 BENONI CAREER SHOW 21 FEBRUARY 2008
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| On Thursday 21 February 2008 the Gauteng Chapter attended a Careers Expo at the Benoni High School. These are the sort of events we as the ASAQS need to support in order to aggressively market the QS profession. In this case, thanks to Tjaart van der Walt who did the honours on behalf to the ASAQS. |
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STEEL PRODUCTION, SUPPLY & PRICES |
| SARCEA (South African Reinforced Concrete Engineers' Association) warns of a worsening situation that is now becoming critical and may well affect completion dates of present and future projects.
They have been informed of delivery cut backs this month that will continue into the foreseeable future. This is at a time when requirements are set to increase by as much as 25% this year and similarly next year.
To add to the supply problems the steel mills are advising of increases in prices of between 12% and 22% on 1st March with more increase to come. |
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OUTSTANDING MEMBER FEES |
| The unacceptable high number of members who have not yet fully paid their fees for the year 2007/2008 to the ASAQS is again becoming a real concern. In response thereto, the Executive Committee has decreed that a concerted effort be made by the ASAQS staff members to give dedicated attention to this matter. Four staff members have been tasked with phoning debtors and to follow up on all outstanding payments over the next two weeks. We would appeal that members with outstanding debts please co-operate with these staff members when contacted and to make payment of the outstanding fees without delay.
The following programme was agreed in terms of a specific plan of action in terms of the bad debt situation, details of which are a follows: - Four staff members (Renny Moodley, Sadicka Butt, Rochelle Rambaran and Anusha Rajcoomar) to each target making at least 25 calls per day for the next two weeks at least (11 to 22 February 2008) to members with outstanding fees (total of 100 calls per day)
- This will be maintained until Monday 25 February 2008, by which date all debtors will have been phoned
- Debtors will be advised on the phone that if their fees are not paid by Friday 22 February 2008, then their names will appear on the "Bad Debt List" which will be publicly published on the ASAQS website (on weekend starting 29 February 2008) and the NDPW will also be informed. They will also be told that if their fees are not paid in full by Friday 14 March 2008, then they will be "struck" from the ASAQS membership roll
- All members will be advised in writing during the period 03 to 07 March 2008 that if their outstanding fees are not paid by latest 14 March 2007, then they will be "struck" from the membership roll without further notice
- All persistent defaulters will thereafter actually be struck shortly after 14 March 2008, and these members will be considered as having been "struck in bad standing" and they will not be invoiced again for the year 2008/2009. They will simply not be members any more.
It should be noted that any outstanding amounts of such "struck" members will remain on the database records indefinitely and will not be erased from the records. Should such members wish to re-apply at any time in the future, their arrear amounts will have to be paid without question and no application will be entertained unless these arrear amounts are paid up in full. In addition, it has been resolved that a penalty of R500,00 (VAT inclusive) will accompany such application for re-admission for membership (R300,00 for students).
Please feel free to contact the offices of the ASAQS should there be any queries and/or concerns that may still need to be sorted out and agreed. Please contact Rochelle Rambaran (telephone 011 – 315 4140) who will be happy to assist with any genuine complaint. |
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CENTENARY YEAR OF THE ASAQS !!! |
|  We are proud to announce that the ASAQS will be celebrating its Centenary Year during 2008 !!
This is a major milestone in the history of the ASAQS that will be celebrated this year by organising a number of gala events to mark this happy occasion. It also offers vast public relations opportunities for the ASAQS, an opportunity that must be seized and exploited to the maximum benefit of the ASAQS.
But we all need to consciously embrace this milestone and properly plan all activities and events that we hope to be undertaking during this year of 2008. A special "Centenary Committee" will be formed to plan and roll out these events and activities and to give it the necessary attention that it deserves.
Whilst the planning of the centenary celebrations has yet to be finalised and agreed, the preliminary ideas are that the foIlowing activities will be planned for this year :
- The publication of the "A Century of Quantity Surveying in South Africa" desktop booklet (confirmed)
- Centenary Gala Dinner Functions, possibly on a regional basis
- ASAQS Conference during October 2008 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape.
As soon as the overall planning has been agreed and finalised, more information will be made available. But this will be a grand year for the ASAQS and we must celebrate this major milestone in the history of the ASAQS with the due attention that it deserves !! |
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CALL FOR SUBMISSION OF HISTORICAL MATERIAL |
| The year 2008 marks the centenary year of the ASAQS !!
To mark this historic occasion, the ASAQS will be publishing a full colour prestige publication entitled "A CENTURY OF QUANTITY SURVEYING IN SOUTH AFRICA" to mark the successes, achievements and development of the profession during this time. The illustrated book will be published by Chris van Rensburg Publications (Pty) Ltd of Johannesburg, a reputable company with over 45 years experience in producing this kind of prestigious publication.
The publication will be used as a vehicle for career guidance, public awareness of the profession and to serve as a general information guide to stakeholders, decision makers and the Government alike.
If you wish to read more about the table of contents of the publication, please click here.
If you wish to read the letter of recommendation addressed to all potential advertisers in the publication, please click here.
The ASAQS takes great pleasure in recommending this milestone publication to the greater Quantity Surveying community. The story of the Quantity Surveying profession in South Africa needs to be told and recorded for posterity, as do the stories of those organisations that have made such important contributions thereto. We trust that we can count on all organisations to support and participate in this exciting project.
We would also like to make a general appeal to all members to please assist in making this publication an exciting and interesting "must read" booklet. We are looking for historic material from members for possible incorporation in the publication. Items under consideration are: - Photos of senior members that have helped to lead and shape the profession in the past.
- Photos of noteworthy buildings and structures that have made their mark
- Interesting items of memorabilia in terms of documentation, financial records, minutes of meetings, extracts from bills of quantities, measurement documentation, old cheques and invoices, etc
- Interesting stories and photos of QS practices of the past, their achievements and interesting buildings
All submitted items will be looked after with care and returned after publication, if necessary. Any assistance will be appreciated. We look forward to you contributions !! |
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ASAQS YEARPLANNER |
| the ASAQS Yearplanner has been updated (11/02/2008). It appears at the bottom-right of the page. Click here. |
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THE ASAQS BENEVOLENT FUND NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT !! |
| The Benevolent Fund of the ASAQS has been in existence for many years and has been supporting dependents of deceased ASAQS members who require financial support to survive and make ends meet. Whilst this initiative is a very laudable and good one, it is unfortunately true to state that the general membership has not been sufficiently financially supportive of this initiative to maintain the necessary financial reserves of the Benevolent Fund. Unless the financial support from the membership can be rejuvenated, it will not be possible for the ASAQS to guarantee that the long-term sustainability of the fund can be assured.
We would therefore make an earnest appeal for all members to support the fund financially and to assist in the following two manners:
•Make your R50,00 per year contributions to the fund (included as a voluntary contribution with the annual subscription fee invoice)
•For the regional Chapters to have fundraising events for the benefit of the fund
Your financial assistance would be appreciated !! |
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5th POST GRADUATE CONFERENCE |
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CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS
Bloemfontein, South Africa
6 – 18 March 2008
CONFERENCE ORGANISING COMMITTEE
The Conference is being organised by representatives from the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management of the University of the Free State and the CIDB. Prof Basie Verster will act as chair for the committee.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
This committee will consist of national and international academics and representatives from industry. The chairperson is Dr Hendrik Marx from the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management of the University of the Free State.
MAIN TOPICS
Papers will be accepted within the broad areas of Construction Industry and Construction Business Development. Papers with similar themes will be grouped for sessions. Topics may include:
•Construction Demand
•Industry Capacity
•Empowerment and Emerging Contractors
•Quality and Productivity
•Business Performance
•Procurement Strategies
•Construction Project Management
•Best Practice and Benchmarking
•Human Resource Development
•Safety, Health and Environment
•IT in Construction, Etc Click here to download the registration form and full details. |
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NOTICE of ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - KZN CHAPTER |
| Notice is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting of the KZN Chapter of the A.S.A.Q.S. to be held on Wednesday, 5 March 2008 at The Boardroom, KZN Master Builders' Association (MBA), Essex Terrace, Westville, Durban at 07h30.
Please visit the KZN web-page to find the Draft Agenda for the A.G.M. topics to be discussed, etc. Please note that the Chapter has also organised a special Workshop on the proposed Register of Professional Service Providers. This will be held on Monday 10-March 2008 at 9h30. More information on the KZN web-page. |
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INVITATION: CIDB REGIONAL WORKSHOPS |
| Please find attached an invitation to regional consultation workshops, hosted by the Construction Industry Development Board (cidb), on the CIDB Register of Professional Service Providers. Details regarding the respective dates and venues are listed in the invitation. These workshops take place in most major towns and cities between the 23rd January to the 7th February 2008. Please view the invitation to see when the workshop visits your province. |
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CCN BUSINESS LAUNCH |
| 2008 Brings the news that the Share Offer closed on 14 December 2007 amid a last-minute clamour by members to get their Shares.
Despite the last-minute rush it is clear that not everyone took up the offer to invest, and CCN will now take investment directly from a private investor group. The good news for those SAIA and ASAQS members that did invest is that they will get all of the shares that they subscribed for !
The outcome of the Share Offer will be announced soon, but we are able to announce that all investments made by the ASAQS members by due date on 14 December 2007 have been approved and the requested shares allocation will shortly be confirmed with each of the investors. Here is some information of interest:
•Highest amount invested by an architect – R200,000
•Highest amount invested by a QS – R100,000
Congratulations to those who invested and the ASAQS looks forward to welcoming you as shareholders.
In the interest of our members ASAQS and SAIA have managed to secure an agreement with the CCN private investor group (PSG), who have the right to take up the remaining shares in CCN, that ASAQS and SAIA be given the opportunity to co-ordinate a second round of funding aimed at raising additional share capital from their members, for investment in CCN. Unfortunately this will be for a reduced capital amount, and the original Share Offer will be modified to accommodate this.
In addition, SAIA and ASAQS have looked at ways of making it easier for you to make your Share purchase, by purchasing them over an extended period. Details will follow shortly. |
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MEMBER QUERIES REGARDING THE CCN BUSINESS |
| With the advent of the CCN venture and the flood of e-mails sent to the ASAQS and SAIA members from the CCN Call Centre during November and December 2007, a number of queries have been received from members to clarify aspects surrounding the CCN business. It is important that members are well informed when making an investment in the CCN business.
In an attempt to clarify some of these typical queries, it has been decided to publicise the detailed question and answer correspondence between the ASAQS and one of our members (Mr John Powell from the Western Cape). This may assist other members to also better understand some of the issues that may have been on the minds of many members, but who may simply not have had the time and/or energy to get clarification on before the investment deadline date. Download the Q&A by clicking here. |
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ELECTION OF NEW BOARD 2008/2010 |
| Members are advised that the current term of the ASAQS Board will expire at the end on February 2008. In terms of the requirements of the ASAQS Constitution and By-Laws, it will be necessary for the members to elect a new Board for the two-year term for the period 01 March 2080 to 28 February 2010.
Calls for the nomination and election of Chapter Representatives and other Board members were sent out to all PMAQS and MAQS members before the Christmas office closure. Please treat this invitation to put forward nominations of suitable candidates with the attention that it deserves. The elected persons will represent you, the members, so we need to get the right persons elected onto the Board. For ease of reference, attached please find the following forms required to submit nominations to the offices of the ASAQS in the prescribed manner : Please be advised that the deadline dates by when nominations for positions on the ASAQS Board need to be submitted to the offices of the ASAQS are as follows:
• Chapter Representatives – was Friday 18 January 2008
• Elected Members – Monday 3 March 2008. |
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COMBINED PRESIDENTIAL / VICE PRESIDENTIAL TOUR 2008 |
| The first half of the tour was concluded last week with visits to Kimberley and Bloemfontein. The trip has been very successful so far and we wish to thank the Chapters for their hospitality and good organisation of the events to date. During the Association Board meeting held on 17-18 October 2007, it was agreed that for practical reasons, the Presidential and Vice Presidential Tours 2008 to the respective Chapters will again be combined into one tour next year. Various reasons have contributed to this decision, the main one being the busy personal schedules of the respective parties that participate on such a tour.
Left to right : Mr Egon Wortmann (ASAQS Executive Director), Prof Rob Pearl (ASAQS Vice President), Mr Thembi Matunda (ASAQS President), Mr Greyling Venter (Free State Chapter Chairman) and Mr Pierre Oosthuisen (Free State Chapter Secretary) The programme that has been developed was aimed at scheduling the combined national tour during the months of January through to March 2008. The tour will be completed before 26-27 March 2008, the dates of the next Board meeting at which time the President will hand over his reigns to the new incoming President. The itinerary has been finalised and agreed, except for two Chapters where the dates have yet to be confirmed. The itinerary is confirmed as follows :
• Wednesday 27 February 2008 – Kimberley – Northern Cape
• Thursday 28 February 2008 – Bloemfontein – Free State
• Wednesday 05 March 2008 – Durban – KwaZulu Natal
• Thursday 06 March 2008 – Port Elizabeth – Eastern Cape
• Friday 07 March 2008 – Cape Town – Western Cape
The two Chapters where the dates and venues have yet to be confirmed are :
• Nelspruit – Mpumalanga
• Polokwane – Limpopo Province
We look forward to visiting all the Chapters again and hope to present to you the President (Mr Thembi Matunda), the Vice President (Professor Rob Pearl) and the Executive Director (Mr Egon Wortmann) at most visits.
This tour will again seek to develop improved communication and to strengthen ties between the management of the Association and the general membership. Such visits to the respective Chapters have always proved to be successful in the past to the mutual benefit of all concerned. We therefore again appeal to you for your active support to make the tour a success.
Where possible, each visit to the respective Chapters will be planned to include attendance of the local Chapter AGM, a social with the members and a visit to the local University and/or University of Technology (where applicable) to address the students. In that way maximum benefit will be derived from such a visit. |
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FORUM OF QS PRACTICES |
| Following informal discussions and meetings between a number of senior partners from some of the QS practices to discuss their common problems currently experienced in the industry, it was proposed that such future exchange of ideas should be shared with the ASAQS with a view to possibly seeking the assistance of the ASAQS to address some of the concerns expressed.
It was an open invitation to all practitioners of all registered QS practices to attend the meeting on 4 December 2007 and in an informal manner to share ideas and concerns, with a view to seeking solutions for the way forward. Although the meeting was only attended by a total of 11 members, it was a very positive and fruitful meeting.
The minutes of the meeting are available here.
Registered QS practices who wish to send a representative to the next QS Forum should please diarise Tuesday 26 February 2008 when the next Forum meeting will take place at the offices of the ASAQS at 16h00. (Please not the time - it has changed from that first announced here) |
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COMPULSORY RE-REGISTRATION |
| Registered persons should be aware that in accordance with the latest CPD policy ALL registered persons need to submit an Application for Renewal of Registration three months prior to 31 March 2008. We suggest that you complete your application now and fax it together with a CPD Portfolio form (optional) to the SACQSP before 31 December 2007 (the closing date for compulsory re-registration and the end of the current annual cycle for CPD). The SACQSP offices will be closed from the 14th and it may be wise to fax the forms before then. |
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REQUIRE TIME FOR YOUR CPD PORTFOLIO? |
| Registered professional quantity surveyors are required to record their CPD activities annually on the form QSCPD and submit their returns to the Council not later than 30 (thirty) days after completion of an annual cycle whch ends on the 31st December every year.
From 1 January 2007, registered professional quantity surveyors were required to accumulate 25 hours of CPD activities per year (the previous points system fell away at the end of 2006).
GoLearning can assist you to achieve the minimum 10 hours required in Category 1 by doing an online course of your choice. Visit GoLearning for an easy cost-effective solution to your CPD-requirements. Visit GoLearning and sign in to download an Excel version of the QSCPD form which will assist you in keeping records of your CPD and complete your submission quickly. |
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PROFESSIONAL CLIENT SERVICES AGREEMENT |
| Members are advised that that the current Professional Client Services Agreement (dated March 2006) has been updated and will be re-published early in the new year (will be dated January 2008). Once the publication and printing has been completed in hard paper copy format, it will be distributed through the normal JBCC channels and will also be available for purchase at the offices of the ASAQS. The updated document will comprise the following two main elements: - Generic Conditions of Contract (standardised and applicable for all professions)
- Interim Scope of Services (based on generic 6 stages, each profession specific)
We look forward to this new and updated version of the Professional Client Services Agreement. |
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WEBSITE UPDATES |
| Please take note that the 2008/9 enrollment fees and forms for registration of individuals and practices as members of ASAQS have been updated. The latest staff changes are reflected 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 12th World Congress
14 to 18 June 2008 – Edmonton, Canada
ICEC 6th World Congress
29 June to 2 July 2008 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
AAQS General Assembly Meeting and Congress
18 to 22 August 2008 – Accra, Ghana
ASAQS Conference 2008
October 2008 - Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape (dates to be confirmed)
Members are encouraged to plan ahead and to support these conferences/congresses !! |
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DRBF - CAPE TOWN CONFERENCE 2 MAY 2008 |
| Dispute Resolution Board Foundation (DRBF) 2008 Cape Town Conference
Cape Town 2 - 4 May 2008
Dispute Resolution in Africa
The Conference will be of interest to all of our members involved in Dispute Resolution both here in SA and elsewhere in the world. Co-sponsored by ICC, the program is packed with informative sessions on the use of Dispute Boards throughout Africa and other regions, the Multinational Development Bank's perspective on dispute resolution, and interactive breakout sessions on the practical application of the process. The conference will span three mornings, leaving afternoons open for networking or exploring the many exciting attractions in the region. Saturday night's gala dinner will be held at Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch. A training workshop is planned in conjunction with the conference on 5 & 6th May 2008. Click here for more information and the registration form. There is a direct link to the DRBF website. |
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NEC ROADSHOW - FEBRUARY 2008 |
| Building Success with NEC - Delivering world class projects on time and on budget Johannesburg 25 & 26 February
Durban 28 & 29 February
Following the outstanding success of the NEC events held in South Africa in 2006, NEC are returning to Johannesburg and Durban to deliver a series of topical events intended for both existing users of the NEC and potential new users.
Since the launch of NEC 3 in 2005, NEC Contracts have become increasingly popular in the transport, energy and mining sectors and have become the contract of choice for many organisations. NEC users in South Africa include Sasol, Eskom, Alstom, Transnet Group of companies, ABSA Bank of South Africa, ARE VA NP , Megchem Engineering and Anglo Platinum Ltd.
More than 400 representatives of the South African construction industry attended the NEC events in 2006. The forthcoming roadshows and workshops are intended to support the growing usage of the contracts in South Africa; introducing the 'philosophy' of the NEC culture and discussing the practical delivery of the contracts designed to encourage best practice and successful project management.
The South Africa roadshows will visit Johannesburg and Durban. Held as a morning session, the event will provide an introduction to the NEC 3 suite of contracts. The roadshows will be followed by workshops in each city with topics including risk management, early warnings and compensation events. Click here to download the program and registration form |
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ASAQS TO OPEN UP NEW CHAPTER BRANCH IN THE UAE |
| At the Board meeting held in Durban last week, it was resolved and agreed that due to popular demand, a new Chapter branch of the ASAQS will be established in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the official seat of which will be situated in Dubai. As many of our members are situated in that region, this is an attempt by the ASAQS to better serve our members, wherever they may be working and/or resident.
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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RELOCATION OF NDPW OFFICES |
| Please take note that the head office personnel of the National Department of Public Works are currently busy relocating to three other buildings due to the planned upgrading of the Central Government Offices (CGO). Professional Services are scheduled to be relocated around 8 and 9 January 2008 to the Oranje Nassau Building on the 5th floor. The physical address will be: Oranje Nassau Building
188 Schoeman Street (one way from west to east)
(between Bosman and Paul Kruger Streets, opposite Water Affairs)
PRETORIA
The previous postal address remains unchanged.
Due to the relocation, the telephone extension numbers have temporarily been changed with immediate effect. Click here for a list of telephone numbers. |
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NEWS FROM THE SACQSP |
| COUNCIL EXAMS
WORKSHOP: PREPARATION FOR COUNCIL EXAMS I AND II
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO THE WORKSHOP, TO BE HELD IN MIDRAND
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 16:00 on Friday, 22 February 2008
WORKSHOP DATE:Monday, 03 March 2008
TIME:Part I : 09:30 – 12:30
Part II: 13:30 – 16:30
VENUE: Suite B26, 2nd Floor Lone Creek Block B, Waterfall Park,
Bekker Road, Vorna Valley Extension 21, MIDRAND
PRESENTER:Professor GK le Roux
Travel and accommodation arrangements are for attendees' own accounts. Please click here to visit the SACQSP website to find out more about the Workshop and the Council examinations in March. |
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CBE IDENTIFICATION OF WORK DRAFT FINAL POLICY AND TEMPLATE |
| Procurement Dynamics (Pty) Ltd., on behalf of the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), have been developing a policy and a template for the identification of work by built environment professions over the last four months. They have conducted research and received input from many stakeholders in the process, and are now at a stage where they feel the draft policy and template can be tabled for final review by the Councils for the Built Environment Professions.
Registered persons are requested to download the draft final policy by clicking here. Comments by SACQSP members, received by the Registrar's office, will be forwarded to Procurement Dynamics (Pty) Limited. |
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