The decision to establish two new engineering degree programmes at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) will greatly contribute to the success of the country’s efforts to prioritise infrastructure development as the driving force for economic recovery. Mr Cyril Gamede, the Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Industry Development Board, says the two new programmes will […]
The Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting global recession handed a severe blow to South African Small to Medium Businesses (SMEs). According to a Mckinsey SME Financial Pulse survey published in July, 70% of SMEs were already cutting back on expenditure and retrenching staff. By the end of the second quarter, StatsSA reported 2.2 million job […]
The Construction Covid-19 Rapid Response Task Team recommends that the annual builders’ shutdown be from Thursday 24 December 2020 to Monday 04 January 2021. This means that 24 December 2020 shall be the last working day and Tuesday 05 January 2021 shall be the first working day in the new year. The recommended dates are […]
The size of the droplet / aerosol is critical The airborne virus is not naked and the size of the carrier drop or aerosol defines transport: how long it stays afloat, how far it can travel, how quickly it falls to surfaces, where it deposits in the respiratory system and how efficiently it is removed […]
By Simon Norton, International Zinc Association Africa Desk The rollout of infrastructure, along with energy, is a key part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP). This infrastructure drive has mostly been met with skepticism, thanks to a government track record marred by corruption, bribery and sub-standard work that pays little heed […]
The Property Sector Charter Council (PSCC) has formed a partnership with award winning business accelerator Property Point (PP) to develop and fast track the participation of black entrepreneurs in the Property Sector. This is a critical step in consolidating SMME support, ensuring that a design-centred approach is demand-led and results in tangible impact, while bringing […]
On 11 November 2020, students, lecturers, industry professionals and the extended PG Bison family came together across the country for the first-ever digital awards gala ceremony for the 1.618 Education Initiative. After introducing the audience to all the top ten finalists, the big moment finally arrived, and the 2020 winner was announced as Armand Barnard, interior design student […]
Tilt-up construction, often overlooked in the design of new concrete structures, can be an economical alternative to traditional building materials and does not negatively affect a structure’s looks and durability, says Gary Theodosiou, engineer and lecturer at The Concrete Institute. Theodosiou says the economic viability of tilt-up/precast construction can be maximised by repetition: repeating identical panels […]
Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are the lifeblood of South Africa’s economy. They make up 98 percent of businesses and employ between 50 and 60 percent of the country’s workforce according to a post-covid report by McKinsey & Company dated July 2020. Liphu January, site agent for GVK-Siya Zama says that in the construction […]
Betterect, a South African specialist in the fabrication and erection of large steel structures within the mining, petrochemical and other industries, both locally and internationally, recently won the Industry category of the prestigious annual Steel Awards 2020. Held each year in recognition of excellence within the built environment, the Steel Awards serves as a platform […]