 GREETINGS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON
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| Whilst the ASAQS offices will still be in full operation until Friday 12 December 2008 before closing for the festive season, we would like to take this opportunity to extend season's greetings to all our members, friends and colleagues in the construction industry. Some of you may be closing earlier, so we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
We value your continued support of the Association and trust that the year ahead will be a successful and lucrative one. We can all look forward to the year ahead with optimism in view of the many exciting prospects and opportunities that lie ahead. May your businesses flourish and your order books be full. We wish you all well for the future !! |
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE |
| The Christmas Season of 2008 is already upon us, at the end of a year which has been noteworthy for a number of reasons. From the Association's side, we have had the excitement of celebrating the Centennial Anniversary of our organization and getting fully settled into our own offices. In addition, significant strides have been made to improve the quality of our service to members – all of this being the result of hard work by a dedicated group in our Midrand offices, under the able stewardship of our Director, Egon Wortmann. Our Board has been most supportive of the many activities that the Association oversees, with Chapter Representatives providing the essential link between regions and Head Office. I would like to recognize with thanks, the sustained efforts of all these persons who are the backbone of the ASAQS.
Members have this year generally enjoyed one of the more hectic, yet rewarding periods of economic activity we have experienced for a long while. Most have coped well, once again providing evidence of the vital role that our profession plays in the economy and development of our country. In some instances, I have seen evidence of 'burn-out' with a decline in adherence to courteous behaviour by submission of late apologies and large-scale non-attendance at meetings, as well as occasional lapses in good humour – beware the results of the stressful lifestyle!
Whilst 2009 looks as if it will not be as busy as this year, I believe that this provides us with another opportunity to display our worth to clients who will increasingly need the creativity and efficiency that our professional service can provide under difficult economic circumstances. The Christmas break provides us with a timeous opportunity to recuperate from the efforts of this past year and to prepare ourselves for the likely busy path ahead.
On behalf of the Board of the Association, I would therefore like to extend best wishes to all our members and associated participants in the built environment for a peaceful holiday season, and for a prosperous New Year.
Rob PearlDecember 7, 2009 |
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OFFICE CLOSURE OVER CHRISTMAS PERIOD |
| Members are advised that the ASAQS offices will be closed over the festive season this year as follows:
Office Closes : Friday 12 December 2008 (at 12h00)
Office Re-opens : Monday 05 January 2009 (at 08h00)
This period coincides with the general shutdown of the construction industry at large and will afford the staff a well-earned rest after a very busy and challenging year. |
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STAFF NEWS |
| Mr Hoffie Cruywagen :
 For the last two years Hoffie has been in the employ of the ASAQS as the Director of the EduTech Centre. This was in a part-time capacity (approximately 50 hours per month) over and above his main employment as a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria. Due to his increased workload and for other reasons, this arrangement has now been terminated with effect from beginning November 2008, being the start of his 3-month study leave to further his personal studies towards a PhD. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, it was amicably agreed that due to time pressures, it was no longer sustainable to continue with this arrangement with the ASAQS as in the past. His employment with the ASAQS in that role has thus been terminated. His title of Director of the EduTech Centre of the ASAQS is consequently also a thing of the past.
A further announcement as regards the filling of the roles and functions handled by Hoffie will be made as soon as we are able to, but we do not envisage an immediate permanent replacement for his position. Other avenues will be pursued to fill those functions so that the service to our members is not compromised. We would like to thank Hoffie for his loyal and valued service to the ASAQS in the past and wish him all the best for his new endeavours.
It should thus also be noted that all future queries that would have been directed at Hoffie as the Director of the EduTech Centre, must now be directed at the ASAQS offices (Attention : The Executive Director) and not at Hoffie. We would appeal for your co-operation in this regard.
Ms Merilda Naicker :
Following a recent series of interviews of four candidates, we are pleased to announce that Ms Merilda Naicker has been appointed in the Debtors Clerk position, effective 1 December 2008. You may be aware that she has already filled that position in a temporary capacity for the last four months or so, but her position has now been confirmed to be permanent (subject to three months probationary period). We welcome her to the staff and wish her well in her new position.
Mrs Lebo Kumakwe :
You will be aware that Mrs Lebo Kumakwe has filled the position of Receptionist of the ASAQS for the last three months. After having successfully served out her "probationary" period of three months, we are pleased to also have confirmed her position as "permanent". We welcome her to the staff as a permanent member and wish her well in her position.
Other than the above changes, everything remains unchanged at the ASAQS offices in terms of the staff compliment. |
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MEMBERS INVITED TO COMMENT ON DOCUMENTS |
| Following on the fairly recent issue of the standard documents as listed below, members that will already have used these documents and perhaps found some problems with them are invited to make comment on the following documents :
JBCC Principal Building Agreement (July 2007)
Contract Data documents applicable to above
JBCC Nominated/Selected Subcontract Agreement (July 2007)
Contract Data documents applicable to above
JBCC Minor Works Agreement (July 2007)
Contract Data documents applicable to above
ASAQS Preliminaries document (November 2007)
PROCSA Client/Consultant Services Agreement (May 2008)
In our quest to continually ensure that these documents are correct and without errors (printing or otherwise), we would value any comments and/or suggestions to improve these documents in future editions. All comments and/or suggestions will then be considered by the relevant committee tasked with the update and amendment of future editions.
Standard System of Measurement
Members are advised that the current Standard System of Measurement document (1999 edition) will be subject to review by the SSM Committee early next year. Members are also invited to make any comments and/or suggestions they wish to make on this well-used document to ensure that all necessary changes are considered for incorporation in the next edition, due out during 2009.
All written submissions should please be forwarded to the ASAQS offices (Attention : The Executive Director) either by facsimile (011 – 315 3785) or e-mail (director@asaqs.co.za). We look forward to your comments and submissions. |
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SACQSP NOTICE TO ALL CANDIDATES |
| Please be advised of the following IMPORTANT revised dates for 2009: - Closing date for Interim / Final Submissions: 05 January 2009
- Closing date for applications to write Council Examinations Parts I + II: 13 February 2009
- Closing date for applications to attend the Council Examination Workshop: 20 February 2009
- Council Examination Workshop: 27 February 2009
- Council Examinations:
Part I : 09 March 2009
Part II: 10 March 2009
- Council Examinations results available to Candidates: 20 April 2009
- APC Interviews: 25 – 29 May 2009
PLEASE NOTE : The Executive Committee at its meeting held on 28 November 2008, decided to change the closing date for applications to write Council Examinations Parts I & II from 23 January to Friday, 13 February 2009. |
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GAUTENG CHAPTER YEAR-END FUNCTION |
| To view photographs taken during the recent year-end function visit the Gauteng Chapter webpage. |
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ASAQS TO OPEN UP NEW CHAPTER BRANCH IN THE UAE |
| Members will recall that it they were earlier this year advised that the ASAQS Board had resolved and agreed that due to popular demand, a new Chapter branch of the ASAQS should be established in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the official seat of which was to be situated in Dubai. As many of our members are situated in that region, this was an attempt by the ASAQS to better serve our members, wherever they may be working and/or resident.
Whilst it was the intention to pursue this venture during 2008, we did experience unexpected problems and challenges to get the initiative off the ground as anticipated. We however wish to assure our members that, in spite of these delays and problems, that the ASAQS is still fully committed to drive this initiative to conclusion during 2009.
The intention is to arrange an inauguration meeting during the early part of next year to formally set up the committee structures, etc. Thereafter the elected committee will take up the cudgels and offer CPD courses, etc on a regional level.
We look forward with great excitement to this exciting venture !! |
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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH PERSONNEL AGENCIES |
| Following on earlier concerns expressed during meetings of the Forum of QS Practices, it was through the initiative of that forum that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) document has been prepared as a guideline document to assist with the relationship between QS practices registered with the ASAQS and personnel agencies seeking personnel on their behalf. This document sets out the proposed Code of Conduct, which the personnel agencies would be expected to adhere to when personnel are sought through their agency. It is recommended that personnel agencies that were unwilling to adopt such rules as their operational principles should not be considered for future appointments.
The main principles that formed the basis of the preparation of the MOU document are as follows:
The MOU document should be seen as a "guideline document" which sets out good practice only as it was not legally enforceable
The MOU document may be regarded as an official ASAQS document which is only made available to members on request
Members are advised that the said MOU document is available on request from the ASAQS offices (Attention : The Executive Director). |
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INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE |
| Members of the ASAQS who are also members of the BEPMeds Medical Aid will be aware that one of the free services that forms a part of the medical scheme package is the free international travel insurance through TIC. This means that where any of the BEPMeds members undertake international travel (be it on business or on private holiday trips), they are afforded free international travel insurance whilst on such international trips. But the condition is that the insurers (TIC) must be advised BEFORE departure so that a separate policy can be generated to activate such international medical cover. Without such prior notification, the cover will not be valid and any resultant claims in this regard will most certainly be rejected.
To demonstrate the importance of giving such prior notice may be demonstrated by the following example that actually occurred a year ago : One of our members recently visited Namibia by car, he had an unfortunate and serious car accident and subsequently had to be airlifted from Keetmanshoop and transferred by Netcare 911 helicopter to Pretoria. The cost of this emergency helicopter airlift cost around R113 000,00. When the claim was submitted for payment, it was rejected purely on the basis that the insurers had not been advised prior to the start of the trip. Needless to say, this caused untold heartache to all concerned, all of which could have been avoided had the member in question simply advised the insurers of his planned trip.
Members are therefore urgently encouraged to notify the TIC insurers before undertaking any international trips, for the insurance cover to be enforceable. This is of particular current importance, bearing in mind that we are heading for the festive season and no doubt many members will be travelling abroad. So please be warned !! We do not wish to have any further legitimate claims rejected on this technicality !!
It should also be pointed out that in this context "international" means any country other than South Africa. The "international" countries by definition include neighbouring countries such a Namibia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, Lesotho, etc.
Should you have any further queries in this regard, please contact either the PBC offices at (012) 460 0430 or the TIC offices at 0860 100 484. |
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REVISED TARIFF OF QS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 2009 |
| Members are advised that the Fees Committees of both the ASAQS and SACQSP respectively have agreed to the update and amendment of the current Recommended Tariff of Professional Fees 2007. Comments on the draft proposal have been publicly called for and received, and the Recommended Tariff of QS Professional Fees 2009 will come into effect on 01 January 2009.
Draft copies of the Recommended Tariff of QS Professional Fees 2009 are available from the ASAQS offices on request. |
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NEW MODEL TRADE PREAMBLES DOCUMENT NOW AVAILABLE IN CUG |
| Members advised that the update of the Model Trade Preambles (revised version dated November 2008) document has been completed and the new September 2008 version is now available from the offices of the ASAQS. Members can now download the document in PDF format from the CUG. We would like to express our thanks to the following persons that were involved with the update, namely Professors Carl Klopper, Thys Sigle' and Tinus Maritz. For all your hard work and dedication – thank you !! |
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COUNCIL FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (CBE) NEWSLETTER |
| Members wishing to read the bi-annual Newsletter of the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) dated October 2008 are invited to click here (The newsletter is in PDF format and almost 1Mb in size). |
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COMBINED PRESIDENTS / VICE PRESIDENTS TOUR 2009 |
| During the recent ASAQS Board meeting, it was confirmed that the Presidents and Vice Presidents Tour will again be combined into one trip during 2009. It is planned that the following delegation will be undertaking a combined tour to all Chapters as follows :
Professor Rob Pearl (President of ASAQS)
Mr Indresen Pillay (Vice President of ASAQS)
Mr Egon Wortmann (Executive Director of ASAQS)
This combined trip will be undertaken during February/March 2009 and will be completed in time before the next ASAQS Board scheduled for 02 to 03 April 2009. Chapters will soon be contacted to finalise the arrangements that will be suitable for everyone.
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REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION MENTORS |
| The SACPCMP has commenced with the registration of Professional Construction Mentors from 1st November 2008. Duly qualified individuals are invited to download the application forms and related information or send a blank email to contact@sacpcmp.co.za and insert Construction Mentorship as a subject matter.
Notice for Construction Mentorship Roadshows
Roadshows regarding Construction Mentorship will be held as follows : Province/City : Gauteng /Johannesburg
Venue : Unisa SBL Room 4
c/r Smut & First Avenue
Midrand
Date : 13 November
Time : 16.30 / 19.00
Province/City : KZN /Durban
Venue : Southern Sun North Beach Hotel
83-91 Snell Parade
Durban
Date : Date : 20 November
Time : 16.30 / 19.00
Province/City : Western Cape /Cape Town
Venue : Master Builders Association
Belmont Square
Belmont Road
Rondebosch
Date : 27 November
Time : 16.30 / 19.00
Province/City : Eastern Cape /Port Elizabeth
Venue : Master Builders Association
82 Worraker Street
Newton
Date : 3 December
Time : 16.30 / 19.00 For more information contact Mrs. Lesley Talbot at 011 318 3402 |
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