26 Feb 2013

Building & Construction

 


At last... Some meaningful action against corrupt officials?

Service delivery is a major problem as it is, but what exacerbates the issue is when those charged with using our tax monies to deliver services too often use it to further their own ends and enrich themselves. So it is to be welcomed that Minister of Justice and Reconciliation Jeff Radebe has announced that the names of those government officials convicted of corruption are to be published.

In a similar vein, National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel says there should be consequences for public servants who do not deliver. Many people might add to that: "What about adding non-performing government ministers and provincial MECs to the mix?"

Writing from the US, Reuben Yonatan tells us what we can expect from VoIP in 2013. As he says, the future is always bright for any kind of computer-related or especially internet-related technology so we can always expect new innovations, but just what sort of innovations can we predict?

It is the government's job to provide the environment in which business can thrive, and it is the job of business to then provide employment. Unfortunately, it appears that in SA much conspires against the establishment and healthy growth of SMEs; a recent study finds South Africa is hostile to SMEs.

Finally, the thought of our tame motoring editor Henrie Geyser in makeup - fancy or otherwise - is, well... deeply disturbing. But the same cannot be said, thank goodness, for Opel's new OPC rocket, which Henrie reckons is a rocket ship with fancy make-up.

Rod Baker: Content Director

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Editorial news

Building & Construction

Dragon Boat Challenge - preparing for the Corporate Games
[Issued by Corporate Games] 3rd South Africa, Official License Holder of Corporate Games South Africa, invited companies from all over the Western Cape to participate in a Dragon Boat Challenge. Read more >>  visit press office >>


Building Materials

ArcelorMittal production to resume in March
ArcelorMittal SA expects some parts of the steel-making operations to resume at its Vanderbijlpark plant next month following the fire that damaged the facility on 9 February. Read more >>

Masonite's huge profit rise of 145%
Masonite (Africa) Limited advised on Tuesday (19 February) that its profit from operations‚ excluding the adjustment in fair value of biological assets‚ for the period ended December 2012 is expected to be 135% to 145% higher than that of the comparative period in 2011 due to improved trading margins and other operational improvements. Read more >>


Civil Engineering

Webster Mfebe appointed executive director of SAFCEC
Webster Mfebe, who was appointed executive director of the South African Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC) on 1 January 2013, is well qualified to take the organisation to a new level. Read more >>

Nuclear power will help lower emissions, diversify energy mix
South Africa intends to introduce nuclear power that will help to lower carbon emissions, Energy Minister Dipuo Peters said on Tuesday, adding that it would be done safely. Read more >>


Construction

More buildings completed in 2012
The value of buildings reported as completed (at current prices) increased by 4.6% (R1.9bn) in 2012 Statistics SA (Stats SA) figures showed on Thursday (21 February). Read more >>

Chinese companies not favoured in Botswana
[Nicholas Kotch] If Ian Khama has any say in the matter‚ and he most certainly shall‚ Chinese companies may not be collecting many more government contracts in Botswana in the near future. Read more >>

2013 will be a watershed year for alternative building technologies
[Brent Harris] The year 2013 will mark the coming of age of alternative building technologies (ABTs) on the southern African construction landscape - and the urgent need for housing and associated infrastructure delivery will be its main driver. Read more >>

Shoprite plans 136 new stores in Africa
[Zeenat Moorad] Shoprite Holdings is steamrolling ahead with its African expansion - the retailer has 136 stores in the pipeline as it eyes fast growing oil-rich markets like Nigeria and Angola. Read more >>


Project Management

Infrastructure plan should not be impacted by slowdown
South Africa 's massive infrastructure plan should not be allowed to be impacted upon by the global economic slowdown or derailed by a lack of funding, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said this week. Read more >>


Government
Nzimande says "progress made"
Substantial progress has been made the past decade and a half in relation to schooling, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande claimed on Tuesday (19 February). Read more >>

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2013 Biz Trends Report


93 pages
49 contributors
41 contributions

New people on biz

Eward Kayombo
Estate Officer at Mega Complex Ltd
Mr. Kul Bhushan Gogia
Building Construction Materials
Mr. Shirish Shah
Construction Service
Mr. P. Ravichandran
Commercial Projects
Garrith Hyman
Owner at Samrand Plumbing

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