Construction World August 2021

Construction AUGUST 2021 P U B L I C A T I O N S CROWN COVERING THE WORLD OF CONSTRUCTION

WORLD

HARD TIMES MEAN GETTING BACK TO BASICS WITH READYMIX FLAGSTAFF SQUARE IN THE EASTERN CAPE’S MAKEOVER CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY EMBRACES POPI ACT

CONTENTS

FEATURES

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06 Construction industry embraces POPI Act The MBAWC explains how this act will affect the construction industry. 09 “We are not using technology: technology is using us.” Is working from home an invasive alternative to social interaction? 12 Investment into SA affordable housing Divercity has a commitment from the UK to regenerate SA’s cities. 17 Kyalami Grand Prix circuit receives energy performance certificate This racetrack received a highly commendable B rating. 22 Sharing the PPC Africa sustainabilitymodel Rapidly changing business environments require agility. 25 Key factors for concrete durability The CCSA maintains that concrete durability can lead to savings. 27 Managing readymix waste for a sustainable planet The management of waste poses various challenges for the readymix industry. 28 Atterbury’s Caste Gate precinct development gets newoffices and gym Some 6 000 m 2 are being added to this fairly news centre. 30 Innovative Paarl Rock shows the way This development is one of seven ‘game changer’ projects for the Western Cape. REGULARS 04 MARKETPLACE 12 PROPERTY 16 ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY 28 BUILDING 36 ARCHITECTS

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Construction AUGUST 2021 P U B L I C A T I O N S CROWN COVERING THE WORLD OF CONSTRUCTION

WORLD

ON THE COVER

For contractors, reliable and on-time delivery of readymix is paramount in keeping projects progressing smoothly. For those under pressure, it is tempting to procure at the lowest cost but there is a careful balance to be struck here, as a compromise on readymix quality carries serious risk not just for a project but for the sustainability of a contractor’s business. Turn to page 20

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COMMENT

On 1 March this year The Concrete Institute, Concrete Society of South

I n June the CSSA launched the 10 th edition of the Fulton’s Concrete Technology, often referred to as the ‘concrete bible’. This handbook is globally recognised and Hanlie Turner, the CSSA’s Business Development Manager says that its 37 chapters deal with topics ranging from materials and mixes to quality control and testing. In July the CSSA hosted a two-day Young Concrete Researchers, Engineers and Technologists Symposium with the aim of encouraging industry research. This symposium will happen every second year and aims to create a forum for young individuals in research, design, and application of concrete and cementitious-based materials. ‘Careers in Concrete’ is an initiative that selected two civil engineering students from the University of KwaZulu- Natal to do experiential work at concrete-related enterprises in the province. The Fulton Awards, which showcases and rewards excellence in concrete, will take place in 2022 (it was postponed till then due to the COVID-19 pandemic). There currently are three CSSA branches: Inland, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. These branches

ensure that CSSA has concrete ambassadors in key parts of the country and interact with tertiary organisations in their respective areas. Turner says there is an increasing interest in companies becoming members of CSSA. Construction World wishes CSSA well and looks forward to many more initiatives from it. Last chance For avid readers of the printed issue of Construction World, this is the last call for entries you will get to see before the closing date for Best Projects early in September. Best Projects is 20 years old this year. Despite the pandemic, the construction industry has managed to function and many noteworthy projects have been completed. We eagerly await your entries (turn to page 18). Stay safe Wilhelm du Plessis Editor

Africa and the Association of Cementitious

Materials Suppliers were amalgamated into Cement & Concrete SA (CSSA). Since then the merits of this amalgamation have become clear.

Scan for website

EDITOR & DEPUTY PUBLISHER Wilhelm du Plessis constr@crown.co.za ADVERTISING MANAGER Erna Oosthuizen ernao@crown.co.za LAYOUT & GRAPHIC ARTIST

PUBLISHER Karen Grant

PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Crown Publications (Pty) Ltd P O Box 140 BEDFORDVIEW, 2008 Tel: 27 11-622-4770 • Fax: 27 11-615-6108

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Katlego Montsho CIRCULATION Karen Smith

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. PRINTED BY Tandym Cape

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WHY CROWDFUNDING HAS SO MUCH TO OFFER PROPERTY INVESTORS Property, one of the biggest and most trusted asset classes, offers investors a wide range of options, each offering something a little different, crowdfunding and real estate investment trusts (Reits) are two options. As the golden rule of investing is to do your homework first, here are some of the benefits and downsides to crowdfunding and Reits to help investors make more informed decisions.

them a relatively illiquid asset, though online investment platform Wealth Migrate, for example, pays out quarterly dividends. Reits, on the other hand, are highly liquid, which is good news if you need to get your hands on funds quickly, but this liquidity comes at a cost as Reits are at the mercy of market sentiment. • With crowdfunding, investors can vet the other members of the group and do thorough research into the project before signing up, so you know that the people involved in the project have the relevant experience and skills. Wealth Migrate uses its GIDDS System, a globally recognised system that gives investors access to partners in the right markets. “We are proponents of educating investors to ensure that everyone is in a position to make more informed decisions,” says Wealth Migrate CEO, Scott Picken. With Reits, where investors are buying shares in a fund that owns the property, it is difficult to get information on who is managing the property, for example. • Managing property is expensive and, as every homeowner knows, never ending, but Reits do not spare investors from extra costs. The fee structure is often based on assets under management (AUM) and not necessarily aligned to investors’ long-term interests. There are also middlemen involved in selling and marketing Reits, which can dilute investors’ returns. • Reits tend to be more of a hands-free investment, while crowdsourcing allows you to feel part of the project. Investors who prefer more of a hands-on approach may find investing in Reits unfulfilling. • There are many ways to invest in property, but whichever one you choose, begin with good quality research and partners you can trust with your hard-earned money. 

What is crowdfunding? Crowdfunding involves a group of people joining forces to fund a project or venture together; it is also a form of crowdsourcing. It usually takes place online and each venture involves three groups – the project initiator, who comes up with the project; the individuals or groups that support the idea; and a moderating organisation that brings the parties together to launch the idea. What are Reits? Reits are specialised mutual funds focused on property and traded on stock exchanges, including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The investors do not own any of the actual property, but rather a share of the total fund that owns the property. How crowdfunding and Reits compare:

• Shares in a crowdfunded property are not transferable and the money is received only at the sale of the project or during refinancing, making

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY INCHES TOWARDS SOLUTIONS TO CURRENT CRISIS At a recent round table hosted by the Master Builders Association North, a broad spectrum of panellists came together to address some of the key issues that continue to undermine the industry. “The robust discussion was a useful starting point because I think we now have a common understanding of what the challenges are – and that’s essential if we are going to find solutions,” says Brad Boertje, a construction risk management consultant and ADR practitioner for the Master Builders Association (MBA) North.

O pening the round table, Hardin Ratshishu, Deputy Commissioner at the Competition Commission, said that the Commission supported any initiative that would strengthen the construction industry, especially given its fundamental role in a healthy, inclusive economy. However, he stressed that any resolutions the industry took to resolve the situation must not amount to collusion, and should be cleared with the Commission before any implementation began. The round table discussions confirmed that one of the most pressing and fundamental issues is the widespread practice of amending the standard

contracts being used in the industry. Contracts such as the Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) contracts were created via an inclusive industry- wide process to be fair, particularly as regards apportioning risk across the supply chain. As many panellists noted, the weak economy and meagre pipeline of projects has created a highly competitive environment with paper-thin margins. In such an environment, clients are able to demand that contracts are amended to shift risk to main contractors, who in turn shift it to subcontractors. In theory, no contractor should sign an amended contract but, in reality,

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many feel they have no option because if they do not, they will lose the job as another contractor will accept the new terms. A related issue is that guarantees are often drafted in such a way that they can be 'cashed' without the contractor or subcontractor being afforded the opportunity to defend their position or make good on any outstanding issues (these are often known as on-demand guarantees). As a result, many contractors go out of business when guarantees are called in precipitately. The point was made that the competitive environment and low margins affected the whole construction value chain and predisposed all players to accede to unethically altered contracts. A further major issue for members was the deterioration of transparency and professional ethics in the industry. This impacts the whole project life cycle. A particular challenge is that main contractor and selected subcontractor tenders are no longer opened in public, and the main contractor is now routinely excluded from the adjudication of selected subcontract tenders. Some possible solutions were put on the table: • The JBCC contracts were originally created by the industry – why not get the industry to come together again to refine them, if necessary, and recommit to them? • Obtain a directive to adhere to the standard JBCC® and MBSA® construction guarantee formats, which at least have conditions that have to be met before guarantees can be called. • Reduce the ongoing contractual issues by moving away from the adversarial element that is implicit in current contracts by restructuring

activity, Lesedi la Batho aims to have a larger and sustainable impact on the Mabopane community. Those who partake in the programme will be able to help other women and youth benefit from better employment opportunities that are created by entrepreneurs. Ceenex recently donated three sewing machines to the new Entrepreneurship Hub that Lesedi la Batho will be establishing in the community. The Entrepreneurship Hub will be used to support the GBV programme, as well as other initiatives at the community centre. Kedibone Moatshe, who oversees the firm’s many CSI projects, says that Ceenex intends donating a further two sewing machines to Lesedi La Batho in the next financial year. “We continue to support many impoverished communities in the greater Gauteng area, and recently also turned our attention to Mabopane. We were particularly impressed by the way in which Lesedi la Batho was acting as a catalyst for social entrepreneurship in the community. This is in addition to its focus on empowering girls and women of all ages. We, therefore, approached Centre Manager, Thapelo Mokwena, and his team to see how we were able to help make an even larger impact on the community,” Moatshe says. Kgomotso Sekgobela, a Ceenex Director, says that he is especially proud of Ceenex’s association with Lesedi la Batho Community Centre. “This is a CSI initiative both Kedibone and I hold dear to our heart, considering that we both grew up in Mabopane and attended primary school at the very same facility before it was converted into a community centre. It is also our own way of giving back to a community that played such a large part in who we are today,” Sekgobela concludes.  them as vehicles for joint risk, so that everybody is on the same team. • Lobby banks and finance houses to fund only those projects which use unamended contracts. • Increase efforts to educate industry players about the contracts and the risk implications of signing amended contracts. • Find ways to get principal agents and professional quantity surveyors to maintain a high level of transparency and ethics. Mohau Mphomela, MBA North CEO, says that the organisation will be prioritising the issue of the illegal amendment of JBCC contracts. “MBA North will be engaging with all stakeholders, including the JBCC and the Competition Commission, among others, to find ways of reducing the increased risks that contractors have had to assume for quite some time.”  ABOUT THE MASTER BUILDERS ASSOCIATION NORTH The Master Builders Association North is the amalgamation of the former Master Builders Associations of Johannesburg (founded in 1894) and Pretoria (founded in 1903). The organisations merged to form the Gauteng Master Builders Association in 1996, and was renamed Master Builders Association North, representing four regions: Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. It is a chapter of the Master Builders Association South Africa. Based in Halfway House, the Master Builders Association North represents the interests of employers in the building and allied trade industries in the abovementioned four regions. It aims to serve its members by facilitating best practice within its membership and the building industry as a whole.

CEENEX CSI PARTNER IS A GLOBALGIVING ACCELERATOR GRADUATE them start their own businesses so that they can become financially independent. By focusing on cultivating women as leaders and fostering economic

L esedi la Batho, one of Ceenex’s corporate social-investment (CSI) partners, recently achieved its goal of earning a permanent position on the GlobalGiving platform by raising more than R80 000 from over 60 donors in only 19 days. These funds will be used to support the not-for-profit organisation’s new Ikemele women empowerment programme, which aims to support victims of gender-based violence (GBV) in the underserved Mabopane community. A tradition of patriarchy and financial dependence on men continues to fuel GBV and femicide in the Mabopane community. The situation has gone from bad to tragic since the hard lockdown was first implemented in March 2020 to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus as joblessness and poverty levels reach new highs in this community. Through one-on-one counselling sessions, Lesedi la Batho aims to provide victims of GBV a sustainable support network. It will give them a sense of hope and help restore their confidence. Moreover, the programme will focus on equipping abused women with the skills they need to secure employment. This is in addition to helping

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The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) 4 of 2013 came into effect on 1 July 2021. The Act has been promulgated to protect individuals and businesses from the misuse and abuse of personal information, for example, in financial fraud and identity theft. Companies are now legally obliged to protect the privacy of the information and data they gather. Danie Hattingh, Past President and Executive Committee member of the Master Builders’ Association Western Cape (MBAWC) and Principal Officer of the Pension Fund at the Building Industry Bargaining Council , explains how the POPI Act will affect the construction industry. CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY EMBRACES POPI ACT

“The POPI Act will impact all businesses, regardless of their nature or size. Those in the construction industry, which is one of the leading employment providers and economic contributors, will need to ensure that they are compliant to avoid data breaches and reputational harm.” Danie Hattingh, Past President and Executive Committee member of the Master Builders’ Association Western Cape (MBAWC) and Principal Officer of the Pension Fund at the Building Industry Bargaining Council.

H attingh says, “The POPI Act will impact all businesses, regardless of their nature or size. Those in the construction industry, which is one of the leading employment providers and economic contributors, will need to ensure that they are compliant to avoid data breaches and reputational harm. “The first step employers can take to safeguard against liability in terms of POPIA is to ensure that their employees’ consent is obtained, and that the processing of their personal information is done for a specific purpose”, he says. In addition to obtaining consent, Hattingh mentions that it is imperative for employees to know what their personal information will be used for. The Act further requires that organisations justify why they are holding personal information. This measure forces employers to assess what information it gathers, be it from employees, clients, service providers or other third parties, and helps determine whether the information gathered is indeed necessary. “Under the POPI Act, a business cannot keep a record of personal information once the reason or need for which it was collected no longer exists”, Hattingh explains. In addition to the impact on their own employees, the Act will impact the construction industry in a number of other ways, including the following: 1. Suppliers: Supplier companies will have to review the methods they use to conduct their direct marketing campaigns. 2. External Communication: Communication shared with clients may require authorisation from the company’s target markets. 3. Incident Management: Organisations will need to set up an incident management process to handle any data breaches in the sharing of personal information. 4. Contract amendments: Existing contracts

and obligations of service providers will need to be amended in accordance with the Act. Businesses within the construction sector can ensure that they are POPIA compliant by: • Appointing an Information Officer – this is mandatory for all companies in South Africa. • Maintaining a catalogue of data protection threats. • Regularly monitoring privacy business practices. • Performing regular data protection threat assessments. • Having an open-book policy with clients and advising them about the information the organisation is storing. • Conducting awareness sessions with employees, clients, stakeholders and other third parties. • Ensuring that personal data is always up to date. Hattingh mentions that, although the Act might seem onerous, it comes with benefits as well, particularly for the construction sector. “Private employee records will now be stored more effectively and can be discarded once contracts come to an end. Clients will feel more comfortable knowing that their personal information is kept secure and not shared or sold to third parties. Another benefit of the Act is that it empowers companies by requiring that their internal processes and policies be reviewed often in order to comply,” says Hattingh. Prior to the POPI Act coming into effect on 1 July 2021, Information Regulator Chair – Pansy Tlakula reported that technical glitches with the registration system were being experienced due to the increased volume of traffic on the site. However, the regulator assured that, as a result, no penalties would be applied for late registration. MBAWC encourages members to monitor the situation and to register when these issues have

been rectified. The MBAWC values and supports the POPI Act, and members can be assured that their information is securely stored. “We have appointed an Information Officer to oversee the implementation of POPIA in the organisation. When requested, we are also assisting our smaller member companies to reach POPIA compliance,” Hattingh concludes. 

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KZN STRUCTURAL ENGINEER WINS CCSA ‘YOUNG CONCRETE RESEARCHER’ AWARD

is focused on structural reliability and risk analysis, shear in concrete beams, probabilistic safety evaluation of existing design standards, and innovative construction materials and application of machine learning and data mining in structural engineering. Dr Olalusi has already won several awards for his research projects from various institutions and has received several research grants from the SA National Research Foundation (NRF) and international bodies. With years of industry experience in sectors ranging from civil/ structural engineering, risk consulting and structural software development, he has authored and co-authored articles in peer-reviewed conference proceedings and reputable journals, and has been a supervisor for many postgraduate students. In accepting the CCSA award, Dr Olalusi said he was highly honoured to win such an important accolade which would inspire him to greater heights in his research work. “I have received inspiration frommy seniors and my colleagues, for whom I have the most profound respect, and from whom I have derived the strength to challenge myself to perform better at each stage,” he stated. Prof Mike Otieno, of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand, who chaired the CCSA Young Concrete Researcher adjudication panel, said CCSA decided to introduce the award, scheduled to be part of future YCRETS symposia, to recognise and appreciate the contributions of young researchers for:

C ement & Concrete SA (CCSA) has named Dr Benedict Olalusi, lecturer at the University of KZN’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as South Africa’s top Young Concrete Researcher for 2021. The new award, made at CCSA’s recent Young Concrete Researchers, Engineers and Technologists’ YCRETS 2021 online symposium, recognises young researchers who are making a significant contribution to advancing concrete technology through research excellence at an early stage in their careers. Dr Olalusi, 31, is a Structural Engineer who holds a PhD Degree in Civil Engineering from Stellenbosch University, based on his research in the field of Structural Reliability and Risk Assessment. He obtained his M.Eng degree in Structural Engineering and B.Eng degree in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria, and also spent time as international scholar at the Technical University (TU) of Dortmund in Germany on the institution’s 2019 Gambrinus Fellowship for global cooperation in teaching and research. The CCSA Young Concrete Researcher for 2021’s research work Dr Benedict Olalusi, of the University of KZN, has won the CCSA 2021 award for Young Concrete Researcher.

• The advancement of knowledge in the field of concrete; • Their engagement in activities of industry bodies; and

• Their promotion of a “culture of excellence” among young researchers. “CCSA wanted to encourage both established and young researchers to mentor and introduce novice researchers into the concrete community,” Prof Otieno stated. 

“I have received inspiration from my seniors and my colleagues, for whom I have the most profound respect, and from whom I have derived the strength to challenge myself to perform better at each stage.”

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Mathapelo More sees herself as part of the transformation of the civil engineering and related industries, together with all of the other women hard at work in the field, and those about to embark on their journey. “I think being active in industry automatically inspires young women to join, as it shows it is possible to operate in this male-dominated world,” says Mathapelo on the occasion CELEBRATING EXCEPTIONAL ENGINEERING TALENT

Zutari Principal Engineer, Karin Meyer.

of Women’s Day on 9 August. B orn in Sharpeville, Vereeniging, Mathapelo is a Professional Engineer who has worked as an Asset Transformation Specialist at leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari for almost two years. This involves developing existing infrastructure that is otherwise a liability for the client and transforming it to the benefit of local communities. Mathapelo’s team has capability in the closure of mines or old power stations. It also piggybacks off Zutari’s expertise in engineering, planning, science, the built environment and management to carry out these projects. “I fulfil an advisory role to the client regarding the use of existing infrastructure and developing and planning new projects. This is quite exciting, because often I do not know what shape or form the project will take.” Mathapelo has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering, with her main focus on Hydraulic Engineering, with both qualifications obtained from the University of the Witwatersrand. She joined Zutari in November 2018, since when her career has transformed from “something I wanted to do into something more aligned to my heart.” Her work experience to date has included the Burnstone Metallurgical Plant in Balfour, Mpumalanga, where she contributed towards the site layout, on-site concrete batching plant and ultimately managing and being responsible for the manufacture of concrete and the site testing laboratory. “One structure I am particularly proud of constructing was the mill feed silo, with a 2 m high base and a total height of 35 m, equivalent to a 12-storey building,” says Mathapelo. The concrete used was a bucket mix poured for two weeks non- stop, with the team working 24/7 in two 12-hour shifts. “Everything went according to plan. It was such a success because it was a real team effort.” Mathapelo has also worked on the Medupi project in Lephalale, Limpopo, possibly the eighth-largest coal-fired power station in the world once fully operational. She was part of the

team that constructed all of the infrastructure for the coal stockyards. Zutari Principal Engineer Karin Meyer graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (BEng). She is currently studying for her Master’s degree (MEng) in Civil Engineering from the University of Stellenbosch, specialising in Construction and Engineering Management. Her long road with Zutari began in January 2007. As junior engineer, she started her career in the design office in Durban, and worked in Angola for almost two years on some challenging road construction projects, followed by a stint as Engineer’s Representative on the Matla Ventilation Shaft project between Ogies and Kriel in Mpumalanga. Karin then returned to KwaZulu-Natal to work on the Bayhead Road Upgrade project at Durban Harbour. Being an eternal adventurist, Karin accepted an opportunity to work in Kenya as the Employer’s Representative providing technical support and oversight services on civil and structural work at the Tusker Brewery in Nairobi. “It was a completely new experience, and even though I was out of my comfort zone, it was fully rewarding,” she says. “Frommy experience, there are many great men out there that want women to succeed, and they will never treat women differently professionally. At the end of the day, it is how we treat each other that counts. I strongly believe a person should advance in life through hard work and merit. I expect promotion because I am capable and can stand my ground. If you wonder how Zutari manages to attract and retain amazingly talented people such as Mathapelo and Karin, you need look no further than Natachia George, Talent Acquisition & Retention Lead. Her team strategically partners with its business leaders to meet high-performing talent needs. “We work closely with our business leaders to understand our future skills needs to meet our growth aspirations,” says Natachia. She joined Zutari close four years ago to build

Natachia George, Talent Acquisition & Retention Lead.

up the talent acquisition function. “It has been a very rewarding journey as we evolved from a transactional recruitment function to a strategic talent acquisition partnership with our business leaders. I am fortunate to work on multiple people projects, collaborating with business to attract and develop our next generation of leaders and create a culture of inclusivity that enhances our employee experiences and retains our best talent.” Natachia points out that research reveals that the pace of change in achieving gender equality is painfully slow across all industries. “We have to move forward to achieve workforces that are inclusive and equal. “I think that the women in our industry are recognised and celebrated, but not enough. Women have a significant role to play socially and economically. However, workforce environments need to be empowering and supportive to deliver great impact. We need to shift from a tick-box exercise to total commitment and purposeful actions to achieve gender equality, because it is the right thing to do,” concludes Natachia.  Mathapelo More, Asset Transformation Specialist at Zutari.

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Working from home is an 'invasive alternative’ to social interaction, says Mark Barnes (former CE SA Post Office). “WE ARE NOT USING TECHNOLOGY: TECHNOLOGY IS USING US.”

S outh Africans have once again battened down the hatches following this weekend’s announcement that the country would be placed under adjusted level 3 lockdown. With somewhat glacial progress in the vaccine rollout, citizens are having to do what they can to protect themselves from the virus. This means more virtual meetings and what many local and international experts, and commentators are calling ‘zoom fatigue’. It’s been one of the biggest gripes amongst employees in organisations across the world. In countries where the majority of citizens have been vaccinated against the virus, this move back to office is well on its way. Zoom fatigue is only one of the problems working from home. Efficiency, productivity and social cues are all taking a hit. Purple Group founder and former South African Post Office CE Mark Barnes is firm on the issue: there are several disadvantages to working from home, notably that as social beings, people can’t interact meaningfully anymore. This, he says, impacts negatively on both efficiency and productivity. Barnes recently spoke to Linda Trim of Giant Leap, South African workplace specialist, during a podcast series titled ‘Where is the Office’. Giant Leap has undertaken extensive research over the last year to determine the future of the office since lockdown.

Longer working hours According to Barnes, while people no longer spend time travelling to and from the office or deal with the inconvenience of sitting in traffic, there is a definite shift in ways of working. “You’re constantly in demand and working longer hours than ever before. This is an invasive alternative to social interaction. We are in back-to-back meetings, there’s no time for lunch, no drinks after work or gathering for a coffee,” says Barnes. Lack of social cues and body language Barnes finds it difficult to connect in the new virtual office space. “You can’t see social cues like hand gestures, or read body language. These are all important critical parts of communication within organisations. “Talking to a flat screen is nowhere near as interactive as seeing people in a room and getting a feel for the room one-on-one,” says Barnes. The inefficiency of perceived efficiency Working from home is perceived by some to improve efficiency, but Barnes believes that it doesn’t produce the same cohesive output as a team would normally do when working from the

office. “The sum of screens is not the sum of individuals,” says Barnes, by way of debunking the perception that employees showing up virtually are as engaged as meeting and collaborating in person. In addition, Barnes is critical of the generalised view that technology is improving ways of working and positively enabling the new work from home. “We think that technology is making our lives easier but there is a two-way invasiveness about technology. We are not using technology: technology is using us.” Office culture and socialising “The current quiet of the office is disarming and unsettling. People are in defined spaces, and we are aware of our space and the distance between us. Those things are not pleasant. We are naturally social beings. We like being with each other, shaking hands, kissing, saying howzit. We are missing that.” “The office gives us the opportunity of engendering spirit and changing things that are not on the surface but rather something that lies deeper – the culture and oneness, the feeling of being part of a team,” says Barnes.  Barnes maintains that the hybrid model of working from home and the office isn’t enough either.

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With the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) that came into effect on 1 July this year, time for companies to ensure compliance has run out. POPIA has a significant impact on data-rich organisations such as insurers, it also presents them with opportunities to innovate, modernise, and digitalise in ways they might not have considered before. By Angelique Strumpher, SilverBridge Holdings POPIA PROVIDES SPRINGBOARD TO INSURANCE GROWTH

F undamentally, POPIA provides guidelines for organisations around the collection, processing, storing, and sharing of any personal information collected by them and holds them accountable for any loss or abuse of information they have. Robust systems need to be in place that can scale as data warehouses grow while safeguarding the integrity of stored information. POPIA has created a springboard for insurers to clean up outdated legacy systems and has enabled the move towards a single, consolidated view of their policyholders, premium payers, and beneficiaries. Insurers can better position themselves in the delivery of customised and richer end user experiences reducing churn while driving business growth. Insurers will also have to be more transparent in terms of the purpose of why personal information is collected and how it is used, what is stored, and where and who has access to this information in particular identity numbers and bank details. Customer consent becomes imperative in this environment especially when it comes to protecting the right to privacy in terms of gaining access to insights that can help shape individualised service offerings. Embracing disruption In addition to cleaning up both historical and current data, insurers can use the cloud to safely store information aligned to their own data governance and data protection policies and procedures. The high-performance computing capabilities available through the cloud in terms of processing big data enables the use of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence,

intelligent process automation, machine learning, and the like. Adopting these agile technology solutions and combining them with human experience, the insurer and its consultants will become more adept at delivering customised offerings better suited to the immediate needs of their customers. Overcoming obstacles Ensuring compliance, factored with the need to grow can be challenging, POPIA brings with it an opportunity for organisations to implement better technology solutions, rework existing information processing practices, upskill staff, and review internal policies to ensure they are compliant and align to what and how data is collected, processed, stored, communicated, and destroyed. No insurer wants to fall foul of POPIA best practice. Now is the time to gain a better understanding of the advantages of implementing cloud- based solutions to unlock the full value and benefits of being compliant and simultaneously growing your business. The rapid push towards digitalisation over the past 12 months has certainly helped in this regard as there is an increased awareness on the benefits of adopting a modernised approach to data and its analytics. All told, POPIA is a business imperative to kickstart data transformation and is most certainly a pillar in terms of how organisations reinvent and innovate regardless of industry sector in terms of the protection of personal information and the use thereof. 

Companies with their backs to the wall due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are turning to auctions to raise much needed capital without changing the fundamentals of the business. TURNING UNWANTED ASSETS INTO COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDING

A uctioning of unwanted assets provides a quick and safe way to inject capital into an ailing business, especially where business finance is difficult to obtain or cash is needed in a hurry.

Raising cash in this manner has the added advantage of minimising debt where repayment of bank loans can become problematic in cash strapped situations. According to Ciena Bester (pictured) of the South African Institute of Auctioneers (SAIA) there are a number of compelling reasons why businesses

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should consider a spring-clean to clear out unused or unwanted assets. There are fewer risks involved in selling goods at an auction, the seller exchanges goods for cash and the items are sold as is where it stands. Easy steps “The process is simple and requires an asset list to be compiled and verified by the auctioneer to ensure that all items are present and saleable and that they understand the sellers’ expectations. The next step is to sign a mandate that clearly stipulates the terms of engagement and allows the auctioneer to sell the items and to clarify the terms of conditions and requirements for the buyers. “The auctioneer will then put together a catalogue or auction list and commence advertising in appropriate media during the run up to the auction. All items will be sold on auction day to the highest bidder as per the seller’s confirmation. The buyer then has a certain number of days to pay and remove his goods, transfer ownership and complete his transactions. The auctioneer will then complete and close the said auction and pay his sellers. “Auctions enable you to buy goods in bulk at a reasonable price, some buyers can pick up great bargains if they time their buy correctly. However, it is worth noting that potential buyers must ensure that they know what they are buying as there are no refunds and no guarantees. Auctions are the only true reflection of the real value of an asset as the buyers will not pay more than the item is worth. Faster option “It is also important to note that speed of the sale is one of the main benefits, while other factors such as convenience and the safety of the seller also make auctions a more attractive option than selling out-of-hand. Companies can also move equipment or stock in bulk batches or even sell all their stock or assets in one auction,” says Ciena. She adds that there is almost no limit to what can be auctioned, if someone wants it, they will go out and buy it. Most auctioneers sell moveable assets including furniture, tools, loose goods, vehicles, plant hire equipment as well as immovable property in the commercial as well as residential markets, while others specialize in the fine arts, wine and almost anything else. However, the most critical element of the sale is choosing a professional auctioneer who is a member of a professional body like SAIA, that ensures its member auctioneers adhere to a strict code of conduct that aligns them to a uniform way of conducting their business in a fair and just way. Professionals only “Dealing with SAIA members also offers peace of mind in the knowledge that the company is dealing with trained, professional auctioneers with the required expertise and infrastructure needed to fetch the best prices and ensure successful sales and prompt payment,” Ciena concludes. 

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PROPERTY

CDC Group, the UK's development finance institution (DFI) and one of the largest impact investors in Africa, has announced a USD36m commitment to Divercity Urban Property Fund (Divercity), an affordable housing platform focused on the regeneration of South African cities. INVESTMENT INTO SA AFFORDABLE HOUSING

T his investment will fund the construction and management of more than 2 500 new residential units over the next five years predominantly in Johannesburg. It will provide quality, affordable and environmentally sustainable housing for low and middle-income households in well-located but underinvested neighbourhoods in major South African cities. This transaction was also funded by South African impact investor Futuregrowth and existing Divercity shareholders. South Africa faces a housing shortage of 2,3 million units. A significant majority of its lower-cost housing is built on the urban periphery. This limits residential options for low and middle income households to predominantly informal, congested and low-quality housing on the outskirts of cities. It also impedes access to essential services including schools, healthcare facilities, public transport networks and employment hubs needed for improved social inclusion and living standards. CDC’s capital will enable Divercity to grow its rental housing platform that provides low and middle-income households with safe, inclusive and affordable housing options. Construction of the new residential units will help address the growing housing deficit and issues of spatial segregation in South Africa, meeting the needs of people with limited other housing options available, including women, single parents and young families. Up to 4 000 construction and permanent operational jobs are expected to be created, resulting in new economic opportunities, and boosting employment. The new units will be constructed to green building standards, demonstrating both CDC and Divercity’s commitment to minimising greenhouse gas emissions and supporting climate change mitigation, in alignment with CDC’s commitment to invest from a climate lens. Divercity has also acquired its residential property and asset manager, Ithemba Property, that has a 20-year track record in managing affordable rental housing. Through the creative design and structure of this platform by investors CDC, Ithemba and Atterbury - Divercity will be underpinned by market leading property development and asset management expertise in rental housing which will be a competitive differentiator. Samir Abhyankar, Managing Director, Head of Direct Private Equity, CDC Group, commented: "Cities in Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing rapid population growth as an increasing shortage of housing units with low income populations being particularly affected. With our re-entry as an equity investor in South Africa we are proud to have partnered with Atterbrury and Ithemba to set up Divercity as a leading affordable and sustainable housing platform in South Africa. The investment will help promote inclusive growth and enhance social and economic integration in the country. CDC’s patient capital and development expertise can help accelerate growth, improve living conditions and support the livelihoods of low-income and vulnerable households.” With investment in Africa’s housing sector constrained, CDC’s countercyclical funding can stimulate local housing markets and drive transformative economic, inclusive and sustainable impact in South Africa and other African countries. Ilaria Benucci, Head of Construction and Real Estate, CDC Group, said: "Urban population growth and a challenging macroeconomic environment necessitates patient and long-term investments that will

help close the gap between demand and supply in South Africa’s housing market. We are delighted that our investment in Divercity will support the developer to deliver rental housing that will meet the housing needs of groups within the low- and middle- income bracket. We are confident CDC’s investment will have a demonstration effect on commercial investors, ushering in greater investment into the housing sector." Carel Kleynhans, CEO of Divercity, said: “We are delighted to welcome CDC to the Divercity partnership. I am confident that they will add significant value to the funds’ goal of changing the face of affordable rental housing in South Africa and establishing it as an investment grade asset class.” This investment by CDC helps contribute to UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), on sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and combating climate change and its impact (SDG 13).  ABOUT CDC • CDC Group is the UK’s impact investor with over 70 years of experience of successfully supporting the sustainable, long- term growth of businesses in South Asia and Africa. • CDC is a leading player in the fight against climate change and a UK champion of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals – the global blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for us all. • The company has investments in over 1 200 businesses in emerging economies and a total portfolio value of USD62bn. This year CDC aims to invest up to USD175bn in companies in Africa and Asia with a focus on fighting climate change, empowering women and creating new jobs and opportunities for millions of people. • CDC is funded by the UK government and all proceeds from its investments are reinvested to improve the lives of millions of people in Africa and South Asia. • CDC’s expertise makes it the perfect partner for private investors looking to devote capital to making a measurable environmental and social impact in countries most in need of investment.

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ABOUT DIVERCITY Divercity Urban Property Fund is a for-profit property fund

setting a new standard for socially responsible,

environmentally sustainable and

economically productive urban development, while delivering attractive returns for its institutional investors. Divercity invests in high density

“We are delighted to welcome CDC to the Divercity partnership. I am confident that they will add significant value to the funds’ goals of changing the face of affordable rental housing in South Africa and establishing it as an investment grade asset class.”

urban precincts. These precincts are well located, rich in amenities, and weighted towards affordable rental housing. They offer low and middle income households the opportunity to live in sustainable urban environments, close to where they work and with access to the essential amenities required to get ahead in life. This model starkly contrasts the dominant mode of affordable housing delivery in South Africa, where lower income households are confined to the urban periphery – far from opportunities and essential services. The existing portfolio of R3bn comprises 6 500 units and 90 000 m 2 commercial and retail GLA. Notable assets include Jewel City, a transformative mixed- use housing, education and retail precinct in one of the only pedestrianised nodes of the Johannesburg CBD, and Towers Main, an iconic 30-storey tower comprising 518 apartments and 9 000 m 2 of ABSA offices. Pipeline developments comprise a further 4 000 apartments, and supportive commercial and retail uses of +-10 000 m 2 . Divercity is a fully internalized property fund. Fund management, asset management and development management are conducted internally. Property management is provided by Ithemba Property Management, a wholly owned subsidiary of the fund.

Carel Kleynhans, CEO of Divercity.

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PROPERTY

It’s no secret that Somerset West has fast become one of the Western Cape’s leading semigration destinations. The little town has a lot going for it which makes it incredibly desirable for people who are looking to move away from the city in search of a better quality of life. The pandemic, lockdown and remote working have only amplified the semigration trend, but now as many companies contemplate bringing employees back to the office, the big debate is about how. HEARTWOOD PROPERTIES SPEARHEADS NEW HYBRID OFFICE DEVELOPMENT

4 AX listed Heartwood Properties, specialise in commercial office and industrial warehousing developments across South Africa. In responding to the crisis, they conducted market research among their tenants. The research showed that many of them were not planning to make a full return to the office, even when COVID-19 became a thing of the past. But because of the human interaction the office provided they wanted to have a solution that would meet both demands. Heartwood Properties are therefore launching a new hybrid office development, a first of its kind to be built in South Africa, called Sunvlei. The new office block will be situated in the Paardevlei precinct of Somerset West, just outside Cape Town, close to the Strand Beach and the Paardevlei Nature Reserve. This area has already seen several exclusive residential estates and top schools being built over the last few years. The area also offers plenty of outdoor living space, proximity to world class wine estates and is just a 30-minute drive into the city of Cape Town. “Professionals realise they can have a work life balance. With the airport, sea, and mountains virtually on their doorstep, Somerset West is without a doubt a very attractive location to set up the office of the future. One that is high-tech, safe, spacious, as comfortable as any home office, just better.” Says Andrew Utterson, Director at Heartwood Properties. Sunvlei is a 2 000 m 2 , R57m office development offering tenants access to innovative future-focused features such as electric vehicle charging bays, 100 solar panels, Tesla UPS battery system, ultra-high-speed Wi-Fi, a backup power generator, and backup water tanks. The modern architecture, designed by locally based architect Bruce Wilson who is also responsible for the Sanctuary and

“It’s a little different from the co-working office model offered by the likes of WeWork and Regus in the sense that only employees of Heartwood tenants will have access to the co-working spaces.” AndrewUtterson, Director at Heartwood Properties. then also have the benefit of the use of a business lounge and meeting rooms," explained Utterson. All of Heartwood's properties are developed in response to tenants' requests via their tenant shareholder model. And so, despite having faced major challenges in 2020, Heartwood has managed to grow its property portfolio since first listing on the stock exchange in March 2018 from R121m to R248m in the past three years to February 2021. They plan to grow their portfolio to R1bn in the next five years. As zoom towns continue to grow in popularity, Heartwood plans to roll out their hybrid model in other popular de-centralised nodes, with Sunvlei set for completion near the end of 2022. Other features include prime signage, ideal positioning opposite a Private Hospital and the Strand’s 18-hole golf course, easy access to the N2, twenty five minutes to the airport, thirty six basement parking bays, six motorcycle parking bays, sixty nine secure parking bays, and that it is wheelchair friendly. 

Waterstone shopping malls in Somerset West, and exclusive designer interiors, headed up by Source IBA, will be modelled against some of the world’s best-looking airport lounges whose clean, contemporary designs rival some of the chicest of hotel lobbies. Source IBA have extensive experience designing interiors for retail, office, hospitality, and leisure developments not only in South Africa but across the African continent. “Our studio is excited to be a part of developing this hybrid environment. Our design goal is to extend the hybrid thinking to all aspects to deliver a brand-new experience. We are blurring the lines with many aspects in terms of inside versus outside; serviced versus self-help; private versus public; workspace versus hospitality and analog versus digital. These are all to be completed to the highest level,” says Mardre Meyer, Creative Director of Source IBA. The hybrid design will meet the demands of tenants, who are not looking to always have their entire staff compliment all under one roof. It will also house a 190 m 2 designer business lounge, with luxury finishes including meeting rooms, a coffee bar and zoom pods. This is available to the tenants’ remote workers to come to when they need to pay the occasional visit to the office. “It’s a little different from the co-working office model offered by the likes of WeWork and Regus in the sense that only employees of Heartwood tenants will have access to the co- working spaces. All tenants and their employees will be able to access the shared business lounge. In other words, clients get the best of both worlds with a combination of their own private space where they can create their own identity and manage their own facilities, but

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