South Africa becoming a leader in renewable energy
South Africa is on its way to becoming a renewable energy leader with billions being invested in creating clean and efficient energy. A recent study revealed that renewable energy including wind and solar benefited South Africa by as much as R5.3 billion in 2014.* A zero carbon scenario, grid autonomy and wheeling will be some of the fascinating talking points for energy industry experts who gather at the Sustainable Energy Seminar. This two day conference takes place on 24 and 25 June 2015 during the annual alive2green Sustainability Week at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.
The process of adding electricity to the grid in one place and taking it out at another, commonly known as wheeling, has been dubbed a potential catalyst for South Africa’s transition to renewable energy – could this approach open the flood gates? As energy producers gain direct access to end users by wheeling their clean energy through the Eskom grid, the market begins to open up, allowing market forces to push efficiencies up and prices down.
The possibilities opening up for gas generation, both at the utility and on site scale and the prospect of reducing national Green House Gas emissions is beginning to look highly possible, if not probable. Strategies to achieve grid autonomy through efficiency and on site generation will be discussed at this year’s Sustainable Energy Seminar, a not-to-be-missed event, attracting the country’s leading experts in sustainable energy.
“There is an urgent need to reduce fossil fuel dependency, reduce our carbon footprint and diversify the energy mix and supply. Renewable energy is an attractive solution to many problems, the most important of these being security of supply, because resources are abundant and sustainable with the advantage of relatively quick implementation times, creation of work opportunities and a lower long-term impact on the environment,” says Dr Karen Surridge-Talbot, Centre Manager for the Renewable Energy Centre of Research and Development (RECORD) at the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). Surridge-Talbot will share insights from SANEDI’s flagship projects at the Seminar.
South Africa has one of the best solar regimes in the world and the question is how best to harness this renewable energy resource. Dr Chris Haw, Director of Aurora Power Group and the co-founder of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association will discuss solar energy for commercial energy users with helpful case studies from his experience at SOLA Future Energy.
Valuable insights about redox flow batteries will be shared by Mulilo project engineer, Tim Crombie and Etienne Gerber, technical head at Mitochondria Energy Company (Pty) Ltd will discuss hydrogen fuel cells. Dr Tobias Bischof-Niemz from the CSIR will speak about the council’s integrated energy initiative and opportunities for renewables in South Africa.
The Sustainable Energy Seminar will include riveting discussions on renewable energy generation potential versus the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP) programme, wheeling, natural gas as an alternative energy source in South Africa, autonomy from Eskom - going off the grid and sustainable energy at city scale. Each session in the Sustainable Energy Seminar will begin with an expert panel of 20 minute presentations, followed by a question and answer session with input from the audience.
“We have a crucial role to play in enabling the transition from a carbon-intensive economy to more efficient low-carbon alternatives. The reduction of electricity consumption and increased rollout of renewable energy alternatives is a critical aspect of this transition,” says Dr Marco Lotz, Sustainability Carbon Specialist of Nedbank Group.
The Sustainable Energy Seminar, sponsored by Nedbank, SANEDI, UNIDO, BASF, Massbuild and Participate Technologies forms part of the larger Sustainability Week, organised by alive2green, which runs from 23 to 28 June 2015. Affiliated partners of the Sustainable Energy Seminar include: PIESA, SESSA, SAEE, REEEP, TAPPSA, SAAEA and NBI.
Sustainability Week is hosted by the City of Tshwane which has a vision to become a low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient city by 2055. Executive Mayor of Tshwane Councillor Kgosientso Ramogkopa said, “Sustainability Week is a vital gathering for experts and leaders alike to champion urban sustainability for future generations. Energy efficiency is at the heart of this challenge - it cannot be overlooked.”
For more information on Sustainability Week, visit www.sustainabilityweek.co.za.
* http://www.saee.org.za/news_item.aspx?Id=775
Sustainability Week: Green-living lifestyle fair comes to Pretoria
Caption: The Green Home Fair in 2013
Long gone are the days that eco-friendly products are expensive and only aimed at an exclusive market. It is fast becoming a global norm to choose household products that reduce the impact on the environment and ensure better conditions for the people involved in its manufacture. The Green Home Fair, which forms part of this year’s Sustainability Week, will make its way to Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria to showcase all the fabulous products and services to savvy consumers from 27 to 28 June 2015.
Eco-decorating and finishes, motoring, travelling, veggie gardens, eco-sport and recycling ideas are just some of the initiatives that those with a flair for style, while being environmentally conscious can look forward to at this year’s Green Home Fair.
Melissa Baird, Editor of Green Home magazine says, “The growing trend worldwide is that consumers want to know that the products that they buy don’t harm the environment and that the manufacturers producing them are socially conscious. Labelling is also a major issue as consumers are interested in the ingredients used in the food and products they buy – it all comes down to being a conscious consumer, a key attraction point of the Green Home Fair.”
As part of the overall Sustainability Week, the Green Home Fair will educate people why being mindful of their impact on the environment matters and how it can save money in the long run. There will be public talks about what consumers need in order to be more energy efficient and water-wise. The Fair will also showcase the latest in-home and décor products that are on trend, new and super stylish.
Nicola van Kan, Marketing Manager at Brooklyn Mall, says, “We are proud and very excited to be hosting the Green Home Fair and help put a spotlight on all green lifestyle products and services. The communal and interactive space promises a great experience for consumers. Growthpoint Properties, owners of Brooklyn Mall, is a socially responsible company and we support sustainable projects that positively impact our society.”
“We are seeing more eco-products making its way onto shopping shelves that are good for the environment and great for your home as they don’t contain harsh chemicals. Consumers should shop around and find out what works for them when making new choices,” guides Baird.
By living a more green lifestyle, you will have less chemicals, more nutritious food and see a reduction in waste – all contributing to a better home and community.
The Green Home Fair is free of charge and will take place from 27 to 28 June 2015 at Brooklyn Mall.
Exhibition spaces and sponsorship packages are available. If you are interested, please contact alive2green at sales@alive2green.com or 021-447-4733.
For more information on Sustainability Week, visit www.sustainabilityweek.co.za.
Note to Editors:
Sustainability Week, hosted by the City of Tshwane, offers a variety of conferences and seminars at the CSIR ICC from 23 to 25 June 2015. The Youth and Green Economy event will take place on 26 June 2015 at Tshwane University of Technology and the Green Home Fair will mark the end of Sustainability Week on 27 and 28 June 2015 at Brooklyn Mall.
Egoli settlement dwellers receive much needed waterproof roof covers
Caption: Photo 1 (on the left): As winter is on its way, the informal settlement community of Egoli in Cape Town can rest easier as 100 homes were recently fitted with Ikaya waterproof roof covers thanks to Mustadafin Foundation and generous donors. Photo 2, from left to right: Ismail Moola (representative of the project sponsor); informal settlement dweller and recipient of the Ikaya roof cover; Ameer Samsodien (Mustadafin Foundation).
For many living in informal settlements, winter brings with it stressful challenges as heavy rains flood low lying areas. The situation is exacerbated by unstable and porous roof structures which cause internal leakages.
A Johannesburg-based community donor observed the plight of those living in these conditions and saw an opportunity to help those in need. Ismail Moola was appointed by the anonymous sponsor to facilitate the installation of 100 Ikaya roof covers in the Egoli informal settlement in Schaapkraal, and NGO Mustadafin Foundation will be providing the logistics of installing and maintaining the covers.
The 4m x 4m waterproof covers are made from Tarpaulin/PVC and are 650 grams in thickness, making them the most durable roof covers used to date. Not only are they heat repellent in the hot summer months, but they also insulate shacks in winter while keeping its residents dry.
Ameer Samsodien, project leader at Mustadafin Foundation who helped research and implement the project, said, “We are so grateful for the support of our donors and through their generous donation we were able to install 100 Ikaya roof covers at this stage at a cost of R100 000. With proper care, the covers will last about five to six years, and we hope to install many more in the coming months when further funds come in.”
If you would like donate to the Ikaya roof covers initiative, please contact Mustadafin Foundation on 021-633-0010.
For more information on Mustadafin Foundation, visit www.mustadafin.org.za. Join their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MustadafinFoundation
Architecture: The life blood of our cities’ future
The power of a simple ‘How?’ can have a massive impact on revolution, innovation and transformation, especially when it comes to the future of generations - an inspiring thought that will drive the discussion at the 5th ArchitectureZA event (AZA2015) taking place at The Sheds in Johannesburg from 24 – 26 September 2015.
Leading innovative thinkers in the architectural and design industry will be heading to the much-acclaimed and trendy space, The Sheds@1Fox in Johannesburg for this year’s “Future City” AZA2015. The event aspires to bring together all design fraternities to create awareness of the value and positive impact design disciplines have on the economy and society. Success stories, case studies, lessons learnt and international best practice will be shared by top pioneers.
Among the esteemed speakers at the event is Beatriz Colomina, professor of History and Theory of Architecture, director of Graduate Studies at Princeton University School of Architecture and founding director of the interdisciplinary Program in Media and Modernity at Princeton University. Colomina has written extensively on the subjects of architecture and media, which includes Domesticity at War (2007) and Privacy and Publicity: Modern Architecture as Mass Media (1994).
Alta Walker, head of innovation at PPC comments that architecture has the power to transform society and citizens’ lives, a key focus at this year’s ArchitectureZA. The event promises an insight into how architects contribute towards urban environments. “The various conference speakers represent original ways of architectural thinking, of identifying with their respective constituencies, and of practicing and engaging with the various contexts and pressing issues presented in South Africa and other developing countries. PPC is proud to be associated yet again with ArchitectureZA as a principal partner. PPC will continue to contribute both directly and indirectly towards the development of architecture and other creative disciplines in this country,” continues Walker.
As the founder and managing director of the highly respected non-profit organisation, DESIGNING_SOUTHAFRICA (D_ZA), Zahira Asmal is no stranger to design for social advancement. Having worked with governments, architects, designers and academics globally, Asmal will provide valuable insight on the impact architecture and design has on developing cities.
"The cities that best support their creative communities, from architects to city visionaries, tend to be the best known and most visible. A developing nation like South Africa desperately needs designers, urban thinkers, economists, engineers, artists and planning specialists, not only to create suitable responses to social challenges but also to seek collaboratively to construct and create a better society," says Asmal.
Other exciting speakers that have been confirmed include Lesley Lokko, associate professor of architecture at the University of Johannesburg and the author of nine best-selling novels; Alfredo Brillembourg, co-founder of Urban-Think Tank (U-TT) in Caracas, Venezuela and professor of architecture and urban design at ETH Zürich; as well as Hannah le Roux, director of the architecture programme at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
AZA2015 is proudly sponsored by PPC Ltd. For more information on AZA2015, visit http://architectureza.org/. AZA2015 is also on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/architectureza).
Note to Editors:
AZA2015 follows the series of remarkably successful AZA festivals, the first of which was held in Johannesburg in 2010 followed by equally acclaimed festivals in 2012 and 2013 in partnership with the City of Cape Town and World Design Capital Cape Town 2014. Interactive presentations, workshops, exhibitions and film festivals are just some of the events that attracted over a thousand decision makers during past festivals.
Third international Cargo Transport Units (CTU) Packing Roadshow is set to visit Durban for the first in May 2015
The third international Cargo Transport Units (CTU) Packing Roadshow is set to visit Durban on 21 May 2015. Companies involved in CTU logistics, whether moving general cargo, refrigerated or dangerous goods by road, rail or water, be it in containers, swap bodies, road trailers, tankers or rail cars, simply cannot afford to miss the event! The one-day informative seminar will provide fundamental information about the new IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for CTU Packing.
Following three years of development, the extensively revised and upgraded IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of CTUs was approved by the IMO and UNECE in January 2014, and by the ILO in November 2014. Companies involved in any form of CTU logistics must comply with the new regulations by July 2016.
Join industry experts at the Durban Country Club on 21 May 2015 from 08:00 to 17:00 where practical education and advice will be offered on the contents of the new Code, its impact and how its new guidelines can be adopted into supply chain operations.
The event is organised by ICHCA international (the leading NGO association representing the interests of the global cargo handling industry) in partnership with the Responsible Packaging Management Association of Southern Africa (RPMASA).
The event promises a stellar line-up of talks by an expert panel of speakers, as well as interactive brainstorming workgroups where attendees can discuss key questions around disseminating the Code, and training and educating packers.
Executive Director at RPMASA, Liz Anderson said, “We are privileged to partner with ICHCA to bring this important event to our region. It is highly appropriate for Durban as Africa’s largest port to host this first CTU event to be held in Africa.”
“Implementation of the requirements of ‘The CTU Code’ should help to improve safety on our roads and railways, as well as through our ports and at sea through better packing, securing and weighing of containers. Compliance will also help organisations to reduce their exposure to risk and potential liability, a key business component today. Delegates attending will hear from the International Maritime Insurance TT Club of some of the many errors which resulted in severe loss and liability, and should have been avoided by training and compliance,” concludes Anderson.
The event programme includes:
08:00 Registration, networking and refreshments
09:00 Welcome and introduction - Quade Corder, Vice Chairman, Responsible Packaging Management Association of Southern Africa (RPMASA)
09:15 Setting the scene: Key packaging & packing issues for compliance - Liz Anderson, Executive Director, RPMASA
09:40 Dangerous goods packaging essentials for a safe supply chain - Quade Corder, Executive Manager Sustainability & SHEQ, CHEP Africa, India and Middle East (AIME)
10:10 Introduction to ICHCA and its role in developing the new CTU Code - Capt. Richard W A Brough OBE, Director, ICHCA International
10:45 Coffee and networking
11:15 CTU packing under the new Code - chain of responsibility and insurance implications - Michael Heads, Managing Director, P&I Associates on behalf of TT Club
11:45 The shipper’s responsibilities under the CTU Code and the IMO’s new container weight verification rules - Chris Welsh, General Secretary, Global Shippers Forum & Chairman, ILO/IMO/UNECE Group of Experts
12:15 RPMASA supply chain solutions - Eddie Fourie, General Manager, TrenStar Services
12:25 Group discussion session: Who needs the Code and how do we get it to them?
13:00 Lunch and networking
13:00 RPMASA AGM – RPMASA Members only
14:15 DG compliance issues - Capt. Richard W A Brough OBE, Director, ICHCA International
14:40 Training aids for industry - Liz Anderson On behalf of Exis Technologies
15:00 Securing solutions - Barry Hugo, Commercial Manager, Cordstrap South Africa
15:20 Group discussion session: How can the industry work together and next steps
16:00 Closing remarks and wrap-up - Capt. Richard W A Brough OBE, Director, ICHCA International
16:30 Close of CTU Packing Roadshow
Cost for the one-day seminar is R1 450 for non-members, R1 100 for ICHCA / RPMASA members and R950 for ICHCA premium members / RPMASA patrons. Bookings can be made event@rpmasa.org.za. Alternatively, contact Maeve, conference coordinator for bookings and sponsorship \ branding \ display opportunities, on maeve@mweb.co.za 083 303 4507 or 032 947 1145.
*The new IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for CTU Packing is available and can be downloaded from the UNECE website. http://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/doc/2014/itc/id_07_CTU_Code_January_2014.pdf
About RPMASA
RPMASA is an industry association providing a focal point for organisations (industry and retail) involved in the life cycle and supply chain of chemicals, chemical products and hazardous articles, which are regulated. It provides members with supply chain compliance solutions tailored to their company needs, and is a registered Non-Profit Organisation so subscriptions etc. are tax deductible.
The Association provides members with information, specialist knowledge, training, audit and consultancy opportunities, as well as new services to aid compliance in the supply chain. Information on chemical classification, packaging and labelling, handling, storage and transport, including Risk Assessments. RPMASA participates in various government fora for new Legislation and Regulations as well as International and National Standards.
It is the only Industry Association from Africa with a seat on the UN Committee of Experts for transport of dangerous goods and the UN GHS - Globally Harmonised System of classification and labelling of chemicals. It is thus uniquely placed to provide members with up to date international information, as well as new, and coming legislation for local and export markets, to assist them be pro-active with timeous compliance.
Green Building - the future of South Africa
As Green Building becomes the norm, the demand for innovative and sustainable construction solutions grows. The latest perspectives, new design strategies and cutting edge examples from international and regional speakers will be presented at the ninth annual Green Building Conference, which takes place on 24 and 25 June 2015 during the annual Sustainability Week at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.
Buildings are a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions and therefore a more sustainable built environment is needed. The Green Building Conference, which takes place at this year’s Sustainability Week, will focus on these issues as citizens have a responsibility to minimise electricity usage, with demand exceeding supply in both commercial and residential areas. The latest best practice will be shared by renowned practitioners around the globe at this thought-provoking conference.
“The world’s population could reach almost 10 billion by 2015. Most people will live in cities. To accommodate an additional 3 billion people, we’ll need to build the equivalent of one new city, that can support one million people, every five days between now and 2050,” says Professor Barbara Norman, Foundation Chair of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Canberra. Norman will present extensive insights into building resilient and healthy cities for the 21st century at the Green Building Conference.
Co-founder architect of UNITYDESIGN Inc and researcher at Tokyo University, Tomohiko Amemiya will discuss how to improve urban living in high density residential areas. Amemiya will share insights gained from his work on the award-winning Slum Housing Project, Megacity Skeleton, in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Kenneth Stucke, Director of Environment Response Architecture (ERA Architects) will present two green building case studies of energy, water and waste efficiency. Stucke will discuss the value of climate, geology, geography and ecology as a resource with which architecture synthesizes to produce built form.
Joan-Maria Garcia-Girona, Vice-President and Head of Business Center South Africa and Sub-Sahara at BASF, one of the sponsors of the Green Building Conference, says, “We at BASF define sustainability as a balance between economic success and social and environmental responsibility. Sustainability is at the core of our business with global standards implemented across all value chains, and we’ll be showcasing our innovative solutions that drive sustainability at the Green Building Conference during Sustainability Week 2015.”
The Green Building Conference will also offer breakaway sessions with practical learning and knowledge sharing opportunities. Retrofitting of buildings for energy efficiency, smart metering and feed in tariffs for roof top solar panels, water efficiency for buildings and landscaping, modular building designed for deconstruction and reuse or recycling, smart mobility interfacing with the built environment and sustainable infrastructure are just some of the riveting sessions to provide the foundation for green buildings.
“South Africa is now seeing a strong move to sustainable development. We at Lafarge have always played a leadership role in the industry and promoted cooperation in sustainable development. Green building in the broadest sense of sustainable development is an integral part of all aspects of our business strategy, and that is why we attach such importance to and are pleased to be a major sponsor of the Green Building Conference 2015,” says Felix Motsiri, National Mineral and Sustainability Manager at Lafarge South Africa.
Living sustainably is a cross-cutting issue that requires knowledge sharing across sectors; from water, to transport, mining and building. The Green Building Conference, sponsored by Lafarge and BASF, forms part of the larger alive2green hosted Sustainability Week which runs from 23 to 28 June 2015.
Sustainability Week, hosted by the City of Tshwane, offers a variety of conferences and seminars at the CSIR ICC from 23 to 25 June 2015. The Youth and Green Economy event will take place on 26 June 2015 at Tshwane University of Technology and the Green Home Fair will mark the end of Sustainability Week on 27 and 28 June 2015 at Brooklyn Mall. For more information on Sustainability Week, visit www.sustainabilityweek.co.za.
Cape Flats children raced it out at Mustadafin Foundation’s ECD Sports Day
Caption: The adrenaline was high yesterday (24 March 2015) at Vygieskraal Stadium in Athlone, when over 300 children from Mustadafin Foundation’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the Cape Flats area as well as external ECD centres battled it out at Mustadafin Foundation’s ECD Sports Day.
Laughter, fun and shouts of joy filled the Vygieskraal Stadium as young ones aged between two and six years old took part in exhilarating sporting activities hosted by Mustadafin Foundation. A number of ECD centres in the Cape Flats area joined in on the festivities, where Mustadafin Foundation treated the children to a day filled with song, dance and healthy competition.
The wonderful summer weather in Cape Town delivered a fun-filled day for the children where they competed in a 30m run, water bucket race, spoon and egg race, scooter race, sack race, three-legged race, bean bag race, 50m run and to top it all off, a 50m four-member relay. The teachers and parents even surprised the young ones when they also competed against each other! Mustadafin Foundation kept the promising athletes’ bellies full with healthy snacks, a delicious meal and refreshments.
“It is wonderful to see the children so excited about being active,” said Ghairunisa Johnstone, Director at Mustadafin Foundation. “Through this ECD Sports Day, we want to promote healthy living and also that children should be active from an early age. Most of the children here today are from disadvantaged communities, and this outing gives them a chance to just be a child and to have fun!”
The overall winners of the day were Mustadafin Foundation ECD 2 and 4, with Mustadafin Foundation ECD 1 and 3 hot on their heels.
If you would like to be part of Mustadafin Foundation’s educational programmes, please contact them on 021-633-0010.
For more information on Mustadafin Foundation, visit www.mustadafin.org.za. Join their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MustadafinFoundation
Architects take on challenge of social enablement
Caption: With over 64% of South Africa’s population living in cities*, architects and designers have a major role to play in building and enabling the human environment. Daniel van der Merwe (above), President of the Gauteng Institute for Architecture (Gifa) mentions that in order to improve the quality of life of the majority of South Africans, more quality collective spaces are needed to live, work and play in – a key focus at this year’s thought-provoking Architecture ZA 2015 (AZA2015) event set to take place in Johannesburg from 24 to 26 September 2015.
South African cities are experiencing a growing influx of people which has a massive impact on the quality of urban life. According to the Worldbank*, South Africa’s urban population for 2013 was a staggering 64%. Never before in the history of mankind have so many people relocated to cities on such a scale, mentions Daniel van der Merwe.
“The prediction is that in the next 10 to 15 years more than 70% of the population will be living in urban environments in search of better employment opportunities to support their families. The quality of the urban environment is becoming more urgent than ever before. Quality collective spaces for private and public use is paramount for social enablement and architects and designers’ role in creating these environments are ever more essential,” says van der Merwe.
These pressing issues will be raised at the much anticipated Architecture ZA 2015 (AZA2015) event, set to take place in the heart of Johannesburg – The Sheds @ 1 Fox in Newtown.
“Environments need to be created to provide better lives for all, especially in an unequal society where the majority of the nation is poor. It comes down to empowerment where spaces should build on the dignity of a nation. The challenge for creating these environments is how quality spaces can be created that are cost effective and allow South Africans to take ownership of and enjoy their surroundings with dignity. The solution to this issue is not just green buildings, but rather sustainable human environments,” says van der Merwe.
He also highlights the importance of cross-disciplinary collaborations to enhance the future of South Africa’s cities and to make it more meaningful. “These endeavours should not be actioned in silos as there are a multitude of disciplines involved in creating workable living conditions. It should also be cost-effective where collaborative thinking is vital. Engineers, Government, architects and designers are just some of the fraternities that should make a collective stand,” continues van der Merwe.
Architecture is also a facilitator in the development of an economy in that it creates the habitat for productive and meaningful lives. The discipline unlocks potential to create important hierarchies of public and private interaction where environments are multi-functional and flexible. “Gone are the days where buildings are just for living, playing or working. These spaces become dead zones when not in use – it should serve as a collective space, which we are seeing more and more of in the bigger urban settings,” addresses van der Merwe.
Apart from architects and designers’ role in economic development, it is also a powerful tool for social enablement. Van der Merwe elaborates that architecture, more than ever, has to enable the poor which is the majority of the people. “If architecture fails in that obligation, we will fail society. We need to create a more equal community through architectural intervention or we will face an uncertain future,” explains van der Merwe.
It is refreshing to see the optimism of South Africa’s built landscape. There are numerous long-term urban development frameworks in place to create high density urban environments, where currently it is low density. “We as architects and built environment practitioners have the opportunity to create more workable, multiple-use cities with the use of regeneration which will also assist in job creation,” concludes van der Merwe.
AZA2015 will focus on all these exciting issues where it will bring local and international experts together to share experiences and best practice. The event is not just a conference where ideas will be shared; there will be master classes, workshops and multitude of public events. It is an opportunity for other disciplines to share in the future of South Africa’s cities and be part of the regeneration of major urban life, right in the heart of Johannesburg.
AZA2015 is proudly sponsored by PPC Ltd. For more information about AZA2015, visit http://architectureza.org/. AZA2015 is also on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/architectureza).
* http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Budgeting advice for first-time property buyers
Caption: Buying your first home should be one of the most exciting times of your life, but unforeseen costs and bad budgeting could destroy the dream, or at the very least cause unnecessary stress. Manja Kritzinger (above), CEO of Realtors International Durbanville, advises that comprehensive property budgeting is key to make the transaction as smooth as possible.
“Buying property for the first time is a daunting yet thrilling experience – it’s the beginning of a new chapter in making new, lasting memories and also the biggest financial decision a person will make. Those who are new to property investment should plan well in advance and be educated on the costs of buying their dream home. It all comes down to proper property budgeting,” says Kritzinger.
Kritzinger shares some tips and points to be aware of, especially for first-time property buyers.
Know the hidden costs
“Know exactly how much the buying process will cost. Things to be mindful of include transfer fees to get the property in your name, postage and petties, deeds office fee and transfer duty fees. Be mindful of these costs and budget accordingly,” says Kritzinger.
Hennie Mouton, Director at STBB Attorneys in Tyger Valley, says, “First-time buyers should note that properties of R750, 000 and less are not subject to transfer duty. Transfer duties will only apply to properties of greater value than R750, 000. Apart from transfer duty costs, financial institutions will also charge an initiation or valuation fee. When buying your first home, also make provision for rates and taxes and additional disbursement which ranges between R1, 000 and R3, 000 depending on the value of the transfer bond.”
Start saving early on
“The second step in property investment is to save for a deposit and ‘hidden’ costs such as bond registration fees. Start saving early on, as it will help you tremendously when applying for a home loan at a lending institute,” advises Kritzinger. Kritzinger adds that a deposit will not only be beneficial for buyers’ affordability score, but the monthly repayments will also be lower. It is also important to know that some lending institutes give 100% mortgage loans.
Up your credit score
“Another important step is to ensure you have a good credit profile – this will make it easier to get financing. Open credit and store accounts and pay these, as well as any other loans you have such as car instalments, timeously. Don’t miss payments or have an overdue account, as this will impact your credit score. It comes down to clever personal financial management,” guides Kritzinger.
Be mindful of the interest rate
“Your interest rate on your home loan will be based on the Prime Interest Rate. This is the amount added to your initial loan amount. A tip for first-time buyers is that the longer the term of your home loan, the higher your interest rate will be – to save a lot of money, try to make your term as short and realistic as possible,” shares Kritzinger.
“By taking all of these costs into account, you can start planning ahead and also budget according to what you can afford. There are many financial websites where you can calculate all the costs for purchasing your new dream home. It is also a useful tool to use to calculate your property affordability based on your income minus expenses, which provides you with a monetary value for what the financial institutes are likely to lend you,” concludes Kritzinger.
For more information about Realtors International Durbanville contact 021 975 5720 or visit www.realtorsdurbanville.co.za. Join Realtors International Durbanville’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RealtorsDurbanville.
African capital cities to champion sustainability
Caption: City of Tshwane’s vision 2055 is focussed on offering a high quality of life to city residents by adopting sustainable development practices. Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane addressed 49 Heads of the African Missions to much applause on 03 March 2015 at the Council Chambers in Centurion. He announced that Tshwane will host the inaugural African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum in association with African embassies at the environmental highlight of the year, Sustainability Week, taking place from 23 to 28 June 2015 at the CSIR Convention Centre in Tshwane.
The African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum, which will take place from 23 to 25 June 2015 during Sustainability Week, will explore various opportunities to address the sustainability imperative arising from the current and numerous challenges African cities face on a daily basis. Councillor Ramokgopa has extended an invitation to the Mayors of African Capital Cities to attend this forum during his address, to engage in the opportunity to champion urban sustainability in respective countries.
“Sustainable development and the green economy are key policy foundations for the City of Tshwane and a means to stimulate economic growth,” said Councillor Ramokgopa during his address to the Heads of African Missions. “The City of Tshwane’s Vision 2055 is to become a low carbon, resource efficient and climate resilient city,” he added. Some of the city’s sustainability goals are energy security, green buildings, energy efficiency which includes investment in electric vehicles and solar water heaters in low-income households, food security and sustainable public transport services. Other exciting items are free Wi-Fi services throughout the city and waste separation at source. Ramokgopa highlighted the efforts of the city within collaborative national and international structures and emphasised that the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum is an important new strategic component of these endeavours.
Diplomats in attendance expressed their willingness to work with the City of Tshwane and to invite mayors of African cities to this thought-provoking and important forum. Mayors of African capital cities, city and municipal mangers, government officials and regulators, researchers, scientists, related non-government organisations and multi-nationals operating in Africa are invited to attend this crucial forum.
Sustainability Week takes place at the CSIR International Conference Centre from 23 to 28 June 2015. For more information on Sustainability Week and to participate in the African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum, visit www.sustainabilityweek.co.za
Note to Editors:
Councillor Ramokgopa highlighted that measurement of these projects and international networking and benchmarking are fundamental to managing the city’s impacts. The City of Tshwane is actively part in National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) deliberations and heads the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) Climate Change Champions Committee for synchronised local government climate action. The city has been appointed as the 70th member of C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40), a network of the world’s megacities committed to addressing climate change. The Capital City also hosts the annual Sustainability Week where sustainable ideas and practice are a key focus.
