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 the regional Chapter areas as follows :

• Professor Rob Pearl (President of ASAQS)
• Mr Indresen Pillay (Vice President of ASAQS)
• Mr Egon Wortmann (Executive Director of ASAQS)

The programme for this combined trip has now been agreed and finalised with all the Chapters and will be undertaken during February/March 2009 and will be timeously completed before the next ASAQS Board scheduled for 02 to 03 April 2009. The programme has been agreed as follows :

CITY CHAPTER WEEKDAY DATE 1 CAPE TOWN WESTERN CAPE WEDNESDAY 8 FEBRUARY 2009 2 PORT ELIZABETH EASTERN CAPE THURSDAY 19 FEBRUARY 2009 3 DURBAN KWAZULU NATAL FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2009 4 MAFEKING NORTH WEST MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY 2009 5 BLOEMFONTEIN FREE STATE WEDNESDAY 04 MARCH 2009 6 KIMBERLEY NORTHERN CAPE THURSDAY 05 MARCH 2009 7 MIDRAND GAUTENG TUESDAY 10 MARCH 2009 8 NELSPRUIT MPUMALANGA WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2009 9 POLOKWANE LIMPOPO THURSDAY 12 MARCH 2009 10 WINDHOEK NAMIBIA FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2009

We look forward to this tour which will enable the ASAQS members to meet with the ASAQS executive members and to share their experiences, expectations and concerns with each other. We appeal to members to support these functions in their respective region and to maximise on the benefits that can be derived from such a tour.

The programme of events in each region will be made available to the members in each region in good time before the arrival of the delegation. We look forward to seeing you there !!

 ASAQS PRESIDENT EMPLOYMENT CHANGED

Members are advised that the ASAQS President, Professor Rob Pearl, advised the ASAQS offices during December 2008 that his employment details would change with effect from 31 December 2008. In his correspondence to the ASAQS offices (dated 20 December 2008) he wrote as follows:

Please be advised that I will be retiring from my current employer, the University of KwaZulu Natal as at 31st December 2008. I will then be practicing on my own account as a freelance educational consultant. My contact details on your database should therefore be amended to reflect the following:
 
• Postal Address:  
  55 Elizabeth Drive
  Forest Hills
  Kloof, 3610
• Physical Address:   As above
• Home / Bus Tel:    031-763 3341
• Cellphone:         076 339 0618
• E-Mail:            Rob.G.Pearl@gmail.com
 
Please note that my post at UKZN is currently being advertised. I am sure that you will be advised by the Institution once an appointment has been made. In the meantime, any correspondence relating to activities of the University of KwaZulu Natal should be sent to the Head of School, Professor Cristina Trois, who may be contacted as follows:
 
• School of Civil Engineering, Surveying and Construction
 Centenary Building - Howard College Campus
 University of KwaZulu Natal
 Tel: 031-260 3055
 Fax: 031-260 1411
 E-Mail: TroisC@ukzn.ac.za
 
Sincerely,
Prof. Rob Pearl

We wish our President all the best in his new endeavours.

 CONCERNS WITH "ISOBOARD" FIXING METHODS

It has recently been brought to the attention of the ASAQS offices that the fixing procedures of some of the "Isoboard" products does not meet with the standards required by the Institute for Timber Construction South Africa (ITC SA). In a letter addressed to the ASAQS offices dated 29 January 2009 from Mr A. Faul, Executive Director of ITC SA, he wrote as follows:

"The recommended fixing method as proposed by ISOBOARD does not bear the approval of the ITC. In this regard the matter of the fixing method was referred to the ITC's Timber Engineering Advisory Committee ("TEAC") for consideration and investigation. After due consideration, a letter was sent out to all the ITC members, a copy of which is attached hereto for your ease of reference. The main aspect that is of grave concern to the ITC is contained in Annexure "A" where research has shown that the vital lateral stability of the truss rafter is reduced by up to 90% in the over rafter under purlin application method proposed by ISOBOARD. We have advised ISOBOARD of these concerns which resulted in a meeting between the ITC represented by the ITC's Chairman Mr. R. Adams of Mitek as well as Prof. W. Burdzik of the Pretoria University and delegates from ISOBOARD and Prof. J. Wium. During this meeting it was resolved that ISOBOARD, would with the assistance of Prof. Wium and in collaboration with Prof. Burdzik, come up with an alternative proper fixing method to ensure that the lateral stability of the truss rafters are not compromised whatsoever. ISOBOARD has undertaken to do proper testing and investigations, but despite a period of more than two years since the ITC has advised them of its concerns no positive results have been forthcoming."

Members are therefore advised to use the "Isoboard" products with caution and to ensure that the fixing procedures of the products are correctly specified in their tender documents. To view a copy of an ITC SA letter dated 23 April 2008 highlighting this particular problem, please click here.

 ALLEGED UNFAIR TENDERING PRACTICES...

 FOR SINGLE PRACTICING QUANTITY SURVEYORS

During the office closure over the festive season, the ASAQS office received an anonymous letter from a "single practicing Quantity Surveyor" complaining about the alleged "unfair tender practices for Single Practicing Quantity Surveyors", with specific reference to BEE practices. The ASAQS office was asked for comment and to air the anonymous letter on the ASAQS website, which is herewith done. Whilst anonymous letters are normally ignored and as they cannot be responded to, it was nevertheless felt that the complaint should be aired in this case, as requested. To view a copy of the letter dated 05 January 2009, please click here.

It should be pointed out that the views expressed in the letter do not necessarily represent the views of the ASAQS as an association, but rather represent the personal view of one of its "anonymous" members. What do you think, and would you like to comment? Please feel free to send your comments to the Executive Director of the ASAQS (director@asaqs.co.za).

The various comments from members will ultimately be collated and published, as well as any specific action that the ASAQS may agree to take in this regard. It is certainly envisaged that this matter will be taken up and discussed with the Minister of Public Works, Minister Geoff Doidge.

 GREEN BUILDING HANDBOOK VOL. 1

Attention all built environment professionals and industry stakeholders! Green Building Media is proud to launch the Green Building Handbook, the annual print publication that provides practical and applicable information for built environment professionals seeking to build ecologically sensitive buildings.

Edited by Llewellyn van Wyk of the CSIR, the Green Building Handbook 2009 provides readers with practical insights into green building designs, technologies, materials and solutions relevant in the South African context and the effect each has on the environmental impact of buildings.

The Handbook is published in A5 high quality format and has 12 jam packed chapters and approximately 250 pages. Chapters have been contributed by some of South Africa's most highly respected industry experts

The Green Building Handbook is aimed at property owners, architects, engineers, government and facilities managers, contractors, consultants, home owners and other related industry personnel. The Green Building Handbook is the only guide of its kind in South Africa.

Click here to order your copy now

 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.

 RESIGNATION OF BOARD MEMBER : HERNA TEN CATE

It is with regret that we have to announce that one of our Board members, Mrs Herna ten Cate, Chapter representative of the North West Chapter, has resigned from the Board with immediate effect. The reasons for her resignation were contained in her letter dated 14 January 2009 to the Executive Director of the ASAQS, which reads as follows:

It is with regret that I herewith wish to tender my resignation from the Board of the ASAQS. I have received and accepted an offer to join a Quantity Surveying practice in Brisbane on a three-year contract. It is an opportunity which I believe would contribute to my personal and professional growth, indeed an opportunity that cannot be declined.
 
I will retain my membership with the ASAQS and the Council during this period. Would you therefore kindly change my e-mail address to herna.tencate@gmail.com for any further correspondence?
 
I am proud to have been a member of the ASAQS since 1991 and really appreciate the opportunity to have served in various capacities in different structures of the Association. Apart from being able to assist in the growth of the profession I also value the lessons I have learnt in the process. The friendships and bonds formed during this time are and remain important to me. I trust that I would be able to further build and strengthen these both during and after the contract period.
 
My best wishes and blessings go out to you and all staff and members of the Board and the ASAQS as a whole.
 
Kind regards,
Herna ten Cate

Whilst we are sad to lose her from our immediate circles, we are equally happy for her and wish her and her family well in her new endeavours abroad. On behalf of the ASAQS generally, we thank her for her input into the various structures of the ASAQS and the QS profession generally over the years. Thank you and go well !!

 CPD SUBMISSIONS TO BE SENT DIRECTLY TO SACQSP OFFICES

During this time of year the registered persons of the SACQSP, many of whom are also ASAQS members, are obliged to submit their CPD Compliance Certificates to the SACQSP offices to ensure that their continued professional registration is maintained with that organisation. These submissions should be forwarded directly to the offices of the SACQSP, and not to the offices of the ASAQS.

Members are advised to please take note of the following:

• The annual submissions of the CPD certificates are a matter for the SACQSP, and no longer the ASAQS
• The administration and capturing of the CPD process is handled exclusively by the SACQSP offices, with no involvement of the ASAQS
• The ASAQS, or the EduTech Centre of the ASAQS, is no longer involved in this record-keeping process in any form

Should any of these CPD submissions be submitted to the ASAQS offices in error, they will simply be forwarded to the offices of the SACQSP for their attention and records.

As in the past, the regional Chapter Committees of the ASAQS will continue to offer seminars, conferences and CPD functions to assist members to gain their CPD points. But the recording and submission of the CPD Compliance Certificates will be a matter for the SACQSP offices.

 REVISED TARIFF OF QS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES 2009

Members are advised that the updated Recommended Tariff of QS Professional Fees 2009 was submitted to the Government printers for gazetting on Friday 5 December 2008 and has come into effect on 01 January 2009.

Copies of the Recommended Tariff of QS Professional Fees 2009 are currently available on the SACQSP (www.sacqsp.org.za) website. We would strongly urge members to familiarise themselves with this new and updated document and to use this as the basis for all new appointments on projects this year.

 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 during 2009. 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.

 ASAQS TO OPEN UP NEW CHAPTER BRANCH IN THE UAE

Members will recall that they were last 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 this 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 !!

 BUILT ENVIRONMENT PROFESSIONS BILL WITHDRAWN BY MINISTER

Perhaps the most important news during the last few weeks of 2008 was the announcement of the Minister of Public Works, Minister Geoff Doidge, that the Built Environment Professions Bill has temporarily been withdrawn.

The following article that appeared in the Engineering News on Tuesday 18 November 2008 reported as follows:

The controversial Built Environment Professions Bill has been temporarily withdrawn, newly appointed Public Works Minister Geoff Doidge said on Tuesday, citing technical and legal issues.

The objective of the Built Environment Professions Bill was to foster the accelerated transformation of professions, such as engineering, architecture, and quantity surveying, and also proposes the establishment of a new South African Council for the Built Environment.

This supercouncil would incorporate all the existing professional councils, including the influential Engineering Council of South Africa, and transform them into subsidiary boards.

Addressing a media briefing in Cape Town, Minister Doidge explained that a number of the technical and legal details contained within the Bill overlapped and needed to be reworked before it could be tabled again in Parliament.

In addition, the Built Environment Professions Bill had not been subjected to the NEDLAC process whereby various public and private stakeholders had an opportunity to review the Bill.

Engineering News further reported that Minister Doidge said : "The built environment sector had been neglected, from a legislative perspective, since the 1960s and thus the promulgation of the Bill was essential to the regulation and transformation of the industry. The most significant challenge, at this stage, is to ensure that transformation can succeed without sending skills out of the country."

Minister Doidge expressed uncertainty as to whether the Bill would be tabled before the elections, which were scheduled for April next year.

However, if the Bill was not promulgated during this session of Parliament, Minister Doidge stated that the Bill would certainly be tabled during the next session.

So the proposed introduction and adoption the new Built Environment Professions Bill has been temporarily halted, as indicated by Minister Geoff Doidge. This is very significant and important news to the built environment and will come as a happy victory to many that have been fighting against the introduction of the Bill. 

But we must stress that this is merely a temporary reprieve of the introduction of the Bill, but it will at least offer the opportunity for stakeholders to make further recommendations to the draft Bill in line with industry requirements. No doubt further directives will follow in the months to come to clarify the issues further.

 DELAY IN PUBLICATION OF THE ASAQS "CENTENARY PUBLICATION"

As you will be aware, the ASAQS was celebrating the Centenary of the Association as a national organisation during 2008. To celebrate this historic milestone in the history of the ASAQS, there have been two main areas of focus of celebration:
• Centenary Gala Dinner in Gauteng (held on 18 October 2008)
• Centenary Publication ("A CENTURY OF QUANTITY SURVEYING IN SOUTH AFRICA" )

Although the initial indications were that the publication would be launched around November 2008, due to inevitable publishing delays this target date will sadly not be achieved and the anticipated publication date will be sometime early this year (probably around April 2009). We wish to apologise to the readers and advertisers alike for any inconvenience caused as a result of this delay.
 
Nevertheless, in order to finalise all material to be submitted to the editors of the publication (by end January 2009 latest), we would invite all QS practices to assist the ASAQS by furnishing us with interesting photos and memorabilia for possible inclusion in the publication. In particular we will have a chapter intitled "MAJOR PROJECTS" and we are specifically looking for photos for this chapter depicting interesting projects that may have some significance in the history of the ASAQS.
 
The intention for this chapter is really to be a pictorial collection of interesting projects without too much wording. We will however acknowledge the source of the photos by stating "Photo : Joe Bloggs Quantity Surveyors" and we hope to achieve a general overview of such major projects of general interest to the readers. We will not be in a position to list all the consultant firms that may have been involved on the respective projects.
 
We appeal for your support to make this chapter an interesting one.

 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).

 BEE RATING CERTIFICATE OF THE ASSOCIATION

Members are advised that should they require a BEE Rating Compliance Certificate from the ASAQS, that this is readily available from the ASAQS on request. The status that the ASAQS enjoys is as follows:

• Applicable Scorecard – Exempted Micro Enterprises
• Overall BEE Score – Level 4
• Procurement Recognition Level – 100%
• Date of Issue – 23 June 2008
• Expiry Date – 22 June 2009

Should you wish to download a copy of this certificate, please click here.Member firms are however advised that they still need to source their own BEE Rating Compliance Certificate for their own practices. The above certificate is merely applicable to the ASAQS office operations.

 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):

GAMA Conference 2009
15 to 18 March 2009 – Durban, KwaZulu Natal
Call for papers
Draft programme
Accompanying persons programme

Buildings & Finishings Expo 2009
17 to 19 March 2009 – Cape Town, Western Cape

The Fourth Built Environment Conference 2009
(Hosted jointly by ASOCSA and the CBE)
17 to 19 May 2009 – Livingstone, Zambia
1st Call for papers

ASAQS Conference 2009
21 to 22 May 2009 - Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

ICEC World Congress 2010
21 to 26 May 2010 – Singapore

AACE's 53rd Annual Meeting - Seattle, Washington
Sunday, June 28, 2009 through Wednesday, July 1, 2009

PAQS Conference 2009
17 to 19 August 2009 – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

RICS Legal Research Symposium 2009
10 to 11 September 2009 – Cape Town, Western Cape

SAFCEC Conference 2009
11 to 12 October 2009 – Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensberg

ICEC World Congress 2012
23 to 26 June 2012 – Durban, South Africa

Members are encouraged to plan ahead and to support these conferences/congresses !!

 JOIN ASAQS

Click here to find out more about becoming a member of ASAQS and gaining entry to our Closed Users Group.
Membership forms, fees, etc.

 CHAPTER CHAIRPERSONS

ASAQS have chapters in all the provinces in South Africa - if you need to contact our chapters download their contact details by clicking here.

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 CONTACT ASAQS

The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors
Postal address:
P.O. Box 3527
Halfway House 1685
Physical address:
Suite G6, Building 27
Thornhill Office Park
Bekker Road,
Vorna Valley Ext 21,
MIDRAND
Contact details:
Telephone : 011-3154140
Fax     : 011-3153785
E-mail    : association@asaqs.co.za
Office hours:
08h00 to 17h00

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