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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
SEPTEMBER
2017
40
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Stefanutti Stocks has been associated
with the initiative in the Western Cape since
2012, and both the Civils and Geotechnical
divisions became involved in the initiative
when it launched in Gauteng in 2015.
Morgan is now in Phase 2 of the Gauteng
’Go for Gold’ programme, a paid experiential
work-readiness year, during which he is
gaining experience by working for Stefanutti
Stocks Geotechnical.
Since he began his internship in early
2017 he has visited a number of the
division’s sites, including Katherine Towers
development in Sandton (a piling contract);
Ekurhuleni pedestrian bridges (micro piling);
and the One on Whitely development in
Melrose, where he has been exposed to a
broad range of geotechnical capabilities.
Morgan, who was the top ‘Go For Gold’
performer of the 2016 year says that his
favourite part of being in the working
environment is that he is constantly learning
new things … in particular specific technical
details, as well as understanding why things
are completed in a certain way.
He also says that when people are
enthusiastic about their work and projects,
it is infectious, and specifically mentions
members of the Stefanutti Stocks
Geotechnical team he is currently with on a
sinkhole rehabilitation project in Centurion.
“Initiatives like ‘Go for Gold’ play a large
part in creating a pool of talented, well-
balanced individuals, who when they are
finally fully employed in the industry, are real
A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
Eighteen-year old Morgan Bentley
matriculated from Zimisele
Secondary School in 2016, with
distinctions in Mathematics
(99%) and Science (100%).
He is part of an industry skills
development programme, called
‘Go For Gold’ that accompanies
learners from disadvantaged
communities through four
phases, starting with education
(Grade 11) through to work
experience, studying and finally
to employment.
assets and passionate about being here,”
says Shaun Butler, managing director for
Stefanutti Stocks Geotechnical.
“Morgan’s work experience sees him
brushing shoulders with industry experts
while being exposed to the various tech-
niques we implement across a variety of
soil conditions.”
Since the beginning of 2017, the
Geotechnical division has been awarded
nineteen contracts across South Africa
and Namibia. Projects include the nearly
completed lateral support, bulk earthworks
and dynamic compaction contract for the
Lakeside Towers development in West
Avenue, Centurion, which was particularly
challenging as Centurion is classified as a
high risk dolomite area.
“We are busy finishing off a large
oscillator piling project near the Saldanha
Port in the Western Cape and have been
awarded a contract for the piling of two
bridges between Swakopmund and Walvis
Bay on the old Salt Road,” continues Butler.
“Morgan’s next project will see him
working on yet another of our South African
sites, where he will gain more insights into
our niche capabilities, and hopefully, through
his enquiring mind, bring a fresh perspective
to the seasoned site-teams.”
Pictured at a sinkhole rehabilitation project site in Centurion are, from left, Morgan Bentley, Johan
Barnard (site foreman) and Lucas Mugondo (site safety manager).