Consulting engineers warn of looming skills shortage
An ageing consulting engineering resource, an increase in emigration and a lack of new entrants, especially from previously disadvantaged communities, could spell serious trouble for future South African and African growth.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Development plan hits sour note in eThekwini
Durban - The eThekwini deputy mayor, Logie Naidoo, and the Wildlife Environment Society of Southern Africa (Wessa) have joined forces to prevent commercial development on a site adjacent to a sensitive wetland area on the Umhloti river, north of Umhlanga.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Buyout will lead to iProp winding up
PROPERTY group iProp will disappear entirely if the R83,9m (550c a share) management buyout proposal announced yesterday goes through. iProp became too small following the unbundling of its investment property assets into a new formation called iFour last year.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Black empowerment should be an inclusive process'
BLACK economic empowerment is not to be pursued as a standalone process, but as an integral part of the macroeconomic reforms in SA, foreign affairs acting director-general Abdul Minty said yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Salary rises drop below the inflation rate
Most companies adjust for instability. FOR the first time in eight years, salary increases in SA have fallen below inflation, according to a recent survey published by Deloitte & Touche Human Capital Corporation.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Bidding process for public-private health contracts set to begin in Western Cape
CAPE TOWN Western Cape's health department is set to open the bidding on two public-private partnerships that will accommodate the health-care services to be relocated from the dilapidated Conradie Hospital, which will close operations this year.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Proposed road fund will limit cash benefits
Flat-rate fuel levy to pay for new body. CAPE TOWN A judicial commission of inquiry has recommended the scrapping of the cash-strapped and controversial Road Accident Fund and replacing it with a new body that is run as a social-security scheme.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Cape Town must add jobs to R1bn invested
Cape Town - Investments of more than R1 billion in Cape Town's central business district (CBD) last year would remain just figures if the challenges of job creation and developing people were not addressed, mayor Nomaindia Mfeketo cautioned yesterday.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Black consortium to tender for nuclear contracts
Cape Town - The Silver Protea Nuclear Empowerment Consortium, the first black-owned nuclear firm, was hoping to tender for nuclear fuel supply and other contracts from the government as well as an equity stake in the company heading the nuclear pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) project.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Iscor shareholders give LNM more time to consult
Facing opposition to its partial offer for South Africa's Iscor, LNM Holdings won investor approval yesterday to adjourn a shareholders' meeting, allowing time for more talks with minorities.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Sasol director to head industry body
A Sasol oil director has been elected chairperson of the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA), a body that until recently refused membership to the South African-based petrochemical group.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Cape Town releases biodiversity strategy
Cape Town, one of only three cities in the world that rank as urban biodiversity 'hotspots', is to get a comprehensive strategy to preserve its unique natural assets.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Enviro study for KZN ferrochrome project starts
A scoping process, as part of an environmental impact assessment (EIA), is to be conducted for the proposed high carbon ferrochrome smelter, planned by Tata Iron and Steel Company.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Iscor mulls expansions at Vanderbijl, Saldanha
Following several years of rationalisation, steelmaker Iscor is considering two brownfields expansion opportunities.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Chapman’s Peak drive reconstruction starts
The Chapman’s Peak Drive reconstruction project has begun, almost three years after the scenic coastal route between Hout Bay and Noordhoek in the Western Cape was closed because of several hazardous rock falls.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

State plans to oppose squatter judgment
GOVERNMENT plans to appeal against a Pretoria High Court judgment compelling it to evict and provide housing for 40000 illegal squatters occupying part of a commercial farm in Benoni.The application for leave to appeal will prolong Abraham Duvenage's two-year struggle to have the squatters removed from 40ha of his 2300ha farm, Modderklip.
(©www.bday.co.za)

By 2005 Sacu could have 5 trade deals
The Southern African Customs Union (Sacu), which announced last week that it was pursuing free-trade agreements (FTAs) with the world’s largest economy, could have as many as five FTAs in place by the time the US deal is concluded at the end of 2004.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Local company completes R22m order
East Rand-based pipe manufacturer, Amiantit Pipe Systems Africa (Apsa), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Saudi stock exchange-listed Amiantit group, has received an order to supply water pipes to Turkmenistan.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

2002 a boom year for pipe and tube industry
Last year was a good year for the pipe and tube market in South Africa, mostly as a result of a boom in the mining industry, especially the platinum industry.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Currency gains hit exporters hard
While economy experts, government and importers are optimistic and excited about the strengthening of the local currency, exporters are currently mourning the turn of events after enjoying 12 months of good profitability when the local currency reached its weakest levels.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

Striving for quality an essential life skill, says national institute
The South African Quality Institute (SAQI) regards quality not only as a business imperative, but also as an essential life skill that is as fundamental to the success of individuals and companies as literacy and numeracy.
(©www.engineeringnews.co.za)

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Retail barometer LVMH lightens the gloom
Luxury products giant LVMH, which is a barometer for the global retail industry, yesterday put some glamour in the economic gloom, with strong sales and operating profit, and forecasts of more growth.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Cape Town's centre draws R1bn
CAPE TOWN Investment levels in Cape Town's central business district exceeded R1bn last year, indicating that the revitalisation of the city centre was being sustained.
(©www.bday.co.za)

RAG was a threat to McCarthy's survival
MCCARTHY might have liquidated its 96%-held subsidiary Retail Apparel Group (RAG) two years before it ultimately failed had McCarthy not risked being plunged into insolvency itself, CEO Brand Pretorius testified yesterday.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Woolworths plans to plant its flag in Saudi Arabia
Cape Town - Top-end clothing and food retailer Woolworths Holdings, which already does business in the Persian Gulf, has confirmed it is planning to push strongly into Saudi Arabia, a country it believes offers good growth potential. (©www.busrep.co.za)

NuClicks lines up its health agenda
Cape Town - Energy in the year ahead at New Clicks Holdings (NuClicks) would go towards converting associate company Purchase Milton & Associates (PM&A) into a successful retail pharmacy chain.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

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SARS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO CAPITAL GAINS TAX
SARS has released a Comprehensive Guide to Capital Gains Tax for public comment. This Guide is available on the SARS website: http://www.sars.gov.za (look under legislation – policy documents – policy guidelines). The Guide is intended to assist the public and SARS personnel in gaining a more in-depth understanding of CGT. SARS intends to publish a final version of the Guide early in 2003. (©www.safcec.org.za)

SAFCEC EXPORT
D.R.C. profile first copy. SOLD OUT!!! Get the second print now!!
A COUNTRY ABOUT TO BOOM!
Get the SAFCEC EXPORT CD –DRC COUNTRY PROFILE – 31 megabytes of information, write your thesis from this collection of country info.!
Only R200+VAT [worth R2500] Collect Now from SAFCEC EXPORT 011 455 1700; export@safcec.org.za
(©www.safcec.org.za)

TRAINING
For more training information, visit the Safcec website at http://www.safcec.org.za/news
(©www.safcec.org.za)

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Nigerain gas company signs $1,06 billion loan package
The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company on Tuesday signed a $ 1.06-billion-dollar loan package with a consortium of 19 foreign banks, to build two trains for Africa’s largest ongoing project.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Newmont plans to develop in Ghana
Newmont Mining Corp., the world's largest gold producer, said it plans to spend up to 450 million to develop mines at two deposits in Ghana.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Kenya in the running again for foreign loans
The International Monetary Fund could resume lending to Kenya from July - almost three years after it suspended support to the country over concerns about corruption.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Blair falling short in his approach to Mugabe
British leader's diplomatic failure on Zimbabwe exemplifies flaws in African policy COMPARED with Harold Macmillan, a Conservative prime minister, current British Prime Minister Tony Blair has, thus far, performed disappointingly in his African policy.
(©www.bday.co.za)

US gives Zimbabwe $20m in food aid
The US government announces a new $20m food programme for Zimbabwe to assist some of the eight million people threatened by famine.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Britain pledges support for Kenya
NAIROBI British Secretary of State for International Development Clare Short pledged yesterday to help the new Kenyan government achieve its development goals, the two countries said in a statement.
(©www.bday.co.za)

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Anglo to sell stake in Anaconda Nickel
Global commodity giant Anglo American has announced its intention to sell its stake in Australian mining company Anaconda Nickel.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Nedbank funds mining empowerment
Nedbank Corporate (NED), through its Capital Markets Division, has facilitated Africa Vanguard Resource's (AVR) 26% participation in the Randfontein Doornkop South Reef project with Harmony.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Harmony to invest R1,2bn in Doornkop
Resources Correspondent HARMONY Gold is to invest R1,27bn to develop the mothballed Doornkop gold project at its Randfontein operation in SA. Empowerment company Africa Vanguard Resources (AVR), headed by Sandile Zungu, will be Harmony's empowerment partner in the project.
(©www.bday.co.za)

Tribunal to hear Anglo appeal in Kumba case next month
The Competition Tribunal hearing into Anglo American’s acquisition of large stakes in Kumba Resources and Anglovaal Mining has been delayed again, with the matter being referred to the Competition Appeal Court once more.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Lonmin costs to rise on furnace woes
The world's third-biggest listed platinum miner, Lonmin, said on Friday that its metal output would fall and costs rise after an explosion damaged its Western Platinum smelter in South Africa last month.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Rand helps boost Palabora’s earnings
South African copper miner, Palabora Mining Company reported a group profit for the year of R257-million yesterday, up 17% on the R220-million achieved in 2001.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Work to begin on R1,27bn gold project
South African gold producer Harmony Gold yesterday announced that it would proceed with a R1,27-billion ($140,6-million), three-phase mining project in Gauteng and that construction would commence with immediate effect.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Exploration firm optimistic on Balfour gold prospect
South African exploration company Pangea appears set to turn yet another mineral deposit into a successful mine. The Burnstone gold prospect, which Southgold Exploration – a company partially owned by Pangea – has been scrutinising during the last three years, could become an operating mine in three years, if current investigations come to fruition.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

Work intensifies on gold-loan scheme
Of the projects which were outlined in the R1,5-million Kaiser report on methods to enhance South Africa’s jewellery sector, materials-financing and export-promotion stand out as having gathered the most momentum since Adrian du Plessis was appointed to head the Jewellery Council’s support services group.
(©www.miningweekly.co.za)

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Homenet, Bond Choice seal mortgage joint venture deal
Pretoria - Homenet, one of the largest independent estate agency groups, has entered into a joint venture agreement with Bond Choice, a mortgage originator.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Our forecast for real estate 2003
With the coastal schools having re-opened this week, the holiday season is officially over, and it's time to plan for what the rest of the year is likely to bring in the real estate arena.
(©www.property24.co.za)

International events showcase SA golf estates
Exposure gained during international golf events continues to stimulate interest in property ownership on South African golf estates.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Spotlight on: East London
Prospects for the residential property market in East London in 2003 are the best they've been in years - and will no doubt be further improved as the industrial development zone (IDZ) takes shape and a new toll road opens up areas along the city's 'northern' coast.
(©www.property24.co.za)

Now residential owners get own 'voice'
A national organisation has been formed to promote the interests of residential property owners. The Residential Property Owners Association (Respoa) will soon start lobbying government to broaden the formal housing market and reduce the cost of acquiring property.
(©www.property24.co.za)

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Bird-watching techniques can teach you how to feather your nest
Recognising industry patterns and anticipating change are core competencies for executives. In an interesting article in the November 2002 issue of the Harvard Business Review, two leading US bird experts were interviewed on pattern recognition when identifying birds. The article noted that naturalists rely on their ability to spot patterns to make sense of their surroundings. Although ornithology may seem far removed from the fast-paced world of business, bird-watching techniques can teach business how to discern trends from seemingly random events. This in itself may become a competitive advantage, allowing managers to capitalise on opportunities before they become apparent to others.
(©www.busrep.co.za)

Some Nations Only Have Themselves to Blame
The Fourth Quarterly Cost Report shows how national economic policies can dramatically affect construction costs. In the exclusive international cost survey prepared for ENR by Gardiner and Theobald, London, global cost activity in 2002 ranged from significant deflation of 7.1% in Hong Kong to a 91% increase in Argentina.
(©enr.construction.com)

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Strong golds fail to inspire JSE
The JSE was flat at noon on Wednesday, despite an exceptionally strong gold price.
(©www.bday.co.za)

180m jobless globally - ILO
The International Labour Organisation says the number of unemployed people in the world reached a record 180 million at the end of last year, 20 million more than at the beginning of 2001 and 80 million more than in 1990.
(©www.news24.com)

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New Act to streamline investment
Johannesburg - A leading tax expert has expressed concern about the lack of an adequate regulatory tax framework to deal with the implications of the impending Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) Act, which comes into effect early next year. (©www.news24.com)

Rand remains firm in noon trade
The rand remained firm in noon trade on Friday as dealers covered their shorts after the local currency rallied on Thursday on the back of a spike in the price of gold and platinum.
(©www.news24.com)

Questions over LNM's Iscor offer
Johannesburg - The bid for Iscor shares by controversial LNM Holdings was set back last week by reports that institutional shareholders may vote against LNM's partial offer.
(©www.news24.com)

Strong rand cuts profit forecasts
The earnings forecast are expected to fall as the market starts to factor in a firmer rand scenario, the Merrill Lynch survey shows.
(©www.bday.co.za)

JOIN US FOR THE 2003 JOHANNESBURG GOLF DAY
VENUE: Wanderers Golf Club
DATE: Tuesday 25 February 2003
COMPETITION: Four-ball Alliance 2 to count
COST: R600 per four-ball
Click here to download the entry form

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the EIGHTH Annual General Meeting of the Gauteng Chapter will be held on Tuesday 18 February 2003 at 7:00 for 7:30 at the Protea Hotel in Midrand.
Note: 2 CPD points will be earned for attending this meeting
Click here to obtain full details in PDF format

SCAM WATCH
We warned colleagues during last year of a dangerous scam that is directed at professionals in the construction industry. It seems that these gangsters are still on the loose and Gary Margison of Johannesburg almost fell prey to them recently.
The essence of the scam is:
1. a phone call to get you interested in new work in an outlying area
2. you are to meet with either high-ranking ANC or government officials.
3. the caller then arranges to meet you at a certain time in an isolated location.
4. where his buddies are ready to pounce.
The caller (Ben - cellphone number 0731489325) tried to lure Garry into a basement parking area in Commisioner Street. He luckily parked on a side-street and "Ben" then switched off his cellphone and disappeared.
A number of quantity surveyors have now been subjected to the same scam - PLEASE BE ALERT when dealing with clients who are not willing to meet you on your own turf.
Thanks to Gary for taking the time to write and warn us.

The ASAQS website has been updated
You will find new information in the CUG where the latest rates from DPW have been published. We have also placed a number of logo's within the New Document section which you should find useful during document preparation.

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

Seen on Classifieds:
Snr. Q.S.
Snr. q.s. required. 5 - 10 years exp. within Mining/structural/housing industry. To start A.S.A.P. Excellent co. R. Neg. Call Charlener (011) 234 6666/8

Remember: Visit the ASAQS website for new updates!

New members to the CUG

Lawrence Evans

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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