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While some industries in South Africa’s beleaguered economy are recovering to pre-pandemic levels, the construction industry is amongst several industries that have not recuperated, with Statistics SA reporting that the industry has contracted further this year and is 24% smaller than it was before the pandemic.

Uncertainty in the industry, underpinned by little to no movement on government infrastructure and other projects, is expected to result in more players in the industry closing their doors, with the concomitant loss of jobs and skills.

Against this backdrop, national contractor GVK-Siya Zama’s Western Cape business reveals a stable business on track to record a favourable year with two large projects currently underway: the conversion of Cape Town station into a mixed-use retail and student accommodation development and the construction of Great Oaks, a luxury retirement village and lifestyle centre in Constantia.

GVK-Siya Zama Cape managing director, Chris Maughan, says both projects are on track for completion in November 2023. “To ensure we meet our 2023 delivery date for the conversion of R913 million Cape Town Station, we’ve had to plan the global resourcing of components carefully to accommodate supply chain disruptions.”

Located on the corners of Strand, Adderley and Old Marine Drive in Cape Town’s CBD, the 20-storey structure will incorporate more than 3,000 purpose-built student rooms, 6,700m² of retail space and a public square when complete.

The Great Oaks development is a R326 million project for Constantia Life Developers and entails construction of a lifestyle centre, 53 luxury cottages and 30 high-end apartments.

In addition to these greenfields builds, the business is currently involved in two framework projects: one for the University of Stellenbosch Engineering faculty, and another with the Western Cape Education Department for the improvement of several schools in the province. This framework is focused on bringing school buildings up to standard for the comfort and safety of learners and educators.

Maughan says GVK-Siya Zama’s resilience and adaptability in challenging circumstances can largely be attributed to the diverse skills in the construction company’s team. “Many of our employees joined us when they were students and have progressed in the company, gaining invaluable experience and deep insight into the industry over the years.”

Another key contributor to the longevity of the business, which has been around since the 1960s, is its leadership team. Maughan himself grew up in the business and spent many a school holiday in the construction trenches. Following a stint in the United Kingdom in the 1990s, where he worked on restoration sites for a sister company, he returned to South Africa and GVK in Cape Town and has worked his way through the ranks from student to managing director.

Maughan and his team are focused on maintaining a stable business that can withstand the ebb and flow of a sometimes unpredictable and volatile industry.

Originally the springboard of the group’s national activities, today GVK-Siya Zama maintains its reputation as a key contractor in the Western Cape, having transformed from a predominantly painting and restoration outfit to a main contractor with the ability to tackle mega projects with values exceeding R1 billion.

Globally trusted infrastructure firm AECOM has played a key role in developing a 25-year integrated transport plan for Gauteng, the economic heart of South Africa, in addition to being the lead consultant for the Gautrain project. “You cannot build yourself out of congestion with roads,” comments Chris Britz, Director: Transport, Africa.

“How do we develop the province’s public transport system in an integrated manner to address the transport challenges faced at that stage, which were mainly associated with congestion. Since then, there has been a growing recognition of the transport sector’s contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the main contributor to global warming,” explains Britz.

On average, the transportation sector contributes 8% to 10% of South Africa’s total GHG emissions, a figure that skyrockets to 40% in urban areas. In addition, 60% of road trips undertaken are in private vehicles.

Therefore, sustainable transport systems have several legs: reducing travel, facilitating shifts in travel patterns from private to public and from motorised transport to non-motorised transport, and from road to rail, both in terms of people and freight, although freight poses a bigger challenge as not all cargo can be transported efficiently by rail.

Other factors coming into play are smart cities and intelligent transport solutions to manage transport systems more effectively and the demand for travel, especially in peak periods. The transition to new propulsion technologies, such as electric and potentially green hydrogen propelled vehicles is also essential. The green hydrogen market is viewed as a significant opportunity for economic growth and job creation in South Africa and some feasibility studies are already under way. “The initial thinking regarding green hydrogen for vehicle propulsion is aimed at freight vehicles,” notes Britz.

Research has identified hydrogen vehicles as an increasingly viable alternative to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The enhanced range and rapid refuelling compare favourably with BEVs. These positives have led to significant investment by car manufacturers, including Hyundai, Toyota and BMW and should translate into increasingly popular products over the next five years. However, the challenges with green hydrogen remain storage and its transportation. “Its viability as an alternative source of propulsion is likely to increase significantly,” predicts Britz.

As far as e-mobility goes, a major driver as many countries plan to phase out the internal combustion engine soon, Britz argues it presents a major opportunity for South Africa’s automotive manufacturing industry. This is a significant sector of the South African economy as it exports locally made electric vehicles and parts to developed countries and beyond. In the broader picture, Volkswagen Africa’s Business Development Director Serge Kamuhinda has been quoted as stating that Africa has abundant green energy to shape the future of mobility, which stands to become an economic imperative.¹

While the Just Energy Transition in South Africa relates mainly to the transition from coal-based power generation, Britz argues it is equally applicable to the transport sector. “In the end, the solution to reduce travel is the integration of economic, land use transport and transport development, which represents the biggest medium- to long-term intervention we stand to make in this regard. However, it is not going to happen overnight and will take many years to bear fruit.”

The challenge of delivering effective transport systems in South Africa is compounded by pre-1994 urban planning and conurbation. This concentrated the working class into settlements and areas far removed from the major urban centres. “The starting point is integrating transport, land use and economic development. If that is not done in an optimally integrated manner, then the transport systems by design cannot be effective,” cautions Britz.

Transport systems must also be resilient and capable of withstanding extreme weather events such as the recent catastrophic flooding in KwaZulu-Natal, which dealt a major blow to the economy of the province and the country. “How do you look at infrastructure from the perspective of resilience? What are your contingency plans to mitigate the economic fallout from such events?” questions Britz.

Another critical factor in the transport sector is job creation and social cohesion and development, all linked to gender and youth equity and safety and security. “These are issues that cut across many sectors, but which remain highly relevant to the transport sector: On the one hand, in terms of its overall role as an economic driver, and on the other, how the development of effective transport systems can address and alleviate these challenges,” says Britz.

“The traditional approach to transport planning was to only regard the ribbon of black bitumen, but now the trend is to look at the entire road reserve from edge-to-edge to accommodate all the requirements of pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and private and freight vehicles.

“It is essential to look at the full cross-section of the road and then to consider the importance of universal access, especially for people with mobility challenges. Public transport facilities are often perceived as an add-on but play a critical role in designing the urban framework to create a safe and secure environment. This new view on infrastructure design is quite important,” concludes Britz.

REFERENCE

1. ‘Green energy a macro-economic imperative, says VW’s Kamuhinda’ https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/green-energy-a-macro-economic-imperative-says-vws-kamuhinda-2020-10-12

Pull quote

“The traditional approach to transport planning was to only regard the ribbon of black bitumen, but now the trend is to look at the entire road reserve from edge-to-edge to accommodate all the requirements of freight and private and public transport.” – Chris Britz, Director: Transport, Africa, AECOM

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Globally trusted infrastructure firm #AECOM has played a key role in developing a 25-year integrated transport plan for Gauteng, the economic heart of South Africa, in addition to being the lead consultant for the Gautrain project. #SustainableLegacies

Paul Jackson, CEO of TUHF, shares his views on what it means to be TUHF

“We built a business on a number of founding principles,” says Jackson, when asked what TUHF stands for. “Those principles are:

1. We are going to be entrepreneurs. This means that, if a good deal walks through our doors, we can’t resist doing it. We’re very deal oriented, and we want to take smart risks, because we see potential and opportunities where others don’t.
2. We are going to give our clients and potential clients a quick response. We are street-smart enough, and know our areas of finance well enough, to be able look at a building and state ‘yes we can’ or ‘no we can’t’ quickly. We know the inner- and in-city property market better than anyone else and this gives us the confidence to make those calls.
3. We fund transactions, not wishes. We like to work with clients who are committed to their property journey, have done their homework and are serious about taking on projects. We also like our loan officers to be entrepreneurial – meaning they are thorough in evaluating risk and potential – and we underwrite projects that we are confident will show good returns for our clients and for us.
4. Nimbleness is key. We respond to markets and opportunities quickly and with agility. We realise that getting bigger has slowed us a bit, but the principle still stands as we balance legal and compliance requirements, and risk management with the need to be nimble.”

A critical difference between TUHF and other mortgage financiers, is that TUHF is less traditional in the ways in which it determines investment potential. “We’re agnostic about the ‘usual things’ that people use to judge a person’s potential,” Jackson explains. “Some of our most successful and longest standing clients have limited formal education, for example, and certainly didn’t have much by way of financial means when they first approached us. TUHF is able to see potential where others don’t, looking more at the entrepreneur’s character and commitment, their street smarts and understanding of their investment neighbourhood than we do at their qualifications on paper or their bank balance.”

TUHF believes that the power of local knowledge is a strong indicator of potential. “When we engage with potential clients, we have to comply with regulations for lending,” Jackson explains. “But we also ask ourselves: Does this entrepreneur know the service providers in the area that can help make their project a reality? Do they know the area itself and understand the needs of the community living there? Do they demonstrate a commitment to hard work and show common sense? Do they have an entrepreneurial spirit and awareness of risk and how to mitigate it?”

Besides this unique view of client and project potential, TUHF’s commitment to its market niche is distinctive. “Banks come and go in this market,” Jackson says, reflecting on the almost 20-years that TUHF has been in operation. “We used to compete heavily with traditional banks in our areas of expertise, but they are not entrenched. TUHF is committed and has remained active in our sector for almost 20 years. We don’t disinvest or seek opportunity elsewhere when there’s a crisis in the inner- or in-city property market. Instead, we work with our clients to get through the difficult times – from xenophobia flaring up to the COVID-19 pandemic to challenges with local municipal service delivery. We’re consistently ready to work with and support clients, and to invest.”

This commitment stems from TUHF’s unwavering belief in making massive impact through scale. “If you’re serious about inclusiveness, you understand that it’s about microeconomic effects,” Jackson says. “This means making a difference one neighbourhood, one city block, one community at a time. We do this not only by investing in projects that create affordable rental housing where it’s most needed, but by using local service providers in that neighbourhood, creating work and growing micro markets for goods and services.”

TUHF’s people really want to make a difference. “We’re not hard-nosed about the commercial benefits to ourselves personally,” Jackson explains. “We have to tick certain boxes, such as zoning and FICA requirements, just like any other investment financiers do. What we try to do is differentiate ourselves on our ability to assist and flex with our clients to get those boxes ticked. Because if the deal is worth the effort, we will help to get everything done.”

Because TUHF is about impactful investment, its people are as invested in getting a deal done as its clients are. “We will spend time on potential clients that are committed,” Jackson says, “because it’s as personal for us as it is for them. The converse is that we’re probably less likely to invest time and effort in those who are uncertain or not serious. It takes away from the time we could be spending with an entrepreneur that is truly passionate and committed.”

“Entrepreneurs are cautious and thoughtful, not rash and reckless,” Jackson says, “but we do want to do the deal.”

“We’re an invested stakeholder. We worry about what’s going on downtown – we’ve invested R2.5 billion in Johannesburg city centre alone. Because we have ‘skin in the game’ we are very committed to addressing concerns in the areas in which we operate. We firmly believe that we have to offer financial services to the individuals and communities that others may overlook, as the backer of choice for Mzansi property entrepreneurs.” concludes Jackson.

RLB was involved in the development of a new 9,300m² distribution and office facility to consolidate sustainable technology company, Rubicon, into new headquarters in Richmond Park, Milnerton, Cape Town. The new headquarters benefits from boosting brand awareness due to the exposure Richmond Park provides with its accessibility along upgraded access from both N1 and N7 highways. The facility combines Rubicon’s operations, currently dispersed across six different sites within Cape Town, into a tailor-made, multi-million-rand facility that includes a 7,900m² warehouse and a 1,400m² office, incorporating a 250m² showroom with an option to expand a further 1,200m².

RLB provided full quantity surveying services for this unique project.

Hitachi announced acquisition of remaining shares from ABB ahead of schedule further supporting Hitachi Energy’s 2030 Plan.

Hitachi Energy Ltd (“Hitachi Energy”) today announced that Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, “Hitachi”) has signed a share transfer agreement for the remaining 19.9% shares from ABB Ltd (SIX: ABBBN, “ABB”), pursuant to the acquisition agreement signed on December 17, 2018(1). This is in line with the plan and ahead of schedule, and the transfer of shares will be completed by end of December 2022, subject to regulatory approvals. 

“We are pleased with the progress of Hitachi Energy and we look forward to supporting the Hitachi Energy 2030 Plan, as announced during Hitachi Investor Day 2022,” said Yoshihiko Kawamura, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer, CFO of Hitachi, Ltd., and the Chair of the Board of Hitachi Energy.

Hitachi Energy is making good progress with its portfolio offering that is strengthening, expanding, and evolving the power system supporting customers and partners across the entire lifecycle to enable a sustainable, flexible and secure energy system. The company is also well-positioned to accelerate the growing electrification of transportation, industry and building sectors with its long-term Hitachi Energy 2030 purpose-driven growth plan.

“Electricity will be the backbone of the entire energy system and the urgency of the energy transition requires us to collaborate and innovate across stakeholders and sectors, and the good news is that we can act now. Hitachi and Hitachi Energy have been generating synergies by combining digital and energy technologies that are contributing to the global energy transition. We will accelerate the drive for synergies, digitalization and service and we will continue to offer deployment of both IT and operational technology (OT) at scale and with speed, as we are advancing a sustainable energy future for all,” said Claudio Facchin, Senior Vice President and Executive Officer of Hitachi and CEO of Hitachi Energy. 

The good progress of the company is underpinned by the commitment from Hitachi, a diverse and passionate global team of 40,000 Hitachi Energy employees, and the tailwind from the development and deployment of innovative technology for a carbon-neutral vision where electricity will become the backbone of the entire energy system. 

Based on the combined knowledge of close to 250 years between Hitachi Energy and Hitachi, the business has also leveraged its energy platform in combination with digital solutions from Hitachi, and launched solutions like Lumada Asset Performance Management and, most recently, Lumada Inspection Insights.

Strengthening the power system with High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology for bulk renewable integration and interconnections between countries and continents, as well as the launch of an eco-efficient EconiQ™ portfolio for high-voltage products, transformers, and consulting, all initiatives that have contributed to the purpose-driven growth: advancing a sustainable energy future for all. In addition, we are expanding with digital solutions and services that are enabling carbon reductions. And we are evolving the power system through partnerships and new business models, as an integral part of the Hitachi Energy 2030 Plan.

The solid commitment from Hitachi to the announced acquisition of the remaining shares of Hitachi Energy ahead of plan will help accelerating synergies and implementation of the 2030 Plan enabling our agile and committed team to support customers and partners addressing the global challenge of the energy transition. 

Even the ultimate performance is nothing without long-lasting reliability. That’s why leading appliance manufacturer, Miele, combines constant innovation with expert craftmanship, and it is this meticulous devotion to detail that ensures that its appliances are built to last. Because longevity is the ultimate form of sustainability.

Johannesburg, 28 September 2022: Every high-end kitchen worth its salt should be equipped with appliances that make cooking, cleaning and refrigeration more efficient, convenient and sustainable. If you are after best-in-market quality, efficiency and durability, then look no further than leading German appliance manufacturer, Miele – a trusted brand that values quality, craftmanship and sustainability in everything that they produce.

Explains Miele’s Jon Molyneaux: “For Miele, every ground-breaking innovation is more than a cause for celebration. It is a challenge to create something even better. That’s why Miele crafts its own parts, forges its own iron, and even makes the machines that makes the machines! Because striving for perfection is in Miele’s DNA. We call this Immer besser, which directly translated means ‘Forever better’, and it is evident in everything that we do – from company culture, through to the way we manufacture products, our after sales service, and of course the products themselves.”

Proven to last

The world seems to be returning to old world values – looking to invest in products that are built to last. To ensure long-lasting quality, Miele premium appliances undergo up to 10 000 hours of testing to ensure reliable, powerful performance, and the ability to deliver impressive results for the equivalent of 20 years of use. In fact, 30% of Miele’s development time goes into testing to ensure the ultimate results, year after year.

Says Jon: “All of Miele’s products are designed for long-lasting performance – providing a level of quality and sustainability that makes an important counterpart to today’s throwaway culture. At the end of the day, consumers know that they can depend on a brand like Miele for long-lasting and efficient appliances – this not only guarantees consumers a huge return on their investment, but also the knowledge of a smaller environmental footprint, which is great news for the environment.”

Good for the planet

Longevity is the ultimate in sustainability, say Jon: “Imagine, instead of using many washing machines over a 20-year period for example, you can choose to use just one. One whose performance will still impress you years from now: using less water, less energy, less detergent, and still offering supreme end results. This would mean that you consume less, and that you can do lasting good for your planet.”

Sustainability is a core value of Miele’s, and as such its appliances are built to last for 20 years, explains Jon: “The more durable and long-lasting your appliance, the less waste goes into landfills. Miele appliances are also designed to offer best-in-market efficiency: all Miele appliances across all ranges are designed to use the least energy and water possible, without compromising on performance. Aside from the obvious green credentials of this efficiency, it also means that less of your money is spent on your utility bills, and more money is left in your pocket.”

The ultimate in craftmanship

Today’s kitchen appliances need to offer it all – they need to be efficient, durable, functional, and they need to look good at the same time. Says Jon: “With the rise in popularity of open-plan designs, kitchen appliances have become part of our living areas and so they need to look the part. Investing in a Miele appliance means that you are investing in the bet technology, sustainability, efficiency, and beauty that money can buy.”

Ever striving to always be better means that Miele consistently pursues perfection – from making their own arts, to building the machines that manufacture Miele appliances. A family-owned company since 1899, Miele continues to break ground with innovative features, state-of-the-art technology, and eye-wateringly beautiful design lines. That’s quality ahead of its time!

It was a night of celebration and networking at the 50^th CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards held in Johannesburg on 28^th September. This year, the event hosted by Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) in partnership with Aon South Africa returned to an in-person awards ceremony for the first time since August 2019. The awards celebrated innovation, quality, outstanding workmanship and professionalism which was evident in the entries for the different categories.

“In 2022 we are very proud to be celebrating 50 years of hosting this prestigious event with a focus on consulting engineers and their clients who participate in or initiate projects that promote the advancement of our nation and the people of the continent,” says CESA chief executive officer Chris Campbell.

Clarissa Rizzo, Aon’s Business Unit Manager – Professional Risks, in her speech at the awards stated, “As a longstanding sponsor of the CESA awards, we have come to experience and appreciate the massive contribution that the engineering industry makes to our economy and society. Through all the many challenges and risks – and they have been complex and many of late – this industry remains a hallmark of a modern, progressive society”.

Winners

Tim Ter Haar was recognized for his contribution to the development and promotion of the consulting engineering industry with the Lifetime Industry Achievement Award, which was presented to him posthumously, while the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works, Roads Branch was recognized as the Visionary Client of the Year for fully following the key commitments of their service delivery charter.

In the category Projects with a Value Between R250-Million and R1-Billion, Zutari was named the winner for the TASEZ ‘Cluster 2’ Ford Frame project while AECOM received a commendation for the rehabilitation of Trunk Road between Ashton and Montagu for the Western Cape Government’s Department of Transport & Public Works, Roads Branch.

Zutari was named winner in the Projects with a Value Between R50-Million and R250-Million category for the upgrading of 8 Merchant Place for Rand Merchant Bank (RMB). 2 commendations were awarded in the category with Merchelles Collective receiving a commendation for Coca-Cola’s Polokwane Manufacturing Facility Infrastructure upgrade. Nathoo Mbenyane Engineers received a commendation for the upgrading of Dipaleseng Local Municipality’s Balfour Wastewater Treatment Works (Phases 2 and 3).

In the category Projects with a Value Less Than R50-Million, Royal HaskoningDHV was the winner for the Brandwacht Pedestrian Bridge for Mossel Bay Municipality. Naidu Consulting received a commendation for the Design and Management of a Labour-Intensive Capacity Building Programme for MISA.

The winner of Best International Project was Zutari for the Golomoti Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage project in Malawi while Bigen Africa received a commendation for the Palapye Water Treatment Works Expansion Project in Botswana.

In the category Engineering Technology and Innovation – HVAC Building Systems Design Excellence, Maninga Engineering was the winner for the Commerce, Law, and Management (CLM) building development for Wits University.

In the category Engineering Technology and Innovation – Renewable Energy Systems Design Excellence, Zutari received a commendation the Golomoti Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage project of JCM Solar Corporation Limited.

Naidu Consulting won the Business Excellence Award, while Maninga Engineering received a commendation for the Small/Medium Company of the Year. The Mentoring Company of the Year award went to Nyeleti Consulting.

Winner of the Mentor of the Year Award was Gengan Govender who’s commitment in consistently finding ways to assist and mentor his co-workers contributed towards receiving the accolade.

Each year, CESA recognises the contribution young engineers make to the profession. In the much-anticipated Young Engineer of the Year category, Saiuree Nayager was named winner while Swesha Machere received a commendation.

Publishing Excellence in the Trade Publications category went to Creamer Media, publisher of Engineering News and Mining Weekly, while the Daily Newspaper category was awarded to Arena Holdings.

Various newspaper reports have been doing the rounds recently about the danger of lead poisoning facing South Africans. Although lead (Pb) continues to be used in paints, batteries, bullets and even in some homoeopathic medicines[i], the local vinyl industry has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe, responsible and lead-free environment. 

“Lead stabilisers were historically used in PVC products because they offer excellent heat and UV resistance and a good cost-to-performance ratio. In addition, when used in pipes and fittings, they help to improve their resistance to heat and sunlight. Despite these benefits, the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) was one of the first members of the Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) to voluntary embark on the journey to become lead-free in 2006. SAPPMA reached this goal in 2012 – five years ahead of the anticipated European Union (EU) targets. Today, we are proud that lead has completely been eliminated from all plastic pipe products manufactured by SAPPMA members and from vinyl products manufactured and sold in South Africa by SAVA members,” says Monique Holtzhausen, CEO of SAVA.

Jan Venter, CEO of SAPPMA, explains that lead is chemically bonded into the PVC pipe during the manufacturing process, which means it cannot leach into the environment. “All pipes containing lead undergo annual SANS 966 tests carried out by the SABS for various metals. These tests have proven that lead is one of the metals least likely to leak – with a maximum expected leakage of 50µg/ℓ, which is negligible. Despite these assurances, SAPPMA felt compelled to create a safer environment for the manufacturers where lead poisoning does pose a risk for their workers”.

Removing lead from PVC pipes and fittings and replacing it with calcium/zinc and organic-based stabilisers which are non-toxic to humans was a lengthy and costly exercise for SAPPMA members and the PVC community. However, they willingly incurred this additional cost at their own expense and without passing it on to the end-user for future sustainability. 

“A commitment to using lead-free stabilisers is required for SAPPMA membership and forms part of the regular, unannounced SAPPMA factory audits. In addition, it has added value to our life cycle thinking as it considers end-of-life issues and waste management options,” Venter says.

“As part of our ongoing efforts to create a safe, responsible and sustainable industry, SAVA follows a strict Product Stewardship Commitment (PSC) which stipulates that only lead-free stabilisers and additives, as well as mercury-free vinyl production processes, are allowed to be used in all local and imported vinyl or compounds. Our members must abide by these achievable commitments based on international health and safety standards and best practice models. In addition, they renew their pledge annually to be awarded SAVA’s “Green Tick” – a product label that has been developed to give customers peace of mind that the specific vinyl product is confirmed to be lead-free and only uses additives approved for high human contact applications and are recyclable,” Holtzhausen concludes. 

For more information visit www.sappma.co.za or www.savinyls.co.za

DWASA is a national and international, non-profit, representative body of the damp-proofing and waterproofing industry in Southern Africa intent on maintaining and upgrading standards within the damp-proofing and waterproofing industries for the benefit of its Clients and members.

Membership is voluntary, with prospective members having to prove their professional approach to their trade over several years before acceptance.

DWASA’s primary role is to promote the interests and views of its members through its engagement with government and legislative bodies as well as like-minded bodies within the construction industry.

Whilst DWASA was only registered in November 2015, its precursor – the Damp-proofing and Waterproofing Association of South Africa – was in existence for several decades.

DWASA is regulated by section 107 of the Labour Relations Act, Act 66 of 1995.

DWASA offers a range of services including:

1. Advice
2. Training & Education: The Association undertakes to provide its members with access to training and exposure to new products and techniques as they become available. Access to courses on First Aid, Safety, Fire Prevention and Working At Heights is provided to Members and efforts are being made to provide training modules for damp-proofing and waterproofing acceptable to SAQA. It is one of the Association’s aims to provide a proper career path within the damp-proofing and waterproofing industry, thereby improving the overall standard of service provided to customers.
3. Reports & Inspections: Any property owner, potential property owner or property manager worried about damp-related issues within a property can contact the Association and request that a thorough inspection of the property be conducted followed by a detailed report listing any problems and their recommended treatment. Such a service will be supplied at a cost and quotations for the service will be supplied on request. The Association is working closely with financial institutions to undertake inspections for all properties where a bond applications has been received. This will remove all doubts regarding the knowledge of damp in a property and give peace of mind to both purchaser and funder.
4. Dispute Resolution & Litigation

Membership of the Association will be open to individuals and companies that can demonstrate a proven track record of competence within the industry over a period of years and who abide by the terms and conditions of membership. Assistance will be given to start-up companies to enable them to reach the appropriate levels of competence.

Individuals and companies wishing to become members of the Association should complete the attached Application for Membership and submit it to the Board of Directors with all relevant documentation to info@dwasa.net.

Get in touch with DWASA by visiting our website www.dwasa.co.za