 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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|  With the passing of the Christmas period and most having already returned to their places of work for the new year, it remains for me to wish all our members and friends a prosperous and successful year ahead - may the year 2011 meet with all your hopes and aspirations. We value your continued support of the Association and trust that the year ahead will be a successful one.
As we will be embarking on the ASAQS Presidential tour in a few weeks time, I look forward to meeting with you the members in your respective regions. This will grant me the opportunity, together with the Executive Director, to share with you the successes of the past year and the plans for the year ahead. We wish to share with you the successes that we believe have recently been achieved at the ASAQS offices on behalf of the members, but we are also hoping to hear where we may perhaps not have met your expectations. We look forward to seeing you and entering meaningful discussions in this regard. We would encourage you to attend the regional meetings during the Presidential Tour 2011 – see you there !!
With the passing of 2010, an active period in our country's history is behind us and we need to focus on the future and all its challenges. With the hype of the Soccer World Cup firmly behind us, normality has again set in and we need to embrace the reality of the situation. We as professional Quantity Surveyors all need to rise to the challenges of our society and make our mark !! Let us go out and do it.
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CORNÉ VAN STADEN – DJ LAING SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNER 2010 !! | |
|  We are pleased to announce that the ASAQS has resolved that the ASAQS DJ Laing Scholarship Award 2010 (for the academic year of 2009) be awarded to Ms CORNÉ VAN STADEN. She is based in Gauteng and completed her studies at the University of Pretoria.
This prestigious award is awarded annually on the basis of academic achievement, character, participation in student affairs and financial circumstances, with preference given to, but not restricted to, employees of AECOM Davis Langdon. The criteria by which this award is adjudicated is defined as follows:
DJ Laing Memorial Scholarship:
5.1 Available to accredited universities (excluding technikons)
5.2 For one quantity surveying student nationally.
5.3 Awarded on the basis of academic achievement, character, participation in student affairs and financial circumstances, with preference given to, but not restricted to, employees of AECOM Davis Langdon. Suggested that scholarship be awarded to students at the end of their first year of study and that it be renewable, subject to satisfactory results.
5.4 Universities to submit nominations together with academic results, CV's, etc, to the Executive Director when requested each year for consideration by the Prizes and Awards Committee and ratification by the family trust.
5.5 If in the opinion of the Prizes and Awards Committee none of the nominees have achieved satisfactory results of a suitably high standard to warrant the award of the scholarship, then the Prizes and Awards Committee will be at liberty to recommend alternative book prizes with a reduced financial award.
Corné studied at the University of Pretoria and completed her studies with a BScQS (Hons) last year. She is currently employed by AECOM Davis Langdon in their Pretoria offices.
The ASAQS will be presenting the award (together with a R10 000,00 cheque) to Corné at the next suitable occasion.
On behalf of all at the ASAQS, we congratulate Corné on her magnificent achievement. Congratulations and well done !!
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REPEAT OFFER OF SALE OF SHARES | |
| Dear Investor of ASAQS Members investments Limited,
The ASAQS Members Investments Limited wishes to bring to the attention of previous investors and ASAQS members generally the fact that the shares currently held in the company by two investors are still available for purchase. One investor wishes to sell her shares for personal reasons (2467 shares), the another person is deceased and those shares are also available for sale (2055 shares).
These shares are made available on a first come first served basis and the process adopted will be as follows:
•Step 1 – invitation to purchase is extended to the current investors in the company
•Step 2 – if unsuccessful, the invitation will be extended to all remaining paid-up members of the ASAQS.
These shares were earlier already offered for sale, but sadly the negotiations between buyer and seller broke down at the final stage due to financial reasons.
Interested parties are invited to contact the offices of ASAQS Members Investments Limited for further details. It should be pointed out that the sale arrangements between seller and purchaser will need to be concluded in compliance with the 'Over The Counter' (OTC) Share Transfer Facility Rules between those two parties in terms of the price offered per share, the date of transfer, etc.
For a copy of the 'Over The Counter' (OTC) Share Transfer Facility Rules, please (click here). For a copy of the letter from the ASAQS Members Investments Limited to the current investors, please (click here).
The company secretary of the company will thereafter be advised of the outcome of the sale agreement between the parties and the necessary share registration and certificates amended in line with that agreement.
Please be advised that should Step 1 (as defined above) not result in the sale of some or all of the shares, then further action will be taken in line with the Step 2 requirements. The effective date for the start of the Step 2 process will be Friday 04 February 2011. | |
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CUG AND OTHER UPDATES | |
| With the CUG problems cleared away we could again do some much needed updates. Please visit the CUG for: - Four documents (rather old but still useful) on viability studies. These are currently undergoing a revision process and will be replaced as soon as the new documents are ready.
- The revised time charges for QS's for 2011
- The revised and complete Architect's fees for 2011
- A very handy free gift we were hoping to give away over Christmas.
We have also updated the Library Section of the website with the policies of the ASAQS. | |
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ASAQS ISSUES UPDATED DOCUMENT PRICELIST | |
| Please be advised that the ASAQS has issued an updated "ASAQS Document Pricelist" dated 18 January 2011, which replaces the earlier 01 September 2010 version. The changes are not too dramatic, but we have essentially added two additional items for sale as follows: - Quantity Surveying Practice in South Africa (Maritz & Sigle' publication) (reference A37)
- BUILD AID – Energy Saving Building Solutions (commentary of SANS 204) (reference A47).
The first item has been well publicised and is already available for purchase from the ASAQS offices. The second document will be available for purchase as from the first week in February 2011. More details will follow in due course in this regard.
To view the "ASAQS Document Pricelist" dated 18 January 2011, please click here. To order any documents and publications online please click here. | |
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ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR RICS MEMBERSHIP FEES FOR 2011? | |
| Members of the ASAQS who are also members of the RICS may be interested to know that they may be eligible for reduced membership fees for 2011 in view of the fact that they hold dual membership. If so, have you applied to the RICS for the concessions on offer ?
If this is applicable to you, please download the attached document by clicking here and submitting your request as indicated. Time is against us, so this needs to be undertaken immediately to qualify. | |
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IT IS TIME TO GET YOUR CPD MATTERS IN ORDER | |
| For those of you who still need to get your CPD matters in order there is a way to make up the required time before making the necessary submission to the SACQSP. No doubt you will find something on the GoLearning website that will interest you and could assist to make up the 25 hours you need for CPD.
Hopefully you will find something on the GoLearning website that will interest you and could assist to make up the 25 hours you need for CPD 2010.
BIG things are being planned for GoLearning in 2011. This will include numerous new modules on practical issues such as how to find and keep clients, how to market your services and how to cope with business cycles. What's more, they aim to make these modules no longer that an hour in duration so that you can fit them into your lunch hour.
Watch this space! Lunchtime CPD is where they're heading. All you will need to do is to buy a module every month for ten months and do some supplementary reading and by this time next year you will be ready to submit your CPD for the year.
GoLearning will assist to make your CPD commitments for 2011 a simple and enjoyable experience! | |
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QUANTITY SURVEYING PUBLICATION RELEASED | |
|  Having recently been presented with a complimentary copy of the publication entitled "Quantity Surveying Practice in South Africa", which was co-authored by Professors Tinus Maritz and Thys Siglé, we were most impressed with the informative content of the publication and soon realised the value of the publication to students and interested parties of the Quantity Surveying profession.
In the "Foreword and Acknowledgements" section of the publication it states the following:
It is hoped that this book will prove to be useful not only to students who may be considering Quantity Surveying as their career or have already commenced their studies, but also to all interested persons who wish to acquire a deeper understanding of the day-to-day work of a quantity surveyor.
This is a publication that is much needed in the education and training of the profession and the ASAQS would strongly recommend that this book be prescribed to all first and second year students at all tertiary institutions that offer Quantity Surveying programmes in South Africa. It is an easy to read publication, it is simply written and easy to understand. The ASAQS will certainly encourage the wider distribution and use of this publication.
This publication is now available for purchase at the ASAQS offices at the following rates (inclusive of VAT, exclusive of postage costs where applicable) : - R160,00 to members
- R170,00 to non-members
The publication is also available on the Webshop. Our compliments and congratulations to the co-authors for a fine publication. We wish them every success with the venture. | |
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RECOMMENDED STUDENT RATES FOR 2011 | |
| Members are advised that the recommended student rates for 2011 (for the Gauteng Chapter only at this stage) are currently being finalised and will be published over the next few days. In the interim the 2010 rates may be used as a guide. To view the 2010 rates, please click here. | |
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ASAQS CENTENARY PUBLICATION | |
|  We would point out that the office of the ASAQS still has stock of the "ASAQS Centenary Publication" which is always a welcome addition to any organisation or office in the built environment. Should you still not have purchased your copies of this publication, please feel free to contact the ASAQS office for your copies of this publication. We will post them to you at earliest convenience.
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TIME CHARGE FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR (EXCLUSIVE OF VAT) | |
| The South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession (SACQSP) has adopted and gazetted the following recommended hourly time charge rates for principals with effect from 1 January 2011: Not exceeding 5 years experience | R 750.00 | 6 to 10 years experience | R 1 400.00 | above 10 years | R 1 900.00 | Specialist work (minimum 10 years experience) | R 2 380.00 |
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These rates may thus be used with immediate effect. | |
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RECOMMENDED TARIFF OF PROFESSIONAL FEES (2010) | |
| The ASAQS Fees Committee has reported that it was recommended that the Recommended Tariff of Professional Fees (2010) does not require any changes to be made and that it should remain unaltered for the year 2011. In the past the process was that in the event that no changes were necessary, the earlier tariff would simply remain in place without the need to re-gazette same simply with a new date on it. This was the process that was again adopted for this year and the Recommended Tariff of Professional Fees (2010) will thus remain applicable and in full force during the year of 2011. | |
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MEMBERS AND PRACTICES TO BE STRUCK DUE TO NON-PAYMENT | |
| In keeping with the requirement that the ASAQS members and practices should pay their subscription fees on time, the Board of the ASAQS has resolved that any member or practice that has not paid the stated outstanding fees for the year in question will be struck from the Association membership roll and will have such membership terminated.
Should you believe that you have already paid some or all of the outstanding fees, we would appeal that you to please contact the offices of the ASAQS at earliest convenience so that any possible misunderstanding may be amicably resolved. Should you have any further queries regarding your outstanding fees, please feel free to contact Ms Merilda Naicker (telephone 011 - 315 4140) at the ASAQS offices.
Should payment not have been received, or should no special further arrangement have been made to have these outstanding fees paid (either in part or in whole), such members and practices will be struck from the Association membership roll over the next few days. In the event that the member or practice has been struck and should you wish to be reinstated at any time in the future, the following mandatory payments will have to be made in full before reinstatement will be considered :
• Subscription fee for the year 2010/2011
• Penalty fee of R500,00 (net).
We would also point out that no "Letters of Good Standing" will be issued to anyone on request unless all the above amounts have been paid in full.
If you are still outstanding fees to the ASAQS, you are encouraged to please settle the outstanding amount indicated above without delay to avoid any of these unpleasant actions becoming necessary. Your co-operation would be appreciated. | |
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SACQSP ANNOUNCES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR AUTHORS AND ASSESSORS | |
| The Council wishes to engage the services of: - Authors of SACQSP Professional Skills Modules and
- Assessors to evaluate the quality of the SACQSP Professional Skills Modules submitted by authors
Authors and assessors should be Registered Professional Quantity Surveyors in good standing, who have proven, relevant professional / practical experience, in-depth understanding of practice in the Built Environment and the construction industry and sound knowledge of teaching / training / mentoring / learning processes
Click here to download the RFQ | |
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PROCUREMENT DOCUMENTATION GUIDELINES... | |
| FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS BASED ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (CIDB) REGULATIONS The Standard for Uniformity in Construction Procurement was first published in terms of the CIDB Act, 2000 (Act No 38 of 2000) in June 2004 with further amendments, the latest amendment being May 2010. Members can download the guidelines and documentation from the CUG. | |
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MERGER OF BEPMEDS WITH TOPMED | |
| After much publicity surrounding the possible merger between the BEPMEDS and TOPMED medical schemes, it has now formally been confirmed by all parties concerned that this merger is confirmed and has taken effect from 1 January 2011. This marks the end of an era for BEPMEDS and heralds in the promise of new beginnings with TOPMED.
The attached letter dated 7th December 2010 (click here) sets out all the details and requirements with regard to the merger. All BEPMEDS members should please pay particular attention to whatever action they personally need to take to smooth over the transition.
Should members require any further details of the TOPMED medical scheme and the service and options that they offer, we would suggest that you contact the TOPMED Call Centre directly with any requests that you may have. We believe that would be the best for you to get the correct information you seek. The TOPMED agents are well trained and equipped to handle any queries.
The relevant contact details of TOPMED are as follows:
• Call Centre: 0860 00 21 58
• Fax Number: 031 580 0480
• E-mail: info@topmedms.co.za
• Website : www.topmed.co.za
All the scheme options and benefits are clearly displayed on the TOPMED website. To view the "TOPMED Option Form", please click here.
To view the final letter of approval issued by the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) to formally confirm the completion of the merger, please click here. | |
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THE JBCC HAS MOVED OFFICES | |
| The JBCC has announced that they moved offices on Monday 29th November 2010.
Their new physical address is as follows:
• Cedar House
• 26 Cedar Avenue
• Richmond
• Johannesburg
• 2092
Their postal address remains unchanged :
• P O Box 3137
• Houghton
• 2041
Their new telephone numbers are now confirmed as follows:
• Telephone (Landline) : (011) 482 3102 or 086 100 5222
• Facsimile : (011) 482 4299
• Facsimile to E-mail : 086 542 JBCC (5222)
The E-mail address remains unchanged as follows:
• jbcc@mweb.co.za | |
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MISSED THE NEWS? | |
| We have archived all news stories from 2008 and 2009 in the News Section. You can also glance back at more recent news by following the links at the bottom of this page. | |
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WHERE TO PURCHASE YOUR CONTRACT DOCUMENTS ? | |
| Following on numerous enquiries from members as to where they can purchase the various and different forms of contract, we have prepared the following easy-to-read schedule that will assist in this regard. CONTRACT DOCUMENTS | AVAILABLE FROM | CONTACT DETAILS | JBCC CONTRACTS | ASAQS | 011 315 4140 | PROCSA CLIENT/CONSULTANT AGREEMENTS
(entire suite of documents) | ASAQS | 011 315 4140 | NEC (New Engineering Contract) | SAICE | 011 805 5947/8 | FIDIC | CESA | 011 463 2022 | GCC (General Conditions of Contract - Civil) | SAICE | 011 805 5947/8 |
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This schedule can also be downloaded in PDF-format by clicking here. | |
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ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORTHCOMING CONGRESSES | |
| In order to assist members to plan their diaries this year in terms of forthcoming congresses and conferences they may wish to attend, attached the preliminary dates of some of these congresses for your attention (more details to follow): PAQS Congress 2011
• July 2011
• Colombo, Sri Lanka ICEC World Congress 2012
23 to 26 June 2012 – Durban, South Africa PAQS Congress 2012
• July 2012
• Brunei Members are encouraged to plan ahead and to support these conferences/congresses !! | |
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JOIN ASAQS | |
| Click here to find out more about becoming a member of ASAQS and gaining entry to our Closed Users Group.
Membership forms, fees, etc. | |
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CHAPTER CHAIRPERSONS | |
| ASAQS have chapters in all the provinces in South Africa - if you need to contact our chapters download their contact details by clicking here. | |
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SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION NEWS | |
| | | | Register to receive our weekly newsletter "Weekend Property & Construction News" containing both local- and international news and articles delivered to your e-mail. |
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| Please note the following: - Your e-mail client should be HTML enabled to read this newsletter.
- Subscription to- and cancellation of the Weekend Property and Construction News is fully automated. You will receive an automated e-mail confirming your selected action. This auto-mailing contains a link which you need to click on whilst connected to the Internet. This tells our server that the e-mail address used belongs to you!
- Please unsubscribe from this newsletter when changing your e-mail address by selecting the "Cancel my subscription" button above. Re-subscribe with your new e-mail address.
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USEFUL TOOLS | |
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Use the ASAQS Buddy to find information quickly | | |
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Need to remove the password from a PDF document?
Then visit http://www.guapdf.com
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CONTACT ASAQS | |
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The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors
Postal address:
P.O. Box 3527
Halfway House 1685
Physical address:
Suite G6, Building 27
Thornhill Office Park
Bekker Road,
Vorna Valley Ext 21,
MIDRAND
Contact details:
Telephone : 011-3154140
Fax : 011-3153785
E-mail : association@asaqs.co.za
Office hours:
08h00 to 17h00
Click here to view a map to our offices | |
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WE CURRENTLY HAVE VISITORS FROM: | |
| The map above indicates the origin of current visitors to our website |
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY | |
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Quote of the Day
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