Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal

Flood Victims Thank Association Member

2010-07-28T16:36:00.006+02:00

We recently ran a news article covering the sterling work Stewcon Construction carried out on behalf of the people of Club Marina who had lost their homes when the Ifafa River flooded. The following is a letters of thanks from those whose lives were affected by the Stewcon Initiative.

"Sometimes we take for granted the everyday things that happen around us, never stopping to think that maybe, just maybe this particular event is happening for a reason.
Why? Because we are safe and snug in our own lives.

Then the 17th June 2008 arrived and the Ifafa River showed us what power water has.

It showed us that we must not take life for granted. The Ifafa River showed us that we were living in its path, and left us feeling insecure, undecided and unsafe.

Then Club Marina Directors swopped our river sites for a site up on “ The Hill “ we now had a Dream. A Dream to have a home away from the wrath of the Ifafa, a dream to be safe, secure and snug once more.

Wentzel we believe that you were sent to Club Marina to revamp Cindy`s home, and to become friends with the people of Club Marina. You never hesitated when you heard of our predicament, but loaded your Bakkie with spades,mops,clothes and wheelbarrows and delivered them to us.

Then you came along and helped our dreams come true, you gave us affordable Quotes, brought Graham along with your working crew and started building our Dream up on “The Hill”.

We, that chose to relocate Thank You Wentzel and Graham not forgetting Chappie who will replace Graham next year, for your Time, Knowledge and Patience that has been so generously spent building our Dreams.

We enjoy your company and the odd cup of coffee together, but most of all, Wentzel, we believe that you, Wentzel were sent to Club Marina for a reason.

Wentzel, without your Quotes, Time, Patience and Knowledge, many of us, who chose to relocate to higher ground on the Hill, would have had no option but live again in the Flood Line, feeling unsafe and insecure. So, we would like you to know that all that has been done for us is truly appreciated."

From: Club Marina
Flood Victims, on the Hill

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Nyandezulu Community Project Handover

2010-07-26T12:10:00.004+02:00

In celebration of a community project’s conclusion, a handover ceremony took place on Thursday 22 July 2010 at the Nyandezulu Village west of Port Shepstone. The initiative was the second of its kind undertaken by a small group of business people consisting virtually entirely of Association members operating out of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast region.

Once again the recipient had been identified by Mayor Sithembiso Cele of Ugu Municipality who had initiated the project via George Enslin of Wakefields. George in turn got Hans Stols (South Coast Regional Manager) and Ray Basson (South Coast Regional Chairman) involved who got proceedings underway by contacting members of the Association requesting their participation.

Reminiscent of the Gamalakhe Community Project undertaken in 2009, our South Coast members rose to the challenge and made a tangible difference in the life of somebody less fortunate than themselves.

A detailed article covering the Nyandezulu initiative will soon be appearing on masterbuilders.co.za.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Christmas in Zululand

2010-07-23T11:02:00.004+02:00

Christmas in Zululand is a beautiful thing, not that I would know from personal experience, I do however assume it to be the case having witnessed the tremendous enthusiasm and vigor with which a box containing branded clothing was opened this morning.

Our new range of branded clothing arrived last week and rather than couriering it to our Empangeni office, I brought it up myself as I already had a scheduled appointment with our Zululand Regional manager. While all recipients of the new branded clothing have displayed enthusiasm, none have with as much fervor as Balungile Nyawo aka Lungi.

Balungile is our customer care assistant based at the Association’s Zululand office in Empangeni. She is extremely brand proud and her roles and responsibilities include client liaison as well as various administrative duties. Lungi is a great brand ambassador for the Association who now proudly boasts a range of vibrant branded clothing, to match her vibrant personality.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Our Wind Turbines Have Arrived

2010-07-21T15:51:00.004+02:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal would as part of its greening initiative, be running a renewable parallel electricity supply. The use of solar and wind, supported by a number of technical applications form the basis of this project.

We are pleased to report that we are making progress and that the wind turbines are being mounted to the roof as I type. We will in the foreseeable future be providing an overview of the equipment we are running and how it impacts on the environment as well as providing a cost saving analysis.

Our greening interventions are to be showcased as a source of information and inspiration to further and promote environmentally sustainable building practices. Renovations to our building continue and our green building exhibition centre will soon be open to the public.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Who’s Subsidising Whom ?

2010-07-20T14:11:00.008+02:00

Parastatals are intended to be profitable organisations which exist to ease the tax burden, rather than to augment it.

With respect to the ANC Youth League’s tireless efforts to keep the debate on nationalisation of our country’s mines alive, one wonders how many tax payers fear having to further subsidise losses, as apposed to having faith in government’s ability to run the mining industry profitably. Eskom’s ongoing shenanigans haven’t helped the cause and perhaps government accepts that they don’t need another headache.

"Nationalisation of mines is not government policy. In my lifetime there will be no nationalisation of mines. Maybe when I'm dead, and rest assured I'm not dying next week," Minister Susan Shabangu, Department of Mineral Resources.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

South Coast Community Project

2010-07-16T06:22:00.000+02:00

On Thursday 22 July 2010 a community project handover ceremony is to take place at Nyandezulu on KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast. The Honourable Mayor and other delegates will be among the guests and will be handing over the keys to the project’s beneficiary. Once again reporters have been invited and editorials covering this very noble endeavour will feature in print media.

This is the second project of this nature that Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal South Coast members have collaborated on. Those who follow Association news will recall that in 2009 it was aimed at uplifting a particular family in the Gamalakhe township west of Port Shepstone.

The Associations intrepid reporter (that would be me) will also be there notebook in one hand, camera in the other. The Gamalakhe handover was an incredibly gratifying experience and I look forward to being part of the Nyandezulu occasion.

A warm-hearted thank you to all who contributed.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

The Infamous Anti-Chain Letter

2010-07-14T15:01:00.005+02:00

Despite having recently uploaded a blog post titled “10 People Who Think you’re a Moron,” I recently received a chain mail of sorts from several of my colleagues who had hoped to receive a free Blackberry smartphone (within 24 hours) for their efforts. It is always a somewhat amusing contradiction, when the sender of chain letter is compelled to begin with: “I’m not superstitious but…” Who are they kidding!

Next time you are sent a mail suggesting that you are to be rewarded in some or other way by forwarding it on to 10 or more people, I recommend you return the favour by sending them the infamous (which is to say, not famous) Anti-Chain Letter!

The Infamous Anti-Chain Letter

Within one hour of receiving this letter, pass this letter on to absolutely nobody. Show your friends that you are really a true friend by not passing this letter on to them! If you don't pass the letter on within one hour, good fortune will come your way. If you don't pass the letter on within 24 hours, true love will come your way! If you never pass on this letter, you will find true love and you will be granted one wish! No lie!

However, if you do pass on the Anti-Chain letter, "you will be cursed for eternity and you will not have any love in your life whatsoever."…Well, not really, but you'll be cursed with the guilt of having passed on a self-defeating chain letter! So take that! It's your choice. True love, or guilt. . . Make The Right Decision.

Edith Holt Reports:
"I receive anti-chain letters all the time, but this time I decided, 'what the heck?' and instead of passing it on to all my friends, as I usually do, I decided to NOT pass on the anti-chain letter! Guess what happened? I won the lottery! This was really weird, especially because I had not actually bought a lottery ticket."

Aaron "Eh?" Holt wrote:
"I did not receive the anti-chain letter, but passed it on anyway. How I regret the day that I passed it on! Not only do I live with the guilt of passing it on - just as the letter predicted! - I also have utterly failed to find true love! Also my grandmother, Edith, was struck by lightning soon afterward."

Napolean Bonaparte wrote:
"Ma tortue a pris fue et je n'ai pas de pantalon!"
(translated into English)
"I passed on the anti-chain letter, and my invasion of Russia failed."

Pass it on at your Peril!

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Findings of Economist Mike Schussler

2010-07-12T06:37:00.005+02:00

I would like to draw your attention to two news commentaries, one appeared in Business Day, the other a Times Live article, both reporting on the findings of Mike Schussler, chief executive of Economists.co.za.

He’s findings paint a somewhat bizarre picture and indicate that the unique economic circumstances that South African’s currently endure, aren’t sustainable.

It is implied that the benefits enjoyed by those who work for parastatals, aren’t sustainable in the private sector. The standards which government and state enterprises have thus set, have resulted in private sector companies employing less, which in turn has resulted in more taking of social benefits.

As you can no doubt imagine, there are a whole host of ramifications. According to Schussler more South Africans receive money from welfare, than from employment. His numbers inform that there are 12.8 million people working while 13.8 million receive welfare payments, this from the proceeds of five million taxpayers.

Both articles make for very interesting reading:

Business Day Article
Times Live Article

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Committed To The Brand

2010-07-09T13:53:00.002+02:00

I was once privy to a conversation relating to vehicle branding in which a gentleman, who was vehemently apposed to removable magnetic car advertising strips, stated the following:

“In a breakfast of bacon eggs it’s the pig that is committed, not the chicken”

He said this to express his view that the manner in which you display your brand directly reflects on how you operate as an organization. By removing magnetic strips from the vehicle after hours, the message is sent that there exists a 9 to 5 mindset.

It also looks cheap and nasty creating the impression that whoever’s branding it displays, either operates on the cheap or does things halfheartedly. This particular gentleman believed it to be far more effective to vehicle wrap a car from top to bottom, thus telling the world that you are in it for the long ride.

We re-launched our own brand just over a year ago and as organizations go we are extremely brand proud. After having placed a lot of thought into the design of it, we have just brought out our new range of branded clothing. With this in mind we got a bunch of good looking Hollywood model types to pose for a photograph, sporting our golf shirt range.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Longspan - Celebrating 30 Years of Success

2010-07-07T14:34:00.004+02:00

Any family business that is harmoniously conducted with dedication and high professionalism has a recipe for success, but none more so than Longspan Gutters that has been providing the construction industry with worldclass products for the past three decades.

From its inception, the vision of the company was to be seen as the industry market leader, renowned for its commitment to uncompromising quality and world-class service, and thus the company motto of We lead, others follow has been earned by the high skills levels exhibited throughout the company, the service provided to its customers, and the esteem with which Longspan Gutters is held throughout the industry.

On-site precision roll-forming

Longspan Gutters provides a comprehensive service for most configurations in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors by providing standard roll-formed gutters on site.

Purpose made gutters, fascia and barge board replacements, purpose made cladding and flashings are an additional service which Longspan Gutters engages in, and are fitted on site to the correct dimensions and specifications.
This provides considerable savings in time, labour and materials because the purpose made gutters, fascia and barge board replacements, purpose made cladding and flashings are all formed and fitted on site to the correct dimensions and specifications.

The precision installation process is fast, efficient and hassle-free, and the seamless gutters are guaranteed not to fade, leak or rust. The aluminum coating formulation has been selected to provide optimum qualities of film hardness, flexibility for forming operations, light fastness and resistance to weathering and chalking.

Prestigious projects

Longspan Gutters has installed over 2 000 kilometers of guttering over the 30 years of its existence, which includes some of the landmark buildings in South Africa and its environs. Amongst the recent installations of note are Khayalitsha Hospital, where the main contractor was Group 5, Glengary Shopping Centre (WBHO), Telkom Exchange Pinelands, Groote Schuur Hospital (GVK), Parklands Private School (Granbuild),
and Caledon Prison (NMC).

Unique product offering

“We also do copper gutters and have recently completed an installation at a
customer’s home in the upmarket suburb of Constantia in Cape Town with
a contract valued at over R200 000,” says Longspan Gutters director and
general manager Paul Marais.

Both CEO Gus Behn and Paul Marais are in unison when asked what they consider to be the main ingredient of the company’s success, citing world-class service, uncompromising quality and expertise, and attention to detail in everything the company does. “We’re passionate people who love to do what we do!”

Longspan Gutters has gained an enviable reputation for its highly skilled staff in all aspects of its business. Company administration, sales, manufacturing and on-site forming and installation are all carried out by staff with a high level of skill and experience, and this in turn generates a feeling of pride in the company, endorsed by the extremely high rate of staff retention the company enjoys. Most employees have been with the company for over a decade and bring a high level of expertise and dedication to any project they undertake.

Also, Longspan Gutters has a strong sense of social responsibility, having been awarded the Best SMME of the Year as a Proudly South African Company, and its factories (in Cape Town and Durban) have attained verified BBBEE status under the terms of the Broad-Based Black Empowerment Act 53/2003.

Longspan Gutters
Cape Town: Tel: 021 556 8522; Fax: 021 556 8520
Durban: Tel: 031 569 6500; Fax: 031 569 6505
Website: www.longspangutters.com
Read News Article

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Eskom And Unions, Unquestionably Patriotic

2010-07-05T18:07:00.006+02:00

Regarding the Eskom strike the ANC informs us was patriotically averted:

I doubt that Eskom employees were by any stretch of the imagination, the worst paid lot in town to begin with. Regardless of how a parastatal performs financially, it has to scrupulously follow every corporate governance guideline perhaps encouraging an environment in which annual increases are considered a right, rather than something that is worked for and earned.

Eskom is now offering workers a 9% wage increase along with a R1500 housing allowance, as apposed to the previous offer of a R1000 housing allowance and an 8.5 % increase.

When one considers the current economic climate, and the degree to which the consumer is expected to bale the mismanaged Public Utility out, how appalling is it that they used the World Cup and the reputation of our country, as leverage for the sake of .5 of a percent.

The ANC believes that the deal illustrates that all the parties involved are unquestionably patriotic and supportive to South Africa’s current hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

To me it read more like underperforming ungrateful cretins hold SA to ransom.

But perhaps I have missed something, if so please let me know by posting a comment.

Ernest Roper

Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

12.6 Million New Reasons To Dislike Eskom

2010-07-02T14:17:00.005+02:00

Eskom is truly a unique organization which differentiates itself by taking conventional business wisdom and implementing entirely the opposite. If there were a book titled “Best Business Practice for Dummies”, it would no doubt clearly state that rule 1 of surviving difficult times is to cut back on unnecessary expenses and not to reward those who under perform.

In addition to the ongoing wage dispute and unions threatening to strike, the Public Utility has again made headlines this time for indulging in World Cup festivity at the expense of the consumer.

Let’s not forget that it was Eskom's dire financial footing, which led to a R27-billion World Bank loan in order to maintain the country’s electricity supply. It also resulted in the already battle weary consumer having to face the daunting prospect of subsidising it by way of large tariff hikes.

It is for this reason I am angered by news that during 2009 and 2010, Eskom purchased 1 110 World Cup tickets 700 of which were for hospitality seating valued at about R17 000 each. It has emerged that the decision to make the purchase which amounted to R12.6 million, was in fact taken in November 2008 four months prior to a financial year end that saw Eskom declare a R9.7-billion loss.

I cannot help wondering how many electricity consumers would dearly liked to have attended at least one World Cup game but simply couldn’t find room in their respective budgets for it. The same principle applies to households as with business, in difficult times you cut back on luxuries.

The self indulgent behavior of Eskom’s hierarchy is deplorable.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

First Aid Course - Midlands

2010-06-30T06:15:00.000+02:00

We are pleased to announce that on 16 - 17 July 2010, (Friday and Saturday) Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal will be hosting “Level One First Aid” at our Midlands regional office in Pietermaritzburg. It is a 2 day course which runs from 8am-4pm and is for members of the Association only.

The fee is R600-00 per head with the Association subsidizing 50% of the cost of 2 representatives per member attending.

Should you wish for any of your staff to participate, please contact Gareth or Shahieda at the Midlands office ASAP as this course is limited to 10 people per sitting. It is on a first come first served basis and in order to ensure that as many members as possible are able to make use of this service; participants are limited to 2 staff members per enterprise.

Please note that first aid training is a requirement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and you are therefore well advised to make use of this opportunity at 50% of the market price.

Shahieda Adams
Customer Care Facilitator - Midlands

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Don’t Mess With Tokyo

2010-06-28T14:14:00.006+02:00

Those who have kept abreast of matters relating to Tokyo Sexwale, would have to be impressed by his no nonsense approach and willingness to get the job done.

I refer to three initiatives spearheaded by his department which will no doubt for many, enhance quality of life.

Throwing the weight of his department behind the NHBRC essentially giving them the teeth needed to shut down unregistered home builders.
The announcement of a departmental budget of 16.2 Billion Rand for the current fiscal year, with subsidy housing its number 1 priority. “The target for human settlements ought to be nothing less than an enhanced vision driven by a similar energy and passion to World Cup 2010 – this time round, human settlements 2030.”
The recent launch of a national audit to come to grips with the "substantial" problem of housing beneficiaries informally and illegally, selling properties that were allocated to them.

Incidentally……

Minister Tokyo Sexwale’s real name is Mosima Gabriel Sexwale, his nickname Tokyo derived from his passion for Karate as a youth, so don’t mess with him, build properly …. OR ELSE ! :)

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Corporate Identity Package

2010-06-25T07:15:00.000+02:00

Over the last six months I have had several meetings with members of the Association for the purpose of gathering information relating to findabuilder.co.za. With many having asked for assistance in creating a professional corporate identity and with the internal resources we have at our disposal, we felt compelled to oblige.

A professionally designed (and consistently applied) corporate identity is a surefire way of building brand equity. The Association is therefore excited to announce a range of corporate identity packages which are tailor made to brand your business for success.

There are currently three packages on offer, all of which include the design/re-design of a professional logo and corporate identity by our graphic designer, as well as a set of business stationery.

Bronze
2 Initial logo designs (Up to 2 revision rounds)
Designing of business card & Letter heads
100x Business cards (Colour)(Max 1 names)
100x A4 Letterheads (Colour)
R1 955 excl vat (including delivery)

Silver
4 Initial logo designs (Up to 4 revision rounds)
Designing of business cards,letterhead, fax cover sheet
250x Business cards (Colour)(Max 2 names)
200x A4 Letterheads (Colour)
50x A4 Fax cover sheets (Black)
R2 760 excl vat (including delivery)

Gold
6 Initial logo designs(Up to 4 revision rounds)
Designing of business cards,
letterhead, fax cover sheet,
compliment slips, presentation folder
500x Business cards (Colour)(Max 5 names)
300x A4 Letterheads (Colour)
100x A4 Fax cover sheets (Black)
100x DL Compliment slips (Colour)
R3 450 excl (including delivery

Members of the Association receive a 15% DISCOUNT!

For more information or to place an order, contact Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal on 031 266 7070 and ask for Jhan Rankin.

Download PDF

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Update: Renovations To Our Building

2010-06-23T11:49:00.004+02:00

We are pleased to announce that the renovations and greening of our Westville premises are on track.

The objective is to make our building energy and water efficient and hence we will be running a renewable parallel electricity supply.

Our greening interventions are to be showcased as a source of information and inspiration, not only furthering and promoting environmentally sustainable building practices, but also enhancing our brand and creating greater awareness of the Association and its members.

In addition……

Our conference facilities are being expanded to meet demand and to also create top notch training venues.

A digital display centre is to be implemented that will allow associate members to display their products and services to the public. There will also be a permanent green building exhibition coupled with a marketing platform for suppliers of green goods and services.

Then lastly something that will please our members immensely, from next month onward, there will be substantially more parking available.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Lets Talk NHBRC

2010-06-21T14:40:00.005+02:00

The Association receives an immense amount of inquiries relating to the NHBRC.

Having taken cognizance of this, we have added a new page to masterbuilders.co.za titled "Lets talk NHBRC," which hopefully provides some of the answers, to the many NHBRC related questions people have.

Topics that are covered include:

Registration of Non-Subsidy Projects:
Normal enrolment: Plot and Plan
Cluster development/ Spec building / cash build
Sectional title
Calculation of Enrolment Fees
Late Enrolment

We have also included a poll down the right hand column of the page wherein we ask readers to vote on whether or not the page encompasses the information they were looking for. It is important to get this kind of feedback as we strive to provide Association members as well as members of the public, with information that is useful and relevant.

Visit “Lets Talk NHBRC” and don’t forget to rate the information.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Boy Were They Wrong!

2010-06-18T12:34:00.004+02:00

“I think there is a world market for about five computers.”

Thomas Watson, Chairman, IBM, 1943

“Computers in the future may weigh no more than 1.5 tons”
Popular Mechanics Magazine forecasting the future during 1949

“There is no reason for anyone to have a computer in their home”
Ken Olson, President, Digital Equipment, 1977

“640K (of memory) ought to be enough for everyone”
Bill Gates, CEO, Microsoft, 1981

The milestone of the first PC in the history of computers belongs to the Altair 8800 which was launched during 1977. With an early Intel processor and 1 kilobyte of RAM, it was sold in kit form.

The popular term "personal computer" and its acronym PC, was introduced by IBM and is now widely applied to describe all desktop or portable computers.

On 12 August 1981, IBM launched an 8-bit Intel 8088 microprocessor running at 4.77 megahertz, 64 kilobytes of random access memory (RAM) with a single-sided 5 1/4- inch floppy disk drive capable of storing 160 kilobytes with a black & white monitor. It did not have a hard drive and application programmes had to be loaded into the computer’s RAM.

Bill Gates established the Microsoft Corporation in 1977. Microsoft designed a disc operating system (MS- DOS) for IBM personal computers and the rest is history. The explosion in the popularity of Personal Computers spawned huge economic activity in software development applications and a myriad of devices used with computers, as well as publication of magazines including reviews of hardware, software and tips for its application.

Despite what the pundits had predicted, personal computers revolusionised the world.

Pieter Rautenbach

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

A Feat of Construction Engineering

2010-06-14T12:50:00.007+02:00

The Construction and Reconstruction of the Temples at Abu Simbel

The temples are situated in the desert region of the upper Nile valley in an area named Nubia by the Romans. They were constructed on the river’s west bank by long reigning Pharaoh Ramses II.

The facades of both temples are decorated with a number of colossal statues cut directly into the rock and in the larger temple; Ramses is portrayed in four seated statues each approximately 20 meters tall. The front of the temple is 38 meters wide with the temple reaching 65 meters high into the rock. One of the huge statues was destroyed in antiquity.

The smaller temple was dedicated to Nefertari the Pharaoh`s wife and is the only known ancient Egyptian temple, deeded to the wife of a Pharaoh. The Queen who lived in thirteen century BC, died long before her husband, shortly after the temples were completed.

The temples were discovered by the Swiss Orientalist J L Burckhardt during 1813. That area of Nubia underwent dramatic change in the twentieth century when in 1898 the first Aswan Dam was built, and the level of the Nile rose. In the 1950s, the start of the construction of the second dam placed the temples at risk of being lost under the rising waters of Lake Nasser.

To save the temples, in 1963 UNESCO organised a rescue operation which became a race against the rising water level of the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1963). Before the work could commence a 360 meter high coffer dam wall, was erected around the temple buildings. Next, the porous sandstone was hardened with injections of synthetic resin.

The temples in the solid rock was cut into more than one thousand 30-ton blocks, and then lifted 65 meters high before shifted 180 meters inland and reassembled. After attracting worldwide attention, the project was completed on 22 September 1968. Five years after the commencement of the project and declared a world heritage site in 1979.

Pieter Rautenbach

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

A World Cup Legend

2010-06-11T11:25:00.007+02:00

Pelè leads Brazil to victory in the FIFA World Cup on 22 June 1970 in Mexico City after a 4-1 defeat of Italy in the final. It was Brazil`s third World Cup in 12 years.

Mel Edson Arantes de Nascimento, better known as Pelè, was born in Brazil in 1940. A passionate football player even as a child he was technically brilliant and a high-scoring forward. Between 1959 and 1968 while playing for FC Santos, they were the Brazilian champions five times.

He played for Brazil when they became South American champions twice and World champions three times. Crowned the King of the Strikers, he scored in just about every international match he ever played in; Pelè is an icon and an idol.

Over an eighteen year period between 1956 and 1974 he was the world’s most outstanding soccer player scoring 1220 goals. In 1970 Pelè was elected Athlete of the Year and helped transform soccer tournaments into emotional events affecting football fans around the world. Following his career as a player he became a television commentator, president of the Brazilian Soccer League and Minister of Sports.

Surrounded by team members, fans and policemen, Brazilian captain Pelè carries the Jules Rimez trophy around the stadium. His enthusiasm and delight is evident from his flashing smile. That photograph taken 40 years ago of Pelè holding the Jules Rimet trophy aloft, captured one of the most memorable moments in the history of sports.

2010 ........ FEEL IT, IT IS HERE !

Pieter Rautenbach

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Safety & The Brain

2010-06-09T12:09:00.009+02:00

Picture the scene, downtown Johannesburg 1989, 18 floors up ……

Unparalleled urban expansion in Johannesburg throughout the 80’s, gave rise to many of the city’s then modern new buildings. For one particular development project, a building was in-cased in steel framework, the purpose of which was to insert glass for decorative purposes, similar to that of our own Essex Terrace building.

An engineer while inspecting framework on the 18th floor, requested a labourer to stand on a scaffold that was projecting through one of the openings where a glass sheet would later be installed. The labourer essentially served as a counterweight, allowing the engineer to walk out onto the scaffold and check the exterior.

Incredibly, after the engineer had left, the worker felt the need to walk out onto the same scaffold to see what the engineer was looking at... Needless to say he didn’t walk away with just a sprained ankle.

The extraordinarily irresponsible engineer was the first to put himself at risk, betting his life on the labourer not deserting his post at a critical time. What then followed was an act of sublime stupidity.

With respect to modern day construction occupational health and safety legislation, back in the day they obviously did things very differently. What hasn't changed is that the brain still remains the most important safety tool.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

The Dreaded Secret Killer Disease

2010-06-07T09:52:00.003+02:00

Malaria is one of the most dreaded tropical diseases known to mankind. Since 2001, the incidence of malaria in Sub -Sahara Africa and South Africa made a dramatic comeback.

Ronald Ross was born in 1857 and became a Medical Officer in the British Army in India, where he treated patients who contracted tropical diseases. While visiting London during 1894, he became acquainted with Patrick Manson who was regarded as the `father of tropical medicine`.

Manson had demonstrated during 1878 that parasites that cause human disease could infect mosquitoes. Charles Laveran, a French physician, while stationed in Algeria during 1880 discovered that malaria was caused by protozoan, a one-celled microscopic animal. Laveran, could however not establish how the parasite entered the bloodstreams of humans. Ross who had become familiar with the work of Laveran, after his return to India in 1895 became determined to solve the mystery of malaria.

Ross was of the opinion that malaria was caused by mosquitoes, but the connection eluded him until 20 August 1897, when he peered through his microscope to examine the stomach tissue of a dapple-winged mosquito. It had been fed four days previously with the blood of a malaria patient. Ross found `something new.....exactly like the pigment of the parasite of malaria`. After further research Ross proved that malaria was transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito bite. Ross was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for this important discovery.

Ross who died in 1932, was an accomplished individual who played the piano and wrote poetry. On the 60th anniversary of his momentous discovery, the English poet John Masefield wrote;

Once on the august day, an exiled man
Striving to read hieroglyphics spelled
By changing speckles on glass, beheld
A secret hidden since the world began.

To Follow: The potential impact of Malaria, on the Construction industry throughout the African continent.

Pieter Rautenbach

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

10 People Who Think You're A Moron

2010-06-04T11:13:00.008+02:00

I received an e-mail this morning which I initially found quite believable and extremely disturbing. The gist of it is that security officials found a gun disguised as a cell phone which they say has immensely heightened the risk of flying. They further warn that should security officials want to inspect our cellular devices, we should all be extremely cooperative.

I thought it would make good content for today’s blog, I did however feel it necessary to check its authenticity first. There is an excellent website called Hoax-Slayer.com, they have been around since 2003 and make it there business to debunk email hoaxes and expose internet scams. They are very good at it.

The bane of the internet is that authenticity of content spread cannot be controlled; it is essentially a free for all to convey whatever one chooses, be it rubbish or otherwise.

The advent of email has taken the spread of chain letters to whole new dimension. The good news is I have never suffered the alleged doom and gloom consequence of having never forwarded them onto 10 friends. The only real guarantee is that if you do forward it on, 10 of your friends are going to think you're a moron.

The Bottom Line…..

According to www.hoax-slayer.com the bullet in the cell phone email is indeed a hoax. So next time you see a dodgy looking character reaching for his phone, RELAX ….you don’t have to dive for cover.

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Highest Bridge Piers Ever Constructed

2010-06-02T09:51:00.005+02:00

There's something just not right about driving above the clouds!

The Millau Viaduct is part of the new E11 expressway connecting Paris and Barcelona and features the highest bridge piers ever constructed.
The tallest is 240 meters (787 feet) high and the overall height is an impressive 336 meters (1102 feet), making this the highest bridge in the world. It's taller than the Eiffel Tower .

Interestingly, the Millau Viaduct is not straight.

Why?

It's because a straight road could induce a floating sensation as you drive across it, a slight curve remedies that feeling. The curve is 20km in range.

Moreover, the road has a slight incline of 3% to improve the visibility and reassure the driver.

An amazing engineering feat!

Images courtesy of flickr.com

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !

Most Important Safety Tool: The Brain

2010-05-31T12:10:00.004+02:00

For those who may not know about the Darwin Awards, it is an online chronicle of enterprising demises. While most of their articles centre on death via supreme stupidity, in some cases the not too bright protagonist amazingly survives. It’s also worth noting that they go to some lengths to verify the validity of each submission, so yes, what you are about to read, is indeed a true account.

In today’s post we refer to a Darwin Award Recipient in the category of construction safety who had the honor bestowed upon him, by doing something exceedingly silly while working on scaffolding.

"(26 January 2001, Florida) A 24-year-old construction worker tied himself to a piece of scaffolding for safety purposes while working on the 4th floor of the county jail annex. Forgetting he was attached to the metal, he tossed it to the ground and was carried along for the ride. He landed on the scaffolding, which pierced both legs and was treated for his injuries at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Hopefully he was also counseled on the use of his most important safety tool: His Brain."

Ernest Roper
Webmaster

CONSULT YOUR ASSOCIATION.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU !