Changing rules worry developers
THE preconstruction phase of property development projects may be extended by changes to environmental regulations. Developers say the changes, which have been introduced quietly, will catch many by surprise.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Property training offered to 100 black graduates
PROPERTY training specialist Courtwell Consulting plans to train up to 100 unemployed black graduates interested in the commercial property sector. The Courtwell training comes against a background of growing disenchantment over the slow pace of transformation in the property industry.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Melrose Arch funds R1,1m taxi rank at Birnam
MELROSE Arch, a mixed-use development in the north of Johannesburg, has funded development of the R1,1m Birnam taxi rank, which is to begin operations this week.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Martprop look set for growth as market turns
THE deals concluded by property unit trust Martprop in the past few months, combined with improved industrial sector prospects could restore the group's fortunes.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Ramaphosa takes first step into property sector
POLITICIAN turned businessman Cyril Ramaphosa has ventured into the property development business through a joint venture with Investec Bank and Rabie Property Projects and Cavcor Property Group. Ramaphosa's business Millennium Consolidated Investment (MCI) came into this joint initiative with another black empowerment company, Majo Property Development.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Spearhead and Lukhanyo form partnership
PROPERTY loan stock company Spearhead Property Holdings and black empowerment group Lukhanyo have formed a joint venture property trading operation. The move adds to a string of partnerships being formed between established property companies and black empowerment groups, amid mounting pressure on the property industry to transform.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Company puts premium on Pretoria
A NARROW geographical focus is considered a weakness in the property sector, but Premium Properties is boasting about its 98% exposure to Pretoria on the basis that every property in the portfolio is never more than 20 minutes drive away.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Local government rates bill published for comment
THE Local Government Property Rates Bill which is aimed at boosting municipal revenues was published for public comment yesterday, and it compels SA's 284 local authorities not to tax the first R15 000 of the value of all residential properties.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Weighing pros and cons of SA free-trade strategy
Pretoria and Washington are looking at joining the flurry of bilateral negotiations IF SA Washington's recent US offer to negotiate a free-trade area between the US and the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) will it be a building or a stumbling block on the way to global trade liberalisation?
(©www.bday.co.za)

US investors impressed with SA
But South Africa is told that a lawsuit against US companies for their alleged complicity with the apartheid regime is 'not a helpful factor' in efforts to grow investment here.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Donors rethink SA aid strategies
SA IS hardly the country most in need of foreign aid. While its distribution of income and assets are among the most unequal in the world, government has far more scope than its counterparts in most other developing nations for financing its own initiatives.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Proposed erection of facility on wetland site provokes an outcry
A DECISION by KwaZulu-Natal's environmental affairs department allowing a Richard's Bay chemical handling company to build on a "rare pristine wetland" site near the harbour town, has provoked an outcry from environmentalists.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Women contractors clinch Coega housing deals
Johannesburg - The Coega Development Corporation had awarded six housing deals to women contractors as part of its procurement policy to empower historically disadvantaged individuals, the corporation said yesterday.
(@www.busrep.co.za)

Cambridge discovery threatens to collapse aluminium, stainless steel markets
An accidental discovery by Cambridge University academics that could slash the price of titanium by up to 75 percent threatens to collapse aluminium and stainless steel markets. This would have enormous repercussions for southern Africa.
(@www.busrep.co.za)

R847m stainless steel expansion for SA
South African stainless steel firm, Columbus Stainless – 64%-owned by Acerinox SA and with Samancor, Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) each holding 12% – announced a R847-million investment package yesterday.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

TRIPS deal may be sealed by March
The South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said yesterday that agreement on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS) and public health, between members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), could be reached early next year.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

SA industries set to benefit from agreement with Russia
South Africa’s agricultural sector and other exporting industries are set to benefit immensely from the joint trade and economic agreements signed by Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Russian deputy Prime Minister Valentina Matviyenko in Pretoria yesterday.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

SA holding group lifts earnings in first half of 2002
South African holding group Remgro lifted first-half earnings by almost a third last week, thanks to increased contributions from its stakes in tobacco and industrial companies.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

Comment period extended for Gautrain
The date for public comment on the draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed Gautrain Rapid Rail Link has been extended. Bohlweki Environmental, the independent consultancy appointed to undertake the EIA, went through a comprehensive biophysical and socio-economic evaluation process to recommend a route alignment with the least environmental impact, and which also remains technically and financially feasible.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

LPGas body to develop safety rules
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Safety Association will, in consultation with the industry, develop national safety standards for LPGas, in terms of a memorandum of understanding signed this week.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

IDC supporting BEE ventures worth R5,6bn
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has financed black economic empowerment (BEE) deals worth R5,6-billion since 1990. Altogether, 625 emerging entrepreneurs have benefited from the development-finance institution’s empowerment-financing scheme during this period.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

A strong revival in techno fund's fortunes
The National Research Foundation (NRF) has rejuvenated the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (Thrip) it manages on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

Enquiries flow for chemical incubator
South Africa’s only national chemical technology incubator, Chemin, which was established in April this year as part of government’s Godisa programme to enhance the technology content and global competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, has received a number of enquiries from interested entrepreneurs.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

Fuel-cells part of rail group’s future plans
Rail transport company Spoornet is considering the potential for conversion to fuel-cell technology as part of its long-term technical programme.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

New international airline flies to SA
Sobelair, Belgium's oldest airline, is to introduce a new scheduled service between Brussels and Johannesburg, the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has announced. The new service is Sobelair's first scheduled long-haul service and it is also the first long-haul service launched at Johannesburg International Airport in the last four years. Sobelair, a Belgian company, is to fly three times a week to Johannesburg, operating a two-class Boeing 767-300 with 236 seats.
(©www.bday.co.za)

SAFCEC NEWS

NEW PRESIDENT FOR IMESA
The Institution of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa has announced the appointment of its new President. He is Mr Alwyn Laubscher who is Executive Director: Development Services, City of Cape Town.
(©www.safcec.org.za)

GUARANTEES
It has been brought to SAFCEC’s notice that Municipalities are increasingly requiring tenderers to submit an undertaking to provide the necessary Surety should they be eventually awarded the contract. This amounts to a tender guarantee and has a severe effect on contractors as the bank deducts the amount from their available overdraft facility.In order to mitigate the situation, members are requested to advise SAFCEC of the magnitude of the problem by completing the attached questionnaire and returning it to SAFCEC Head Office as soon as possible.Click here for the questionnaire.
(©www.safcec.org.za)

SAFCEC EXPORT
YEAR END INTERACTIVE FUNCTION
MONDAY 25th NOVEMBER at SAFCEC BOARDROOM – 16:00 Until…………………
SNACKS served along with ‘those friends’ CHARLES GLASS, JOHNNY WALKER and CAPTAIN MORGAN. VERY QUICK BRIEFING, 10-15 MINUTES THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY PROJECT and MAPUTO, SAFCEC POSITION WITH THE DTI, NEPAD PROGRESS. WEST AFRICA CHARTER MISSION.
Meet officials from the Dti, IDC, BNPARIBAS, Zambezi Valley Project.
Confirmations to SAFCEC: export@safcec.org.za
Tel: Paul or Rosette 011 455 1700
LATE CONFIRMATIONS CALL NOW!
(©www.safcec.org.za)

TRAINING FEEDBACK
Deputy Chairperson CETA Council
Mr. Ian Holmes (Murray & Roberts) was elected Deputy Chairman of the CETA Council on Wednesday, 20 November 2002. We would like to congratulate him and wish him well in assisting the CETA Council with strategic direction and leadership in these very exciting and challenging times in education and training in South Africa.
(©www.safcec.org.za)

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Retailers snap up space in new mall
LEASES have been signed for 80% of the space at Liberty Midlands Mall, a R260m retail development under construction in Maritzburg. The development was initiated by Investec Property Group and RMB Properties, but was sold to Liberty Life Properties. Letting management of the development, which will open in September next year, is with Investec.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Wholesale sales rise in 2002
Five of the nine types of wholesalers, excluding wholesalers in diamonds, reflected increases in real wholesale trade sales during the first nine months of this year.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Hall hits at high price of mad' governance
Hawton to take chair at Woolworths. The overemphasis on corporate governance was killing business activity in SA, departing Woolworths chairman Colin Hall said yesterday, when presiding over his last annual general meeting.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Body seeks protection for small business
THE Restaurant and Food Services Association of SA, which represents small tenants, is pushing for the establishment of a statutory body to protect its members from abuse by landlords. Association chairman Costa Paizes says it appears that abuse of small tenants by commercial property owners is increasing.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Nothing but demolition will do
THE chance of an out-ofcourt settlement in the dispute over the extended entrance of The Mall in Rosebank looks slim. The London-based investor who applied for the court order to demolish the extension, Stephen le Roith, says he will not consider a settlement that does not have demolition as a precondition.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Shoprite buys Madagascar's Champion supermarket group
LEADING SA grocery retailer the Shoprite Group has taken a further step to becoming a player in the rest of Africa by acquiring the Champion supermarket group in Madagascar for an undisclosed amount. Shoprite, which has retail outlets across the continent, has now taken control of the five supermarkets and one distribution centre on the Indian Ocean island with effect from October 28.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Kauai gets healthy R5,8m growth finance from IDC
CAPE TOWN Health food and juice company Kauai has secured a R5,8m financing facility from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to develop its joint venture franchise programmes, CEO Herman Redelinghuys said yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)

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Ruling on squatters backs property rights
Agriculture Correspondent IN A precedent-setting judgment in the Pretoria High Court yesterday, government was found liable for failing to carry out an order for the eviction of 40000 illegal squatters from privately owned land in Benoni.
(©www.bday.co.za)

A ruling to cheer private landowners
The state must now come up with a plan to evict the squatters or buy the land. SEVENTY-one year old Abraham Duvenage is cheered by the fact that 40000 squatters on his farm are to be removed, or that the state will have to buy that land even though it may take awhile. His case may also give other large landowners in SA reason to cheer.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Land Bank gets a thumbs up from Fitch Ratings
THE Land Bank has maintained its longterm rating of AA minus from international ratings agency, Fitch Ratings. This after posting a 9,2% increase in operating income to R885,7m in its year-end to December 2001.
(©www.bday.co.za)

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Cooking with gas
Sasol is carefully protecting its Mozambique gas project against political risk.
(©www.bday.co.za)

US trade representative lauds Agoa success story
Outgoing US Trade Representative for Africa Rosa Whitaker has lauded the implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) as one of the proudest achievements of her four-year stay.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Hunger gives sharp edge to modified foods debate
Amid regional crisis, SA alone has licensed production of genetically altered crops POLARISED and also illinformed, the debate under way in SA on genetically modified crops should really be described as a propaganda war. The issue has a particular edge to it right now, as neighbouring countries confront a growing hunger crisis and face the dilemma of either accepting donated modified food, or letting thousands starve to death.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Stanbic plans to boost Zimbabwean unit
Standard Bank, SA's largest bank by market value, plans to recapitalise its Zimbabwean operation when that country's political situation improves.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Zim: Mbeki's plea to investors
South African President Thabo Mbeki has said he is working hard to resolve Zimbabwe's political and economic problems, in an apparent bid to reassure investors.
(@www.news24.com)

Nigeria awards power contracts to Chinese firms
Nigeria said on Wednesday it had awarded contracts totalling $720-million and €390-million ($391,3-million) to two Chinese firms to build three new gas turbines, aimed at boosting the African country's power generation.
(@www.engineeringnews.com)

Malawi must revise budget before lending resumes, says IMF
Blantyre - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has told Malawi's government to sort out some "pressure points" in its current budget before lending to the impoverished southern African nation can be resumed, a report said Wednesday.
(@www.busrep.co.za)

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Poland to revamp its coal industry
Poland will cut 35,000 jobs and close seven mines as part of a sweeping restructuring of its loss-making coal industry.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Anglo-Kumba ruling process at square one
Johannesburg - The Competition Commission said yesterday that the appeal by Anglo American and Kumba Resources against the appointment of an independent economic adviser had set the process back by a month or two.
(@www.busrep.co.za)

Goldcorp aims to buy producer
Goldcorp, the Canadian precious metals miner, is planning to acquire up to 200,000 ounces a year of gold production as part of its plan to produce 1m ounces annually by 2005.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Mining charter enjoys investor support
Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka assured mining industry stakeholders yesterday that foreign investors were both confident and supportive of SA's new mining empowerment charter.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Gencor opposes class action as 37 seek payment for asbestos-related diseases
SA Mining company, Gencor, has contested the basis for a class action in SA. The challenge in the Johannesburg High Court yesterday meant it had enough money, if found liable, to settle the claims of the 37 mineworkers who all say they contracted asbestosrelated diseases while working for companies linked to Gencor.
(©www.bday.co.za

Deal could hit metals
Prices for palladium and platinum could come under pressure from a market-share war in the vehicle catalyst.
(©www.bday.co.za

Government talks to banks about cards
Government is engaged in discussions with banks about the possible use of credit cards to buy petrol.
(©www.bday.co.za

High capacity cold-rolling mill for Middelburg
Ferrostaal may now review Coega investment Trade and Industry Editor COLUMBUS Stainless announced yesterday that it is to invest in a new coldrolling mill at its Middelburg complex, as part of a R1bn investment programme.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Gold demand remains weak in Q3
Global gold demand remained weak in the third quarter of 2002, but the decline began to abate as consumers adjusted to higher prices, the industry-backed World Gold Council (WGC) said yesterday.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Gold firm has aggressive exploration plan
The proceeds of its Nasdaq listing plus record third quarter profits added up to some $60-million in cash on the Randgold Resources balance sheet at end-September.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

SA miners predict rising gold price next year
The outlook for the gold price in 2003 is bright – despite the sluggish global economy – as supplies become tighter, the heads of two of South Africa's largest gold miners said last week.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Gold junior reports record output
Toronto and AIM-listed Thistle Mining has increased its gold production again in the third quarter of the year, which at nearly 50 000 ounces is 18% ahead of the first quarter of the current year.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Extension in Alexkor privatisation bidding process
The bidding process for the sale of 51% of State-owned diamond miner Alexkor has been extended until Friday, November 29, 2002.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Canadian miner pours first gold from Australian mine
Canadian nickel miner LionOre Mining International had a double hit of news this week, saying it had poured gold from its first gold mine and discovered a new nickel sulphide deposit, both in western Australia.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Gold deal opens way for study of SA gold resource
Canadian miner Great Basin Gold has announced that it has entered into an option agreement with a private South African company, Southgold Exploration, and its shareholders.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Diamond Fields’ battle heats up
Canadian miner, Diamond Fields International announced that it has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of the Yukon Territory.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Harmony close to decision on Doornkop
South Africa’s third-largest gold miner, Harmony, says it is close to making an announcement regarding its Doornkop South Reef project at Randfontein, Mining Weekly Online learned yesterday.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Mining scorecard clock is ticking
Johannesburg - Minister of minerals and energy Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has urged the drafters of the scorecard to be used to measure compliance with the mining industry's empowerment charter to hurry up and get the work done.
(@www.busrep.co.za)

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Builder pumping millions into Tuscan-styled villa in Waterkloof
GAUTENG-based builder Rudan Maritz is pumping millions of rands into the development of a home he hopes to sell for about R20m in Waterkloof Ridge, an upmarket Pretoria suburb.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Housing on Joburg's outskirts performs best
PRICES for houses on the outskirts of Johannesburg, especially on the east and west Rand, are outperforming all other regions in SA.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Parking garage to be converted into flats
THE owner of a redundant Germiston parking garage is converting it into a block of flats. Property market commentators say investors are beginning to realise the value in the flat-letting business.
(©www.bday.co.za)

On taking ownership of your new home
Many buyers aren't sure when they can move into their new home - or when it will actually become theirs.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Flat rentals taking a short breather
Growth in flat rentals around the country has slowed significantly - but the relief for tenants is not expected to last long.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Spotlight on: Ballito
Residential property hot-spot Ballito is closing a year of record sales with an increasingly critical stock shortage. But what sets KwaZulu-Natal's prime north coast venue apart from so many other areas after nearly two years of boom conditions is that relief is in sight.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Slicing up the parking pie in gated communities
While most homes in cluster developments, estates and other gated communities have garaging, residents would often like additional permanent parking or storage areas for trailers, bikes, boats and caravans.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Eastern Cape coast springs to life
Within the next few years, St Francis Bay could become as well known for its smorgasbord as it is now for yellowtail, and fresh-caught chokka bought straight off a local boat.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Golding defends home sales to foreigners
Pretoria - Pam Golding Properties (PGP) group chief executive Andrew Golding has defended the sale of residential properties to foreign investors, emphasising that these sales represented only about 1 percent of total residential sales.
(@www.busrep.co.za)

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The Construction Contract Series
From lump sum contracts to cost plus, these articles covers them all.
Cost Plus Contracts
Cost Plus Contracts--the better solution.
(©www.construction.about.com)

CPM Central
More than just scheduling, CPM's are the way to go to schedules:
How to Extract Schedule Input Information
Have you every been frustrated in not being able to obtain information needed for a CPM schedule? - here are some tips to help.
(©www.construction.about.com)

Shaping up
Concrete has come a long way since the first concrete high rise was built in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1903. Kate Price reports.
(©www.intlconstruction.com)

Super spans
Bridges 50km-plus are technically possible and financially viable. Brian O’Sullivan talks to Danish bridge consultant COWI.
(©www.intlconstruction.com)

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Rand hits new year high
The rand barrelled to its best level for 2002 on Friday on mainly offshore demand, boosting bonds and fuelling hopes of more gains next week when a raft of domestic news hits the market.
(@www.news24.com)

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JSE up in line international markets
The JSE Securities Exchange South Africa opened up on Thursday in line with international markets after the Dow Jones industrial average close 1.75% higher overnight.
(©www.bday.co.za)

JSE: The week ahead
Johannesburg - All eyes will be on the South African central bank next week as the Johannesburg bourse braces for an announcement on interest rates on Thursday, which could affect financial and retail stocks.
(@www.news24.com)

Global gold demand down 7%
Global gold demand fell 7% year on year during the third quarter of 2002, the World Gold Council says.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Price competition
The lowest priced tender may be tempting — but does it provide best value? iC’s contracts expert Roger Knowles investigates…
Roger Knowles
(©www.intlconstruction.com)

African Real Estate Society (AfRES)
4th International Conference on Real Estate in Africa
Wednesday 12 March to Thursday 13 March 2003

Call for Papers and Registration
The 4th conference is planned for Kenya. It will again be sponsored jointly by the RICS Foundation and regional bodies.
Submission of Abstracts: Prospective presenters are encouraged to submit abstracts for papers (maximum 2 pages) electronically by no later than 31 December 2002. Keeping to this deadline is of critical importance to the Conference Organising Committee for planning purposes. Please submit your abstract electronically by e-mailing it to the following addressee: Dr Washington Olima: wolima@uonbi.ac.ke

More details from Valmond Ghyoot.
(Photograph of the Masai Mara by Riel Franzsen taken from the AfRes website.)

Important dates from the ASAQS Calendar
Event : SA Council for the QS Profession Executive Meeting
Date : November 26, 2002
Time : 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Event : ASAQS Marketing Committee
Date : December 10, 2002
Time : 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Event : ASAQS Executive Committee
Date : December 11, 2002
Time : 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

For more information on the above events contact Len Harris director@mweb.co.za or phone 011 315 4140

Click here to view the ASAQS Calendar or add events to it

Seen on Classifieds:
COMMERCIAL MANAGER
with 10 - 15 yrs exp as snr Quantity Surveyor. Knowledge of Contract and Construction law and exp on large contracts. Resp for Contract management, new bus dev & training. Blue chip co., excellent package
QUANTITY SURVEYOR(S)
B.Sc. Q.S. / Const Surveyor's Dip with 3 - 5 yrs exp. Duties inc: Measurement, costing, filing, reporting. Comp lit advantageous. Blue chip co., excellent package.

Remember: Visit the ASAQS website for new updates!

New members to the CUG

Chris Liebenberg
Arno Barnard
Duncan Shaw
Anthony Mercure
Geraldine Steyn
Mfundiso Ncapayi

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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