in sag curveThis road is adjacent to a very old sub-

urb with an asbestos cement water pipe

reticulation system. Pipe bursts in the

area are common. The municipality has not

prioritised the replacement of these pipes.

A pipe burst in a side road leading to a

T-junction on a major collector road. The

water ran into a sag vertical curve in the

major collector road. The water dammed

and ran over the crown of the road to the

kerb inlets on the outer side of the road.

The road is curved with a radius of about

200 m. The driver was driving second in a

platoon and did not see the pond of water

in the curve. He hit the water as he reached

the curve, thus entering the dam with the

vehicle’s wheels turned. The vehicle aqua-

planed and spun out of the curve, hitting an

approaching vehicle and then crashed into

a tree. The matter was viewed as similar

to the damage that would result from a

burst municipal water pipe flooding a shop.

The case was settled, although the driver

accepted the major part of the contributory

negligence. The municipality must consider

the impact of services on the road, not only

the road conditions.

See-through effect on road cut off by freeway in cutA local road on the urban edge between a

mixture of small holdings and townhouse

developments. The road has street lights

located on the far side of the urban area.

The smallholdings were severed by the

P157 – 2 (R21) freeway in the 1980s. At the

urban edge, the freeway is in a cut deeper

than 5 m. The road traffic signs within the

smallholdings have not been replaced since

the construction of the P157 and most of

the signs are faded or missing. The road on

either side of the P157 is straight for dis-

tances in excess of 1 km. The last section

of the road on the east side, past the last

junction, is gravel. There is no ‘dead end’

sign at this last junction and at the P157

road reserve there are no signs indicating

the end of road. Approximately 50 m before

the P157 road reserve heaps of soil and rub-

bish had been dumped. The crash happened

at night when a group of young people, not

familiar with the area, got lost and travelled

westwards. The street lights, shining on

both sides of the P157, give the impres-

sion of continuity along this historically

straight street. Driving down the road, with

no warning signs, the driver was surprised

by the heaps of soil in the road. He swerved

to the left and hit other heaps of rubbish.

The car was damaged and the occupants

injured. The case has not proceeded since

the investigation.

DiscussionRoad safety is an acknowledged problem in

South Africa. The convictions of society are

that safety must be promoted, in line with

stated policies. The South African public is

becoming more legal-wise and claims against

road authorities will increase as a result of

poor maintenance and the capping of the

Road Accident Fund’s payouts. The conduct

of the professional engineer and technician

will be measured against the reasonable,

knowledgeable, experienced engineer.

Most claims for damages result from poor

maintenance and poor warning. Standards

for pavement failures such as edge break,

drop-off, potholes and rutting, have not been

quantified, but guidance from documents

such as TMH9 reflects reasonable engineer-

ing practice. The South African Development

Community (SADC) Real-Time System

Management (RTSM) similarly guides the

reasonable engineer and will be used to

evaluate what is acceptable.

Municipalities need to have proper and

adequate maintenance procedures. Asset

management systems should be implement-

ed in all road authorities as best practice.

Records of complaints and responses are

particularly important to defend against

claims of negligence.

Verdicts in recent cases were mostly in

favour of the claimants. These cases set

legal precedents. Many cases are settled

before going to court. Operational staff

are often not given sufficient feedback

on these verdicts. Executive mayors, politi-

cians, municipal managers and treasurers

are often not well informed of the need to

prioritise road maintenance. This can lead

to underfunding. Municipal engineers are

the custodians of road safety on behalf of

the public.

ReferencesJM and Visser PJ. 2001. Law of Delict. (4th ed.). LexisNexis Butterworth: Durban.

OECD/ITF. 2013. Department of Transport. 2002. ‘An update on the implementa-tion of the Road to Safety Strategy’. Available online at: www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=70264). Accessed on: 1 April 2012.

Loubser M and Midley R (eds). 2010. The Law of Delict in South Africa. Oxford: Cape Town.

Neethling J, Potgieter IRTAD 2013 Annual Report of The International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group (IRTAD). (www.internationaltransportforum.org/irtad-public/pdf/13IrtadReport.pdf) Accessed 2013/07/25

World Health Organisation. 2009. Global status report on road safety: time for action. Geneva, World Health Organisation Available online at: www.who.int/violence_injury_preven-tion/road_safety_status/2009. Accessed on: 2013/07/25

World Health Organisation. 2010. Decade of Action. Geneva. Available online at: http://www.who.int/roadsafety/decade_of_action/plan/en/. Accessed on: 25 July 2013

SHEQ

ROADS


Gauteng Road and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi recently opened the Putfontein Road, which will provide a major link between the N12 and R59, and result in major relief for traffic flow.

Reconstruction of Putfontein Road

Much Asphalt is southern Africa’s largest supplier of an extensive range of

hot and cold asphalt products.

Our products are supported by world class technology and expertise, extensive laboratory services and specialist advice. With 17 branches and state-of-the-art mobile plants, Much Asphalt offers services anywhere, any time, no matter how big or small the project.

ANYWHERE.ANY TIME. ANY PROJECT.

T: +27 21 900 4400

F: +27 21 900 4468

E: [email protected]

www.muchasphalt.com

ROADS


THE EKURHULENI Metropolitan

Municipality commissioned GIBB

to carry out the materials investi-

gation, design and supervision for

the reconstruction of Putfontein Road from

Cloverdene Road to Kingsway Road in Van

Ryn smallholdings. “We received a 100%

satisfaction report back from the client –

something we are very proud of. This pro-

ject’s challenges included a tight deadline

and several hidden pitfalls that GIBB man-

aged to overcome with a devoted team and

outstanding expertise,” said Johan Le Roux,

GIBB’s on-site project leader.

Delivering ahead of scheduleThe 2 450 km long Putfontein Road, togeth-

er with intersections at Cloverdene Road,

Harry Gwala Street, North Street, Van Ryn

Street, Jenkins Street and Nicol Road,

needed to be completed in a period of six

months as the appointment for the contrac-

tor, Superway, ended in December 2013.

“We are proud to announce that the

project was handed over to Superway for

construction in August 2013 and hand-

ed over to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan

Municipality on 10 December 2013, as com-

plete, ahead of schedule,” said Le Roux.

Five additional taxi lay-bys were also

completed during the construction period.

These taxi lay-bys were placed at strategic

areas at intersections that are safe for both

pedestrians and road users. Up to three taxi

buses are able to stop at the same time

at the lay-bys, which aim to alleviate traffic

congestion caused by traffic approaching

the intersections.

“More taxi lay-bys within South Africa’s

road network need to be constructed. These

roads should be on main collector roads and

taxi routes, as this will alleviate traffic con-

gestion and the frustration of road users,”

said Le Roux.

Constructing a new drainage systemAccording to Le Roux, another challenge for

the project was to overcome problems with

the drainage system. “The previous drainage

system was a natural open drain that was

overgrown and silted over the years. This

caused water to pond in the open drains

and on the road during rainy seasons, which

caused serious damage to the underlying

pavement layers,” he explained.

Open, concrete-lined drainage channels

were constructed on both sides at certain

sections of the Putfontein Road to drain all

the surface water to existing stormwater

pipelines and concrete channels. A new

600 mm diameter stormwater pipeline, with

junction boxes and manholes, was placed

at areas where the stormwater pipes cross

the Putfontein Road, to ensure adequate

water drainage.

“We are extremely proud of this project.

The client was informed regularly on the

progress and expenditure of the construc-

tion works and this resulted in complet-

ing the works on time and within budget.

Progress and technical meetings were held

on-site on a weekly basis between GIBB

and Ekurhuleni, to resolve technical and

progress issues quickly,” Le Roux said.

Repair & Reseal Chip and Spray, Slurry, Asphalt Paving

Actophambili Roads (Pty) Ltd was founded November 2008. Originally Actophambili Roads

(Pty) Ltd main focus was light road maintenance i.e. patching, crack seal and slurry seal. In November 2012 Mr. Johan Pelser

joined the management team with the aim to add a new dimension to the relatively small company.

The new Actophambili Roads (Pty) Ltd specialise in Asphalt surfacing, Seals, Slurry, Crack seal and Asphalt patching. In January 2013 the following key personnel joined the team:

Herman Van Der Westhuizen - Contracts ManagerRenier Ackerman - Contracts ManagerJohannes Ferreira (Kleinjan) - Contracts ManagerJohn Monareng - Chip & Spray ForemanWilliam Tatana - Asphalt Paving ForemanChristo Limbach - Asphalt Paving Foreman

All of the mentioned personnel have vast experience in road surfacing and have worked on several SANRAL contracts.

Actophambili Roads (Pty) Ltd’s surfacing and asphalt teams are equipped with plant from leading manufacturers that is either brand new or in very good condition and are operated by experienced operators.

The surfacing team is supported by an experienced and highly effective admin team lead by Dean Saffy CA (SA) (Financial Director), Elsa Negre and Liesl Claassen (Tender department).

We currently have a CIDB grading of 6CE, 5SB and will be upgrading to a level 8CE, 6SB soon.

GAUTENG OFFICE:Building R02, Denel Aviation Campus

3-8 Atlas Road, Kempton ParkTel: 011 395 2293

Fax: 011 395 3767Fax2email: 086 611 3633Email: [email protected] (Liesl Claassen)Email: [email protected] (Johan Pelser) FREE STATE OFFICE (ADMIN):1 Haarburger Singel Westdene, BloemfonteinTel: 051 444 0178Fax: 086 549 9061Email: [email protected] (Dean Saffy)

POSTAL ADDRESS:PO Box 16661, Atlasville 1465

ROADS

THE R22 MILLION Road Asset

Management System (RAMS) pro-

ject awards were made under the

Rural Roads Asset Management

Grant (RRAMG) and will span the next two

years, terminating in June 2016. The dis-

trict municipalities involved include uMgun-

gundlovu, Xhariep, John Taolo Gaetsewe

and Lejweleputswa.

Royal HaskoningDHV’s project manager

and student mentor Winas Vukeya explains

that the firm became involved with the

RRAMS back in 2012 with the inception

of the programme when it was appointed

by uMgungundlovu District Municipality in

KwaZulu-Natal.

Pioneering workRoyal HaskoningDHV has pioneered the

development of the programme with many

new initiatives. These include:

• appointing, training and developing of

S4 civil engineering technician graduates

(training up 22 technicians in the process)

• assisting Mike Pinto of Target Computing

with the development of the Mobicap soft-

ware package that is used for the field data

capturing of visual condition assessments

• developing the GIS structure and methodol-

ogy using free software Quantum GIS and

training the S4 civil engineering technician

graduates in GIS processing of field data

instead of hiring external GIS specialists

• contributing and assisting the

Department of Transport with the annual

refinement of the grant conditions as

published in the Division of Revenue Act

• executing trial study areas on the incor-

poration of Class 6 roads

• being ‘first on the road’ in KwaZulu-

Natal, capturing road inventory data

electronically and assisting the provin-

cial coordinators with the first trial areas

• in-house use, set-up and programming

of computer tablets for data capturing.

“As a result of our groundbreaking work

since 2012, we now have a well-estab-

lished RAMS unit with a support structure

that can manage all four RAMS projects

over three provinces,” explains Vukeya.

Detail of RAMSRAMS is designed to assist district munici-

palities as the planning authority in the

management and implementation of local

municipality road networks. It provides

both district and local municipalities with

a complete picture of their respective road

networks, condition, what maintenance is

RAMS project transfers skills, builds capacity

The recently awarded district

roads asset management

projects in four district

municipalities in KwaZulu-

Natal, Northern Cape and

the Free State will involve

substantial skills transfer

and capacity building and

use the latest in-house

developed technology.

“A RAMS assessment is a requirement when applying for a municipal infrastructure grant and other sources of funding.” Winas Vukeya, Royal HaskoningDHV project manager


required at what cost and how to plan and

budget for it.

“A RAMS assessment is a requirement/

mandatory condition when applying for a

municipal infrastructure grant and other

sources of funding,” he explains.

The work includes:

• visual condition assessments

• traffic counts

• capturing of road inventory

• bridge and culvert assessments

• GIS work

• data analysis

• project management

• training.

“Although there was a lot of competition for

these projects from other consultants – up to

20 bids for each – our track record and experi-

ence counted heavily in the successful award.

By being able to capture the visual condition,

road inventory, bridge condition data as

well as road alignments electronically using

computer tablets and developing open-source

software for GIS, we have simplified and

made the whole process more effi-

cient,” concludes Vukeya.


ARCHITECTURE

THIS IS A notable achievement in

an industry where women are only

recently coming to the fore,” said

Nina Saunders, past vice-presi-

dent of SAIA. “The Corobrik-SAIA Awards of

Excellence recognise exceptional contribu-

tions to the field of architecture and have

been conferred every two years since their

introduction in 1990.

“Less than 20% of SAIA members are

currently women. However, almost 28% of

members have earned the title PR Arch

(Professional Architect), the highest level

of membership, and we are seeing an

encouraging trend emerging with 40%

women in the Architect in Training category.”

Best in buildingAwards of Excellence – the highest acco-

lade that can be bestowed on a building

in South Africa – were presented for eight

Celebrating award-winning Four women have been honoured in the 2013/14 Corobrik-South African Institute for Architects (SAIA) Awards of Excellence presented at a gala dinner in Durban.

Michele Sandilands UNISA



ARCHITECTURE

projects and, in three of these projects,

the lead architects were from female prac-

tices or from those who have a woman as

lead architect.

The four award-winning architects are:

• Anne Graupner, principal at 26’10 South

Architects in Johannesburg

• Michele Sandilands, principal of Michele

Sandilands Architects in Cape Town

• Charlotte Chamberlain, par tner at

Charlotte Chamberlain & Nicola Irving

Architects in Cape Town

• Nicola Ir ving, par tner at Charlotte

Chamberlain & Nicola Irving Architects in

Cape Town.

Chamberlain and Irving won their awards for

the new pre-school and art buildings for the

campus of Springfield Convent School in the

southern suburbs of Cape Town. Graduates

of UCT, the two worked together at Louis

Karol Architects and both spent time gaining

experience in Europe; Chamberlain in France

and Irving in England. It was after Nicola had

spent five years in Australia, and Charlotte

had started a practice of her own, that

the two joined forces to create Charlotte

Chamberlain Nicola Irving Architects, both

with a strong motivation to build a practice

that worked towards a better life for the

wider community.

Leap of faithCommenting on their award, Chamberlain

said: “Acknowledgment from your peers is

women in architecture

BabylonstorenTshwane University of Technology

Wits Art MuseumKoop Hopewell VC

(Photo credit: Koop Design)


INSIGHT

GIBB is a leading multi-disciplinaryengineering firmLeaders in engineering consulting

+27 11 519 4600 [email protected] | www.gibb.co.za

GIBB is a Level 2 BBBEE contributor

Operating in:Dams, Hydropower and TunnellingEnvironmental Integrated Infrastructure - Water Cycle - HousingPower and Energy Transportation - Airport and Aviation - Railway Engineering - Roads and Highways - Traffic and Transportation Architecture

a really good indication that what we are up to is going in the

right direction. Winning an award is not the true test of a building

or project – rather it is the happiness of the people using and

inhabiting the spaces. An award is welcome recognition for the

client, who had the ability and foresight to trust in our processes.

We often ask our clients to extend their briefs and vision for

their projects way beyond their initial thoughts, and it is a leap of

faith to go ahead with what is mostly an unknown to them – until

it is built.”

Regarding the role of women in architecture, Irving says: “We

don’t really see that women have a specific role, but we truly

do need representation and diversity in our society, in all aspects

and forums to do with our built environment, in order to continue

evolving and growing in a worthwhile direction.”

Freedom Park

ARCHITECTURE


of Cape Town’s foremost corporate, commer-

cial and public buildings. Her practice has

won several national and regional awards.

After graduating from the University of

Cape Town in 1985, she worked at MLH

Architects and Planners where she was

responsible for several projects, among

them the three cableway buildings, for which

she was principal design architect.

Sandilands says she is thrilled to win a

Corobrik-SAIA Award of Excellence, not only

for herself but also her team, who worked

many late hours and weekends.

She says she is driven by passion for her

chosen career. “Architecture is not for the

faint-hearted, but the smell of wet cement

and the thrill of having your dreams real-

ised for the benefit of generations of users

is rewarding.”

Educational buildings are a particular inter-

est of hers. “We want to make a positive

difference by everything that we design and

so the design and construction of places of

learning fulfils this ideology. Buildings that

have a minimal impact on the carbon foot-

print and that set sustainable examples are

a focus of ours.”

Turning constraints into opportunitiesA studio home in Brixton, Gauteng, won

a Corobrik-SAIA Award of Merit for Anne

Graupner of 26’10 South Architects. She

was lead architect on the project. This pro-

ject is close to her heart as it is the home

in which she lives with her partner Thorsten

Deckler and because it enables her to be

both a mother to her two young children and

work as a fulltime professional architect and

urban designer.

Educated in Vienna at the University of

Applied Arts, Graupner graduated cum laude

in 2001. She worked at the Architecture

Centre Vienna before returning to South

Africa, her country of birth, in 2002. Two

years later, she co-founded 26’10 South

Alice Campus UFH Auditorium

Public porch taxi rank

Passion and driveSandilands’s award is for her work on Phase

2 of UNISA on the Cape Flats – creating an

inspiring house of learning to accommodate

administrative offices, student registration,

exam rooms and teaching venues.

She established her own practice, Michele

Sandilands Architects, in 1998 and has a

wealth of experience, having designed many

It must be acknowledged that a higher percentage of women have been lead architects on the award-winning projects this year and this must be viewed as a healthy development for the profession


Architects with Thorsten Deckler, which was

selected as the top emerging practice in the

country in 2012.

Graupner has lectured and designed exhi-

bitions locally and abroad. She co-authored

(with T. Deckler and H. Rasmuss) the book

Contemporary South African Architecture in

a Landscape of Transition.

“Recognition in the form of awards is

very welcome but is not the main reason

for being an architect,” says Graupner.

“Architectural and urban design projects

are highly complex and could be looked at

and judged in many ways. However, being

recognised for design excellence validates

some of our conceptual thinking and values.

“Happy users that take ownership of our

work are the best awards,” says Graupner.

“Turning constraints into opportunities often

requires reading between the lines, amplify-

ing what already exists and challenging the

status quo. Designing spaces that creatively

encourage the end users to inhabit them

would constitute a successful project for me.”

The essence of diversityNina Saunders believes that if you are a

good architect it doesn’t matter whether

you are a man or women. “Having said

Seed Library

that, it must be acknowledged that a higher

percentage of women have been lead archi-

tects on the award-winning projects this

year and this must be viewed as a healthy

development for the profession.”

During her time as vice-president for SAIA,

she gained an acute insight into the neces-

sity of diversity, both in race and gender.

Saunders says fringe work is having an

Walmer Link

effect on mainstream architecture with

architects becoming more equitable so they

are able to work on relevant projects.

Saunders is a programme manager for

strategic architectural projects at eThekwini

Municipality’s City Architecture department

and a member of the organising committee

for the Union of Architects World Congress

in Durban this year.

ARCHITECTURE

SARF/IRF 20142 - 4 September 2014

CSIR Conference Centre, Pretoria, South Africa

5th Regional Conference for Africa

Improving capacity and safety for road transport in AfricaHost

Hosted by the South African Road Federation and the International Road Federation in association with SBS Conferences

BETTER ROADSMoving Africa

CONFERENCES

www.sbs.co.za/sarf-irf2014

AUGUST NEWSFLASH

SARF President Mr Innocent Jumo invite you to join him and over 100 speakers from 23 countries to register to attend the 5th SARF-IRF Regional Conference for Africa.

MEDIA SPONSOR:

The exhibition is sold out.

8 major sponsors on board.

Over 200 delegates and 100

exhibition people manning

stands already confirmed.

The vibe and excitement is building up with less than a

month to go and conference bookings coming in strongly. We expect a capacity audience of over 450 people so it important to book quickly if you are planning to attend before the conference and the hotels become sold out.

Members Normal Late

Full 3 days R5795 R6295

Single days R2195 R2395

Non Members Normal Late

Full 3 days R6295 R6795 Single days R2395 R2595

Student Normal Late

Full 3 days R3295 R3595 Single days R1195 R1395

ENQUIRIES

The Registrar, SBS ConferencesP O Box 1059, Bellville 7535, South AfricaTel: (021) 914 2888 | Fax: (021) 914 2890

International code (+2721) | Email: [email protected]

EXHIBITORS3M SA (Pty) Ltd A.J. Broom Road Products AECOM Aurecon Bell Equipment Co Bitumena WLL Blue Key Road Safety Technologies )Colas Southern Africa Daewoo Industrial Company Limited Dick King Lab Supplies (Pty) Ltd Ennis Flint Africa)Fayat Group IRF India IRF Washington DC / IRF India / IRF Geneva

Kaytech Lanino Traffic Markings (Pty) Ltd Much Asphalt Roadlab (Pty) Ltd SAICE SANRAL SARTSMA Sites-Afla (Pty) Ltd SMEC SA South African Road Concessionaires (SAARC) Syntell (Pty) Ltd Tosas (Pty) Ltd TRL Ltd VNA Consulting Walk-n-Roll International Ltd

3 day attendance = 3 CPD points

OTHER SPONSORS:

BRONZE SPONSORS:GOLD SPONSORS: SILVER SPONSOR:

CEMENT AND CONCRETEData shows a significant steady growth in cement consumption, indicating a continuous increase in the use of concrete in general construction and infrastructure. As c ement and concrete markets become increasingly dynamic, the need for innovation is important, while precast cement has seen some important developments.


CEMENT AND CONCRETE

SPEAKERS AND participants in

the Southern Africa Readymix

Association (SARMA) annual con-

ference agree that more has to

be done to ensure that the concrete used

on construction sites, albeit for infrastruc-

ture or housing, needs to be more carefully

specified and controlled. This is in order to

prevent building collapses and the undue

deterioration of structures.

Considering the important role that con-

crete plays in the majority of our built

structures and roads, comparatively few

stipulations are put forward by industry

bodies for their members to adhere to when

specifying concrete. For example, concrete

of an unknown origin can be used on most

sites as long as it passes a slump test and

later on passes strength tests.

Engaging role players “But what about the overall integrity of the

concrete?” asks SARMA general manager

Johan van Wyk. “It is the responsibility of

everyone involved in the industry to ensure

that this most critical element is properly

specified, the correct material is delivered

and it is used and cured correctly. That

includes the architect, engineers, project

manager, contractor and concrete suppliers.

“They all have a role to play and for

this reason the association is leading

talks with industry bodies representing

diverse professional memberships, includ-

ing civil engineers, designers, municipal

managers, road pavement specialists and

civil engineering contractors.

“We want them to make it a requirement

of their members to specify concrete only

from certified suppliers who comply with

national standards relating to the supply of

readymix concrete. In addition, the require-

ment should call for these suppliers to be

audited annually to ensure ongoing compli-

ance. They should also be able to prove

compliance with environmental, health and

safety standards,” Van Wyk adds.

He says that there are hundreds of

concrete manufacturing plants out there

that have been audited and certified by

SARMA and who produce quality concrete.

Simultaneously, there are low-quality and

unscrupulous operators out there that do

not comply with any regulations and who

Call to professionalise concrete suppliesConcrete gurus from around the country have called on professional bodies within the construction industry to become stricter when specifying concrete in order to improve the standard of construction in South Africa.


Jaques Smith, Go Consult

Ray Bonser, Afrisam

Jason Drew, AgriProtein Technologies

Kevin Quale, NPC Cimpor

Marius Grassman,

Concrete Testing

Equipment

Some of the speakers and participants in the Southern Africa Readymix Association annual conference


CEMENT AND CONCRETE

produce thousands of tonnes of consistently

poor quality concrete that is sold and used

within the industry every day.

Overall integrityExperts leading a panel discussion on deter-

mining the integrity of concrete agree that

consistent quality can only be produced if

all the correct ingredients are used and no

corners are cut. Ray Bonser, national product

technical manager aggregates and readymix

at AfriSam, says all the correct elements

needed to be taken into consideration to

make concrete consistent . This included

the use of locally certified cement, quality

aggregates that are suitable for the job at

hand, as well as the correct mixing done

under the supervision of experienced and

qualified employees.

Jacques Smith of Go Consult agrees, say-

ing that a weak link anywhere in the process

– right up to the proper laying and curing of

concrete – could be disastrous with potential-

ly dire results for either the end user, devel-

oper, contractor or readymix company (or all

of them) in the event of a failure. Dealing

with a properly accredited and certified sup-

plier with the correct testing equipment and

facilities was the safest and most proactive

way of ensuring that a quality product will be

delivered, every time.

NPC Cimpor general manager Kevin Quayle

states that independent laboratory tests in

KwaZulu-Natal conducted on ‘cheap’ import-

ed cement had found that many of the bags

sold were either underweight or simply did

not meet strength requirements. “This is

an example of how concrete suppliers may

try to cut costs and in the process ruin

the overall integrity of the concrete that

they supply.”

Keeping recordsAnother speaker, Marius Grassman of

Concrete Testing Equipment agrees, say-

ing that testing raw materials used in the

manufacture of concrete, as well as the end

product, provides concrete manufacturers

and users with a valuable tool to ensure qual-

ity and provide a record of proof if needed

in future.

“The laboratory is possibly the most impor-

tant part of setting up a readymix plant

and is, sadly, the last thing most people

think of when starting a plant. Professionals

need to not only make sure that they cor-

rectly specify concrete, but they also need

to test it and make sure it conforms with

their requirements – from the types and

grades of aggregates used, to the qual-

ity of cement, mixtures and final pouring of

cement. Everything should be documented

and checked to ensure that the correct con-

crete is being used.”

Sustainability is keyAnother equally important aspect was that

of sustainability of both the concrete and

the construction industries. Keynote speaker

Jason Drew of AgriProtein Technologies says

that it is vital for all industries to innovate

and find better solutions to current problems.

His fly breeding programme, for example,

looked at the problem of waste blood from

abattoirs and turned it into a thriving busi-

ness supplying protein to fisheries while

removing the environmentally harmful blood

waste from the environment. Similar innova-

tions in the concrete and building industries

may remove waste from the system or find

alternative dwelling structures to meet the

needs of the planet’s growing population.

Monty Olivier of Sustainable Green

Consulting adds that companies in these

industries could also add to the future

sustainability of the environment by follow-

ing a green path, which includes recycling

and seeking more energy-efficient alterna-

tives to their processes, as well as seeking

energy efficiency and recycling alternatives

in offices and factories. All staff members

should be made aware of the importance of

environmental issues, especially when peo-

ple consider that the world is running out of

resources like oil and water.

People mattersThe industry should also change its way of

thinking about staff and not follow old ste-

reotypes. This is according to auditor Karin

Standford, who delivered a meaningful talk

on the important role that women play in the

concrete industry.

Despite preconceptions about women not

being physically strong enough to do the job,

she has found many instances where they are

equally good as men and often bring new skill

sets to these environments that can add enor-

mous value. She recommends more women

should be brought into the industry in order

to secure the sustainability of the industry’s

workforce and bring new ideas to the table.

Other speakers at the conference include

Peter Norton of Concrete Laser Flooring, Dan

Payton of CivilSure, David Bowerman of BASF

and Charles van Eck of Tilt Up Systems.

The Cost-Effective Soak Away SystemSimplify your life and manage your on-site waste water treatment system with reliable, hassle-free soak away installations. Say goodbye to clogged soak pits by providing a greater storage capacity with less hassle. Install the Infi ltrator Chamber System for a very effective waste and storm water soakaway.

bidim R

octa

rine

3870

Johannesburg 011 922 3300Port Elizabeth 041 453 0755East London 043 727 1055Cape Town 021 531 8110Durban 031 717 2300www.kaytech.co.za

H/OFFICE: 14 Atlas Road, Anderbolt, BoksburgTel: Fax: (011) 918-7208e-mail: Website: www.elbequipment.com

BRANCHES & DEALERS RSA AND EAST AFRICA: BRITS: (012) 250-1565 • CAPE TOWN: (021) 933-2383DURBAN: (031) 464-6522 • EAST LONDON: (043) 748-1469GEORGE: (044) 878-0874 • KIMBERLEY: (053) 841-0040 MIDDELBURG: (013) 246-2312 • NAIROBI: (00254) (0) 20 807 0728 NELSPRUIT: (013) 755-1003 • POLOKWANE: (015) 293-1978 PORT ELIZABETH: (041) 451-0232 • WOLMARANSSTAD: (018) 596-3032

BRANCHES & DEALERS SOUTHERN AFRICA: BOTSWANA: (00267) 240-4320 • LESOTHO: (00266) 2831 3926 MOZAMBIQUE: (00258) 219-00469 • NAMIBIA: (00264) 61-234-052 SWAZILAND: (00268) 518-5348 • ZAMBIA: (00260) 212-210-642 ZIMBABWE: (00263) 448-5771/5

Rugged

and

Reliable

The World’s Best from a Single Supplier

The World’s Best from a Single Supplier

CONSTRUCTION DIVISION:• Compaction Equipment• Backhoe Loaders• Chain Trenchers• Trenchless Technology• Mole Pneumatic Piercing Tools• Mini Excavators• Skid Steer Loaders• Telescopic Handlers

EARTHMOVING DIVISION:• Excavators • Front-end Loaders• Bulldozers

MINING AND QUARRYING DIVISION:• Mobile Crushers• Mobile Screens• Washing Plants• Rock Drills• Conveyor Belting• Minerals Processing Systems• Static & Modular Crushers & Screens• Blockmakers• Hydraulic Breakers• Telescopic Conveyor Systems• Optical Belt Scales• Modular Plants• Excavator Attachments• Heavy Duty Static & Mobile Rotary Barrel Screens


SHORTLY AFTER the announce-

ment was made that ProAll

Reimer Mixers has been accepted

and accredited by the Southern

Africa Readymix Association (SARMA), a

similar unit was purchased by 3Q Mahuma

Concrete. Although the ProAll Reimer Mixers

have been available in the market for

some time now, a thorough certification

process had to be followed to ensure the

trucks could produce concrete of a consist-

ent standard to meet the association’s

strict requirements.

Reimer South Africa markets and sup-

ports a unique readymix system that allows

dry cement, aggregates and other ingredi-

ents of concrete to be transported to site

and mixed to specification. The system is

able to overcome the challenge of ensuring

concrete is fresh when being transported

over long distances and can mete out

small amounts at many different sites

in a day without the risk of the concrete

losing slump.

Ready-to-goWith sophisticated metering systems

aboard the ProAll Reimer Mixers, exact

quantities of raw materials are fed into the

screw auger and can be batched to meet

each individual customer’s requirements

along the way, that is: strength, consistency

and workability. An immediate printout acts

as certification of the mix for on-site record

keeping purposes and is recorded for pur-

poses of proof of delivery of supplier. The

unmixed product remains usable.

“For our members, the advantages of

having a ProAll Reimer Mixer of this sort in

their fleets are many and the accreditation

of the system means that they can rest

assured that it is able to produce the same

consistent quality as their existing batching

plants,” said Johan van Wyk, general man-

ager of SARMA.

“Certification follows a lengthy verifica-

tion process in which Go Consult trains the

operator, does the mix designs, determines

the settings and maintains quality control.

SARMA officials audited the manufacturer’s

systems for accreditation. They also meas-

ured the performance and quality of the

system against stated outputs. Only then,

once they were satisfied that the ProAll

Reimer Mixer units met performance crite-

ria, were they able to certify South Africa’s

first continuous concrete production plant.”

He concluded that the new system would

provide members with a viable means of

extending their reach into remote areas and

allow them to measure out smaller quanti-

ties to clients who would usually have no

other option but to settle for less reliable

site-mixing options.

CEMENT AND CONCRETE

ProAll Reimer gets to mix with the bestHistory was made at this year’s SARMA Readymix Conference by ProAll and Reimer South Africa when the first continuous concrete production plant was officially accredited by SARMA.

ProAll Reimer’s dry readymix system has been certified by the Southern Africa Readymix Association

Reimer South Africa managing director Dirk Moolman addresses the audience at the Readymix Conference by SARMA


CEMENT AND CONCRETE

NICO PIENAAR, director of the

Aggregate and Sand Producers

Association of Southern Africa

(Aspasa), says that sustainability

is not just the domain of environmentalists,

but refers rather to the whole supply chain

within the construction and infrastructure

development process.

This includes the use of quality products

and skilled labour. It also includes the protec-

tion of nature from which building materials

are derived and requires building products

and services to be made available at a fair

and equitable price.

Start at the beginning“Looking around the country, it is clear that

much work is needed, as there are still

many communities without proper housing.

Urbanisation is putting further pressure on

our cities’ infrastructure and facilities and

these too need to be upgraded in order to

properly service communities,” says Pienaar.

“In future, South Africa will need to create

cities where economic and social systems

actually support the notion of long-term

sustainability. We will also need to create

work and living spaces that enable the

creation of jobs and facilitate wealth-building.

Communities can then become more socially

coherent and this will enable individuals to

work together for the greater good of their

own societies.

“This can only be done if people have

proper shelter and decent affordable hous-

ing. They need to have a liveable environment

and have a sense of belonging, as well as a

sense of pride in their surroundings and in

their city. Infrastructure must therefore be

created that will enable the ongoing sustain-

ability and improvement of these areas,”

he says.

Formalising the industryHe adds that industry associations such as

Aspasa play an important role in the sustain-

ability of the construction industry. Aspasa

members, for example, supply the key ingre-

dients of all building and construction pro-

jects in the form of sand and stone, which

make up the vital building blocks of concrete

structures and road construction.

At the core of its existence, the associa-

tion’s main purpose is to look after the long-

term sustainability of the quarrying industry

by aligning it with legal, quality, environmen-

tal, labour and social requirements. The build-

ing industry can improve sustainability simply

by dealing with accredited and sustainably

operated suppliers, as well as denouncing

unscrupulous and illegal suppliers.

While the regulated quarrying industry is

constantly busy cleaning up its act and ensur-

ing that social and environmental, as well as

health and safety, obligations are being met,

the illegal operators are still selling their

goods and severely impacting the sustainabil-

ity of the legal trade in South Africa.

On the right path“In order to be truly sustainable, the build-

ing industry needs to follow certain steps

that will ensure that the structure and roads

they build will last, as well as ensuring their

businesses remain profitable in future. By

supporting quality suppliers they are, in turn,

ensuring that they become quality builders.

As a measure of construction sustainability,

we suggest companies throughout the supply

chain adopt:

• sustainable and energy-efficient designs

• environmentally friendly practices

• sustainable maintenance practices

• sustainable production of materials

• a concern for quality materials

• practices that maximise benefits for sur-

rounding communities from all building and

construction activities

SA needs a sustainable construction industryIf South Africa is to prosper and meet its full potential, we need sustainable human settlements that are socially acceptable and able to support economic development and expansion.

Sand, aggregates and cement need to be procured from professional accredited suppliers to ensure sustainability

“Urbanisation is putting further pressure on our cities’ infrastructure and facilities and these too need to be upgraded in order to properly service communities.” Nico Pienaar, Aspasa


CEMENT AND CONCRETE

• a sustainable legacy of skills develop-

ment and job creation.

“In addition, role players need to be

identified to drive development and act

in a leadership role to ensure sustain-

ability,” explains Pienaar.

Identifying role playersPienaar continues that Government is

the first and most important role player,

as it needs to focus on infrastructure devel-

opment. Schools, hospitals, police stations,

houses, roads and other key structures need

to be planned, developed and made to ser-

vice the community in a sustainable manner.

The money allocated through the fiscus

needs to be spent wisely to ensure it ticks

the boxes of social and environmental sus-

tainability. This is the infrastructure that is

put in place to facilitate economic develop-

ment and facilitate employment and social

coherence. No corners can be cut at this

stage as it will form the basis of all future

developments, will create social cohesion

and create jobs etc.

Government also has a role to play to

regulate the quarrying industry and create a

level playing field by stopping illegal mining,

preventing imports of cheap inferior building

materials and cement. In this way quality local

producers can create jobs and a thriving and

lively upstream building supply industry.

Building industry professionalsFollowing Government’s role, it is the

responsibility of our built environment pro-

fessionals to strive for sustainability in terms

of quality, as well as social and economic

upliftment. In terms of building materials,

the sustainability of supply can be done

by simply insisting on locally produced

cement, Aspasa-accredited aggregates

and correctly manufactured readymix

concrete from an accredited supplier.

When dealing with industry associ-

ation-accredited suppliers, profession-

als can rest assured that the com-

panies comply with regulations, prod-

ucts meet standards as laid out by

the SABS, suitable care is taken of

employment conditions and the environment

surrounding communities.

“For this reason, we plead with role play-

ers to look at the big picture when planning

for sustainability. Government and building

professionals need to look beyond the use

of green products for new developments.

In order to have a truly sustainable building

industry, we need to make sure the products

we use are ethically derived and comply with

standards. We also need to deal with suppli-

ers and contractors that are focused on true

sustainability in terms of social, environmen-

tal and economic upliftment of the region and

the country,” concludes Pienaar.

Ethically operated quarry


BY SUPPLYING ONE of its highly

effective admixtures, SikaPlast

V210, as well as its Macro Fibres,

Sika played a critical role in this

challenging R1.8 million project, planned

and managed by Royal HaskoningDHV.

To commence the project, a cavity in the

pool had to be plugged while the old slab

was broken and removed. In order to achieve

the required concrete strength, SikaPlast

V210 was added to a blend of NPC Plus L

and Protec cements.

SikaPlast V210 is a mid-range water reduc-

er for pumped concrete flatwork as well as

applications where superior finishing charac-

teristics are required with low retardation.

The mid-range water reduction of SikaPlast

V210 provides several advantages, including

high, early compressive strengths, increased

strengths and more durable, dense concrete

with reduced permeability. It does not con-

tain formaldehyde, calcium chloride or any

other added chlorides and will not initiate

or promote the corrosion of steel present in

the concrete.

After 30 years in a salt-water environment,

the original reinforcing of the pool was

completely corroded. To ensure sufficient

reinforcement for the new pool structure, the

addition of Sika Macro Fibres to the concrete

was of utmost importance. The fibres used

were 50 mm in length with a ratio of 4 kg of

fibres/cube of concrete.

Sika Macro Fibres are structural synthetic

fibres with an X-shaped surface area for

maximum bonding in concrete. They are a

cost-effective alternative to welded mesh

and provide increased load bearing and

energy absorption in the concrete. They are

safe and easy to use, provide a homogenous

reinforcement and are corrosion resistant.

Overcoming challenges Due to the ocean tides, the biggest chal-

lenge facing the contractor was draining

the 600 m² pool at low tide every day, and

then having just five hours in which to pour

150 m3 of concrete before high tide once

again filled the pool.

A further challenge was pumping the con-

crete into the pool from 100 m away due to

restrictions of the concrete truck access-

ing the beach. A problem which Kencrete

Readymix Concrete were able to solve by

supplying a sufficiently long pump.

With Sika’s trustworthy concrete solutions

breathing new life into it, Margate’s tidal

pool will undoubtedly stand the test of time

and help to boost touris m to this popular

seaside town.

Restoring Margate tidal poolFor two decades the once-popular tidal pool in Margate on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast was non-functional. Thanks to the Margate Urban Renewal Project, it has now been fully restored.

CEMENT AND CONCRETE

TECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION

Leaders in integrated infrastructure management and GRAP compliant asset registers.

WWW.IMQS.CO.ZA

IMQS HAS DESIGNED AND BUILT a fully integrated geo-referenced asset management solution that not

only supports improved service delivery but also supports the asset management practice and reporting

requirements of National Treasury allowing local authorities to configure and populate the system to be

GRAP compliant.

Our track record of 100% success on all our Infrastructure Asset Registers at over 30 Metropolitan and

local municipalities proves that we have succeeded in bringing the technical and financial aspects of

infrastructure asset management together in one integrated system.

PROPERTY &

BUILDINGSPOWERSTORM WATERROADSSEWERWATER

What makes a city work?


TECHNOLOGY IN CONSTRUCTION | COMPANY PROFILE

THE INTRODUCTION of Generally

Recognised Accounting Practice

(GRAP) within local government has

focused attention on asset man-

agement. The National Treasury addition-

ally issued a number of asset management

practice and reporting requirements. These

include the need to identify, value and track

the health of assets, establish programmes

and provide resources to care for assets,

and report on these matters.

Given that these requirements are driven

from an accounting perspective, the munici-

pal engineer may be tempted to leave all

responsibility for asset management to the

CFO. However, not only is the value of the

municipal engineer indispensable in the pro-

cess, there are unprecedented opportunities

for engineering professionals as a result of

the introduction of GRAP.

IMQS believes it is extremely well placed

to support the municipal engineer, with

well over 70 municipal and six metropolitan

clients across South Africa, managing a

combined total of more than

288 000 km of water, sewer,

road, stormwater and electric-

ity networks. IMQS’s pedigree

means there are no asset

classes, nor any scale there-

of, that cannot be managed

by the geo-referenced IMQS

Integrated Infrastructure

Management System.

IMQS is a market-leading,

international software com-

pany that provides strate-

gic and operational decision

support solutions to the municipal infra-

structure market. By leveraging the latest

browser, cloud and desktop technologies,

as well as its own proprietary GIS soft-

ware, IMQS has created a modern device-

independent solution with a clean, well-

designed inter face. It is intuitive and the

user can access information in real time,

from any location, to carry out their work

and deliver an optimised service.

The execution of GRAP and the provision

of essential engineering services will require

significant investment in capital works, and

supporting systems and processes, over

the next 15 years, for it to be scalable and

sustainable. Investment will be aimed at all

infrastructure asset types. The true value of

each of these initiatives will not be realised

on the day a road is completed or when a

new water purification plant is activated, but

rather when the road remains in good condi-

tion even with increased traffic and age, or

when the purification plant delivers clean

and safe water to the client. To achieve this,

each of these assets needs to be treasured

and carefully managed throughout its life.

Key elements of Integrated Asset

Management include:

• knowing where your assets are

• managing risks associated with

asset failures

• continuous improvement in asset man-

agement knowledge and practises

• cost-effective management strategies for

life cycle asset management

• defined level of service and monitoring

performance

• understanding the impact of growth

• updating of asset register through inte-

grated system support.

In effect, the government could spend an

extraordinary amount of money investing in

infrastructure and, in doing so, transform the

country’s economic landscape. To preserve

this, the fundamental principles of asset

management need to be applied rigorously

and systematically.

The IMQS Integrated Infrastructure

Management System is designed to support

the process of making a city work. Using an

open-service-based architecture, IMQS seam-

lessly integrates with other mission critical

systems and is able to extract information

from underlying engineering, maintenance

and ERP systems to inform and add value to

a client’s systems and infrastructure invest-

ment. The system supports asset componen-

tisation to the level where maintenance-sig-

nificant items are easily identified, as well as

providing a complete range of tools to gather

and manage key properties like life expec-

tancy, performance, utilisation, criticality and

operational costs. These are critical in updat-

ing the infrastructure asset register annually.

IMQS supports all national and interna-

tional standards like GRAP and PAS55,

making it the solution of choice for infra-

structure asset managers. It provides the

capability to create the fundamental asset

inventory that underpins any asset manage-

ment strategy, and storing

this information in a config-

urable geo-referenced asset

register. IMQS is well posi-

tioned to support any asset

management initiative which

will ultimately result in bet-

ter infrastructure on which to

build an economy and deliver

a professional service.

www.imqs.co.za

The municipal engineer’s responsibilityLife cycle infrastructure

asset management

and integrated

communication have

been added to the

financial asset register.



IT in Africa’s construction industry Information technology is an

integral component of today’s

construction industry. Utilising the data

it generates, IT contributes significantly

to meeting industry needs and adapts

to, and supports, construction trends.

IT IS IN FACT ONE of the core utili-

ties that supports an infrastructure.

This results in tremendous risk to

the business should there be any

IT downtime. To mitigate downtime, it is

necessary to build resilience into IT com-

ponents and design.

Industry context and trends “Africa is currently experiencing increas-

ing industrialisation and urbanisation.

Related to this is a rise in energy demands. This leads to the need

for increased access to, usage and sharing of, data generated or

‘pulled’ by IT,” explains Jaco Cronje, operations director for EES

Africa, an ISO 9001:2008 certified company.

Construction industry trends and requirements lead to IT-specific

trends, the first of which is connectivity. “Connectivity, especially

via mobile communication devices, is accelerating and a rapidly

increasing number of people in Africa are becoming connected.

An example of connectivity is the fast-growing use of broadband in

Kenya, while that of mobility can be seen in MTN and the rise of

its mobile phone penetration throughout Africa,” explains Cronje.

In 2010, the world’s population was 7 billion and there were

12 billion connected devices. It is estimated that there will be an

impressive total of 25 billion connected devices by 2015.

Relevant to this is a second trend, which is coined the ‘Internet

of things’. “Lifestyles are increasingly being lived in a virtually con-

nected fashion. Fundamental to this is making connectivity simpler,

easier and faster,” says Cronje.

The third trend is ‘energy management’, which addresses rising

energy demands. IT monitors energy usage and manages how it can

most effectively be utilised. An example here is the energy grid. IT

is essential in the implementation of a ‘smart’ grid. This unlocks

numerous benefits related to the managing of energy generation

and consumption.

IT components and infrastructure design The core utilities or services that support a facility or infrastruc-

ture today are not only water, electricity and gas, but also the

data generated by IT. “Data has long passed the point of being

a requirement, and is now a distinguishing factor in buildings,”

Cronje emphasises.

Data, as the fourth utility, enables more efficient management of:

• office services, which include email, Internet and telephony


ASM LXHS15 & 20mm

Plastic

Cape Town:021 510 4266

or021 510 8408

Johannesburg: 011 609 4647

or011 609 6336

[email protected]

LEVEL 2

‘When the Bottom Line

counts’‘Order your

water meters from

South Africa’s fastest growing

water meter company with theirstocks of

NRCS TYPE APPROVED

brass or plastic

water meters’

ASM LXH15 & 20mm

Brass

• security, which includes access control,

CCTV and alarms

• building intelligence, which makes use

of sensors to monitor and manage the

infrastructure; for example, generator

fuel levels and monitoring the number of

cars in a parking area

• power, which is run over ethernet, ena-

bling monitoring and management of

lighting and other power usage.

This is done by means of convergence.

Convergence, which is the combination of

multiple functions by means of only one

cable, can achieve a 20% capital saving

in buildings. Convergence of services also

covers energy efficiency services and this

can proactively contribute to maintenance,

offering a 30% operational saving.

Increasing the resilience of an IT systemIt is necessary to build resilience into

IT components and design in order to

mitigate the risk IT downtime can pre-

sent to organisations, resulting in serious

cost implications. Cronje explains that

the primary focus with regard to building

resilience should be on the data centre,

which is the heart of IT in a building or

smart city. The data centre is evaluated

based on its resilience to risks and is then

rated accordingly.

“To ensure it has optimal resilience, the

data centre must also have an uninter-

ruptible power supply which is achieved

by back-up power and generators as an

example of power supply, among many

other environmental dependencies. It must

be operated efficiently and be properly

equipped with necessary monitoring sys-

tems. Additionally, its location and access

must also be secure.”

Vital to the IT system is not only the

physical equipment and installations, but

the system architecture too, which needs

active-active resilient and redundant sys-

tems for continued operations and reduced

risks. Load must be spread to create

resilience throughout the entire IT system.

Resilience should also be increased

in cabling and routing, which must be

installed according to industry guidelines

and shielded from power cables.

Cronje adds, “To achieve optimum IT

efficiency, IT requirements must be ana-

lysed for each individual project in order to

meet specific client needs. As it is a core

service, IT needs to be included in the

construction process from day one, rather

than trying to retrofit a solution.”

It is estimated that there will be an impressive total of 25 billion connected devices by 2015

• Designed and manufactured in South Africa

• Designed to operate LED light sources of up to 53W in an ambient temperature environment of up to 35˚C, without reducing the useful lifetime of 60 000 hours, at a lumen depreciation of not more than 20% (L80)

• Slim, aesthetical design optimised for LED characteristics

• Provides energy savings of up to 70%

• Easy to install• No lamp or component

replacements for more than 10 years

• Designed for easy technology upgrade (FutureProof )

• Unsurpassed light uniformity

• Designed to replace conventional HID and CFL streetlight luminaires

• Marine grade, high-pressure die-cast aluminium housing

• No ingress of dust and moisture into the LED and controller compartment - IP 66

• Three-compartment housing, ensures reliable ingress protection

• Automatic disconnection of power when opened

• Surge protection 10kV/10kA SA Pat. 2012/07685

BEKA Schréder (Pty) Ltd 13 West View Road I PO Box 120 I Olifantsfontein | 1665

T +27 11 238 0000 | F +27 11 238 0180 | [email protected] | www.beka-schreder.co.za

BEKA LEDlume-miniFOR THE FUNCTIONAL LIGHTING OF GROUP A4 AND B ROADS

D i d d



SRK CONSULTING IN

KwaZulu-Natal is cur-

rently doing this to

bring together data

from various elements of a pro-

ject – such as planning, geo-

technical, environmental and

social – into a geographical

information system (GIS) frame-

work to create highly detailed

spatial images.

“This allows the information

to be communicated more eas-

ily within multidisciplinary pro-

ject teams and especially to

non-technical users,” explains

James Morris, partner and principal civil

engineer in SRK’s Durban office.

“We have found that the data is far easier

to understand and explain when presented

in a more visual way – on a local or regional

map, for instance. When this information

is only in text, tables and graphs in a thick

report, it can be very daunting and time-

consuming to digest; the significance of key

data can also be difficult to extract.”

The systems developed by SRK are then

integrated with the company’s decision-mak-

ing tools, so that the improved understand-

ing of selected decision criteria and techni-

cal information can help decision-makers in

considering the available options.

“Whether in the private or public sector,

those with the duty and authority to make

decisions must have a firm foundation of

evidence on which to base their choices,”

he says. “By using high-tech solutions to

integrate the necessary data, we can ensure

that the best options are highlighted, and

this makes for well-informed decisions and

better impact.”

Non-technical stakeholders may include

financial officials, municipal councillors, and

a range of interested and affected parties;

this method of sharing project plans and

details is also beneficial to contractors work-

ing on the project itself, who often prefer to

see a visual representation of what needs

to be done.

Mapping data with spatial GISMapping of data using GIS tools is used

both for analysis and prediction, says Morris.

Where water quality in a river could be nega-

tively impacted by a proposed settlement,

for instance, data on existing conditions

can be modelled and compared to possible

future conditions. The predicted results can

then be plotted in colours on a map of the

area, with a scale of colours showing levels

of negative and positive impact.

“A data-rich visual impression is then able

to quickly convey those areas where there

are challenges or where better options are

available,” he says. “Our clients frequently

display these maps in their offices to inform

their ongoing discussions, and

to share the issues with other

stakeholders. It is particularly

beneficial when working with

infrastructure projects, as much

of the work we do on infrastruc-

ture is spatially related.”

The ability to integrate data

seamlessly and represent it sim-

ply is also key to the efficiency of the project

team, says Morris.

Case study: assessing groundwaterWorking on a rural groundwater supply pro-

ject in the Amajuba District Municipality of

KZN, SRK has also applied high-tech meth-

ods while making sure that their findings

and recommendations are effectively com-

municated to clients and affected parties.

“In doing an assessment of groundwater

resources in rural areas for a local munici-

pality, for instance, we have taken a more

regional approach, which will optimise sus-

tainability and water quality,” says principal

hydrogeologist Raven Kisten.

“This is an innovative departure from

previous practices, where boreholes have

generally been drilled without a full under-

standing of the area’s water balance or

aquifer characteristics.”

Using remote sensing and an interpreta-

tion of geological structures and faults,

SRK has completed a catchment-scale

Turning data into imagery for better decision-makingHigh-tech computer applications for data management, mapping, modelling and imagery help present large amounts of data in a more accessible, visual way, enabling clients and stakeholders to quickly understand and make informed and better project decisions.

Front (sitting, left to right): James Morris and Angus Bracken

Back (left to right): Nic Brien, Keagan Allan, Raven Kisten and Murray Sim


Johannesburg Head Office www.sensus.com

Sensus South Africa (Pty) Ltd, 17 Monza Close, Kyalami, Park

PO Box 31720, Kyalami, 1684Tel: +27(0)11 466 1680

Fax: +27(0)11 466 1695Email: [email protected]

iPerlWater Management Tool

The SMART FUTURE has begun.. .


work lays the foundation for production bore-

holes to be integrated with bulk groundwater

supply schemes with larger footprints and

appropriate maintenance and groundwater

monitoring programmes.

In presentations to council officials and

public representatives, it is useful to show

the extensive project-related data on maps

rather than just in reports, and this allows

for ongoing capacity building among stake-

holders, explains Kisten.

Using mapping tools to diagnose problems “We spend a great deal of time conducting

highly sophisticated assessments,” says

SRK partner and principal civil engineer

Murray Sim. “But, we then need to convey

the essence of our results to decision-

makers and sometimes also the public.

While a plain cadastral map is not always

well understood, we can map our data in

layers and provide images that make it

ABOVE LEFT Typical screenshot of the system in use for a housing infrastructure project

ABOVE RIGHT An aerial image indicating a geological lineament identified through remote sensing techniques as well as the proposed drilling targets identified

assessment in the Amajuba area; this iden-

tified areas with high groundwater potential

for well-field development, offering a more

sustainable water supply and quality. The



much easier to show the current situation and highlight various

future options.”

While used mainly in planning, these mapping tools can also be

used for diagnosing problems, says Angus Bracken, partner and

principal engineering geologist based in SRK’s Pietermaritzburg

office. In a project to investigate technical problems occurring

with some of the houses in a nearby settlement, the area was

analysed by overlaying a range of maps – including geological,

soil, topographic, drainage and geotechnical data.

“This facilitated the process of examining the factors that could

affect the integrity of the buildings,” says Bracken. “After helping

us identify the causes of the problems, the mapping techniques

can now be used to ensure the problems are avoided in the future

– as the maps can show quite clearly which areas are more suit-

able for housing purposes.”

Case study: solving flooding in eThekwiniIn a recent project at Isipingo, south of Durban, historic satellite

images were vital in helping SRK solve a regular flooding problem

for the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality emanating from a

wetland between the highway and the coastline.

“Having modelled the catchment area of the wetland and

assessed the drainage infrastructure, we then compared satellite

photographs from year to year and discovered that one of the

property owners bordering the wetland had, over time, caused

a significant blockage to the main drainage channel,” says SRK

principal civil engineer Nic Brien.

“This was not obvious due to overgrown vegetation and limited

previous knowledge of the wetland’s layout. However, the conse-

quences of this blockage were such that even a moderate storm

would cause flooding.”

Based on this assessment, works are under way to implement

a new drainage path comprising a concrete canal installed on

the side of the wetland, as well as the upgrade of a number

of culverts and canals in the industrial area where most of the

flooding occurred.

“The solution not only addresses the flooding but reduces the silt dep-

osition that clogged up the wetland,” says Brien. “During major storms,

the majority of the silt will now bypass the wetland via the canal, with

the concrete base enabling easier dredging when required.”

ABOVE LEFT An extract from a high-tech data collection tool, using a web-based inspection toolkit allowing for the fast and reliable collection of data in the field. Used for the inspection of infrastructure in the rural environment

ABOVE RIGHT A suitability index attribute map indicating areas suitable for development. Red areas are not suitable; green areas are suitable for development and expansion

RIGHT Various spatial datasets can be combined to present a meaningful representation of development constraints

CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES

EQUIPMENT


IN A RECENT ANNUAL meeting in

Rwanda, the African Development

Bank (AfDB), presenting its African

Economic Outlook 2014, repor ted

that the continent’s economy was expect-

ed to grow by 4.8% in 2014 and 5.7%

in 2015, approximating its growth figures

pre-economic downturn.

The ongoing economic efforts on the

continent will have to be supported by

energy. Gone are the days of organic econo-

mies, where economic growth could be

achieved through mere human and animal

strength. Today, almost all economies rely on

power to sustain their activities and produce

results. Power has become such an integral

component of any economy or society that

outages and blackouts could bring about

devastating consequences.

Africa’s power scenario To support Africa’s ambition to achieve eco-

nomic sustainability, diversity and viability, it

will primarily need to boost its infrastructure

(Lead Author) Robert Bagatsing, Marketing Manager, Altaaqa Global CAT Rental Power; (Contributor) Hendrick Mtemeri, Africa Business Development Director, Altaaqa Global CAT Rental Power; (Contributor) Paul Heyns, Southern Africa Manager, Altaaqa Global CAT Rental Power

Africa is intensively pushing to build and grow its economy on the back of increased domestic demand, aggressive infrastructure construction activities and economic interconnectivity among countries in the continent.

Power leads to economic resilience

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT | VEHICLES



Born and bred right here - Bell is Africa’s very own global equipment

supplier. With support from our strategic partners we deliver a full

range of premium machines. All built tough for our harsh environment.

All supported by Africa’s most comprehensive network of people

dedicated to your success.

Best of all, while you are creating infrastructure and jobs, so are we.

Choose Bell as your equipment partner and enjoy the pride of

knowing you’re not just boosting your business but helping make

Africa a better place too.

Tel: +27 (0)11 928 9700E-mail: [email protected]

STRATEGICPARTNERS

Adv

ert149

6011

4

to support the growth of its various indus-

tries. To achieve that, the continent will

require massive amounts of power. The

question is whether or not it has enough

energy to sustain this power-intensive phase.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF)

sounded a warning that an escalating power

supply deficiency in Africa may hamper the

projected economic growth. It has been

documented that some 25 countries in

sub-Saharan Africa were facing an energy

crisis, evidenced by rolling blackouts; some

30 countries in region have suffered acute

energy crises in recent years.

While the Key World Energy Statistics by

the International Energy Agency reported

that electricity generation in Africa rose from

1.8% in 1973 to 3.1% in 2011, the continent

still has the smallest share globally, despite

being the second most populous continent.

With Africa’s population expected to double

to approximately 1.9 billion people by 2050,

and with the continent’s industries projected

to require power at almost full capacity, the

World Bank said that a much higher invest-

ment would be needed to at least double

Africa’s current levels of energy access by

2030. In fact, it is estimated that the sub-

Saharan region would require more than

$300 billion in investments to achieve total

electrification by 2030.

The power instability: the bigger pictureSub-Saharan Africa was observed to have

absorbed much of the blow of the recent

power crisis. Blackouts brought cities to a

standstill and spelt terminal financial losses

to small- and medium-scale companies.

Mining, one of the region’s pillar industries,

was severely affected, even prompting min-

ing companies to shelve expansion plans

and curtail local power usage.

Nigeria, for instance, a country that has

three times the population of South Africa,

only has one-tenth of the power generation

capacity of the latter, and businesses in

the country are reportedly starting to feel

the effects of power interruptions in their

daily turnover.

In Tanzania, a blackout that lasted for

almost a month was experienced in Zanzibar

when the underwater cable lines supplying

power to the archipelago failed, owing to a

huge surge in demand. As a result, residents

needed to shell out $10 per day to run

diesel-powered domestic generators, while

businesses requiring refrigeration or heating

had to suspend operations until power was

restored.

In Angola, the occasional recession of the

water level in some of the rivers affects

power production, distressing allied services

like water distribution. Luanda’s water sup-

ply firm, EPAL, cites that various areas in the

city experience water supply shortage, owing

to challenges related to power distribution.

The Democratic Republic of Congo – touted

to be Africa’s biggest copper producer – in

May 2014, advised mining companies in the

country to suspend any project expansion

that would require more power, amid a power

shortage that will take years to resolve.

Even South Africa is not exempt from

power-related woes. In a communiqué in

June 2014, Eskom, supplier of 95% of the

country’s electricity, warned residents of a

rolling blackout due to load-shedding, which,

it said, was necessary to protect the elec-

tricity grid from total blackout. Eskom said

it had begun scaling down maintenance to

prepare for winter, but in the face of a ris-

ing energy demand, particularly during peak

hours, it appealed to the public to reduce

power consumption by at least 10%. If the

power demand did not decline, the company

said load-shedding would be the last resort

to avoid a total power shutdown.

At present, solutions are underway – but

these, naturally, will not come without a hefty

price and cannot be completed within days

or weeks. Economic reports indicated that,

at the prevailing growth rate of the demand

from industries and residents, the region

would have to double its power generating

capacity by 2025, at an approximate cost of

$171 billion in South Africa alone.

In order to sustain this projection, several

governments in Africa have identified poten-

tial sources of funds, such as power rate

hikes and foreign investment. Power hikes

could stir social unrest and could prompt

industrial entities to cut down on operations,

putting jobs and production at risk. Foreign

Hiring power generators can prove to be a viable solution to power supply ineffi ciency, bridging the power gap while the permanent power solution is still in progress

towers, data centres, mining facilities and

oil and gas installations, has the potential

to bring an entire country, region or city to

a standstill, and in light of globalisation

and economic integration, the consequences

could spill over regional, national or even

continental borders.

Hiring interim power plants to bridge the

gap between the demand and the supply

of electricity yields many advantages, par-

ticularly where there is a foreseeable delay

in the construction of permanent power

generation facilities or while waiting for the

permanent power plants to be completed.

When time is of essence, rental power

companies, like Altaaqa Global CAT Rental

Power, are capable of providing solutions as

needed, when needed.

Utility companies in the region, like Eskom

in South Africa, Kenya Electricity Generating

Company, Tanzania Electric Supply Company,

the Power Holding Company of Nigeria,

the Concelho Nacional de Electricidade in

Mozambique, the Empresa Nacional de

Electricidade in Angola and the Société

nationale d’électricité in DRC, among oth-

ers, can hire temporary power plants. This

is done in times when the demand outpaces

the supply, when the electrical grid becomes

unstable due to a spike in electricity require-

ment or when power distribution networks

are unavailable, like in the rural areas.

This will allow them to bridge the supply

deficit immediately. Hiring power generators

can prove to be a viable solution to power

supply inefficiency, bridging the power gap

while the permanent power solution is still

in progress.

With an immediate solution on hand, the

governments and the utility companies can

avoid resorting to raising the prices of elec-

tricity or curtailing the supply of power during

peak hours. In a greater scope, an instan-

taneous resolution of Africa’s escalating

energy supply challenges will preclude social

and political instability and massive financial

losses to businesses and individuals.

The power to go furtherThe continent that was once regarded as a

tail-ender in terms of development is now

making an aggressive move towards eco-

nomic stability and viability. To sustain the

economic growth that Africa is now enjoying,

it is imperative that the governments on

the continent address the critical issue of

chronic power shortage, which could ham-

per the development of various industries

in the countries. The effort that African

governments are putting to address this pre-

dicament is commendable, but other entities

exist that can help them to further alleviate

the situation. Rental power companies pro-

pose solutions that address the issues of

urgency, cost efficiency, reliability, energy

efficiency and environmental safety.

It is advisable that utility companies provide

for a contingent power solution in cases of

power interruption that may lead to opera-

tional delays and negative social, political,

economic and financial consequences.

Rental power companies propose solutions that address the issues of urgency, cost effi ciency, reliability, energy effi ciency and environmental safety

investment agreements could take time to

materialise. The planning, designing, instal-

lation and commissioning of permanent

power generation projects may take several

years, if not decades.

How temporary power plants can helpPower is a fundamental element for any

economy to function, as every sector of the

modern society, be it domestic, commercial

or industrial, is dependent on electricity. A

power interruption affecting critical facilities,

like hospitals, airports, telecommunications





THE TRANSFER OF BARLOWORLD’S

Metso business – previously part

of Barloworld Equipment – to

Barloworld Handling has the sup-

port of Metso Minerals Southern Africa.

Metso Minerals Southern Africa appoint-

ed Barloworld as sole distributor of the

full range of Metso mobile crushing and

screening equipment in Southern Africa 10

years ago.

For Metso mobile plant customers in

Southern Africa, it will be business as

usual, with added focus provided by a

New Barloworld home for Metso mobile

Metso’s track-mounted Lokotrack range is a market leader in Southern Africadedicated resource. The Metso mobile team

remains in place, headed up by new GM

Brandon Arnold, and will continue to provide

optimised mobile crushing and screening

solutions to construction, quarrying and min-

ing customers in Southern Africa, with full

aftermarket care.

Barloworld Handling is geared to help

broaden Metso’s market-leading mobile foot-

print in Southern Africa, says Barloworld

Handling South Africa chief executive

Godfried Heydenrych. “The new business

unit will benefit from synergies within the

handling division, which has an extensive

sales, service and support network through-

out the region. Our existing markets include

those of the Metso mobile business, making

this a good fit.”

Barloworld Handling has been the Southern

African Hyster lift truck dealer for more

than 80 years and distributes the Massey

Ferguson and Challenger product ranges

through its agriculture business unit. Over

the past six years, Barloworld Handling’s

Metso’s mobile crushing and screening solutions footprint in Southern Africa has been given new traction with the launch of a dedicated Metso mobile business unit within the handling division of the Barloworld group.

Stay up and running.

Uninterrupted.

Metso portable plants allow you the use of various crushing and screening operations: from a single, stand-alone unit to two-, three-, even four-stage complete plants providing several end-product fractions. The LT series complete plants can be easily adjusted to accurately suit your crushing application. You can choose feeding to crusher or feeding to screen options to meet your end-product requirements. Quick move and setup times allow minimum loss of production. This combined with the support and backup service of Barloworld Handling keeps you up and running. Uninterrupted.

LOWEST SUSTAINABLE COST PER TONNE.

For more information contact your local Metso Mobile salesman, call +27 (0)11 929 0000 or email [email protected]

strong customer support infrastructure has been instrumental

in establishing SEM as a leading utility wheel loader brand

in the local market. Similar synergies will benefit Metso,

says Heydenrych.

Focus areas will include the strengthening of service capability

and parts availability throughout Southern Africa.

“Our ultimate objective is to provide more dedicated time and

support for the Metso product, ensuring that customers have the

correct equipment, excellent parts availability and the highest

levels of technical support in order to maximise their uptime and

increase their production capability,” says Heydenrych.


THE COMPLEXITY of different soil types makes quality

compaction a challenge. Too little compaction and the

soil may settle, causing structure failure; too much com-

paction leads to unnecessary machine wear and down-

time. Over-compaction can also cause some soils to crack under

increased pressure. The compaction indicator on the LG500

reversible plate measures the vibration patterns in the plate and

shows how well the soil is compacted beneath the surface.

The compaction indicator is mounted at the centre of the han-

dle and the system communicates via a clear system of indica-

tor lights. The three lights – yellow, green and red – signal the

different stages of compaction. When the red light flashes, the

particular soil type has reached maximum compaction and it is

time to stop.

By combining compaction-indicator technology and the opera-

tor's knowledge, the risk of over- or under-compacting is much

reduced. The combination will save operation time and increase

uptime for the reversible plates. Less machine wear means less

servicing is required.

To get an even safer compaction experience, Atlas Copco's

CompBase provides detailed compaction data and capacity

information based on full-scale tests. The machine and method

selection is based on the material to be compacted and provides

information on the expected depth effect

and degree of compaction after any given

number of passes.

Reducing over-compactionThe new compaction indicator on the Atlas Copco LG500 reversible plate saves time and money. The technology helps reduce machine wear and over-compaction.

New compaction indicator on Atlas Copco LG500 reversible plate helps reduce machine wear and tear



PCS MANAGING DIRECTOR

Gershuan Ramlah reveals

that work on the massive

30 000 m2 project based in Linbro

Park, Johannesburg, began in April 2014

and is expected to last several months, due

to the sheer scale of concrete placement,

grinding and polishing required.

To complete this project to the highest

standard, Ramlah states that PCS is mak-

ing use of HTC Superfloor, a revolutionary

flooring concept that uses grinding and

polishing techniques to create a strong and

hard-wearing concrete floor.

The HTC Superfloor concept, which utilises

internationally recognised HTC floor grind-

ing and polishing machinery, is exclusively

available through Superb Flooring Systems

– a subsidiary of the Pan Mixers South

Africa (PMSA).

Not your daily grindPMSA sales and marketing manager Quintin

Booysen explains that the HTC machines

and diamond tools are used to grind and

polish concrete floors, thereby removing the

surface paste and exposing the stronger

concrete underneath.

“HTC Superfloor offers an easy-to-clean

and durable flooring solution. Dirty, grey

concrete floors are transformed into bril-

liant, easy-to-clean, environmentally friendly

and durable polished surfaces. This results

‘Superfl oor’ status for SA’s largest indoor concrete polishing projectThe largest single indoor

concrete floor polishing

project in South Africa

to date is currently

being undertaken

in Johannesburg by

Platinum Concrete

Solutions (PCS), which is

making use of the HTC

Superfloor concept.

in a strong, shiny and beautiful polished

concrete floor,” he says.

Johannesburg-based PCS specialises in

the preparation, levelling, grinding, polishing

and maintenance of concrete floors and has

developed a strong working relationship with

HTC and Superb Flooring Systems over the

last four years.

Global standard“All PCS work is completed in accordance

with approved HTC standards, which feature

the highest level global rating with regard to

abrasion resistance, fire classification fric-

tion, electrostatic discharge, life cycle costs

and energy costs. I believe that this proven

quality and in-depth experience led to PCS

being awarded this large-scale contract,”

states Ramlah.

What’s more, Ramlah indicates that a

team of 17 highly skilled PCS employees are

working on the Linbro Park project. “Grinding

is a specialised skill, it is only through

understanding concrete and the different

processes that a truly magnificent floor can

be achieved. Thanks to a strong team, work

on the project is running smoothly and will

be completed on time and within budget.”

Managing multiple contractorsRamlah admits that a project of this scale

comes with a number of challenges. “Large

projects such as this involve a number of

different contractors being located on-site

simultaneously. Accidental damage is a com-

mon occurrence when there are so many

people working around each other.”

He indicates that these challenges were

overcome through constant inspection and

communication between the various sub-

contractor foremen, as well as postponing

certain grinding steps until it was safe to

continue. “It is important to protect the floor

through all stages of the project,” he adds.

Setting the standard for polished floorsRamlah believes that the polished concrete

market in South Africa is set to achieve

measurable growth within the next two years.

“Polished concrete is poised to be a massive

market in South Africa and has the potential

to set the industry standard for flooring.

As the market grows, PCS intends to open

offices in Cape Town and Durban, as well

as expand in terms of staff and machinery,”

he concludes.

“Polished concrete is poised to be a massive market in South Africa and has the potential to set the industry standard for fl ooring.”


Ammann Construction Machinery229 Hull Road, Rynfi eld

Benoni 1500, South AfricaTel. + 27 11 849 3939Fax + 27 11 849 8889

[email protected]

UniBatch

The new UniBatch sets new standards for asphalt mix production in the 80–340 t/h output classes. It delivers cutting-edge technology and includes all the features of current and future plant concepts. This batch mixing plant is optimised to reduce wear and maintenance, and is easily accessible. Slimline dimensions and core components designed to maximise perfor-mance make it top of our mixing plant range.

For more information on compaction machines, mixing plants and pavers go to www.ammann-group.com

UniBatch 260 t/h.


THE PILOT Modular BR0605, com-

missioned in June, has already

proven its worth by adding value

to the business in a number of

important areas. First, it empowers the

operator to crush damaged or off-standard

bricks back down to -10 mm, delivering large

volumes of what would have been discarded

as waste back into the manufacturing pro-

cess. Second, the company is now able to

produce its own raw materials by crushing

sandstone, rock and concrete to produce

bricks, blocks and other related products.

In order to produce bricks, the manu-

facturer was previously paying around

R73 per m³ of sand from local quarries as

well as the cost of transport. The unit’s

R275 000 purchase price translates into an

excellent investment.

Tried and tested technologyPilot Crushtec International national sales

manager Nicolan Govender believes that his

client’s experience illustrates how the use

of tried and tested crusher technology can

transform a relatively small operation virtu-

ally overnight.

“While it is still early days, we have already

identified areas where, over time, the addi-

tion of Pilot Modular components, including

a feed hopper, screen and conveyors, will

further enhance the operation without incur-

ring major expenditure,” he says.

Govender has detailed knowledge of the

market and offers some well-informed obser-

vations relating to product selection within

the brick manufacturing industry.

Picking the right crusher“Small granulator jaw crushers are often

used by inexperienced operators and rarely

achieve the volume and quality of output of

a product like the Pilot Modular BR0605.

This means that manufacturers utilising this

type of equipment typically suffer the ongo-

ing cost burden of continually recirculating

the crushed product until they finally achieve

the required standard and quantity of fines.”

He strongly believes that a Pilot Modular

BR0605 should be a permanent feature in

every brick and block yard. Many are clut-

tered by stockpiles of reject bricks, blocks

and piles of concrete that can be easily con-

verted back to their original state, generating

savings in both money and space.

The electrically powered Pilot Modular

BR0605 is a versatile, high-performance

horizontal impact crusher. Its relatively low

cost, combined with ease of operation and

maintenance, makes it an ideal product for

the smaller contractor or start-up operation,

especially those located in rural areas.

The skid-mounted, semi-mobile product

has been designed to suit a number of

applications including rock crushing and

sand production, coal production and the

recycling of green waste, glass, building rub-

ble and concrete.

Transforming the brick-making businessA Pretoria brick manufacturer has boosted production and reduced operating costs thanks to the recent purchase of a Pilot Modular horizontal impact crusher from local crushing and screening specialist, Pilot Crushtec

The Pilot Modular BR0605 boosts production and reduces costs for a local brick manufacturer



BOBCAT IS PART of the Goscor

Group of Companies and the

Imperial Group. It has been a

trusted partner to the local con-

struction, mining, industrial, utility, govern-

mental, agricultural and landscaping mar-

kets for 25 years, with the supply of its

internationally esteemed range of Bobcat

compact machines.

“Delivering superior service to customers

is as important as delivering quality prod-

ucts,” comments Bobcat Equipment South

Africa’s managing director, Les Lothian. “To

maximise our customers ’ uptime and pro-

duction, our comprehensive product range is

supported by a team of highly trained techni-

cians, located throughout our national, well-

stocked branch network.

“The appointment of SRTC expands our

capabilities so that we are able to deliver

our product and service offering right to

the doorstep of our customers across the

border,” asserts Lothian.

“We recognised SRTC as the right compa-

ny to take our skid steers, mini-excavators

and telescopic handlers to the Zimbabwean

market, as the company has many years’

experience in supplying equipment to the

local market including mining, industry and

agriculture.”

With a staff complement of 73, the compa-

ny’s headquarters, which houses the admin-

istration support staff and a 24/7 national

support centre, is based in Workington,

Harare. The Parts and Service Centre is

situated on a separate premises nearby.

The Service and Parts Centre, which com-

prises approximately 5 000 m2 of covered

area and some 3 500 m2 of warehouse

space, houses a 1 500 m2 full-service

workshop complete with a dedicated engine-

rebuild room, hoists and electronic service

tools. “With 16 trained technicians, six

field service vehicles and a vast range and

volume of spares and parts, we are able to

ensure fast turnaround times to maximise

uptime for our customers.

“Expert training by Bobcat on the compact

machines will enable us to offer our cus-

tomers the right product solution backed by

specialist end-to-end service and after-sales

service. At the moment, we are a Bobcat

sales dealership but there are plans to

setup a rental facility at a later stage.”

Equipment company expands into ZimbabweBobcat Equipment South Africa has extended its sales and service support to customers in Zimbabwe with the appointment of Harare-based SRTC as its official dealer in the region.


Bobcat skid steers, mini-excavators and telescopic handlers are available to the Zimbabwean market through newly

appointed Bobcat dealer SRTC


THE EVENT WAS sponsored

by Nyeleti Consulting, a leading

empowered firm of engineers

with a notably high-profile execu-

tive, including Abe Thela, Pine Pienaar and

Stanford Mkhacane. It happens to have

been a big year for the company, celebrating

its 15th anniversary in August – the same

month it won two awards at the CESA Aon

Engineering Excellence Awards.

The day was organised and hosted by

Werner Bruhns, chairman of the Northern

Branch, and he put together a very stimulat-

ing programme with the help of the secre-

tariat, with special thanks to Rona Fourie.

Werner is a highly committed, longstanding

IMESA member and his significant contribu-

tions are appreciated.

The day began with the seminar, which con-

sisted of six engaging presentations, provid-

ing insight into a broad area of disciplines,

from sanitation and environmental manage-

ment, through to innovations in online infra-

structure management.

Ultra-thin reinforced concrete pavementHans Brink is a civil engineering consult-

ant based in Tshwane and his presentation

focused on work conducted in the city. Ultra-

thin reinforced concrete pavements (UTRCP)

is a method of replacing both the base layer

and conventional bituminous surfacing of a

road with a 50 mm layer of 30 Mpa concrete,

reinforced with welded mesh. Because it is

applied in continuous process, requiring no

transverse joints, the concrete layer func-

tions like a stretched sheet of material, tied

in at both ends, resulting in most of the load

taken up as tensile forces by the mesh.

Brink referenced a couple of projects,

including the Roodekrans Quarry road, which

was built in 2002 and has been subjected to

massive and frequent truck loads. The road

remains highly functional and the trucks are

still using it. Referring to a test performed

by the CSIR, Brink noted that the stretch of

in situ UTRCP was subjected to more than

three million E80s, yet there was no sign

of failure.

Waterval solid waste sitePeter Legg Consulting has been working with

Golder and Associates (G&A) on the planning

and construction of a new industrial waste

facility in Rustenburg. The facility currently

consists of two general waste cells, a rubble

disposal cell, a leachate pond, a contami-

nated SW pond, a public drop-off area and

other supporting infrastructure.

The Waterval site, an old opencast plati-

num mine, was chosen after a formal site

selection process and detailed investiga-

tions. A scoping report was completed and

submitted in 2008 with the EIA process

starting in early 2009. The property on which

the site is located belongs to Anglo Platinum

and is being leased to the municipality.

Construction began in 2013 under G&A’s

supervision and is being funded through the

Municipal Infrastructure Grant.

The waste disposal facility is envisaged to

set a benchmark in solid waste management

and is a win-win operation in saving substan-

tial rehabilitation costs and saving the local

municipality the cost of acquiring the land.

Way-leave management system of the City of TshwaneFrancois Grobler of Graphic Engineering

Solutions and Services presented the

new Wayleave Central, which is an

online portal for the processing of

way-leave applications. Already

in the early phases of

operat ions

at City of

Tshwane ,

this web-based system is open to the pub-

lic for consulting engineers to submit and

track applications, and automates a range

of procedures including pre-submission

checks, service enquiry processes, and

TRH26 and TRH27 compliance. Task assign-

ments integrate all stakeholders and track

their responses with automated reminders

and escalations. The system enables design

reviews and is fully integrated with smart

mobile technologies.

Remaining presentationsCJ Marks gave an intriguing presentation on

acid mine drainage in Gauteng, and walked

the audience through dramatic visuals of a

plant recently committed for this purpose.

Raymond van den Berg of Bio Sewage

Systems gave an overview of the company’s

innovative wastewater treatment solutions

that are designed to break down effluence

using mechanisms inspired by nature. By

using a series of anaerobic, anoxic and aero-

bic reactors, these systems deliver effective

and economical sewage treatment.

Adriaan Kurtz of the City of Tshwane gave

a powerful presentation that clearly mapped

out the hydropower potential that is currently

nascent in the city’s bulk water pipelines and

could truly impact on the country’s energy

supply security. With various ways of using

this source of power, from feeding the

grid to operat ing infrastructure, Kurtz

gave an overview of an installation

in Tshwane, the Pierre van Ryneveld

Conduit Hydropower Plant.

The presentations were all of

great interest and IMIESA

will profile them in more

detail in the coming

months. Readers

are invited to con-

tact the editor on

nicholas@3smedia.

co.za for fur ther

information.

IMESA NEWS

IMESA NORTHERN BRANCH AGM

Innovations and electionsThe IMESA Northern Provinces Seminar and Annual General Meeting took place on 29 August 2014 at the Edenvale Library in Gauteng’s East Rand.

I

eave managementm of the City of Tshwanes Grobler of Graphic Engineering

ns and Services presented the

ayleave Central, which is an

portal for the processing of

ve applications. Already

arly phases of

ions

of

ne ,

supply security. With various

this source of power, fro

grid to operat ing infrast

gave an overview of a

in Tshwane, the Pierre

Conduit Hydropower Pl

The presentatio

great interes

will profile

detail in

months

are in

tact

nicho

co.za

infor

Werner Bruhns, chairman of the Northern Branch


BORN IN RONDEBOSCH on 17

September 1917, in 1934 Vincent

matriculated from Wynberg Boys’

High School, where he was Head

Boy. In 1938 he graduated with a BSc

(Eng) in civil engineering at UCT, gaining a

first class for his thesis. The following year

he joined the Cape Town City Engineer’s

Department.

However within months, the Second World

War began. Vincent enlisted with the 3rd

Field Company South African Engineers

Corps in 1940. Commissioned as an officer

in 1941, he qualified as a diver and worked

on coastal defences and Robben Island

harbour – and married Estelle Baumgarten,

whom he had met at UCT.

In 1942 he was posted to Egypt and, in

1943, seconded to the Royal Engineers, trav-

elling through North Africa with the British

6th Armoured Division, advancing through

Italy until the end of the war in Europe. His

duties were mainly recces, mine and booby-

trap clearance and road and bridge building.

The war ended, Vincent returned to the City

Engineer’s Department, working as resident

engineer on the Cape Flats (including the

development of Epping industrial estate). In

1949 he was awarded his PhD (thesis

title: ‘The workability and proportion-

ing of concrete’), only the second time

this degree had been awarded by the

Engineering Faculty of UCT. In 1950

he was promoted to district engineer,

Cape Town Southern Suburbs.

The following year the family immi-

grated to Southern Rhodesia (now

Zimbabwe) where, after a spell as

Senior Engineer of the National

Building and Housing Board, he estab-

lished a consulting practice. His work

took him through what are now Zimbabwe,

Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. Notable

among his projects were 200 km of roads,

several bridges, including five prestressed

concrete bridges and Thornhill Airport, Gwelo

(now Gweru), designing the then longest

runway in Central Africa. He was also foun-

dation consultant on several multistorey

buildings in Salisbury and on foundations

for Umtali Oil Refinery and the Beira-Feruka

Oil Pipeline.

Vincent founded the first private sector

materials laboratory in the region. This

undertook a wide range of testing and

research, including road failures, soil and

site investigations, and much of the local

testing for the Kariba Hydro-Electric Scheme.

He qualified as a pilot so that he could more

readily visit construction sites throughout

the country.

In 1962 Vincent was appointed scien-

tific advisor to the Southern Rhodesian

government, reporting directly to the Prime

Minister. He was responsible for planning

industrial, scientific and research policy;

coordinating scientific and technical edu-

cational effort and assessing Rhodesia’s

engineering needs. He was the inaugural

chairman of the National Housing Advisory

Council of Rhodesia, a body representing

all local authorities, central government, as

well as industrial and commercial interests.

In November 1964 he returned to the

Cape Town City Engineer’s Department, to

become one of the two senior assistant

city engineers, the immediate deputies to

Dr Solly Morris, city engineer. Here he had

responsibility for all Works and Construction

Branches and Parks and Forests – a total

staff of about 10 000.

In 1972 Vincent left the City Council

to take up the newly created post of full-

time dean of the Faculty of Engineering

at UCT. In between his deanship duties,

he lectured postgraduate courses on

concrete technology.

He served as chair of the CSIR’s Western

Cape Building Research Advisory Committee,

and was in 1979 appointed to the Council of

the CSIR. He was also on the Council of the

University of Cape Town.

In 1982 he retired from UCT and became

a consultant. Five years later he and Estelle

moved to the Helderberg Retirement Village

in Somerset West, where she passed away

in 2005 and he on 8 November 2013.

Having sustained a severe back

injury during the war, the St Giles

Association for the Physically

Handicapped was a cause always

close to his heart. His Honorary Life

Presidency of the Association was

granted in recognition of his fundrais-

ing and other forms of support over

three decades.

He is survived by his daugh-

ter Rosemary Kahn, son David

Granger, four grandchildren and one

great-granddaughter.

Obituary: Vincent GrangerBy David Granger, with assistance from Kevin Wall

Emeritus Professor Vincent Louis Granger, an eminent municipal engineer who was the 1980-1982 President of the South African District of the UK Institution of Municipal Engineers (which existed in parallel with IMESA for 20 years, before being absorbed into IMESA in 1984), passed away in Somerset West at the end of 2013 at the remarkable age of 96.

IME

SA

AF

FIL

IAT

E M

EM

BE

RS

IMESA

AECOM [email protected] Broom Road Products [email protected] SA [email protected] [email protected] Manufacturing Infraset [email protected] Africa Group Holdings [email protected] Consulting [email protected] Bosch Munitech [email protected] Stemele [email protected] Brubin Pumps [email protected] Consulting Engineers [email protected] Consulting Engineers [email protected] Corrosion Institute of Southern Africa [email protected] Built Environment [email protected] Bank of SA [email protected] Plastics [email protected] Engineers [email protected] Kent Metering [email protected] Engineers [email protected] South Africa (Pty) Ltd [email protected] [email protected] Consulting [email protected] Goba [email protected] [email protected] Technology [email protected] Enterprises [email protected]@Consulting [email protected] Consulting [email protected] [email protected] Environment [email protected] and Green [email protected] Water [email protected] Consulting Engineers [email protected] & Templer (K&T) Consulting Engineers [email protected] Base [email protected] Water [email protected] Narasimulu & Associates [email protected] Padayachee & Associates (Pty) Ltd [email protected] Consulting Engineers [email protected]

Marley Pipe Systems [email protected] [email protected] Macdonald PDNA [email protected] Asphalt [email protected] Consulting [email protected] Engineering Systems [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] HaskoningDHV [email protected] SABITA [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Water Systems [email protected] Consulting [email protected] Lines [email protected] SA [email protected] Water Company [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Sobek Engineering [email protected] African Society for Trenchless Technology [email protected] Consulting [email protected] Pumps Wastewater [email protected] Syntell [email protected] Engineers East London [email protected] Consulting [email protected] Consulting [email protected] [email protected] VIP Consulting Engineers [email protected] VOMM [email protected] VUKA Africa Consulting Engineers [email protected] Institute of Southern Africa [email protected] Water Solutions Southern Africa [email protected] South Africa [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Group Africa [email protected] Surfacing [email protected]


Aurecon provides engineering, management and specialist technical services to government and private sector clients globally. With a local office network of 23 offices extending across all nine provinces, the company has been actively involved in improving the health and safety of local communities through the provision of sustainable, integrated service delivery solutions ranging from the provision of basic services in rural areas, to the design of multi-modal transportation solutions in metropolitan areas.

Aurecon exhibits a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by governments and aims to address these by partnering with government clients to establish strategic mentoring programmes which support the up-skilling of local communities to ensure long term economic growth and job creation.

Aurecon South Africa has been verified as a Level 2 Contributor to BBBEE.

For more information contact T +27 12 427 2000 E [email protected]

Integrated solutions forenhanced service delivery

ADVERTISERS

INDEX TO ADVERTISERSAbeco Tanks 73

Actophambili Roads 104

AECOM 30

Amanzi Meters 69

AMMANN Construction Machinery SA 142

Aquadam 78, 80

Aquatan 56

Aurecon 148

Aveng Manufacturing Infraset 61

Babcock 134

Bagshaw Footwear 96

Barloworld Metso 140

Beier Safety Footwear 100

BEKA Schréder 130

Bell Equipment 137

BTW & Associates 37

BVI Group 139

Calcamite Water & Sanitation Solutions 74

CAPSA 2015 71

Corobrik 110

DPI Plastics 89

Durban University of Technology Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment

51

ELB Equipment 118

Elster Kent Metering 90

Esor Construction 2

Fiberpipe 86

GIBB 108

Group Five Pipe 81

Hatch Goba 14

HHO Africa 44

Icon Construction 8

IMQS Software 126

Ingérop South Africa 120

Isuzu Trucks SA 92

Jeffares & Green 19

Joat Group IFC

Kaytech 117

Lektraktek Water Technology 64

Lekwa Consulting Engineers and Project Managers 28

MCI Measurement Control Instrumentation 124

Model Maker Systems 128

Much Asphalt 103

NPC 9

National Asphalt OFC

National Cold Asphalt 114

Nyeleti Consulting 38

Pan Mixers South Africa 123

PHB Engineers 31

Precision Meters 129

Pumptron 68

Quality Filtration Systems 77

Quality Services 35

Robor 20

Royal HaskoningDHV 66

Sabita 49

Sangio Pipe 91

Sasol Group Services 29

Sasol Polymers 88

SBS Water Systems 62

Senus 132

Sika 116

South African Road Federation 112

Southern Mapping 133

SRK Consulting 46

Tecroveer 84

Tilt Up Systems 9

Tosas 102

UWP Consulting 122

Verder Pumps 79

Water Purification Chemical and Plant 59

Water & Sanitation Services OBC

WorleyParsons 47

WRP IBC

Zest WEG Group 53

Water and Sanitation Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd (WSSA) is a specialised provider of sustainable water services in Southern Africa

Water & Sanitation Services SA.indd 1 2014/03/26 11:52:53 AM

imiesa october 2014

Documents

distribution of water

water cycle

nue water

optimisation of water

leak detection solutions

energy audits

minimisation of water

ment solutions data