Worst is almost over for Johannesburg office market
Pretoria - The vacancy cycle in the Johannesburg office market, along with most other areas, would probably peak by the end of this year, Erwin Rode, the chief executive of property research company Rode & Associates, said yesterday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

R3,4-billion Coega project gets under way at last
Coega, Kuga, Coecha, Cougha, Kowsha, iNgqurha, or Ngqura – all variants of the same word which, in the Khoekhoe language, means 'ground water', the Khoekhoe being the earliest known inhabitants of the districts adjacent to the river whose estuary has become the site of the South African government’s R3,4-billion project to resurrect the economy of the Eastern Cape province.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Tender a Coega confidence boost
Johannesburg - Transnet's R2.2 billion tender awarded to local, foreign and empowerment companies for the development of the port of Ngqura was a huge confidence boost for investors wanting to establish industries within the proposed industrial development zone (IDZ), the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) said yesterday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Angolan reconstruction invites free-for-all ethic
The South African businessmen at a seminar on Angola the other day were visibly licking their chops. Angola, the minister of public works Antonio da Silva was explaining, is a huge construction site strewn with lucrative contracts to be signed. About 20 000km of roads damaged by war and by use must be rehabilitated; 350 bridges repaired; 1 650 km of power lines fixed; airports, harbours and railways rebuilt and industry modernised.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Green energy investors conference planned
The Cape Town-based green energy service company, Agama Energy, is planning to host an international investors’ conference in South Africa next year to help facilitate the introduction of green energy into the energy supply industry (ESI).
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Sport facility upgrades advance
Under the "Building for Sport and Recreation" project, the Department of Sports and Recreation, in conjunction with other provincial and local government structures, has completed the building and upgrading of 55 sports facilities earlier this year. The second phase of this project, involving 85 facilities at a cost of R90-million, is currently under way.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Virtual exhibit of sustainable projects
With the United Nations’ World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) only days away and the hype surrounding it, one could be forgiven for questioning the real role of the giant talk shop in the lives of ordinary people.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

UN study on industrial development
While South Africa is putting the final touches to its industrial strategy, the United Nations (UN) has released a report into the pitfalls and opportunities for industrial development in the poorer countries of the world.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Kwazulu-Natal aluminium roller grows in tough times
When aluminium re-roller Hulett Aluminium (Hulamin) embarked on an ambitious R2,4-billion expansion of its plant in Maritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal, in the late 1990s a number of observers questioned the wisdom of the move.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Cape emerging a world custom-yacht hub
Richard Acheson and Jan Rossa, two of Cape Town’s best known boat builders have teamed up to construct large, hi-tech, one-off custom yachts.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Regent Square in second phase
REGENT Square, a R500m office park development planned for Kenilworth, Cape Town, has entered its second phase with a plan for a further 2500m² office building.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Knysna golf estate goes on auction
SIMOLA Golf Estate in Knysna, Eastern Cape, is set to go under the hammer on August 23 following the failure of an attempt to sell the estate through public tender.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Randburg Waterfront set to lose its lake
Plans for the development's R80m revamp include creating a village feel and turning it into a family entertainment centre. Johannesburg's newest artificial lake is to disappear as the struggling Randburg Waterfront development goes through an R80m refurbishment programme seven years after its launch.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Stop genetic engineering in its tracks
THE report, Silent revolution across Africa (August 6) refers. The biotechnology industry has reached a stage where it can no longer promote genetically engineered crops due to global rejection of this technology.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Eskom tipped to land deal
ESKOM is tipped to win a 20-year concession for power generation and distribution at Uganda's two hydro power plants, when financial bids are opened by the Privatisation Unit this week.
(©www.bday.co.za)

New strategy sets turnover target of R6bn
SECONDARY aluminium products producer Hulett Aluminium has adopted a new strategy to achieve a doubling in turnover to about R6bn in the next three or four years.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Foundry firms hurt by scrap metal squeeze
Industrial Correspondent WHILE government is advocating beneficiation in all sectors, scrap metal, probably the lowest form of material in terms of value addition, is leaving the country in large volumes.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Victims of bridge collapse want R1.3m in damages
Cape Town - Civil claims for damages for death and injury of over R1.3 million have been brought against an engineering firm and a government department following the collapse of the Injaka bridge near Bushbuckridge in the Limpopo province four years ago.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Unopened tourist spot already making money
A North Coast tourism project that is still being built has already notched up half a million rand in advance business. "That is pretty good for something that is not finished yet," said the delighted general manager, Rainer Stenzhorn.
(©www.iol.co.za)

Garden Route hotel guests flee wall of flames
A hotel was evacuated on Sunday night as fire-fighters battled to save the resort town of Herolds Bay near George from fierce, wind-driven fires. Late on Sunday night the electricity supply was knocked out, while Pacaltsdorp near George was also threatened.
(©www.iol.co.za)

Melrose Arch attracts tenants
Fundamentals are better in cities without the overbuilding seen in Johannesburg. The office vacancy crisis in the Melrose-Waverley area, north of Johannesburg, appears to be over, the latest SA Property Owners' Association office vacancy figures suggest.
(©www.bday.co.za)

SAFCEC NEWS

WAGE INCREASES
In terms of the Sectoral Determination (Government Gazette No. 22013 of 2nd March 2001) for the industry, the new minimum entry wage and the across the board increase, to apply from 2 September 2002, is the CPI for May 2002 plus 2%. The CPI for May 2002 was determined as 8.4%. All new permanent or limited duration employees must be employed on at least the new minimum entry wage. Employees in your employ on 3 September 2002 must receive an across the board increase of 10.4% to their wage. Attached please find a Table setting out the new minimum entry wages for the different areas.

CONTRACTS CLAIMS COURSE :LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER – REGISTRATION NEARLY FULL !

SAFCEC will present a one-day course on Contract Claims on Wednesday, 28th August 2002, in Construction Centre, 12 Skeen Boulevard, Bedfordview, commencing at 08:30. The course is targeted at Site Agents and Contract Managers and is designed to sensitise this level of management to the possibility of claims and how to deal with them.
The course content is summarised as follows:
Causes of claims; Disputes; Ambiguity or vagueness of documentation; Recognition of claims situations; Differences in interpretation of contract documents;;
Treatment of claims in terms of GCC90, the new FIDIC, NEC, etc;
Claim procedures; Importance of time restrictions; Formulation of a claim; Rights and responsibilities of the Employer, the Engineer and the Contractor;
Quantification of claims in terms of time and money;
Resolution of claims; Conciliation, mediation, arbitration and litigation; Analysis and appraisal of each method;
Settlement of claims – practical issues;
Examples of claim situations and disputes and their resolution
Mr Patrick Hill, who presented the SAFCEC Contract Law Course in March this year, will present the course. The cost of the course is a bargain R650, plus VAT, and includes course notes and lunch. Click here for the registration form.

AFTERNOON TALK
The SA Institute of Steel Construction is presenting an afternoon talk on “State-of-the-Art Construction in Germany”. Please see the invitation for further details

SAFETY OF DAMS
The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has called for nominations to the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Dams. The Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry will appoint suitable persons to serve on the Advisory Committee for a period of three years.

Nominations should be made, on or before 30th August 2002, to the following :
The Director-General
Private Bag X313
Pretoria 0001
Fax : 012 323 6594
Attn. Mr S W Bruwer
(©www.safcec.org.za)

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Jo'burg CBD to get R50m retail centre
JOHANNESBURG's central business district (CBD) is to receive a R50m retail development Union Square at the corner of Noord and Twist streets.
(©www.bday.co.za)

RA's liquidators satisfy smaller creditors
Smaller creditors of Retail Apparel, the liquidated operating company of the listed Retail Apparel Group (RAG), are happy with the actions being taken by the present liquidators of the group and do not believe there is a need for the appointment of any more liquidators, they said yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)

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Approach loans creatively housing minister
CAPE TOWN Housing Minister Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele yesterday criticised banks for failing to deliver on promises to provide funds for low-income housing projects, and called on them to transform themselves to cater for the needs of the whole society.
(©www.bday.co.za)

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Three new power plants in the pipeline
ABUJA As part of its effort to boost economic activities in the country, the Nigerian government has approved the building of three new power stations.
(©www.bday.co.za)

More Zim farmers jailed, beaten
Zimbabwean police have detained 53 white farmers, while holding at least 18 others out of custody, as the government extends its crackdown
(©www.bday.co.za)

Mugabe sends out mixed message on land reform in Zimbabwe
Well-meaning whites will have land to pursue a farming career as loyal citizens. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe yesterday appeared to soften his stance on fast track land reforms, saying white farmers willing to co-operate with his government would not be left completely landless.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Zimbabwean farmers look to Botswana
NERVOUS representatives of the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union have been exploring opportunities to relocate to Botswana. Late last week, the farmers convened an impromptu meeting with top Botswana government officials in Gaborone to discuss the issue.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Malawi may take farmers
BLANTYRE Malawi, desperately poor and caught in southern Africa's devastating drought, has plenty of land that could be worked by white farmers evicted under Zimbabwe's land reforms, a legislator said here yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Oil major wins promising Nigeria block
Oil company Royal Dutch Shell has confirmend that it had been awarded a promising oil exploration block in Nigerian deepwaters next to two recent billion-barrel discoveries. But the block, OPL 245, is also the subject of a $1-billion lawsuit by the previous concession holder, local Nigerian firm Malabu Oil and Gas.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Nigeria seeks to sell oil refinery in Sierra Leone
Abuja Correspondent THE Nigerian government is to dispose of its West African Refinery Company in the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown, dashing hope of a planned rehabilitation of the facility.
(©www.bday.co.za)

ChevronTexaco plant shut down again by Nigerian protest
Lagos - US oil giant ChevronTexaco has shut down one of its operations in southwestern Nigeria following a fresh protest by women demanding jobs, social amenities and cash, the company said Friday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Survey outlines main problems in Namibia
Windhoek - Low demand, crime and value-added tax were the main factors hampering the expansion of Namibian businesses, the Namibian Press Agency reported yesterday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

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Miners wary despite assurances
Government's latest statement on mining empowerment has offered some reassurance to industry stakeholders subsequent to the shockwaves felt following the leak of the state's draft charter, but until the charter is concluded questions are likely to linger
(©www.bday.co.za)

Black company set to buy 100% of ERPM
The black-economically-empowered company that owns 30% of the shares of gold company East Rand Proprietary Mine (ERPM) is negotiating to acquire 100% of the company.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Minister says everything negotiable in mine charter
South Africa's Minerals Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ncguka yesterday said all proposals in a controversial draft new mining charter were up for negotiation when stakeholders meet over the details next week.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Rockslide kills two at Carletonville gold mine
Two miners died and a third was seriously injured in an underground rockfall at South Africa's Mponeng gold mine, mineowner AngloGold has revealed.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

R22m platinum headgear completed
A R22-million contract for the construction of a shaft headgear and associated infrastructure for Lonmin’s Western Platinum’s Karee No 4 shaft has been completed by civils company WBHO.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

No single target for mining empowerment
The South African government said on Wednesday it would not target any percentages for ownership by blacks in the industry, which is still dominated by white-owned companies almost eight years after the end of apartheid.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Platinum leader evaluates project portfolio
The world’s leading platinum producer, Anglo Platinum (AngloPlat), was undertaking a 'complete strategic evaluation' of its expansion project portfolio, which was designed to lift its yearly production to 3,5-million ounces by 2006.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Mining giant outlines equity plans
In the next five years, at least half of the management of the South African operations of global mining company BHP Billiton will be made up of previously disadvantaged individuals, BHP Billiton’s president and CEO minerals Mike Salamon revealed yesterday.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Ghana gold firm joins SA platinum rush
Africa's fourth-largest gold producer, Ashanti Goldfields, said it will develop a platinum mine in South Africa in a bid to diversify its output. Ashanti, which mines for gold in four African countries, will work with a black-owned South African company to develop a concession given up by Anglo Plaintinum the world's biggest platinum miner.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Joburg mine project resurfaces
The Argonaut gold project will proceed under the new Minerals Act. That line flashed up on the screen like a bolt out of the blue during the presentation of the quarterly results of South Africa’s fourth-largest gold-mining company Durban Roodepoort Deep (DRD).
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

SA motors for European mines
Having updated its accreditation to ISO 9001-200 last month, East Rand firm Femco Mining Motors now produces a globally-acceptable product, which will boost its export drive.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Black-empowered gold-mine partnership is beginning to unravel
The short-lived partnership between Dr Paseka Ncholo’s black-economically-empowered mining company Khumo Bathong and German billionaire Claas Daun’s Daun et Cie is ending, Mining Weekly can today report.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

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Call to shut down 'illegals'
Homenet, the country's biggest estate agency group, has called for strong action by the Estate Agency Affairs Board to either shut down unregistered estate agencies or compel them to register.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Pressure on prices as buyers turn to cash
The interest rate increases this year have not induced many homebuyers to delay their purchase plans but, the latest Property24 figures show, they will put pressure on prices.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Building costs bolster home prices
An analysis of the latest building statistics provides the answer to why home prices have stayed buoyant instead of falling off as might have been expected in reaction to this year's interest rate increases.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Service with a ? service
In a smart move designed to enhance the home buying experience, leading estate agency group Realty Executives has launched a Lifestyle Centre - a facility offering instant access, by phone, to an extensive range of information, buying and support services.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Natural vacancy rate rising'
Property economist says this is not due to extraordinary conditions like oversupply THE local office property market could face a higher natural vacancy rate, says property economist Francois Viruly.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Tyger Waterfront sells off land
TYGER Valley Waterfront, a multimillion-rand mixed use development in Cape Town, has sold 80% of its land to property developers, bucking trends stemming from depressed market conditions.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Golf estate to manage conservation of wetland
Kleinmond environmentalists have slammed a 50-year contract negotiated by the German-owned Arabella Country Estate with Western Cape Nature Conservation (WCNC) to manage the 400 hectare Rooisands conservation area adjoining the estate.
(©www.iol.co.za)

Estate agents lash out at minister
Pretoria - The Institute of Estate Agents Central Gauteng has lashed out at housing minister Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele over the new Housing Bill, claiming that she seemed oblivious to the risks posed to financial institutions in lower-income group areas.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

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PAY WHEN PAID ?
“Can Main Contractors Continue to Hide Behind “Pay When Paid” Clauses ?” is an article prepared by Alastair Hay of Cox Yeats Attorneys. Contractors should perhaps be aware of the consequences of including such clauses in subcontractor agreements warns SAFCEC.
(©www.safcec.org.za)

South African Property Report 2002
Download and print out this glossy and detailed report on the South African property scene published annually by JHI Real Estate Limited. Please note that this report is published in PDF format.
This week download:
The cover
Contents
Section 1- Macro Economic Context - Property Investment and Performance Overview
(©www.jhi.co.za)

Conference on Construction and Engineering Excellence
The theme of this conference is that the building process needs to be streamlined with all essential parties coming together to ensure success and will be held from 30 September to 1 October 2002 at the Balalaika Hotel in Sandton. Full details available on the ASAQS website.

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Rand again succumbed to contagion fears
Was an extremely quiet day on local market due to lack of any market moving economic data or events to give fresh direction. Contagion fears weighed on ZAR, gold price moved further south, bond yields tracked north while stocks on JSE managed to post some gains. Debate in market continued around Brazil, Zimbabwe, mining charter and impact of US slowdown on global economy and commodity prices.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

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Oil hits new 3-month high on Iraq tensions
London - Oil prices touched fresh three-month highs on Friday as a tightening market balance combined with fears of a US military campaign against major producer Iraq.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

SA's non-profit sector a burgeoning industry, study finds
The non-profit sector in South Africa is a burgeoning industry, the operating expenditure of which was R9.3 billion from an estimated income of R14 billion in 1998, representing 1.2 percent of gross domestic product for that year.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

OMAM sees economic growth at 2.5% this year
Johannesburg - The South African economy was likely to show stronger than expected growth of about 2,5 percent this year, according to Old Mutual Asset Managers.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Free software
We have created a new section in the CUG where members can get really good software absolutely free of charge!
This month you can download the super Business Functions package which integrates into MsExcel and takes the guesswork out of using date, time and financial functions in your spreadsheets. Packaged with full help files and examples, BF is a package no QS should be without.
You should also find System Wiper and AVG Anti-virus extremely useful. We have also thrown in a really nice Tetris game to while away the lunch-hour!

Skills development - the CETA bursary scheme
Applications for bursaries from the CETA are now open. Bursaries are available from the CETA for rare or identified skills within the construction sector. The amount of the bursary can be up to 100% of total costs and are limited to tuition fees, prescribed books and course materials. Residence and meals fees for university and Technikon students will only be considered in deserving circumstances. The application forms are also available in Word format from the CETA website
Students take note this form is in PDF format:
CETA Bursary Application - August 2002 - Click here..

Golf Day
Join us for the 2002 Pretoria Golf Day on 3 September 2002

CPD Seminar
Join the Gauteng Chapter for a special CPD Seminar entitled "The Commonwealth's Values and Assets" on 2 September 2002 and earn 13 CPD points. Click on this link to get further details and view the program.

Get to know the staff in Midrand
You may have spoken to Ingrid, Barbara or Basie over the phone and may have wondered what they look like. Browse here to find out what the staff functions at ASAQS are...

Remember: Visit the ASAQS website for new updates!

New members to the CUG

Sonja Cave
Ndodayokupela Maqetuka
Roy Hamlyn
Ayodeji Akinkuolie
Umar Yacob Abdullah
Gideon Vermeulen

Please note : Only paid-up members of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors are allowed entrance to the CUG. We still receive a number of applications every month from non-members. If you have any questions regarding membership contact Mrs Barbara Morgan on 011-3154140

Also 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.

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