Construction World April 2016

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD APRIL 2016
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COMMENT
EDITOR
Wilhelm du Plessis
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Erna Oosthuizen
LAYOUT & DESIGN
Lesley Testa
CIRCULATION
Karen Smith
TOTAL CIRCULATION:
(Fourth Quarter ’15)
4 688
PUBLISHER
Karen Grant
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Crown Publications cc
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Tandym Cape
Patel was speaking at a post State of the Nation
Address Economic Sectors, Employment and
Instructure Development cluster briefing.
The fact that South Africa has spent billions
on infrastructure is a major reason why the
country has not gone into recession yet. It is also
confronted with factors that are impacting nega-
tively on growth: the volatile global economy
results in lower growth, lower demand for plat-
inum, iron-ore and gold and a severe drought.
This is in addition to the political problems,
viewed negatively by potential investors.
Despite this though, 2015 saw the construc-
tion of 160 new schools, 29 clinics, one hospital
and 100 000 houses, while 265 000 houses were
connected to electricity and accommodation
for 3 100 tertiary students were provided. Some
1 700MWwere connected to the grid and 10 new
renewable energy plants were built.
Last year also saw the start in the construc-
tion of three technical college campuses and two
Economic development minister
Ebrahim Patel says more major
projects will be announced to
maintain the extraordinary spending
undertaken in tough times. At a recent
briefing he said that South Africa spent
R290-billion on infrastructure in 2015
– more than R1-billion a day.
Sponsorship opportunities
The first call for entries for the 2016 edition
of Best Projects will be published in next
month’s (May) issue. The awards function
is a highlight for the construction industry
as it recognises excellence across the entire
construction industry.
In addition the AfriSam (the main
sponsor) we have gold, silver and bronze
sponsorships available. Please contact me
to discuss these opportunities.
Wilhelm du Plessis
Editor
new universities, while 300 km of transmission
lines were erected, and 24 000 km of road reha-
bilitation commenced. In Johannesburg and
elsewhere, the construction of urban transport
systems started.
Fast tracked projects
Patel indicated that 20 infrastructure projects
will be fast-tracked to be in construction in 6 to
15 months. These projects include the Clanwil-
liam and Mzimvubu dams, the construction of
the long-awaited N2 Wild Coast highway that
will connect East London and Durban, a water
pipeline to Lephalale/Waterberg, the N3 De
Beers pass and the construction of 28 renewable
energy plants.
In addition, Patel said, there is significant
modernisation of South Africa’s port capacity:
various projects at ports are under way to attract
support manufacturing operation and are aimed
at themore efficient operation of these ports. The
provision of free Wi-Fi in metropolitan areas will
be another boost to infrastructure development.
@ConstWorldSA