PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION

Some good news at last!
There is some good news to emerge from a chronically depressed SA building industry – the MFA building indicator that represents the collective wisdom of business people has edged upwards at last! There is more good news to follow: As can be seen in the graph prepared by Dr. Johan Snyman director of MFA, this unique indicator has finally broken out of its long downward trend! The full article (and graph) can be viewed in Topics, the interactive article- and news section on the ASAQS website.
(©www.asaqs.co.za)

Principal agent: a new breed in construction
THE debate over the role and responsibility of the project manager in the building and construction industry is expected to come to a head in the near future.
This comes against the backdrop of the establishment of the Association of Construction Project Managers (ACPM) in March this year. Other proposals are new legislation pertaining to the regulation of professionals in the built (physical) environment, and the new Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) contract.
The ACPM has been devising the scope of service that would be appropriate for a construction project manager to provide on a project. This provides potential clients with guidelines as to a minimum service that could be expected.
ACPM chairman Charles Israelite says this will ensure that an "apples for apples" service is provided by project managers. He says another major factor in bringing the role of the project manager to a head is the establishment of the new JBCC 2000 suite of contract documents. This no longer identifies the architect in the documentation but identifies the need for the appointment of a principal agent.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Office vacancy position precarious
THERE is an increasing slide in the office vacancy position across the country, with the decentralised nodes of Johannesburg being worst hit.
This is reflected in office vacancy figures produced by the SA Association of Property Owners (Sapoa). Vacancies in Sandton and surrounding areas increased by about five percentage points to 18,9% in September, from 8,2% nine months ago.
Sandton's immediate neighbour, Rivonia, showed a greater slide: from 9,9% to 19,2%. Rosebank recorded 15% from 14,9%, Parktown slipped from 9,6% to 18,2% and Hyde Park-Dunkeld from 7,7% to 26,6%.
The Cape Town central business district (CBD) recorded an increase in vacancies from 12,8% to 15,9%, Bellville from 2,7% to 7,5% and Pinelands from 0,8% to 2,8%. Durban CBD vacancies increased from 21,2% to 23,7%. Umhlanga-La Lucia posted a slight increase, from 5,5% to 5,7%. Berea was unchanged at 6,3% and Westville at 5,4%.
(©www.bday.co.za)

R11,9m interim loss for Monex
Cape Town - Monex, the property development and leisure company, yesterday reported a R11,9 million operating loss in its interim results for the six months to September against an operating profit of R17,5 million for the comparable period last year.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Batepro to be acquired by consortium for R278 million
Johannesburg - Bateman Project Holdings (Batepro) announced on Wednesday that it would be acquired by a consortium of private international investors. The consortium, which will eventually become known as Bateman International, will propose a R278 million offer for 100% of Batepro's shares, 66% of which are currently held by the listed company Edward L Bateman (ELB).
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Pretoria makes room for the man on the street amid grand developments
Until the mid-1990s, Pretoria's central business district (CBD) was characterised by the dominant presence of military and government officials, reflecting the power base of the apartheid government. Today, the sight of uniformed military officials in the city centre is rare and the formerly white-dominated CBD now probably accurately reflects the demographic make-up of the country.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Cell C sets up shop in Sandton
SANDTON has secured another blue-chip tenant in new cellular network company Cell C. After an eight-month search, Cell C has chosen a home in a R25m building on Rivonia Road.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Main goal is to develop skills
THE skills shortage in SA presents a major hurdle to attracting foreign investment, economic growth, productivity and competitiveness. In an effort to address these challenges, the Skills Development Act and the Skills Development Levies Act were implemented with effect from April 1 2000. These acts were introduced by the labour minister and address the need to increase the quantity and relevance of the skills of the population for economic and employment growth, and for social development.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Anthrax scare at Tuynhuys
A bomb disposal unit and police gather at President Thabo Mbeki's Tuynhuys office in Cape Town after a suspicious envelope is found in the reception area
(©www.bday.co.za)

Rolls-Royce plans SA industrial ventures
LONDON Rolls-Royce, the global aerospace, defence, marine and energy group, yesterday announced industrial development projects in SA that could create more than 600 jobs and help generate more than R4bn of exports over the next seven years.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Sasol considers R10bn input at Secunda
PETROCHEMICALS and synthetic fuels group Sasol is considering a fresh investment of about R10bn at its Secunda complex, according to GM John Marriott.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Itochu, Europipe net gas-pipe contract
ENERGY firm Sasol has awarded the contract to build a pipeline to supply natural gas from Mozambique to SA to two companies, Itochu of Japan and Europipe. Under the agreement, which is worth about $123,1m, the two companies will build the proposed 870km, 660 mm diameter pipeline from the Temane Gas Field in neighbouring Mozambique to Sasol's Secunda plant. Although most of the steel for the pipeline would have to be imported to meet tight deadlines, 25% would be supplied by Iscor, Sasol said yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Board puts LeisureNet under legal microscope
Cape Town - The Financial Services Board (FSB) has homed in on the former directors of LeisureNet, and announced yesterday it would take forward legal action for possible insider trading involving the group.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

NEWS FROM AFRICA

Encouraging signs are seen in Africa
THE New Partnership for African Development (Nepad) the latest incarnation of the New Africa Initiative, previously the Millennium Africa Plan still has its original objective: to develop African economies and their health-care and education systems, agriculture and infrastructure. At a recent presentation on the challenges facing Africa, Credit Guarantee economist Luke Doig said Africa was likely to suffer in the changed global environment after the attacks in the US last month, but there were encouraging signs coming out of the continent.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Zimbabwe budget seen unlikely to stem crisis
Harare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government has delivered an annual budget sweetened to win him re-election next year, but analysts say it will have little impact on a deepening political and economic crisis.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

HOUSING NEWS AND LAND ISSUES

Progress made by trust is too slow, says KWV
CAPE TOWN The KWV Group paid R22,7m to the SA Wine Industry Trust in the year to June 30, but it was distinctly dissatisfied with the trust's lack of progress in empowering farm workers and their communities...
(©www.bday.co.za)

MINING NEWS

Mining firms set aside R78bn to boost output
Much of the capital targets gold, platinum production Resources Correspondent MINING companies have committed a total R78bn to the development of capital projects across the industry to 2004, says the Chamber of Mines.
(©www.bday.co.za)

State waives initial right to mine royalties
Despite major changes to minerals bill, industry wants more Political Correspondent CAPE TOWN The state has agreed to waive its rights to royalties, currently paid to landowners who hold mineral rights, for 10 years after the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Bill comes into effect, probably next year.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Miners push JSE to firmer close
The JSE finished higher on Friday for a third-straight session, helped by gains in mining shares following weakness in the local currency and firmer metal prices.
(©news.24.com)

Western Areas keeps South Deep
Gold producer Western Areas says it will not sell its 50% stake in the South Deep Project and proposes to make a cash distribution to shareholders.
(©news.24.com)

Residential prices on the upswing
JOHANNESBURG's residential property prices appreciated by about 30% in the six months to August, says a property price index compiled by estate agent company Lew Geffen Estates.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Foreigners prefer clusters
FREESTANDING homes in SA are "no-go zones" for multinational companies seeking accommodation for relocating executives. Lynne Pentz, head of Eskel Jawitz Real Estate's relocation team, says cluster housing in gated communities is preferred
(©www.bday.co.za)

House prices rise 11.9% in Q3
Johannesburg - House prices rose by 11.9% to an average of R306 800 in the third quarter of 2001 compared with the third quarter of 2000. If the average consumer price inflation rate of 5.4% in the third quarter this year is taken into account, this represents a 6.2% increase in real terms, according to Absa senior economist Jacques du Toit.
Writing in the Absa Group Economic Research Unit's quarterly publication, "Economic Perspective," he said the year-on-year increases in house prices were once again lower than those of the previous quarter, probably still because of the high base provided by house prices in the corresponding quarter last year.
(©news.24.com)

Luxury homes at Westbrook Beach
The former Westbrook Beach Hotel, popular for many years among holidaymakers and locals on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, has made way for an exclusive new 12-unit housing development.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Aida opens new Sandton franchise
Aida National Franchises recently celebrated the opening of its fifth franchise in the Northern Johannesburg region, and its 106th outlet in the group.
(©www.property24.co.za)

PGP introduces the hi-tech agency
The new Pam Golding Properties (PGP) office at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga breaks the mould of the traditional estate agency with an innovative, hi-tech and user-friendly environment with large screen computers that enable clients to instantly access a wide range of properties, as well as information on home loans and finance, legal and conveyancing issues, and home services.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Before you sign the offer…
You’ve gone through the rules carefully, considered the state of the body corporate’s financial affairs and the state of the property, and are now ready to purchase a property in a sectional title complex.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Sometimes a stretch is worth it
It's an odd fact about house-hunting that the home that really delivers everything on your 'wish list' is always just beyond the spending limit you have set.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Home buyers should put a lid on credit
Buying a new home, particularly for a first-time buyer, can be a heady business. But you should resist the temptation to splash out on new furniture and appliances, perhaps even a new car more in keeping with the new neighbourhood.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Working hard for better returns
Finance theories tend to ignore risks arising from labour income, property or small business ownership. John Heaton and Deborah Lucas consider how these risks affect investors and their required rates of return.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Implementing crime prevention through environmental design in a developing country
Tinus Kruger of the CSIR Crime Prevention Centre presented a paper on Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) in South Africa at the 6th Annual International CPTED Conference, which took place in Brisbane, Australia, in September. The paper discusses the difficulties and opportunities associated with the implementation of CPTED in South Africa - a new democracy going through change, with associated crime problems. The paper introduces some of the contextual issues, including high levels of crime, particularly violent crime, the socio-economic conditions, the characteristics of the physical environment and the legacy of the apartheid city. Against this background, the role of CPTED is discussed and problems as well as opportunities illustrated.
(©www.csir.co.za/akani)

ASAQS launches new Webshop this week
The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors will launch it's new webshop during the coming week. The e-commerce solution provided by their webmasters, Netgro, now enables ASAQS to sell documents, software and merchandise online. ASAQS webmaster, Mr. Bert van den Heever says that the webshop will make it possible for everyone in the property- and construction industries to purchase documents, etc. from ASAQS on a 24x7x52 basis. The new development is in line with the New View strategy unveiled by the president, Mr. Mark Grant, earlier this year. Members of ASAQS will receive discounts on all purchases made through the ASAQS Webshop.

NEWS FROM THE KZN CHAPTER

CETA Skills Levy
The KZN Chapter of the Association of SA Quantity Surveyors is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a repeat seminar on the topic of CETA Skills Levy in Richards Bay. This seminar was held earlier in Durban in June 2001 and this repeat session is intended to afford our Zululand members the same function closer to home. The talk will be presented by Mr Dave Duggan, KZN Regional Manager of the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA). As he has kindly agreed to make the trip to Richards Bay to address our members again, we should reward him with a healthy turn-out of members for his efforts.
Date : Monday 19 November 2001
Time : 10h00 to 12h00
Where :Richards Bay Country Club, Richards Bay
Cost : R30,00 per person
CPD Points : 2
Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Engineers, Builders and related professionals are all welcome to attend.
Interested? Then contact Leon van der Watt (telephone (035) 789 8159 / facsimile (035) 789 7452) right now!

VICE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS / SENIOR AWARDS PRESENTATION
The KZN Chapter is pleased to announce that it will soon be hosting Mr Des Linder, Vice President of the Association of SA Quantity Surveyors, to address our members at an informal function. The function is intended to generally introduce the Vice President to the KZN members and to afford Mr Linder the opportunity to explain to us the proposed re-structuring of the Association and to share with us his vision for next year when he takes over office as President of the Association.
Date : Friday 16 November 2001
Time : 17h00
Where :KZN Institute of Architects offices (160 Bulwer Road, Durban)
Cost : No charge to KZN members
Drinks and snacks will be provided free of charge. Come and join in the happy occasion.
Confirm your attendance with Mr. E.F. Wortmann, chairman of the KwaZulu Natal Chapter on Tel: 031 - 304 6441

ZULULAND BRANCH OF CHAPTER

We are pleased to announce that a Zululand Branch of the Chapter has been formed under the leadership of Hubert Beuken from Richards Bay.
Following on the invitation of the KZN Chapter committee that seminars, etc. not be confined to the larger cities but also be extended to other outlying centres, a group of Quantity Surveyors met in Richards Bay on Friday 19 September 2001 and decided to form a Branch of the Chapter in that area.
We are pleased about this initiative and would congratulate the committee comprising four members, name:

Hubert Beuken
Johan Richards
Leon van der Watt
Frans van der Walt

At a subsequent KZN Chapter committee meeting Hubert Beuken was co-opted onto the KZN Chapter committee and was invited to attend all future meetings. We thank Hubert and his team for their initiative and wish them well.

New rates available in the CUG
The latest (November) update to the the conditions and rates published by DPW is now available in the CUG.

Seen on Calendar on our web site
Interim Cost Consultant seminar from 5-9 November 2001
Projevt Management Professional Workshop : Advanced on 7 November 2001

New members to the CUG
A warm word of welcome to the following members who have joined us in the CUG during the past week:

Philip Labuschagne
Ernest Kona
Frans Liebenberg
Gary van Rensburg
Johan de Villiers
Leon Swart

Please note that your registration to the CUG will remain in force as long as you remain a member of ASAQS and there is no need to register every year. If you have not received an e-mail confirming your registration contact ASAQS.