Housing International - International Housing Delivery Technology - moladi formwork system

Naseej to build over 4,000 low-cost homes in Bahrain

2012-01-08T07:07:00.000-08:00

Naseej to build over 4,000 low-cost homes in Bahrain

The Bahrain government inked a USD550 million contract with Naseej to build more than 4,000 low-cost homes, aimed at tackling chronic low-cost housing shortage.

Under the deal, Bahrain-based Naseej will construct 3,110 housing units a further 1,042 units in the Northern City, Al Buhair and Al Lawzi projects.

Minister for Housing Basim bin Yacob Al Hamer said the program will address more than 55,000 people in Bahrain on a waiting list for social housing.

The economic housing units, when completed, will first be distributed among those already on the ministry's waiting list using a loan from the government. The remaining will be sold on the open market.

Living costs were the main reason in the wave of political unrest that swept Bahrain and other Arab states last year.

It is worth mentioning that the MENA region has an estimated affordable housing shortfall of 3.5 million.

moladi-building-construction-technology

moladi Formwork System

Low-cost Homes in Bahrain

Keywords - moladi, Bahrain, Naseej, 4,000 low-cost homes, economic housing units, chronic low-cost housing shortage, affordable housing shortfall, build low cost homes

Low-cost housing - India

2011-09-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Low-cost housing in India

Silvexity to invest Rs 1k cr in low-cost housing

Press Trust of India / Mumbai September 25, 2011, 15:04 IST

Affordable housing developer Silvexity Group plans to invest around Rs 1,000 crore over the next three-four years on township projects in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

The group's first low-income housing project, Tanaji Malusare City at Karjat, in neighbouring Raigad district, is an integrated township with 24,000 units and was constructed in partnership with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

We plan to develop another four townships -- two in Mumbai and one each in Bangalore and Delhi. We have earmarked around Rs 1,000 crore for these projects over the next three- four years," Silvexity Vice-President, Low Income and Rental Housing, Amod Kumar Singh told PTI here.

The MMRDA started its rental housing project three years ago. The company said the Karjat township is its first public-private partnership low-cost housing project with the MMRDA.

Singh said the company has already acquired land for its Mumbai projects and work on the same would commence soon and will take around five years for completion. However, he did not divulge further details on the projects.

"The existing infrastructure in the city cannot take the pressure of increasing population. There is a need for separate townships where affordable houses can be made. The proposed townships will not only provide affordable houses, but also necessary amenities," he said.

On the company's other two projects he said, "After Mumbai, we plan to take up the Delhi project. We are in the process of identifying land and we expect to commence work next year."

The company has also identified land for its Bangalore project, he added.

On Silvexity Group's fund raising plans, Singh said, "It will be mainly through institutional investors. We do not wish to raise debt at this point as the interest rates are very high. It will only result in escalation of our capital cost."

moladi

Keywords - India, low cost housing, solution, cast housing system, moladi, Mumbai, Affordable housing developer, Silvexity Group, township, develop

Formwork System - moladi

2011-03-10T02:37:00.000-08:00

Formwork System system formwork form work systems

Formwork System - moladi

Formwork system

Keywords - formwork system, system, form, form work, shutter, shutter system, building system, cast, modular components, modular panels

Housing fund shortfall may swell to R102bn by 2012 – Sexwale

2009-07-01T04:46:00.000-07:00

Housing fund shortfall may swell to R102bn by 2012 – Sexwale

Human Settlements
Housing fund shortfall may swell to R102bn by 2012 – Sexwale
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By: Sapa
30th June 2009
TEXT SIZE

While great strides have been made in housing provision, the shortfall remains of great concern, Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale said on Tuesday.Speaking in the National Assembly during a debate on his budget vote, Sexwale said spending on housing service delivery had increased from R4,8-billion in 2004/5 to R10,9-billion in the last financial year – increasing at an average rate of 23%.Nationally, over 570 housing projects had been approved and a housing grant of R12,4-billion allocated for this financial year, translating into the construction of 226 000 new housing units across all nine provinces.In the first two months of this financial year – April 1 to May 31 – provincial housing departments had already reported delivery of 22 000 housing units, he said.This brought the number of established homes delivered by the government since 1994 to 2,3-million units, accommodating about 13-million people.“Additional funds are being allocated to provide large-scale upgrades of informal settlements and the alignment of the national housing grant with inflationary price increases.”However, although the housing grant allocation had been increased over the 2009 medium term expenditure framework, departmental studies concluded that continuing with the current trend in housing budgets would lead to a fund shortfall of R102-billion by 2012, which would increase to R253-billion by 2016.“This is of great concern,” he said.“Furthermore, we remain concerned about houses that are reportedly standing empty, especially in the light of huge demands for housing of almost 2,1-million units.“We have taken cognisance of the need for housing in urban pressure points around the country and are in the process of responding to this with alternative tenure options, including affordable rental housing stock.“We have also strengthened our resolve to provide housing assistance to people living in shacks, who constitute the bulk of the housing backlog.“Significant strides have been made towards identifying those informal settlements that can be upgraded in-situ with essential services, and work in this regard is progressing satisfactorily, as long as we successfully arrest the spread of informal settlements.“We have mapped all these informal settlements countrywide, and this area will be receiving serious ongoing attention,” Sexwale said.

moladi will give more houses for the same monies

Mejor Hombre Premios 2009

2009-06-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

Mejor Hombre Premios 2009

A la vanguardia Pack Mejor Hombre se estableció por primera vez por Salud de la Mujer en 2003 con el objetivo de reconocer la de Sudáfrica los hombres que están haciendo una diferencia en la sociedad de hoy. These men are leaders in their fields; they inspire us in our daily lives and create unique opportunities for all South Africans to reach their goals and develop themselves. Estos hombres son líderes en sus campos, que nos inspiran en nuestra vida cotidiana y crear oportunidades únicas para todos los sudafricanos a alcanzar sus metas y desarrollarse.
Finalists were selected after a public call for nominations and direction from a panel comprised of specialists in the respective categories and finalists from previous years. Los finalistas fueron seleccionados tras una convocatoria pública de candidaturas y la dirección de un panel compuesto por especialistas en las respectivas categorías y finalistas de años anteriores. These finalists were considered based on the iconic status achieved in their area of expertise, as well as the difference made in everyday life for the good of society. Estos finalistas fueron examinados sobre la base de la icónica estado alcanzado en su área de especialización, así como la diferencia en la vida cotidiana por el bien de la sociedad. Winners were selected by Men's Health readers via the website and the magazine. Los ganadores fueron seleccionados por los lectores de Salud de la Mujer a través del sitio web y la revista. It is once again that time of the year where we acknowledge these men - the leaders in sport, business, science and technology, arts and culture, media and public service. Es una vez más que la época del año cuando reconocemos estos hombres - los líderes en el deporte, los negocios, la ciencia y la tecnología, las artes y la cultura, los medios de comunicación y de servicio público. This year's gala event will take place in Johannesburg on 11 June 2009.” Este año, la gala tendrá lugar en Johannesburgo el 11 de junio de 2009. "
Science and Technology Catogory Ciencia y Tecnología Catogory

Hennie Botes CEO of moladi - Best Man Awards 2009 Hennie Botes CEO de moladi - Mejor Hombre Premios 2009
“A true leader and innovator in the field of science and technology, this is a man who is forging a new path, finding new answers and breaking ground. F ounder of moladi and the inventor of patented moulds that allow the rapid erection of low-cost, labour-intensive quality houses. Creating the much talked about employment." "Un verdadero líder e innovador en el campo de la ciencia y la tecnología, este es un hombre que está forjando un nuevo camino, la búsqueda de nuevas respuestas y romper terreno. Ounder F de moladi y patentado el inventor de moldes que permiten la rápida instalación de baja costo, intensivos en mano de obra de calidad casas. Creación de la hablado mucho sobre el empleo ".
http://66.249.89.132/translate_c?hl=en&sl=en&tl=es&u=http://www.menshealthsa.co.za/static/bestman2009&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhhoKZIfrnrzCPjbhoDo3_IGnDkr-Q http://66.249.89.132/translate_c?hl=en&sl=en&tl=es&u=http://www.menshealthsa.co.za/static/bestman2009&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhhoKZIfrnrzCPjbhoDo3_IGnDkr-Q

Hands On - The Earth Report from TVE.org

2009-02-19T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hands On - The Earth Report from TVE.org: "mohsen@aboutorabi@uce.ac.uk"

Report 1 of 4: Shacking Up - South Africa

Introduction

One of South Africa’s most pressing problems is the provision of suitable shelter for the huge numbers of people living in shacks in the sprawling settlements. These shacks are constructed from anything which can be acquired, such as scrap timber, old roofing sheets etc. and, while they may give some protection from rain and the heat of the sun, they do not provide adequate housing. The poor materials and the makeshift way in which they are constructed also lead to a risk of fire.

The construction of low cost houses in the township of Khayelitsha is based on locally-made building components and has been made possible by the development of equipment which is itself low in cost.

The low cost housing project for townships in South Africa

Work on the project started early in 1994 as a co-operative venture between the International Development Group (IDG) of Birmingham School of Architecture and the Margarette Pierson Research Trust (MPRT), with the support of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID).

The project included a study, at an early stage, of various low-cost housing schemes in South Africa, built by contractors using standard building materials. The study found that most were built to very low standards and were, in some respects, worse than the shacks they were intended to replace. The study concluded that many of these housing schemes produced houses which:

are neither structurally sound nor suitable for living

have high maintenance requirements due to poor construction

have no control or contribution from the owners
The study indicated that the involvement of the owner as unskilled labour could have saved more than 12% of the cost which could have been well spent on improved standards of construction.
The project avoids these old failings by using construction materials and techniques which allow good quality houses to be built. By actively encouraging the involvement of the community in all aspects of the process – decision making, materials production and construction, the project ensures that family members learn new skills. This allows them to contribute labour to the building of the home and also makes it possible for them to take control over the maintenance of the home.

The first part of the work concentrated on the development and testing of pedal-operated equipment and moulding system for the production of a range of building products. The equipment was used to make concrete blocks, roof arches, floor slabs, tiles and roof sheets.

When this production system had been developed, it was then possible to devise a low cost house-building system which was intended to:

facilitate self-help housing

meet the needs and expectations of the people

be simple and require minimal skilled labour

be affordable to low-income families
The complete system was the brought to the attention of the people of Khayelitsha township by means of organised training workshops which covered the production processes and quality testing methods for the building components, as well as the construction methods. The trainees were involved in the construction of a model low-cost house in the township in March 1995.
The building components

The basic components used to build a range of different houses are all the same and can be made by families after suitable training but the project team recommended that they should be made in a community production centre so that proper quality control could be ensured. Such a centre would also help to minimise production costs.

The building blocks for wall construction are 390x200x200mm and weigh about 21kg each. They are cast in a metal mould and vibrated for one minute on the pedal-driven table before being left to cure for at least three weeks. As with all concrete curing, this stage must be done in a damp environment to allow the concrete to develop its full strength.

Concrete paving slabs measuring 400x400x25mm are cast in plastic moulds and vibrated for 30 seconds. These must be kept in their moulds for 24 hours before being put onto a flat surface for curing.

Roof construction

The roof construction is based on two components:

The roof ‘T’ beam is four metres long and 160mm high and has a weight of about 130kg. It is cast in a metal mould and is reinforced with three metal bars 14mm in diameter. It is left in the mould for at least 24 hours before being turned out onto a flat floor for curing.

The roof arches are 700x500x18mm and each weighs about 17kg. They are made in a metal frame on the vibrating table and then slid onto the arched moulds where they remain for about 24 hours. When they are strong enough to be taken from the mould, they are stacked in a tank of water to cure for a week. They then require a further two weeks curing in a shaded area and must be wetted twice each day. This careful curing ensures that the concrete develops its full strength - which it will need in the construction process as the arches have to support the upper concrete layer until it has set fully.

House construction

The house walls are built up in the normal way using the concrete blocks and when they are complete, a wooden mould – known as shuttering – is fixed all round the top so that concrete can be poured on the blocks to form the ‘ring-beam’. When this is set, the ‘T’ beams are placed across the house at 80cm intervals so that they rest on the ring beam. The ‘T’ beams are carefully lined up so that they are parallel with each other and then the arches can be placed in position. The structure is completed by casting wet, lightweight concrete directly on to the arches. The roof is then completed with a waterproof outer coating.

A number of different types of house can be constructed with these components and most have been designed so that they can be extended later when more space is needed or when the owners can afford to improve the family home.

Finance

As part of the project’s design, another study focussed on the affordability of home ownership. It looked at the different income levels in the townships and calculated the loans which they could sustain which, over a five year repayment period, ranged from 4,300 to 20,000 South African Rand. This information helped to guide the designs of the houses themselves. The result was a range of home designs suitable for most incomes within the community. Each type of house can be constructed in several phases so that it can grow with the needs and income of the family.

This is why moladi is the solution for the quality delivery of low cost housing in South Africa - www.moladi.net

Lightweight Construction Method

2009-02-17T22:08:00.000-08:00

Introduction - lightweight Construction Method
moladi has been supplying its comprehensive lightweight Construction formwork system, of which the moladi formwork is merely a constituent of this technology, for the past 22 years. As a result, we do not simply supply modular plastic formwork, but a holistic building technology, that has been specifically designed and is proven too benefit the end user with its simplicity and ease of use.

moladi has developed a cast home building system to construct durable homes and structures of quality in the shortest possible time.

This system has developed into a construction technology that addresses four key challenges embodied in the low cost and affordable housing shortages facing developing countries namely:

lack of resources
insufficient funds
skills shortage
time constraint
work flow control
time constraints
waste

Traditional bricks or blocks are moulded in a small mould and then laboriously stacked by an artisan, sandwiched with mortar to create a wall. The electrical and water pipes are placed by grinding and chasing into the wall. The wall is then plastered to cover the pipes and services, as well as the brickwork, to create a level and smooth surface.

A few disadvantages of brick or block construction are:

Labour intensive
Compressive capacity only
Skilled labour
Mortar shrinkage
Thermal expansion and contraction
Leveling
Erratic supplies = erratic delivery
Waste
Rework
Slow delivery
Inconsistent quality
Unpredictable cash flow
Increased cost

The moladi patented technology is cost effective due to its repetitive application. It is affordable due to the fact that the formwork is used on a repetitive basis for up to 50 reuses per kit; this results in the cost of the formwork being amortized over the construction of 50 units.

By combing the modular re-usable, patented, recyclable lightweight plastic injection moulded formwork system, with a South African Bureau of Standards approved lightweight aerated mortar, Agrément Certificate 94/231, a full scale mould of the designed house is configured with all the services, both plumbing and electrical, are cast in situ as a monolithic reinforced walling system. Chasing, beam filling, plastering and wastage are eliminated, producing a fast track, cost effective, transferable construction technology.

In simple terms, moladi has:
A constant supply of materials
Known costs
Unskilled operators
Next to no waste
Increased productivity
Reduced cost
Consistent quality
Predictable cash flow

Over and above these advantages, moladi is:
a recipient of the South African Bureau of Standards Design for Development Award and aims at providing millions of people around the world to obtain equity in their country by providing them with homes that are of a high standard and at a reduced cost.

moladi is a unique patented plastic injection moulded form work system, which produces cast-in-place mortar structures.
a fast, simple, adaptable and a low construction cost technological building system.
suitable for all types of buildings, yet it is highly suited for use in mass housing markets, without compromising quality.
utilizes indigenous materials to produce high standard permanent structures that are earthquake, cyclone and tsunami resistant.
unique in that it forms all the walls in a building simultaneously. At the same time, it brings to field construction all the benefits of a factory assembly line - quality work, by unskilled workers at a maximum rate of production.
versatile and allows for easy adaptation to varied design specifications, whether they are schools, homes, clinics or factories whist maintaining design aesthetics for social acceptability.
promotes a high standard in the construction industry.
successful in alleviating many of the logistical problems facing the construction of affordable repetitive housing projects.
creates a high production output capacity.
facilitates the possibility for many in situ structures to be built in just one day.
amortized over many re-uses, reducing the cost of construction and transportation significantly.
far outweighs poorly designed and costly concrete-block and masonry structures, as they often fail to timeously meet the requirements of mass housing schemes.
does not rely on traditional skilled labour and can employ the local indigenous unskilled community.
train local contractors and entrepreneurs to use our technology and, in turn, empowering communities to build quality structures. Jobs are created within the community and members become participants in the construction of their homes.
Key Points:
Holistic building technology
Ease of use
Monolithic reinforced walling system
Fast track, cost effective, transferable construction technology
Use as Home construction | home builder | house construction

- Low cost housing construction system - Challenging the tradition bound construction industry since 1986

Viet Nam News

2008-10-05T22:49:00.000-07:00

Viet Nam News

Gov’t ponders house plan for low-income families

HCM CITY — The Ministry of Construction on Monday proposed that the Prime Minister approve a programme to build 184,000 houses for low-income people in urban centres between 2009 and 2015.
The programme needs an investment of VND49 trillion (US$2.97 billion) from central and provincial budgets and different economic sectors.
According to the ministry, of the 2 million civil servants in the country, 700,000 of them who live in urban centres do not have housing and often live with relatives.
Ha Noi tops the country’s list in providing limited housing with an average of 7-7.5sq.m of housing space per capita. HCM City has 12sq.m of space per capita.
The ministry said civil servant salaries were too low to cope with rising prices in the housing market, and the programme can provide accommodation for only 30 per cent of low-income households facing difficulties in buying their own homes.
The low-income housing programme hopes to provide 26,000 houses with a total floor space of 1.36 million sq.m of space each year.
The ministry also requested that funding of VND1.2 trillion (US$75 million) be earmarked for Ha Noi and HCM City to pilot the programme in 2009, the first year of implementation.
The ministry proposed that the Prime Minister consider the programme so that different ministries, relevant agencies, the municipal and provincial People’s Committees can provide capital.
Rising costs
A typical family in an urban centre has an average income of VND4-6 million a month.
At least 20 years of savings are needed to buy an average apartment in a high-rise residential building at the cost of VND800 million-VND1 billion ($50,000-62,500) per unit.
Minister of Construction Nguyen Hong Quan said the construction of low-income housing remained sluggish.
He blamed the slow speed on companies’ reluctance to invest big capital in projects, only to see low profits and a long period of cash retrieval.
The limited allocation of capital for low-income housing construction in localities is also blamed for the slow progress of the programme.
Localities said they had spent most of their funds on health, education and transport facilities. Few incentive policies exist to encourage businesses to build houses for low-income people. — VNS

Plastic shutter formwork construction

2008-09-29T22:53:00.000-07:00

Build more homes faster better for less with moladi plastic shutter formwork - www.moladi.com

ABSA to provide 100,000 low cost homes by 2010 - South Africa - The Good News

2008-02-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

ABSA to provide 100,000 low cost homes by 2010 - South Africa - The Good News:
Monday, 02 April 2007"

ABSA to provide 100,000 low cost homes by 2010 - South Africa - The Good News: "Steve Booysen"
Monday, 02 April 2007
ABSA has committed R2.6 billion to provide 100,000 low cost homes in South Africa by 2010. Speaking at the handing over of more than 200 government subsidised houses, ABSA Chief Executive Officer Steve Booysen said the R2.6 billion was the bank's contribution towards sustainable human settlements for the nation. "By 2010, ABSA will be involved in 100,000 homes in collaboration and consultation with the national housing ministry, provincial governments and local governments. "We will have at least one project for every province and two to three projects for every metro," he said. The bank is doing this to ensure every family in South Africa has security of place where they can establish their roots and from which create a better life, said Booysen. "We know that a South Africa where every family has a real home, savings in the bank for a rainy day and a reliable income in their old age is a South Africa where pride has meaning." South Africa's major banks in 2005 entered into a memorandum of understanding with government that would result in R42 billion being spent on low cost housing. ABSA has also set aside R400 million to develop the Olievenhoutbosch housing project, in the informal area south of Pretoria. The project, to be completed by 2008 would result in 5,400 homes built, with 1,200 being bonded, 3,000 subsidised and 1,200 rental homes on 180 hectares of land. These investments, said Booysen, were also part of the bank's investments in the infrastructure investments. "We regard urban renewal through residential development as wise infrastructure development, because wise infrastructure investment helps to make development sustainable." An example is Brickfields apartments complex in Newtown, Johannesburg, where ABSA has funded 35 percent of the R100 million residential project. Brickfields, he said, was a typical example of a public private partnership that works for the benefit of individual families. The project is to benefit 727 families providing a return on the bank's investment and at the same time improving the quality of life. A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the bank and the Gauteng provincial government to deliver 7,500 units in Droogeheuwel and Midddelvlei in the Randfontein Local Municipality. About 2,600 hectares of land have also been acquired by the bank to be used for affordable housing in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria. "This project will allow in excess of 65,000 residential homes in mixed mode developments to be developed in phases over about five years," said Booysen. The development, he said, will make a big contribution towards eradicating shacks and other informal dwellings by 2014. Housing minister Lindiwe Sisulu said the bank's dedication to the provision of housing would go a long way in providing a roof over the head of many South Africans. Source: BuaNews

Tick tick tick...2 years and two months to go to reach the target of 100,000 - moladi can help you achieve your commitment in delivering low income houses. Ready since 1986...

allAfrica.com: South Africa: Eastern Cape Works to Fast-Track Rural Housing (Page 1 of 1)

2008-01-28T09:55:00.000-08:00

allAfrica.com: South Africa: Eastern Cape Works to Fast-Track Rural Housing (Page 1 of 1)

South Africa: Eastern Cape Works to Fast-Track Rural Housing

Email This Page Print This Page Comment on this article Visit The Publisher's Site
BuaNews (Tshwane)

22 January 2008Posted to the web 22 January 2008
Luyanda MakapelaElliotdate
Strategies to fast-track rural housing delivery in the Eastern Cape will be the main focus of a Rural Housing Summit to be held this week.
Department of Housing and Local Government spokesperson Phumlani Mdolomba said the two-day summit, which kicks off on Thursday, will focus on rapid land release, land for asset ownership and the renewal of the rural residential property market.
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It will also focus on alternative technologies and indigenous knowledge systems in material supply and construction methods to speed up delivery.
"The deliberations and outcomes are expected to feed into and enhance the draft provincial strategic framework for creating sustainable human settlements from this year [2008] to 2014 which is currently under broad consultation in the province," said Mr Mdolomba.
In November last year, Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu had tasked the National Home Builders Regulation Council (NHBRC) to conduct an audit of a major Eastern Cape housing project in a bid to prevent poor workmanship.
The move followed complaints raised by residents to the minister during a Presidential imbizo two months before.
As promised during the event, Ms Sisulu had returned to Ugie with Power Construction, the company responsible for building homes in the town.
During the meeting, which was also attended by the Eastern Cape MEC for Housing Tokozile Xasa and the Mayors from the Elundini Municipality and Ukahlamba District Municipality, Ms Sisulu commended the company for its willingness to return to Ugie.
Minister Sisulu told the community that she had asked the NHBRC to carry out a forensic audit of about 2000 homes as "government is committed to providing quality homes that can become tradable assets to the people."

Last October, Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela, Housing and Local Government MEC Thoko Xasa, Local Government Head of Department, Nandi Sishuba and other government officials had visited a factory which manufactures low-cost housing materials in Germany.

"We are engaging the company to determine if they are indeed in a position to assist by providing structures that will meet the necessary standards required to assist us in eradicating mud-schools," said Ms Xasa at the time.

The delegation was assessing the possibility of an international private public partnership with a German company to provide housing and investment in the Eastern Cape, in order to meet the needs of the housing project.

The Sustainable Settlement project is about an integrated approach to housing development which includes providing water and sanitation, schools and recreational facilitates backed by adequate infrastructure development.

What about the proven technology moladi????????

SABCnews.com - politics/the_provinces

2008-01-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

SABCnews.com - politics/the_provinces: "ECape premier admits to poor housing delivery

Premier Nosimo Balindlela says governemnt falls short on housing delivery
January 19, 2008, 16:00

Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela has admitted that the ANC government has performed poorly on housing delivery in the province.

She has told a 1000-strong crowd during the ANC's 92 years celebrations at Mount Ayliff that some service providers did shoddy work.

Last year, Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu visited a collapsing RDP project at Ugie after complaints of poor workmanship.

Balindlela says an investigation into misused funds is underway."

SABCnews.com - politics/the_provinces

2008-01-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

The Herald Online News

2008-01-21T21:13:00.000-08:00

The Herald Online **News**

Zanemvula in disarray with 600 new houses defective
Max Matavire METRO EDITOR
ONE of Nelson Mandela Bay‘s biggest housing developments yet, the controversial R1-billion Zanemvula settlement, is in disarray amid revelations that 600 of the homes are defective and claims that the project managers are trying to cut corners by building smaller houses.
The problems threaten to push the development into the same sort of bureaucratic quagmire as Cape Town‘s troubled N2 Gateway project – which now has the same contractor. Like the Gateway project, Zanemvula was launched on the instructions of the national government.
A technical audit conducted on the durability of houses already built by the municipality before the project was taken over by state-owned developer Thubelisha has revealed that the 600 defective houses have to be either corrected or completely destroyed before the developer builds further houses.
The project has been hit by various problems, ranging from allegations of lack of capacity by Thubelisha to tackle such a project, to allegations of political interference and the involvement of many role players in one project.
The aim is to resettle people currently living in the floodplains in and near Soweto-on-Sea, Veeplaas and Chatty.
Houses were supposed to be completed by December last year, but no foundations have yet been dug as contractors are only now being appointed.
Thubelisha, the newly appointed project managers, are being accused of now wanting to change the project specifications and the scope of the work by reducing the size of the units to speed up construction, but still getting the agreed amount.
The project involves the construction of about 1 700 units.
Thubelisha provincial manager Nicholas Tsewu yesterday declined to comment.
The municipality yesterday denied allegations by certain contractors that the project had stalled, but admitted that there were problems.
Municipal housing and land executive director Seth Maqetuka, yesterday said work and planning on the project was going on.
“Thubelisha are appointing contractors. There are issues which must be sorted out first before they can start,” he said.
Maqetuka revealed that, following a technical audit by the National Housing Building Research Centre, it was found out that some houses built by the municipality were faulty.
Maqetuka said: “The municipality is the developer, and Thubelisha the project managers. A technical audit conducted by the NHBRC on houses built by the municipality in Chatty Extensions 3 and 4 before the project was handed over to Thubelisha, found out that about 600 units are defective.
“Some are still under construction. These are additional problems which Thubelisha is inheriting. There are structural defects, and the foundations have problems. The NHBRC has recommended that some of the units be rectified and some completely demolished,” Maqetuka said.
He also expressed concern that there would be financial implications. This new problem had to be addressed before Thubelisha started building. The houses were built by six different emerging contractors appointed by the municipality.
Maqetuka said an urgent meeting between the municipality, the provincial government, Thubelisha and the NHBRC was being arranged.
The project was initiated by President Thabo Mbeki in 2003. Mbeki asked Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to arrange for the removal of the people from such conditions.

cimbras formwork coffrage schalungen Encofrados moladi

2007-10-31T23:05:00.000-07:00

cimbras formwork coffrage schalungen Encofrados moladi

Build more faster, better for less with moladi plastic formwork

moladi, a South African Company and International supplier for the past 21 years, the pioneer of a one-step casting process for the construction of homes,"...Simply cast a whole house in a day, employing unskilled labour, reducing time, waste and cost, eliminating chasing for plumbing and electrical pipe work, plastering and beam filling, resulting in a wall stronger than brick. A cost effective, holistic design and build technology that far outweighs poorly designed costly concrete-block and masonry structures…

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Weekend Post: Business News

2007-10-21T22:59:00.000-07:00

Weekend Post: Business News

Moladi solves key low-cost challenges
By Roux van Zyl Business Reporter
WHO would have guessed that houses could be exported from Nelson Mandela Bay?
Local entrepreneur Hennie Botes, designer and owner of Moladi, has been doing just this for the last two decades, of which five years were spent in Port Elizabeth.
Technically speaking he does not export a whole house, rather the means to build a house within one day.
The concept is based on casting technology. First a mould is built from plastic shutter panels in the form of the planned house and is then filled up with a light-weight mortar.
The mortar takes only one day to dry and is then ready to receive a roof and other finishes like window frames and plumbing.
Botes, a tool-maker by trade, started designing the system in 1986. While building a wall at his house he wondered if it might not be possible to cast a whole wall.
Botes developed a plastic injection moulded shutter system that was strong enough to handle the pressure of concrete.
“However, you can‘t live in concrete – it is too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. So I had to develop an alternative material. “This material is like Kentucky Fried Chicken, it has secret ingredients,” he laughed. His cementitious material consists of river sand, cement, water and the “secret” chemical admixture.
He subsequently patented and received SABS approval for the entire concept.
Botes felt Moladi addressed the three key challenges in the low- cost housing market, namely lack of funds, skills and time.
The wall forms are removed in sections and can immediately be re-erected on an adjoining site thus speeding up the construction process.
He said Moladi brings the cost of low- cost housing down to about R680/m². A Port Elizabeth building contractor contacted by the Weekend Post this week estimated the building cost of a typical RDP house using cement building blocks at between R1 250 and R1 600/m².
Despite Moladi‘s potential benefits, Botes said it took him a number of years to sell the concept because of a reluctance in the building industry to embrace new building methods, with “outdated building methods, like bricks” still the order of the day .
He markets Moladi mainly to third world countries like Panama where he plans to set up a factory, Mexico, Angola, Botswana and Kenya and negotiations are being finalised with Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Sudan, Algeria, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Ecuador and Venezuela.
He sells the concept as a licence to building contractors and provides support in the form of a business plan while assisting the new licensee to build their first show house as part of a skills transfer process.
Because most of his customers are outside South Africa he moved down to Port Elizabeth to be close to a harbour.
“Although most of my customers are currently outside South Africa, local interest is growing,” he said.
To confirm this belief, Botes recently won a subsidy housing merit award at the Innovation Housing Competition sponsored by the National Homebuilders Registration Council (NHBRC) and Absa Bank.
Looking at the future Botes remains confident.
His vision is to establish an assembly line for constructing houses. This could even see the cost of building lower even more, he said.

ArchNet Discussion Forum Forum Top Level

2007-10-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

ArchNet Discussion Forum Forum Top Level

Laurie Baker-The father of low cost architecture of India
I'm a Habitat for Humanity Int'l (non-profit affordable-housing homebuilder) volunteer in the U.S., and I'm curious what Laurie Baker followers would make of his modern, more commercial "descendants" -- those doing low-cost, high-efficiency housing for a profit. I'm thinking, specifically, of Moladi in South Africa, which employs a re-usable plastic formwork; there's little "cultural life" to the product, but as pure housing, it seems reasonable. More at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moladi and http://www.moladi.com/index.htm
-- Chris Goodrich, April 9, 2007

SABCnews.com - politics/government

2007-10-06T22:45:00.000-07:00

SABCnews.com - politics/government

Mbeki slams underperforming councillors

President Thabo Mbeki says the majority of municipalities are failing to dismantle the apartheid settlement patterns. Mbeki has slammed councillors who abdicated their responsibilities and put local government into disrepute.He was speaking at the South African Local Government Association (Salga) national conference at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Gauteng. Mbeki says councillors need to fulfill their mandate and report back to their constituencies.Mbeki asked: "How will we ensure that Salga makes members that bring local government into disrepute account for their actions? How does Salga help with the day to day work of municipalities and what impact do such interventions have?"Mbeki said apartheid settlement patterns are still being adhered to, even though a decision to deal with this was taken as far back as 2004. He said municipalities had not been able to deal with the problem. He said new houses for black people are still being built on the outskirts of towns. Mbeki said it is unacceptable that municipalities continue allocating land closer to commercial centres solely to developers who build for the upper end of the housing market. He said the practice prevents the integration of communities

South Africa tackles social inequities

2007-10-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

South Africa tackles social inequities

Reconstruction and development
Some of the current bitterness stems from the very high hopes generated by the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). Originally launched in 1994 as the ANC's election programme, it then became the centre of the new government's mandate for reform. As defined by then President Nelson Mandela, the RDP encompassed not only socio-economic programmes designed to redress imbalances in living conditions, but also institutional reform, educational and cultural programmes, employment generation and human resources development. The programme, Mr. Mandela said, would be "an all-encompassing process of transforming society in its totality to ensure a better life for all."
At first, the RDP had a dual aspect. As a policy framework, its priorities influenced the targeting of donor aid and guided the government's normal budgetary process, leading to significant shifts in how government revenues were spent. Less went to the military, for example, and substantially more was allocated to education, health, housing and other social spending.
At the same time, the RDP had its own distinct presence. A special RDP Fund, of several billion rands annually, financed high-profile "presidential projects," such as free medical care for under-six children and pregnant mothers, a school feeding programme, electrification of poor homes and public works projects for unemployed youths. A separate RDP office also was set up, headed by Minister without Portfolio Jay Naidoo (a former Cosatu union leader), to administer the fund and coordinate the different facets of the programme in the various ministries.
In 1996, however, the RDP lost its most visible public face when Mr. Naidoo was reassigned to other ministerial duties. The RDP office was eliminated as a separate entity, with its coordinating functions subsumed into the office of then Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, now president, who remains directly responsible for the RDP programme.
Despite the RDP's lower profile, the programme has continued to register significant progress. Some of its achievements over the past six years, such as the rapid expansion of housing and access to clean water, surpass anything accomplished in such a short period of time elsewhere in Africa -- and even in some European countries (see table, page 14). A recent survey conducted by the National Economic Development and Labour Council, a statutory body that mediates most labour negotiations, found that a majority of those questioned felt their lives had improved due to the RDP.

R2bn housing scandal

2007-09-06T22:40:00.000-07:00

R2bn housing scandal
FRAUD and corruption by developers in collusion with housing department officials are among the key factors for the collapse of hundreds of low-cost housing projects throughout the country.
As a result, the government is now spending more than R2 billion to refinance the completion of the low-cost houses that were abandoned by unscrupulous developers across the country since the dawn of democracy.
The problem has its roots in massive fraud scams by developers who colluded with some of the country’s housing department officials to siphon off millions of rands for work not done.
Across the country, developers left swathes of foundation slabs or mere toilets while others built houses, but could not put on the roofs as they feverishly guarded their profits. In some cases, houses were never built, but the developers were paid. This meant that the rural poor lived for prolonged periods in rickety shacks and corrugated iron houses.
Other common problems in several provinces were shoddy workmanship and rising inflation – especially where projects took longer to complete and prices for building materials skyrocketed.
This comes as provinces race against time to ensure that all the incomplete houses were finished before a 2008 deadline set by Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
Several documents in the possession of City Press show that developers in the nine provinces claim the non-completion of low-cost houses was caused by several problems, including unresolved land issues and delayed environmental impact assessment studies on sites earmarked for government’s low-cost houses.
But a common concern among developers was the claim that the profit margins in the RDP housing construction were very low.
But government dismissed the complaints. It said tenders were allocated based on submissions by developers and the low-cost housing subsidy had been increased annually to cater for inflation.
Government said there was the discernible problem of a propensity by developers to buy luxury items before they could determine the profits they would make. This resulted in a shortfall.
“We think the problem is that some of the developers are irresponsible in using the money . . . Some use the money they should buy material with or pay workers to buy luxury cars and houses. They forget they have a responsibility to finish the project,” said Ndivhuwo Mabaya, national housing department spokesperson.
Government is now forced to re-finance some of the projects as attempts to get the developers to pay took too long.
In the Eastern Cape, the provincial housing department has allocated another R311 million to unblock 183 housing projects that were either incomplete due to fraud and corruption or escalations and other “implementation-related issues such as land invasions, sudden inaccessibility of construction sites due to roads and bridges washed away”.
But Limpopo is the hardest hit with a whopping 40 000 incomplete houses that have to be finished at a cost of R1 billion in three years.
The Northern Cape’s bill stands at R104 million for 4 300 units, while the Western Cape has allocated R20.9 million this year to complete 1 902 houses.
The lowest bill is the Free State’s. The province has put aside R13 million to finish 909 units.
Phumlani Mndolomba of the Eastern Cape Housing Department said the province’s model of building houses – using the People’s Housing Delivery vehicle – resulted in a slow pace in completing houses.
“A second major factor . . . is that the province elected to build a 40m² house using a conditional grant allowance which was based on a 30m² unit as the national norm,” Mndolomba said.

Rules to provide affordable housing to needed families

2007-09-04T14:32:00.000-07:00

Rules to provide affordable housing to needed families
Beijing plans to construct 300.000 sq m of low-rent housing this year, 10 million sq m of affordable housing and 10 million sq m of