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June 2016
T
he Southern Africa Stainless
Steel Development Association
(Sassda) will provide a free con-
sulting service to assist companies
requiring help with entries.
Sassda Executive Director, John
Tarboton, comments; “In the past,
we found that despite entry being
free, a big barrier to some companies
participating in the awards was the
actual entry process. This included
filling in the application formcompre-
hensively and in the correct manner.”
To enhance the entry process,
Sassda representatives will assist
themwith completing the entry form
to ensure the process is as quick and
easy as possible.” Tarboton explains,
“In this way, we also hope to increase
the number of local and international
entries fromthe 44 that we received in
2014, with the overall aimof ensuring
the cream of South Africa’s stainless
steel crop rises to the top in 2016.”
Looking at the role the awards
have to play in the growth and de-
velopment of the local stainless steel
sector, Tarboton says the importance
of the awards shouldn’t be underesti-
mated. “They’re instrumental in rais-
ing awareness of stainless steel and
its myriad of uses and applications
within the local and global economy.
By recognising excellence within the
local stainless steel sector in particu-
lar, the awards have become a source
Sassda Steel Awards
The 2016 Sassda Columbus Stainless Steel Awards are gearing up to
recognise a stellar list of award winners in October.
of inspiration to ensure that global
quality standards are adhered to and
strived for.”
In terms of entry requirements;
individuals and companies (local and
international) that are involved in
the design, production, conversion,
distribution, use or specification of
stainless steel are eligible to enter.
The criteria for entries:
• Excellence – Exceptional work
concepts and execution
• Innovation – Creativity, originality
and advancement
• Sustainability – For the business
and environment
• Efficiency – Keeping to deadlines
and minimising costs
• Quality – Of the products andwork
done
• Impact on the environment – En-
suring minimal carbon footprint
• Job creation – Employment op-
portunities created
A key focus of this year’s revitalised
awards is an enhanced list, which
includes: Architecture, Building and
Construction; Engineering; Export
Achievement; Ferritic Stainless Steel;
Duplex Stainless Steel; Food and Bev-
erage; Catering and Hospitality; Art;
Manufacturing Innovation; Product
John Tarboton
Development; Environmental Excel-
lence; as well as Student; Lifetime
Achievement andBusiness Excellence
awards.
Tarboton says, “Our aim is to boost
the aspirational value of the awards
by ensuring that participants see the
clear return on investment that their
participation and winning provides.
Ultimately, the awards are seen as
the ‘Oscars’ of the South African
industry.”
Entries for the awards close on
31 July, 2016. Finalists and winners
will be announced at a Gala Banquet
on October 20, 2016.
For more information email
francis@sassda.co.za■
C
EO for the South African Coun-
cil for the Architectural Profes-
sion (SACAP), Marella O’Reilly,
says that theMinister of PublicWorks,
Thulas Nxesi’s recent comment has
made it clear that the architectural
profession is being protected as a
scare skill.
O’Reilly adds that the profession
will be a beneficiary in the roll out
of Government’s Expanded Works
Programme (EWP).
EWP is one of government’s pro-
grammes aimed at alleviating pov-
erty by providing work opportuni-
ties. Government has committed to
Nxesi supports SACAP
ensuring six million public employ-
ment opportunities by 2019. This
target is in line with the imperatives
set out in the National Development
Plan (NDP).
Nxesi’s statement about the DPW
Bursary Programme will ensure that
bursary recipients are provided with
practical work experience and op-
portunities to develop their careers.
O’Reilly comments that the Inku-
luleko Development Project (Ndumo)
situated in the Jozini Municipality is
a multi-year programme, with a total
budget of R1,6 billion and provides
work for the profession. The Minister
pegged this year’s total DPW’s budget
at R1,43 billion, of which just over
R 425 million will be spent on infra-
structure programmes. “Architects
ignite the design process of inspired
projects such as those undertaken by
DPW,” says O’Reilly.
SACAP receives its mandate from
the Architectural Professionals Act No
44 of 2000 and falls under the purview
of DPW. SACAP is one of DPW’s built
environment councils. Regulates the
architecture professionals, as well as
supports the broader built environ-
ment and its projects. For more in-
formation visit:
www.sacapsa.com■
Industry Buzz