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Municipal Infrastructure & Services

Govt has more work to do – Minister

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2023 The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (Misa) last month celebrated ten years of “building a stronger and more resilient nation”, as it continues to deliver municipal services that are thoughtfully planned, designed and maintained and which contribute toward the foundation of vibrant and... →

Company forges path to safer sanitation

By: Simone Liedtke 15th September 2023 Concerted efforts are under way in South Africa to address the use of pit latrines, which remains a pressing human rights concern, especially in schools and areas with inadequate infrastructure. Sanitech’s response to these challenges has been to implement a “groundbreaking dry sanitation unit”,... →

DRY SANITATION TOILET The Khusela Dry Sanitation Toilet aims to eliminate pit latrines in South Africa by 2030

Engineers need to participate in infrastructure decisions

By: Nadine Ramdass 16th September 2022 A reoccurring theme at Consulting Engineers South Africa’s (Cesa’s) Infrastructure Indaba, held last month in Fourways, Johannesburg, was the need for consulting engineers – and engineers generally – to be more involved in decision-making regarding infrastructure. During the event, Engineering... →

An image of Cesa Ceo Chris Campbell, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Cesa President Olu Soluade at the Cesa Infrastructure Indab

Cesa CEO Chris Campbell discusses key points made at Cesa’s Infrastructure Indaba. Camerawork: Shadwyn Dickinson. Editing: Nicholas Boyd

LEDs supplied for N1 highway

16th September 2022 Lighting manufacturer BEKA Schréder has supplied the light-emitting diode (LED) streetlight retrofit solution for the N1 highway in Cape Town. The new installation achieves significant energy savings without compromising the required light levels. →

An image of the N1 in Cape Town with HID streetlights on the left side and the new LED streetlights on the right which offer brighter conditions

OLD VERSUS NEW The old HID streetlight installation on the left is a stark contrast to new LED installation on the right

Municipalities struggle to address key infrastructure challenges

By: Nadine Ramdass 16th September 2022 Dysfunctional wastewater treatment plants pose a health hazard for residents living downstream along watercourses and have a negative impact on the environment, says consultancy firm SRK Consulting partner and environmental scientist Manda Hinsch. →

HIGHER DEMANDS Municipalities are not able to adequately address and adapt to the growth of high-density developments

Maintenance deemed first priority

By: Nadine Ramdass 16th September 2022 The maintenance of infrastructure by local municipalities is critical to ensuring lasting, quality and sustainable essential services for future generations, says industry body South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) president Professor Marianne Vanderschuren. →

An image of SAICE President Professor Marianne Vanderschuren

PROFESSOR MARIANNE VANDERSCHUREN Municipalities need to raise awareness on the role that communities can play in protecting municipal infrastructure and consumption management

Paradigm shift can address unemployment

By: Anna Moross 10th September 2021 Increasing awareness of the skills required to advance civil engineering education in South Africa is integral to unlocking employment opportunities, specifically within the country’s municipal sector, advocates South Africa Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) CEO Vishaal Lutchman. →

An image of Vishaal Lutchman, the CEO of SAICE

VISHAAL LUTCHMAN The country needs to find a balanced approach to promote both artisanal trade qualifications and qualifications received from universities

Municipality’s infrastructure services fulfil obligations

10th September 2021 Despite facing constant challenges, Knysna municipality’s infrastructure services directorate continues to fulfil its obligation of maintaining the municipal area’s integral infrastructure and its systems. →

Changes required to deal with municipal issues

By: Anna Moross 10th September 2021 The dismal performance of municipalities in infrastructure and service delivery in South Africa can be attributed to the lack of technical capacity and competency within municipalities, says association Consulting Engineers South Africa CEO Chris Campbell. →

An image of Chris Campbell, the CEO of CESA

CHRIS CAMPBELL While municipalities are facing many challenges, there is great opportunity to create change now.

Municipality in support of niche and light industry

10th September 2021 According to Knysna Planning and Development MMC Mncedisi Skosana, the local leadership has been investigating ways of diversifying the area’s economic drivers and contributors. →

Company involvement in municipal project well under way

By: Anna Moross 10th September 2021 Engineering consultant Zutari has completed several aspects of Phase 1 and Phase 1A of the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), for which it provided civil and structural engineering services associated with bulk and internal infrastructure. →

An image of the construction site of the TASEZ project

ZUTARI TASEZ DEVELOPMENT The TASEZ is a key driver for economic growth in the City of Tshwane and in Gauteng

Infrastructure upgrades for eThekwini municipality

10th September 2021 Consulting engineers Bosch Projects and financial institution Bosch Capital – members of the Bosch Holdings group of companies – work closely with municipalities nationally to assist with upgrading infrastructure. →

Company uses innovative ideas in municipal project

By: Anna Moross 10th September 2021 Consulting engineers Knight Piésold completed the design and construction supervision of the 25 ML rectangular reinforced concrete reservoir at the Emoyeni site for the eThekwini municipality Water and Sanitation Unit in February 2021. →

An image of the construction of the concrete reservoir project

CONCRETE RESERVOIR The project represents creative design elements that exceeded the expectations of both the client and the community

Tech key to transform water systems

By: Anna Moross 10th September 2021 The global water and wastewater treatment market is driven by rapid population growth and urbanisation and it is, therefore, critical for water boards and municipalities to break down the ‘silo mentality’ for better management of resources, says information technology company Rockwell Automation... →

An image of Sagren Govender the sales manager and Europe, Middle East and Africa water industry coordinator for Rockwell Automation

SAGREN GOVENDER Using technology in the development of water plants allows for intellectual knowledge to be shared between water boards and municipalities

Science and tech key to sector’s survival

By: Halima Frost 21st August 2020 The impact of Covid-19 on infrastructure projects demands that the construction sector use its scientific and engineering expertise better, says engineering consultant SRK Consulting partner and principal engineering technologist Steve Bartels. “The Covid-19 pandemic has reminded us that... →

STEVE BARTELS Communication and data-sharing technologies will be increasingly important tools in the country’s ‘new normal’ working practices since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic

Investing in infrastructure now will boost economy

By: Halima Frost 21st August 2020 Now is the time to invest in infrastructure projects to ensure that the industry does not hit a lull when the economy fully reopens after the lockdown regulations are lifted, urges multinational engineering firm Aecom client and government sector Africa director Fadzai Nyamasve. “The industry... →

FADZAI NYAMASVE The industry cannot afford to wait for the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic to subside

Sustainable solutions needed to build economy

By: Halima Frost 21st August 2020 “A sustainable infrastructure solution is required to reignite South Africa’s economy after Covid-19,” says Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) CEO Chris Campbell. Many municipalities are incapable of handling the infrastructure procurement process from inception to completion, owing to the... →

CHRIS CAMPBELL Explains that it makes sense to use private-sector capacity on a good governance model basis

Water infrastructure project on course

By: Halima Frost 21st August 2020 Multidisciplinary engineering, procurement and construction management house COENG is offering its occupational health and safety, as well as environmental management, expertise to the second phase of the Klipdrift Water Treatment Works project in the Hammanskraal area, in northern Gauteng and... →

Reliable infrastructure needed to meet fibre demand

By: Halima Frost 21st August 2020 With physical distancing encouraged amid Covid-19, the need for reliable fibre connectivity and infrastructure has increased, says open access network provider Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) strategy, mergers and acquisitions and innovation executive Vino Govender. “We have seen a significant increase... →

VINO GOVENDER
Enabling a high-speed digital world where innovations and meaningful connections prosper. Connecting Africans to each other and to the world

Dark Fibre Africa strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and innovation executive Vino Govender discusses the increased demand for bandwidth and data during Covid-19. Camerawork: Kutlwano Matala. Editing: Nicholas Boyd. Recorded: 23.07.2020

Industry body welcomes infrastructure spend decision

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 16th August 2019 Industry body Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) welcomes the decision by government to allocate about R100-billon as seed funding for infrastructure development. “The organisation would like to appeal to government to use competent capacity at municipal level, by leveraging the... →

New buildings to provide accommodation closer to institutions

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 16th August 2019 To address the issue of the lack of student accommodation in close proximity to campus, ADA Consulting Engineers has been involved in a greenfield construction project for a Southpoint building on Jorissen street in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. “Owing to Braamfontein being a densely built-up area,... →

Africa’s first high-speed train line fully operational

By: Khutso Maphatsoe 16th August 2019 The Al Boraq high-speed train line, which links the cities of Tangier and Casablanca, in Morocco, is fully operational. Railway infrastructure constructor Colas Rail, a subsidiary of construction company the Colas Group, built a 182 km/s electrified double track between Tangier and Kenitra.... →

FROM POINT A TO B The new railway infrastructure allows for a maximum operational speed of 320 km/h and leads to a two-and-a-half-hour gain between Tangiers and Casablanca

Experts collaborate to deliver project in Kenya

17th August 2018 Integrated infrastructure delivery company Aecom’s Nairobi team, consisting of experts from South Africa, Kenya, Germany and the US, is working on a civil-structure assessment project for a transmission line in Kenya. “A major advantage for Aecom in the region is its ability to leverage its... →

BONI CHILESHE A major advantage for Aecom in the region is its ability to leverage its international expertise and experience on the continent

Microsurfacing system cost effective, environment friendly

By: Donald Makhafola 17th August 2018 Bituminous binders and slurries for road-surfacing specialist manufacturer and applicator Colas South Africa completed 700 000 m² of road reseal for Mogale City local municipality, including several roads in the Krugersdorp Nature Reserve, over the past three years. For the project, which... →

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY The Colas South Africa team applying Colmat L microsurfacing in the Krugersdorp Nature Reserve

Wave of innovation for infrastructure development

By: Donald Makhafola 17th August 2018 With business spend in Africa predicted to grow from $2.6-trillion in 2015 to $3.5-trillion by 2025, wholly black-owned construction group Concor Construction believes that this trend will redefine urban areas and cities, triggering the need for rapid infrastructure development and services.... →

COLLABORATION Concor Construction wants to work with governments and municipalities to meet their mandates for infrastructure delivery

Expediting infrastructure development to address rapid urbanisation

By: Donald Makhafola 17th August 2018 With increasing urbanisation and technological advancement in African countries, the need for more robust and sophisticated infrastructure to support and sustain this growth is essential, says global engineering consultancy firm SRK Consulting partner and principal civil engineer James Morris.... →

URBANISATION There is a need for robust and sophisticated infrastructure to support and sustain increasing urbanisation in Africa

Photo by Bloomberg
URBANISATION There is a need for robust and sophisticated infrastructure to support and sustain increasing urbanisation in Africa

55 Mℓ/d treatment plant completed

17th August 2018 Global optimised resource management company Veolia Water Technologies South Africa recently handed over the 55 Mℓ/d potable water treatment plant to State-owned water utility Umgeni Water in the iLembe district municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. The project was part of the Lower Thukela Bulk Water... →

RELIABLE SUPPLY The 55 Mℓ/d potable water treatment plant in the iLembe District has been handed over to Umgeni Water

Investors looking for viable infrastructure projects in Africa

By: Donald Makhafola 17th August 2018 There is investor appetite for well-structured infrastructure projects on the continent, but investors need clarity from governments on regulations and the various projects earmarked for development, says specialist banking company Investec Bank head of power and infrastructure finance... →

INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE Investec Bank is considering investment in renewable energy, water desalination and treatment projects, transportation infrastructure and speciality buildings

Need for engineers amid infrastructure delivery challenges

By: Donald Makhafola 17th August 2018 Amid basic service delivery challenges, such as housing, water, transport infrastructure and energy, there is a desperate need for engineers in the country, says association for consulting engineering firms Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa) president Neresh Pather. He says efforts should... →

NERESH PATHER AND CHRIS CAMPBELL Consulting Engineers South Africa is encouraging partnerships among its member companies, in the form of joint ventures, to benefit in respect of growth and skills transfer

SADC in need of localised development

18th August 2017 Localisation in infrastructure development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is critical to industrialisation, says the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). →

NIGEL GWYNNE-EVANS State-owned entities have a critical role to play in attractive private sector investment for infrastructure projects

Company offers complete solution for water treatment works

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th August 2017 Chemical dosing and pump solutions supplier Packaged Metering and Pumping Solutions (PMPS) says its Polisol automatic polymer preparation plant unit, from Italy-based metering pumps manufacturer OBL, can cater for companies that need small-scale dosing equipment. →

POLISOL POLYMER PLANT There’s a gap in the market for small-scale dosing equipment that can be custom-made for a client’s applications

Company supplies piping for water treatment expansion project

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th August 2017 Thermoplastic piping company Plasti-Tech supplied a range of piping, custom fittings and flanges to Zululand district municipality’s Usuthu purification plant expansion infrastructure project to increase output by 20 M a day. →

MEGA SUPPLY Plasti-Tech supplied R1.8-million worth of piping and fabricated fittings for the Usuthu water purification plant expansion project

Diverse assets for infrastructure in demand

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th August 2017 In the commercial and industrial property development space, as well as its supporting infrastructure, there is demand for high-quality, diverse assets with strategic locations and offering optimal planning and design, says consultancy firm WSP. →

WILLIAM JOHNSTON
The state of the economy offers processing plants and light manufacturers an opportunity for repairs and maintenance

WSP property team and structures regional director William Johnston discusses the demand for diverse assets in the infrastructure industry.

New code to benefit smaller companies

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th August 2017 With the Amended Construction Sector Code (CSC) in its final stages, business strategy consultancy Gestalt says that the CSC will provide revised specifications in terms of the black economic empowerment (BEE) requirements in the sector. The sector codes continue to advance the transformation... →

DEON OBERHOLZER Some companies prefer noncompliance with BEE requirements, but subsequently lose lucrative opportunities to supply government or public-sector-related projects

Photo by Duane Daws
DEON OBERHOLZER Some companies prefer noncompliance with BEE requirements, but subsequently lose lucrative opportunities to supply government or public-sector-related projects

Procurement standard set to stop use of ‘cheap’ professional services

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th August 2017 The National Treasury’s (NT’s) standard for infrastructure procurement and delivery management aimed at addressing government’s use of “cheap” professional service providers in public infrastructure projects officially became applicable to municipalities last month. →

INCLUSIVE DECISION-MAKING
Government bodies in their respective procurement departments, should make more of a crossfunctional team effort regarding procurement

Photo by Duane Daws
INCLUSIVE DECISION-MAKING Government bodies in their respective procurement departments, should make more of a crossfunctional team effort regarding procurement

Project aids community development

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th August 2017 With 70% of the R370-million Cornubia Interchange project complete, construction design and engineering services provider Royal HaskoningDHV and the eThekwini roads provision department say the project is likely to be completed in January next year. →

PILING UP Royal HaskoningDHV construction project manager Drew Wilson says the biggest challenge has been piling and the foundation of the structure

Upscaled infrastructure and regional integration needed in Africa

10th June 2016 Africa is urbanising at a rapid pace, which means infrastructure such as bypasses, bridges, new highways and new technologies needs to be deployed in congested areas where traditional methods cannot work, notes Africa-focused consultancy Africa House director Duncan Bonnett. →

Improved project implementation will drive infrastructure growth

By: Robyn Wilkinson 10th June 2016 Infrastructure construction specialist Inyatsi Construction Group Holdings chairperson Frans Pienaar says a willingness from government to transfer the responsibility for the implementation of infrastructure projects to the private sector will help to drive growth in the industry. →

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