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Engineering
firm Maed pays R7m for Birkenhead
The assets of the Birkenhead Brewery near Hermanus in the Western
Cape were sold this week for about R7m to Maed , an international
engineering, project management and construction company but not,
until now, a brewing company.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Brooklyn
collapse triggers concern
Tshwane city council investigates 15 buildings for not complying
with safety standards. The collapse of part of Brooklyn Mall, the
second such shopping centre mishap in Pretoria within five months,
has raised concerns about safety standards in SA buildings.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Coega
will benefit Port Elizabeth CDC
Industrial Reporter THE Coega port project will boost Port Elizabeth's
infrastructure, says the Coega Development Corporation (CDC).
(©www.bday.co.za)
Coega
steel plants will cost R1,8bn
Two stainless steel beneficiation plants costing a total of R1,8bn
were to be built at the Coega deepwater port and industrial development
zone near Port Elizabeth, government officials said yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Gauteng
leads race for framework
Gauteng a frontrunner in rationalising state-owned property assets
will soon lay out a new public property management framework.
(©www.bday.co.za)
IST
sees a turnround of its fortunes
Engineering group IST seems to have successfully re-engineered its
own recovery, with figures showing that all divisions within the
group are now profitable and have contributed to an 80% increase
in headline earnings a share.
(©www.bday.co.za)
More
cash needed for Natal's road
The KwaZuluNatal department of transport is underfunded by 46% if
it is to adequately finance a decade-long programme to upgrade and
maintain the provincial road network "to an appropriate standard",
transport MEC S'bu Ndebele said yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Time for Africa to tap its hydroelectric riches
Linking up continent's power grids to connect with Spain offers
economic benefits. The concept of constructing sweeping electricity
highways across Africa, lighting up the continent, has long been
a cherished ideal of politicians and engineers.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Unbundling
of 12 resorts way to reap early harvest
Aventura is inching its way back into the black after posting losses
for almost a decade a key factor behind government's recent decision
to put the state-owned leisure group up for sale again.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Staff
realignment last hurdle in State oil merger
The State’s new national petrochemical company, PetroSA, has
issued documentation to the effect that the merger between the former
Soekor and Mossgas is complete and official, but a company spokesperson
for the company says there are still some outstanding issues.
(©www.bday.co.za)
R15bn
rail recap set to start soon
The long-awaited 15-year, R15-billion upgrading and recapitalisation
of Spoornet’s rolling stock appears set to start imminently.
CE Zandile Jakavula told a media briefing this week that the Transnet
Tender Board had approved the locomotive upgrade programme and that
a joint Transnet-government announcement on the issue would be made
in due course.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
R200m
for E.Cape power projects
Power utility Eskom will invest a total of R200-million on growing
and improving the Eastern Cape’s electricity supply during
this year alone.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Two
water projects on the cards for Limpopo Province
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (Dwaf) is mulling over
two water-resource development projects in the Olifants river catchment,
with a combined cost of more than R900-million at today's prices.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Big
solar plan for Northern Cape
By 2005, South African power utility Eskom could be operating the
world's largest concentrating solar power (CSP) plant.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Next
phase unlikely for Highlands water project
Indications are becoming clear that the Lesotho Highlands Water
Project (LHWP) will not continue beyond phase one in the foreseeable
future.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Draft
regulations augur new era for South African telecoms
While the international telecommunications industry is seeing a
downturn, telecommunications in South Africa is set to enter a new
era following the publication by the Independent Communications
Authority of South Africa (Icasa) of draft regulations for the industry.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Ten
bid for Gauteng speed train
Ten companies have presented bids following a request for prequalification
(RFQ) submissions for the Gauteng Rapid Rail Project.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Construction
of New Marion Island research base
The construction of a new research base on Marion Island by the
Directorate: Antarctica and Islands of the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism is on the cards.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Yellow
Button increases its rental turnover to R260m
Yellow Button, the property management arm of listed property and
financial services group Jigsaw Holdings, had increased its rental
turnover to R260 million and fee income to R80 million a year, Douw
Kruger, Yellow Button's chief executive, said recently.
(©www.busrep.co.za)
Ports
upgrade steams ahead despite cost rise
The National Ports Authority (NPA) was committed to a R5.9 billion
upgrade of the country's port system by 2005, despite rising costs
following the rand's devaluation, Siyabonga Gama, the chief executive,
said yesterday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)
Britain
requests exemption from US steel tariffs
British Prime Minister Tony Blair urged US President George W. Bush
to grant Britain an exemption from US tarrifs on steel imports at
their talks in Texas over the weekend, it was widely reported here
Tuesday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)
Capital
and Cenprop explain JSE concerns Property companies explain JSE
concerns
The qualified audit opinion on the annual financial statements of
property unit trust companies Capital Property Fund (Capital) and
Centrecity Property Fund (Cenprop) arose because of non-compliance
with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (GAAP) relating to the
treatment of provisions, a spokesperson for both companies said
yesterday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)
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to Index
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THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS CONVENTION
ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
1-3 May 2002
Sandton, South Africa
The convention is a joint initiative organised by the:
Association of SA Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS),
SA Association of Consulting Engineers (SAACE),
SA Black Technical Allied & Careers Organisation (SABTACO),
SA Institute of Architects (SAIA) and
SA Institute of Civil Engineering (SAICE).
Click here
to register |
| HOUSING
NEWS AND LAND ISSUES |
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SA's
land distribution will be legal
The South African Government remains committed to correcting
the distortions in land ownership through a clear and legal
framework, which does not disrupt business, said MEC for agriculture,
conservation and environment Mashego Dlamini at the sugar
season ceremony in Kwazulu-Natal yesterday.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
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to Index
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| SAISC
seminar: "A new method of measurement
and new specifications for structural steelwork". |
| A
seminar on the new method of measurement and specifications
for structural steelwork, drafted to replace SABS 1200
H.
A seminar aimed at engineers, steelwork
quantity surveyors and other disciplines. Benefits:
Clear and precise bills of quantities
and specifications In line with actual practice in industry.
Better understanding will lead to cost savings. Practical
stuff!
Note :
The information provided constitutes Continuing Professional
Development for members of the built environment professions.
Members of ASAQS will receive a certificate at the end
of the seminar qualifying them for 8 CPD points.
Dates: 18 April 2002 - Johannesburg
22 April 2002 - Cape Town
23 April 2002 - Durban
Fee: R500 per delegate
Closing date:10 April 2002
For more information please contact:
Leslie at SAISC
Tel: +27-11 838 1665
Fax: +27-11 834 4301
info@saisc.co.za
Web: www.saisc.co.za
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| Download
the Registration form from the ASAQS
website at http://www.asaqs.co.za |
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INVITATION
TO ATTEND THE PIA MONTHLY BREAKFAST FORUM
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GUEST SPEAKER - JEREMY
GIBBERD, CSIR
TOPIC
- SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
With the onset of the World Summit
on Sustainable Development (WSSD) there has been an
increasing interest in sustainability in South Africa.
The short presentation will introduce the concept of
sustainability and discuss the implications this has
for the built environment in South Africa. It will also
suggest ways this concept can be addressed and implemented
in the design and management of buildings by drawing
on recent work of the CSIR in this area.
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Date:
Friday 26 April 2002
Time: 07h30 - 09h15 (±)
Venue: Safari Restaurant Function Centre
Safari Garden Centre, Lynnwood Road, Lynnwood
Cost: R 30.00 members / R 40.00 non-members
RSVP: 012 347-0680 before 23 April 2002
(For catering purposes bookings are essential) |
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White
farmer, two friends held after shooting incident
A white farmer and two of his friends have been arrested for
allegedly trying to kill a newly resettled black farmer during
a shootout at a farm in southwest Zimbabwe, police and the
farmers' union said yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)
War
veterans order 800 farmers to go
Zimbabwe's liberation war veterans have issued ultimatums
to about 800 white farmers ordering them to vacate their properties,
a former fighter said yesterday
(©www.bday.co.za)
End
of border row opens way for oil field
US major ExxonMobil will operate a TotalFinaElf discovered
oilfield in disputed waters in Nigeria after the West African
nation and Equatorial Guinea settled a maritime border row.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Kenya
earns $70m on back of US trade deal
Kenya earned $70-million last year from textile exports to
the US market following the enactment of the African Growth
and Opportunity Act (Agoa).
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Logistics
partner for Namibia garment plant
Logistics company P&O Nedlloyd has been appointed as preferred
supplier to Malaysian corporation Ramatex Berhad, which is
building a $100-million integrated textiles and garment manufacturing
plant in Namibia’s capital Windhoek.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)
Namibian
mines invest in new technology
Despite continuing to impose strict cost-control measures
to improve efficiencies, the Namibian mining industry has
had to provide for new technological development and to attune
itself to the developing world of business systems and communications,
the Namibian Chamber of Mines states in its annual report.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Konkola
output shy of target
Zambia’s Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) said its Konkola
mines had produced 51 452 tons of copper during the first
quarter of 2002, falling short of its target, as a cash squeeze
affected production.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Zim
workers seize gold assets
About 300 workers at Procter Metals ‘C’ mine in
Mberengwa, Zimbabwe, have seized the company’s assets
in response to incitements by President Robert Mugabe during
his election campaign.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Angola
full of opportunities, but would-be investors urged to wait
Investing in a post-war Angola could still be a minefield,
South African companies have been warned. The SA Institute
for International Affairs (SAIIA) said last week that local
companies should wait for the ink to dry on the Angolan peace
accord before rushing into the huge investment opportunities
that exist there.
(©www.busrep.co.za)
Angolans
face daunting task to rebuild the country
If the guns stay silent in Angola, its war-weary population
may find rebuilding the shattered country a far more daunting
task than the long search for peace, analysts say.
(©www.busrep.co.za)
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to Index
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Mining
group in OZ coal acquisition
Resources group Anglo American said it had agreed to buy a
51% stake in Australia’s Moura coal-mine from Japan’s
Mitsui.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
War-time
mining contracts face scrutiny in DRC
Congo’s government, rebel groups and opposition parties
have called for a review of lucrative mining deals and other
contracts signed after the mineral-rich African country was
plunged into war six years ago.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
North
American investors get the gold bug
A higher gold price, low inflation and fading memories of
the nightmare Bre-X mining fraud have sent North American
gold stocks surging in the past few months, whetting investor
appetites again for mining and exploration companies.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Study
advances for new million-ton coal-mine
The initial phase of the feasibility study for the development
of Kumba Coal's new Kalbasfontein mine, in Mpumalanga, has
been completed, and a second value-engineering phase is under
way to determine ways in which to optimise the profitability
of the resource, reports Kumba Resources GM of new business
and commodity management Doug Taylor
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
UK
tech, SA-made mining equipment
South African mining houses now have cost-effective access
to technology from UK engineering group Qualter Hall, following
the conclusion of an agency agreement with Gauteng-based FFE
Minerals-Vecor.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Does
SA have coal reserves to sustain exports?
With plans afoot to increase South Africa's coal export capacity
to about 84-million tons by 2003/4, does the country have
sufficient reserves to meet this expansion as well as satisfy
the projected local demand? This question has been raised
by Minerals Bureau chief mineral economist: coal and hydrocarbons
Xavier Prevost.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
R50-million
envisaged for SA mining's future perfect
A collaborative research initiative was launched in March
to investigate current mining operations in order to make
them safer, more healthy and more profitable.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Marine
diamond-mining technology triumphs
The process of mining at sea will never be easy as miners
will always have to contend with a hostile environment hampered
by storms, high winds and rough seas.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Future
mining project breaks HR ground
The project undertaken by AngloGold South African region called
Projek Katleho is well under way and is starting to implement
mining systems to improve safety and productivity.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Mining
giant to cut dependence on SA assets
Mining giant Anglo American’s convertible bond issue
has brought back into focus the mining giant’s need to
reduce reliance on its South African assets, most likely through
foreign acquisitions, industry analysts said.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Another
platinum mine on the map for SA
UK firm Cluff Mining said it will fast-track its South African
Blue Ridge Platinum Project in the eastern limb of the Bushveld
Complex, which could produce 200 000 ounces of platinum-group
metals (PGM) a year.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Cluff
Mining weighs up its platinum project plan
Cluff Mining, a London-based mining exploration company which
looks to be transforming itself into a producer, may be producing
platinum from its Blue Ridge Platinum Project by 2004.
(©www.bday.co.za)
Council
defends gold's position in central banking
Experience has shown that sales of gold from central bank
reserves can have destabilising effects – however attractive
sales may seem in the short-term, stated the World Gold Council
The council was explaining why it believes that the Deutsche
Bundesbank should continue holding its gold reserves.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Latest
on Free State mine purchase
Canadian miner Thistle Mining has completed three key components
related to the transaction to acquire President Steyn Gold
Mines (Free State) for $32,050-million.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Canadian
zinc-copper mine to reopen
Mining group Boliden said it would reopen its Myra Falls zinc-copper-mine
in Canada to supply Asian customers who have had difficulty
obtaining raw materials since the mine closed in December.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)
Back
to Index
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BEP Convention
The long awaited Built Environment Professions (BEP) Convention
is less than a month away with over 20 top local and international
speakers, all experts in their respective fields, lined up to impart
their collective knowledge on one of the most crucial issues facing
the new millennium - sustainable development.
Clem Sunter, renowned strategist and futurist, will give an opening
address at an evening reception to be held on May 1. The keynote
address on the first day will be given by Rejoice Mabudafhasi, Deputy
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. The director general
of the Department of Public Works, Tami Sokuto will provide the
closing address.
Among the distinguished and knowledgeable local speakers is Rodney
Harber of the University of Natal, who has presented over 60 papers
throughout the World. He will tackle the crucial issue of HIV/AIDS
and the Built Environment. He says: "Broadly speaking, Built
Environment Professionals are part of the prevailing denial about
the impact of HIV/AIDS on their work and social responsibility."
Our new president, Mr. Des Linder says: "Internationally, the
implications for sustainability of the environment, as well as the
economic and social structures, are being taken very seriously.
In countries such as Canada, the "value" of a project
in terms of sustainability is actually "measured" (with
certain tax implications), not only in terms of its future performance
but in terms of the energy consumption involved in components of
the structure. Who better to undertake this "measurement"
than quantity surveyors ?"
Book now! Click
here
SAISC seminar:
"A new method of measurement and new
specifications for structural steelwork"
Members are reminded that this seminar is also presented in
Cape Town and Durban on these dates:
22 April 2002 - Cape Town
23 April 2002 - Durban
For more information please contact:
Leslie at SAISC
Tel: +27-11 838 1665 or e-mail info@saisc.co.za
New members to the
ASAQS CUG
A warm word of welcome to the following members
who have joined us in the CUG
during the past weeks:
Lydia Carroll
Sean Collins
Anette Cater
Martin Boulle
Thembinkosi Matunda
Janine Scheepers
Derek Cronje
Luis Mateus
Euclid Matji
Sarel Rautenbach
Malwela Lebea
Bongani Ndlovu
Andrew Healey
David Hutchinson
Koena Moabelo
Mark Ridgway
Fikiswa Ntumbu
Devan van Niekerk
Willem Smit
Tom Collins
Nkondo Mudenda
Pieter van Aswegen
Jeetendra Gunput
RS Baloyi
Dirk van Schalkwyk
Piet Viljoen
Dion van der Linden
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.
Back
to Index
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| Did
you hear? |
ROMANCE MATHEMATICS
Smart man + smart woman = romance
Smart man + dumb woman = affair
Dumb man + smart woman = marriage
Dumb man + dumb woman = pregnancy
OFFICE ARITHMETIC
Smart boss + smart employee = profit
Smart boss + dumb employee = production
Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion
Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime
SHOPPING MATH
A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs.
A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need.
GENERAL EQUATIONS & STATISTICS
A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband.
A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.
A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife
can spend.
A successful woman is one who can find such a man.
HAPPINESS
To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and
love him a little.
To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not
try to understand her at all.
LONGEVITY
Married men live longer than single men, but married men are
a lot more willing to die.
PROPENSITY TO CHANGE
A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't.
A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change, and
she does.
DISCUSSION TECHNIQUE
A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man
says after that is the beginning of a new argument.
HOW TO STOP PEOPLE FROM BUGGING YOU ABOUT
GETTING MARRIED:
Old aunts used to come up to me at weddings, poking me in
the ribs and cackling, telling me, "You're next".
They stopped after I started doing the same thing to them
at funerals.
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