Issue 72: April 2016
The NMC Construction Group was represented by no less than
13 teams at the 2016 Vodacom Corporate Triathlon Challenge
(CTC). The event took place in Nelson Mandela Bay, Port
Elizabeth on 9 April 2016.
The CTC, which forms part of the infamous IronMan Challenge,
comprises of a 380m sea swim, 18km cycle and 4.2km run.
Well done to all those who took the plunge and completed the
daunting challenge.
privilege to participate. A big thank you to our hosts in Port
Elizabeth who made us feel so welcome, we will definitely be
back with more NMC teams next year. Ironman 2017 here we
come!” Deon Lombard, Managing Director NMC North.
The event presented an opportunity for colleagues to connect
with their counterparts from various regions within the group.
“The weekend was awesome, it was great to meet colleagues
from different regions and divisions. For me it was an absolute
Our NMC triathletes have done us proud. See the results for the
NMC Challenge on Page 4.
Employee wellness is a key focus for
the NMC Construction Group. The
Western Cape Discovery Health | NMC
Wellness Day held on 14 April 2016,
shows the group’s commitment to
employee wellness.
simple steps and completed in twelve
minutes. This holistic wellness
experience was concluded with a
confidential consultation taking
participants through all their results.
The automated assessments
streamlined the entire process,
adding to the employees' enjoyment
of the wellness day.
This annual event presented a whole
new health encounter; with a 360°
virtual experience offering
participants a modern, fully integrated
personal health and wellness
evaluation using the latest medical
technologies.
The day was attended by the Western
Cape Building, Head Office, Plant and
Civils divisions.
Employees were given a 360 degree
view of their health and wellness in six
A lucky draw was held for all those
who participated.
April 2016 : Beating Drum Page 2
Accolades for
our brand stars
At the entrance to each of our sites our
signboard states that NMC sets the
construction standard and builds trust.
This bold statement is more than a catchy
phrase, it describes the experience visitors
can expect when visiting NMC. In other
words, it represents our brand promise.
The world’s best brands consistently deliver on
NMC Civils launched its Foreman
Learnership Programme on 29 April
2016. The programme offers
participants the opportunity to obtain a
National Certificate in Construction
Roadworks. The NQF level will be
dependant on the course the participant
has completed.
Sixteen employees have been identified
to participate in the programme.
their brand promise and our success depends
on our ability to do the same. Herein lies the
importance for every member of our team to
understand their individual role in building a
brand that reflects our values, vision and
purpose.
The brand audits, both internal and external,
are tools measuring the alignment between our
everyday behaviours to external perceptions of
our brand; that being building trust and setting
the construction standard. The successful
delivery against one’s brand promise is the key
to client loyalty. With this in mind we would like
to congratulate the Road Lodge Team for the
excellent feedback received from the City Lodge
Group on their performance on the Road Lodge
project.
NMC’s paths first crossed with the City Lodge
Group in 2009/2010 on the Town Lodge
Summerstrand project. The client and
consulting team were particularly impressed by
the Eastern Cape branch’s professional and
service driven delivery of the project. The Road
Lodge project was awarded to the Kwa-Zulu
Natal team on the back of this experience.
Duncan Haupt and his team wowed the client,
despite a few hiccups at the outset of the
project. They scored top marks in terms of
building trust, setting the construction standard
and exceeding the client’s expectations.
The project was completed in November 2015
and sadly the team has been disbanded.
Pictured above (in 2015) is part of the Road
Lodge team, l-r; Monde Mthlomelo, Obed
Maphanga, Irvin Hlope, Gcinile Lumkwana and
Duncan Haupt.
The selection criteria was based on their
potential, discipline and willingness to
learn. Training courses will be conducted
by the Academy for Construction Skills
(ACS), an accredited CETA service
provider, starting in May 2016.
A well deserved congratulations to the
worthy candidates and the best of luck
with this exciting new challenge that
awaits them.
V&A Waterway House targets level 5 Green Star rating
for the V&A Waterway House include;
The use of 100% recycled steel rebar for
construction purposes, to date this element has
been monitored and achieved by the team.
Implementation of a sophisticated carbon dioxide
monitoring and control system incorporated into
the finishes of the building. Carbon Dioxide (CO2 )
will be monitored and controlled through the AC
and ventilation system to circulate at least 95% of
the air within a space not exceeding 1000m2.
The V&A Waterway House project (BAT) is the
NMC Construction Groups’ first Green Star rated
building. This project will add exceptional value to
the groups’ portfolio by highlighting our green
building capabilities.
To achieve a Green Star rating the design team
needed to plan their design in accordance with a
Green Star consultant to identify credits that can
be targeted and tracked for this building. Design
elements meeting the Green Star requirements
Recycling a minimum of 70% of all waste
generated on site. This initiative contributes
points to the rating. NMC has to date exceeded
this target and recycled 93% of all waste on site.
March 2016 : Beating Drum Page 3
NMC Civils in strategic SMME Development
collaboration with Absa and SKA South Africa
The NMC Civils SKA project comprises the
construction of the 80km stretch of the
provincial road between Carnarvon in the
Northern Cape and the SKA SA Losberg
construction site.
This phase of the SKA project is a
continuation of the construction and
upgrades for the initial SKA infrastructure
including upgrading of 40km roads for the
Northern Cape Province as well as access
roads, electrical and support infrastructure
and the construction of 64 concrete antenna
bases. All of these projects were managed
by NMC Civils.
In addition to the employment opportunities
the project has brought to the local
community, both NMC Civils and SKA SA
have offered training to local contractors in
various business and technical skills
enabling them to subcontract work in the
SKA project. These contractors represent
the local economies of Carnarvon, Williston,
Vosburg, Brandvlei and Van Wyksvlei.
Further to the training sessions provided
SKA SA has partnered with Absa to bring
economic relief for small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) in the Northern Cape by
providing an enterprise and supply chain
development programme.
The total value of the SKA SAAbsa partnership is
approximately R34,5 million.
The funds will be allocated to
the SMEs sub-contracted by
NMC Civils.
A portion of this funding has been managed
by NMC Civils prior to this partnership. The
project is envisaged to conclude by the first
quarter of 2017.
“The NMC Construction Group is proud to
have our civils division, NMC Civils be a part
of this exciting initiative. The team has put
its heart and soul into this project and being
able to add value to our sub-contractors as
well as our client through this programme is
truly rewarding.
Our support of this programme forms part of
the groups' ongoing commitment to
enterprise and supplier development.”
Hendrik Hurter, NMC Civils Contracts
Manager (pictured above).
using post-tension technology. Completion
date is set for February 2017. At the time of
going to print bulk earthworks and
excavations on the project were 80%
complete.
“We are proud to be associated
with this project. We have a strong
team and we’re confident that with
hard work and dedication we will
be able to produce a high quality
product to the client.” Duncan
Haupt, NMC Project Manager.
Construction has commenced on a new four
star Virgin Active facility at Hillcrest Corner
shopping centre in Hillcrest, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
Valued at R53,66 million the multi-storey
health club forms part of the Phase 1
refurbishment of the Hillcrest Corner
shopping centre, which aims to create a
more enjoyable shopping experience for
visitors. The project's scope of works
includes the installation of a suspended
swimming pool. The swimming pool housed
on the ground floor, will be a focal point in
the gym and forms part of a suspended slab
making the construction of this floor the
most intricate part of the concrete structure.
The suspended slab will be constructed
Pictured left the Virgin Active site team, back
row l-r: Duncan McPherson (Senior Site
Manager), Alfred Mbala (Leading Hand),
Nosipho Sokhabane (Site Administrator),
Kwazi Dladla (Student), Wikus van Tonder
(Senior Concrete Foremen). Front row, l-r:
Nkaniyiso Zondi (Student), Thokozani
Mavuso (Supervisor, Phumze) and Khethelo
Ngubane (Student). Absent from picture:
Rovini Reddy (Snr QS) and Tasvir Matai
(Safety Officer)
NMC North holds the fort at gateway to Namibia
NA
M
IB
IA
Noordoewer is situated on the banks of the
Orange River, three kilometres from the SA
Namibian border. This Nambian border town
is now home to NMC North’s Noordoewer
project team.
The Noordoewer project, valued at R45 million,
includes the construction of a main house and
two apartment blocks with four apartments per
block.
The town’s remote location, the nearest
hardware store being 300km away, necessitates
meticulous planning to ensure that the project
runs smoothly. The project has a rich pool of
multi-disciplined local labour in most of the
required trades and is fortunate to be able to
plough back into the local economy through
local employment.
“The project is on program and there is
potential that it may extend to include further
apartment blocks, additional housing and a
small shopping centre.
A big thank you to Site Manager, Hennie Botha
and his team for their hard work and dedication
as well as Garth Robb and his team in Windhoek
for their support throughout the project.” Dallas
van der Westhuyzen, Contracts Manager.
April 2016 : Beating Drum Page 4
One of the most rewarding moments
in life is when having achieved your
goals, you are recognised for your
accomplishments.
The NMC Construction Group is proud
to be able to celebrate with five
members of the NMC family as they
enjoy the recognition afforded to
them for their achievements.
Their hard work and determination
has paid off, we are extremely proud
of them and share in their joy.
Pictured above are the proud tri-athletes who participated in the Ironman Corporate Triathlon Challenge (CTC)
2016. See below the team listings in the order they ranked within the NMC competition, including their finishing
times - be sure to note the interesting team names!
Dominic Chifamba
JB Vorster
Finance: Creditors Clerk
Bcompt in Internal Auditing
UNISA
NMC North: Quality Administrator
Civil Engineering Diploma
Central University of Technology Free State
Robert Makobo
NMC North: Land Surveyor
Civil Engineering Degree
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Here are a few fundamentals to
remind us that creating a healthy
balanced lifestyle may be challenging
but not impossible.
It cannot be avoided, a healthy lifestyle is
impossible without exercise. If you don't enjoy the
gym, simply take a brisk walk or ride your bike.
Try replacing your daily caffeine fix with a freshlysqueezed juice occasionally. Use fresh fruit and
vegetables when preparing your meals.
Keep issues in context by examining them in relation
to what you truly value, whether it's family,
your social network or your own sense of
integrity. Ask yourself where your
priorities lie and whether your actions
are in line with them.
Attitude is everything maintain a
positive attitude, face challenges in good
humour and keep your goals in sight.
It doesn't have to cost anything; it may simply be
allowing yourself time to do whatever it is that
recharges your batteries. Recharge your body
physically and mentally and make the commitment to
yourself to live a happy, healthy, balanced life.