Features | Civil Engineering

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Civil Engineering and Construction

Refurbishment project to improve water access, quality

By: Trent Roebeck 15th November 2024 The Ekulindeni Water Treatment Works refurbishment project, in the Chief Albert Luthuli local municipality, in Mpumalanga, will be completed by November 30 and will provide residents with access to clean drinking water, in line with South Africa’s long-term water security goals. The refurbishment... →

Manufacturer supports industry, promotes women in infrastructure

By: Trent Roebeck 15th November 2024 In addition to having produced more than 25-million railway sleepers since its inception in 1958, majority black women-owned construction company Colossal Concrete Products also produces a range of innovative precast concrete products for the local and sub-Saharan construction and... →

An image of concrete pipes manufactured by Colossal Concrete Products

PREMIUM PIPES Colossal Concrete Products produces a range of innovative precast concrete products including pipes, poles and masts for the local and Sub-Saharan markets

Upgrade project improves road infrastructure

15th November 2024 Africa’s longest road tunnel, the Huguenot Tunnel on the N1 national road in Western Cape, South Africa, will undergo a R4.5-billion construction upgrade project to receive a new 3.9-km section, South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) noted last month. This upgrade will reinforce the... →

BARBARA CREECY Transport Minister Barbara Creecy highlights the road safety and economic benefits that accompany the upgrade project of the Huguenot Tunnel

South African construction sector – challenging at present but hope remains

17th November 2023 Amid the slow release of standardised bidding criteria by public sector entities, the South African civil engineering and construction sector is described as being on a “hiatus”, with it being almost impossible for companies to respond to vastly differing bid evaluation criteria, says industry... →

CHRIS CAMPBELL The 2022 preferential procurement regulations do not provide sufficient guidelines to inform public sector entities on how to shape criteria and avoid legal challenges

Digital solution improves asset management

By: Sabrina Jardim 17th November 2023 Technology and asset management – amid the introduction of the Internet of Things – have become a necessary component of civil engineering and construction projects in South Africa. Asset management allows for greater efficiency in civil engineering and construction projects in terms of cost... →

NYIKO CHABALALA Asset management allows for greater efficiency in civil engineering and construction projects in terms of cost control, safety, documentation and reporting

New project management certification

By: Sabrina Jardim 17th November 2023 Nonprofit professional project management organisation Project Management Institute (PMI) and industry body the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) have collaborated to offer construction-specific learning and development to those registered... →

GEORGE ASAMANI While the construction industry uses technology to make the industry more efficient, sustainable and profitable, it is important to be adequately skilled in the benefits of technology, to ensure it is adopted effectively

Concrete manufacturer reopens manufacturing plant

By: Sabrina Jardim 17th November 2023 Precast concrete manufacturer Colossal Concrete Products reopened its De Aar manufacturing plant, in the Northern Cape, in September following the conclusion of a one-year contract with State-owned Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) to supply precast concrete railway sleepers for the parastatal’s... →

an image depicting concrete sleepers in a stockpile

CONCRETE SLEEPERSThe reopening will allow the company to reach its inherent capacity with the production of over one-million railway sleepers a year

Mentorship programmes necessary

By: Sabrina Jardim 17th November 2023 Maintaining a sufficient number of capable engineers, technologists and technicians to meet the demands of the South African civil engineering and construction industry requires relevant training and mentorship programmes to develop competence among graduates. These programmes will equip... →

HONORS ROLL Saice President, Steven Kaplan, at the University of the Free State

OLI Electrical Vibrators

18th November 2022 It is our drive for innovation and industry service that forces us to evaluate our product offerings to all sectors on a continuous basis. We have always had all the internal and external vibrators, converters, and accessories for reliable and efficient concrete compaction. We listen to our... →

Consultants equipped to help develop education infrastructure

By: Cameron Mackay 18th November 2022 Infrastructure consulting business DBI Consulting can support the delivery of key infrastructure for education institutions and facilities. “A skilled and educated workforce serves as a key component of a prosperous country. We cannot expect this economy to grow without significant investment in... →

Image of DBI Consulting director Monty Ditibane

MONTY DITIBANE We have a vast set of knowledge and expertise in building schools, and we interpret what the Constitution specifies as requirements for education infrastructure

Company supports infrastructure for African mines with digital tech

By: Cameron Mackay 18th November 2022 Professional consulting firm WSP has been awarded two major separate infrastructure projects in the African mining sector after leveraging its recent acquisitions in the sector, states WSP Africa transport and infrastructure MD Terence Milne. “WSP Africa is providing the designs for these... →

Image of WSP Africa transport and infrastructure MD Terence Milne

TERENCE MILNE Our edge has been developed through our involvement in the design and digital management of high-profile international projects in digital platforms

Company to supply civils companies

By: Cameron Mackay 18th November 2022 Local steel products supplier Stewarts and Lloyds formed Stewarts and Lloyds Projects & Contracts – a new addition to the Stewarts and Lloyds Group – to support the local civil engineering industry by supplying materials required for engineering and construction. The coexisting footprint of... →

Image of integrated piping systems being delivered

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT Mlati emphasises the importance of the company’s technical expertise in providing solutions for integrated piping systems for the local industry

Industry body hones in on five key focus areas

By: Halima Frost 18th February 2022 Industry body Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) has identified five key areas to focus on this year to mitigate challenges faced by industry and the country, following its Biannual Economic and Capacity Survey 2021, or BECS 2021, released in June 2021. The first key priority is to increase... →

Newly elected Civil Engineering South Africa (CESA) industry body president Olu Soluade and CEO Chris Campbell stood together in press image

OLU SOLUADE AND CHRIS CAMPBELL OF CESA Newly elected industry body president Olu Soluade and CEO Chris Campbell discuss the year ahead for the sector

Manufacturer hosts training day for SMMEs

18th February 2022 Local cement and construction materials manufacturer AfriSam hosted 60 small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) from different communities surrounding its Jukskei and Eikenhof quarries, both in Gauteng, for a one-day training session. The event, named ‘Correct use of cement in concrete,... →

A group of SMME entrepreneurs at the Afrisam ‘Correct use of cement in concrete, plaster and mortar applications’ day held in September

FIRM FOUNDATIONS Afrisam offers SMME Training to ensure its clients know when, how and why to use the various construction materials it has on offer

Sector key in economic recovery

18th February 2022 National construction industry body Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) acting CEO Bongani Dlala says the construction sector can lead South Africa’s recovery as the country emerges into a post-Covid-19 economy, but only if emerging contractors are empowered. This was the consensus... →

Challenging project brings Swoosh to Soweto

By: Halima Frost 18th February 2022 Steel and tube supplier Stewarts & Lloyds Robertville has successfully completed a steel fabrication project for global brand Nike in the newly developed Shapa Soweto Training Centre, in Soweto, Gauteng. The project entailed the fabrication of a roofing structure, made of 406 individually made... →

A red roof made of Y8 Rebar bent at various angles to create a Swoosh effect for client Nike at the Shapa Soweto Training Centre

NIKE? NICE! The Nike Swoosh effect was successfully created through various bends on a rebar based roofing structure at the Shapa Soweto Training Centre

Shopping centre development well under way

18th February 2022 Last month, Centurion-based construction company Tri-Star Construction announced it had been selected as the main contractor on the development of the Mamelodi Square Shopping Centre in Pretoria, Gauteng. The release explains that rural retail development specialists McCormick Property... →

An artists depiction of what the Mamlodi Square Shopping Centre will look like once completed the project undertaken by McCormick Properties was awarded to Tri-Star Construction

'CENTRE' OF ATTENTION Construction of the Mamlodi Square Shopping Centre started last month

First 3D printed house in Kenya

18th February 2022 In October the first three-dimensional- (3D-) printed demonstration house was constructed by sustainable and affordable housing group 14Trees in Nairobi, Kenya. The house is also the first 3D-printed house to achieve the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Excellence in Design for Greater... →

A 3 D home made by using the COBOD BOD2 3D construction printer, at a test site in Nairobia Kenya headed by housing firm 14Trees

PRINTING PROPERTY The Demonstration house made by COBOD for Kilifi project in Kenya has been approved and construction of 52 similar houses will start in the first quarter

LED light improve vision on site

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th November 2021 Multinational manufacturer Atlas Copco’s H6 plus light tower uses light-emitting-diode (LED) lights to improve on the previous H5 plus light tower used at construction sites. Atlas Copco power technique business line manager David Stanford says conditions at a construction or mine site can be... →

An image of Atlas Copco's H6+ Light Tower

H6+ LIGHT TOWER The latest extension of Atlas Copco's range offers wider range with compact design

New heavy-duty excavator launched in South Africa

12th November 2021 CASE Construction Equipment, a brand of CNH Industrial, has launched the long-awaited CX 220C LC heavy duty excavator in South Africa, to strengthening its position in the local market. This globally renowned excavator, which is manufactured at the company’s plant in India, Pithampur, is said to... →

An image of CASE Construction’s CX 220C LC heavy duty excavator

CX 220C LC HEAVY DUTY EXCAVATOR The new excavator is designed for tough conditions

Sector pushes for transformation amid contraction

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th November 2021 While government is planning transformational megaprojects to benefit the construction sector, data from sources, such as Statistics South Africa, show that “the sector has been in a permanent state of contracting for some time”, says construction company Motheo Construction Group nonexecutive... →

An image of Motheo Construction's non-executive director Gregory Mofokeng

GREGORY MOFOKENG Industry needs to reflect demographics of South Africa

Hospital benchmarks in sustainable healthcare facilities

12th November 2021 Consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari provided design and construction supervision of the mechanical services, as well as environmentally sustainable design (ESD) consulting, at the new Cintocare Hospital in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria. It is the first Green Star South Africa... →

CINTOCARE HOSPITAL Zutari provided design and construction supervision for the hospital build

The road ahead for the civil engineering and construction industry

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th November 2021 As the year draws to a close, frustrations have been growing over the slow recovery of South Africa’s civil engineering and construction sector – and the knock-on effects to the wider economy. The sector saw a 20.3% contraction in 2020 and is expected to have grown just 6.2% in real terms this year. →

An image of SAICE president Vishal Krishandutt

VISHAL KRISHANDUTT Sector is in need of infrastructure projects injection

Construction industry holds key role in economic recovery

By: Nadine Ramdass 12th November 2021 While the South African gross domestic product has seen some growth in the last four quarters, the construction industry remains key to expediting economic recovery and creating jobs, according to privately-owned construction company GVK-Siya Zama CFO John de Sousa. De Sousa has been at GVK-Siya... →

An image of GVK-Siya Zama CFO John De Sousa

JOHN DE SOUSA Investor confidence has improved

Hope for construction amid resilient infrastructure development

By: Simone Liedtke 12th November 2021 While private-sector involvement remains crucial in the delivery of infrastructure projects, diversified infrastructure and services construction company Concor CEO Lucas Tseki says the public sector “still plays a leading role in developing and maintaining resilient and sustainable... →

Concor CEO Lucas Tseki

OLI South Africa

27th July 2021 Making business simpler for customers, while going global with a first-class product, has proved successful in establishing industrial vibration technology company OLI as the world’s top-selling supplier of vibration equipment. The OLI product is distributed in Southern Africa by its subsidiary... →

Partnership ensures basket of training opportunities

12th February 2021 Manufacturer Gabion Baskets has partnered construction training specialist Tjeka Training Matters to provide practical instruction in the installation of its products. Under this new arrangement, customers will receive a certificate of competency from the training provider once they have... →

ROCK SOLID TRAINING The partnership between Gabion Baskets and Tjeka Training Matters aims to raise the standards of gabion structure installations in South Africa

Industry body seeks purposeful rebuilding

By: Darren Parker 12th February 2021 The Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) theme for this year is: Rebuilding with purpose. This is aimed at encouraging the engineering and construction sectors to pursue the rebuilding of the sector and the economy in a more conscious and mindful manner so that all South Africa’s... →

SUGEN PILLAY
Cesa’s call to purposefully rebuild the economy and infrastructure will aim to foster an enhanced social compact between all industry partners and stakeholders

Photo by Creamer Media
SUGEN PILLAY Cesa’s call to purposefully rebuild the economy and infrastructure will aim to foster an enhanced social compact between all industry partners and stakeholders

Food warehouse expansion under way

By: Darren Parker 12th February 2021 Construction connection technology supplier Peikko South Africa has embarked on the second phase expansion of a production and warehousing facility for a food manufacturer in Johannesburg. The first phase was successfully completed last year and the second phase is under way, Peikko South Africa... →

DANIEL PETROV Installations on site are expected to start this month

Heritage building facelift under way

By: Darren Parker 12th February 2021 Construction contractor Icon Group is conducting bulk earthworks and demolitions in the Johannesburg central business district as part of a construction project aimed at developing a new Title Deeds Office for the City of Johannesburg. The project, a partnership between the city and the... →

ICONIC BUILDING REFURBISHMENT The project is centred around a 120-year-old heritage building, which needs to be preserved

Strategic forethought hindered by crisis mindset

By: Darren Parker 12th February 2021 With South Africa’s fiscus placed under immense strain as government attempts to combat the effects of the pandemic, South African Institute of Civil Engineering (Saice) CEO Vishaal Lutchman fears that owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the country’s leadership is in “head down crisis mode”, with... →

VISHAAL LUTCHMAN Government has not prioritised infrastructure development for the past decade and it will likely not prioritise it in 2021 either

Collaboration could eliminate challenges

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th November 2020 Although the construction industry offers many opportunities for collaboration between consultants and contractors, these opportunities are often not fully explored. “This results in contractual disagreements, and a disjointed and misaligned approach to projects,” says demolition expert Jet... →

KATE BESTER It would be beneficial if contracting and consulting firms were to align their personnel development strategies and actively encourage young engineers to explore these aspects in the industry, within defined frameworks

Sector recovery lies in collaboration – says cement maker

By: Marleny Arnoldi 13th November 2020 The construction sector remains under pressure, despite the easing of the national lockdown to Level 1, and contractors need to work with materials suppliers to remain cost competitive, says construction materials company AfriSam. →

CEMENTING SOLUTIONS AfriSam was collaborating with contractors on customised concrete solutions long before Covid-19; however, the pandemic has exacerbated the need for companies to contain costs

AfriSam readymix GM Amit Dawneerangen shares his insight on the state of the construction industry

Structural integrity aids building life cycle

13th November 2020 Asset management company Collaborit has successfully started penetrating the mining and industrial sectors, providing expert solutions and services into the sustainable, proactive management of structural assets such as steel, concrete and masonry. →

THE END IS ALWAYS CERTAIN Every structure has a limited design life and adequate budgeting must be allowed for to ensure regular maintenance is done to ensure this design life is reached

Consultancy laments construction sector decline

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th November 2020 The construction sector experienced a significant contraction in terms of the change in value added to the gross domestic product year-on-year in quarter two of 2020, at -30.7%, compared to -2.2% in quarter one of 2020 and -0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2019. →

CONTRADICTORY MUCH? There is a paradox in the South African construction sector of large construction firms collapsing amid a housing backlog of about 2.3-million units

Pandemic challenges exacerbated for industry

13th November 2020 While construction sites were able to reopen in early May for civil projects, ongoing delays in terms of both the public sector being slow to change gears and client’s additional regulations around health and safety, have exacerbated challenges for both property development and construction... →

COVID-19 CONUNDRUM The Power Group’s construction arm has been hit with challenges no one could have foreseen with Covid-19

Economy to affect home builders more

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th November 2020 The effects of Covid-19 and the sluggish economy remain the biggest challenge for the civil engineering and construction sectors. →

SONGEZO BOOI After almost 12 years, the home-building industry is still struggling to reach its former peak

Infrastructure recovery roadmap mulled

By: Mamaili Mamaila 13th November 2020 If South Africa is to have any hope of economic recovery, no sector can afford to do things the way it did before 2020, says the International Zinc Association (IZA). →

REFINED STRUCTURES The construction of a new zinc refinery will reduce dependence on special high-grade zinc imports, and provide a much-needed boost for the construction industry

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