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<td colspan="3" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11px;color:#FFFFFF;padding-right:6px;padding-bottom:2px;" align="right"><a name="top"></a>12 January 2007</td>
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<td style="color:#00587E;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><a href="#sh172" style="color:#00587E;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-decoration:none;">News from the CEO</a></td>
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<td style="color:#FFFFFF;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;padding-left:10px;"><a name="sh172"></a>News from the CEO</td>
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<p>Welcome back, I trust you had an enjoyable and well deserved break and from all of us here, may you have a bountiful 2007. </p><ul><li>Let me start with some news from the home front - firstly I am sad to say that <strong><em>Jean Newman</em></strong><strong><em> is leaving after more than 26 years service</em></strong>. She has done a sterling job over the years and we are going to miss her as I am sure you will. She is retiring and relocating to Cape Town and we wish her and her husband, Patrick, all the best for the future. <br /><br /><strong><em>Gillian Wands</em></strong> will be commencing work on the 1 February to assist us with membership and a number of other duties.<br /><br />I have just compiled proposals to <strong><em>restructure the Directorate</em></strong> which includes a manpower plan to ensure that we can enhance service delivery to members over the next 3 to 5 years. This includes a possible new appointment to assist us with client liaison and provide additional capacity for the branches. These proposals will be put to the Executive Committee next Tuesday. <br /><br />We have also been busy with <strong><em>Performance Appraisals for all staff</em></strong> which will assist us in our discussions with the Remuneration Committee on Monday. <br /><br /></li><li>In terms of our <strong><em>Dept of Provincial and Local Government (DPLG)</em></strong> Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) we have replaced the service provider for J S Moroka at the request of the client and we will shortly be calling for Expressions of Interest (EoI) to assist their Disaster Management Division in spending some R650 million in the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape over the next 18 months to 2 years. This will differ slightly from previous calls for EoI's in that it will involve an overall programme/project management approach overseeing a more direct involvement at local and regional level. We will be treating this as a pilot scheme and if successful DPLG may require a specific and ongoing MOU which will create a permanent platform for handling any potential disaster into the future. <br /><br /></li><li>Our long awaited practical down to earth <strong><em>Risk Management Guideline</em></strong> is nearing completion. This together with 3 new Advisory Notes will be issued shortly. <br /><br /></li><li>Perhaps our most important endeavour this year is going to commence with the <strong><em>Procurement Indaba on the 13 February</em></strong> which I have spoken about previously and you should have received an electronic notice. We hope to get at least 200 members and their clients to debate the all important procurement issues. This will be our first attempt at developing a definite stance on procurement matters. Please make a difference by being there. Remember, the rule is "silence is tacit approval". Please contact Sipho at siphom@saace.co.za if you are not aware of the programme for the day. <br /><br /></li><li>Now for a little bit of nagging:<br /><br />- many client bodies have asked us to draw your attention to the <strong><em>importance of preparing accurate estimates</em></strong>. I know that there are mitigating circumstances such as poor scoping documents and that we are in boom times leading to perhaps some unrealistic contract price increases, but National Treasury inform us that it has become a major issue and is causing havoc with their budgets leading to political embarrassment at times. <br /><br />- It is surprising how often one sees contract notice boards with no SAACE logo against a member firms name or, believe it or not, the logo that was abolished some ten years ago. We are very conscious of our brand and we ask you to assist us in being more visible, but correctly so. Standard signboard layouts can be obtained from this office. <br /><br /></li><li>The <strong><em>deadline for QMS requirements in terms of our Constitution</em></strong> has passed and we will be evaluating the status quo through our Annual Declarations over the next month or so. Thank you for the positive manner in which you have embraced the concept and please be aware that we are ready to assist you in whatever way towards achieving a QMS that will work for you. TO REMIND YOU THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED AT THIS STAGE, all that is required is that you have an ISO9001:2000 based system in place. We will be communicating individually with those firms who have indicated a compliance problem. <br /><br /></li><li>THEFT OF FIRMS LETTERHEAD - one of our member firms has written to us indicating that their company letterhead is being used fraudulently on tender documentation and correspondence. The letter supposedly written by the member firm indicates to tenderers that they have been short listed for a particular project but a monetary deposit is required for the short listing to be valid. We leave the rest to your imagination. Please report any such suspicious circumstances to us so that we can reflect them to membership as a whole. This particular firm resides in Mafikeng and has been severely embarrassed in the process. <br /><br /></li><li>All member firms were involved in a ballot to approve <strong><em>changes to our Constitution and Bylaws</em></strong>. Just to let you know that these changes were overwhelmingly given the thumbs up.<br /><br /></li><li>Finally, our Management Information Survey questionnaire (MIS), slightly updated, will be sent to all Mandated Principals on Monday, 15 January, with a deadline for return being 2 February. The larger the sample the more valid the report, please help us to help you. </li></ul><p>"Til next time. <br /><br /><strong><em>Graham Pirie.</em></strong></p>
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<p>Welcome back! Let's hope 2007 is going to be another great year.</p><ul><li><div>In the first quarter of this year we have two important events happening. The first one being the <strong><em>Presidential Media Breakfast </em></strong> that is scheduled to take place on the <strong><em>17 January, 2007 at Sunnypark Hotel in Parktown, Johannesburg.</em></strong> <strong><em>Mr. Cecil Rose</em></strong> , <strong><em>President of SAACE, </em></strong> will meet with the media and deliver his theme for the year. <br /><br /></div></li><li><div>The second event is the first <strong><em>SAACE Procurement Indaba</em></strong> to be held on the <strong><em>13 February, 2007 at the Southern Sun , OR Tambo International Airport. </em></strong>Member firms are urged to attend this conference as it believed it will address topical issues that Consulting Engineers face in particular procurement and discounting of fees. Please book your seat before the 19<sup>th</sup> January, 2007. <br /><br /></div></li><li><div><strong>BCP Consulting Engineers</strong> has made the Association proud. While <strong>Mr. Dominic Collett</strong> from <strong>BCP Consulting Engineers</strong> was listening to SA FM on the 10th of January where the presenter was sharing a plight of a matriculant from <strong>Inkomazi High</strong> <strong>School, in Mpumalanga</strong> who had passed his matric with 7 distinctions and with 100% pass is Mathematics that was unable to further his dream of becoming a <strong>Civil Engineer</strong> due to lack of funds. Upon hearing this story, Mr Collet in consultation with his Colleagues at BCP decided to award the student a bursary to further his studies. What a generous gesture!<br /><br /></div></li></ul><p><strong><em>The International Development Law Organisation ( IDLO),</em></strong> in co -orperation with the <strong><em>Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO) and the South African Water Research Commission, </em></strong>is designing and organizing a five- day capacity building program on "<strong><em>Improving Legal & Regulatory</em></strong><em> <strong>Efficiency for Water Resources Management in Southern Africa</strong></em>" to be delivered on the <strong><em>22 - 26 January 2007</em></strong>. For more information please visit <a href="http://www.idlo.int/">http://www.idlo.int/</a><br /><br />For more information please contact Siphokazi Momoti on (011) 463-2022 or e-mail her at : <a href="mailto:siphom@saace.co.za">siphom@saace.co.za</a>.</p>
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<p>From my side I hope that all members had a good break since this year is going to be a very interesting one from an international perspective. </p><ul><li>While the domestic market will continue to do well on the back of 2010 and government related infrastructure spend, I also fully expect the commitment that the G8 made to spend $120bn on infrastructure in Africa by 2011 will start presenting more opportunities to members of the IBDS.<br /><br /></li><li>Firms will have to decide over the next few years how they are going to respond to this as we all know that we are likely to experience capacity constraints in certain areas of our industry. I have also seen a dramatic increase in foreign delegations wanting to visit SA, not only to find work but also with a view to establishing themselves in this country more permanently. Currently we are expecting a Dutch and Chinese delegation in SA, with more to come I am sure.<br /><br /></li><li>This year will also be important for the IBDS because we will be progressing the concept of <strong><em>Export Groupings</em></strong> very aggressively starting with a visit to four Middle Eastern Countries to promote the concept of the <strong><em>Arabian Gulf Export</em></strong> <strong><em>Group.</em></strong> The new <strong><em>Chairman of the IBDS, Jonathon Horn</em></strong>, has been and will continue to be instrumental in leading and assisting the IBDS to create this Special Purpose Vehicle. <br /><br /></li><li>It seems to me that 2007 will be an important year to decide strategically how firms must position themselves to ensure that they respond in a way that is best for them in the long term.</li></ul><p>For more information please contact Roelof van Tonder on (011) 462 2022 or e-mail him on <a href="mailto:roelofvt@saace.co.za">roelofvt@saace.co.za</a></p>
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<ul><li><strong><em><a href="http://www.ecsa.co.za"><font color="#000000">ECSA</font></a><font color="#000000">:</font> </em></strong>Identification of Engineering Work will resume in 2007 with phase 2. Please take note that the first renewal of professional registration cycle kicks off in the month of January 2007. <br /></li><li><strong>SCE CPD Training: </strong>For information on the full programme please go to: <a href="http://www.saace.co.za/school/calendar.php4">http://www.saace.co.za/school/calendar.php4</a> . <br /><br /><p>Applications to receive the full 10 programmes on Engineers in Practice can be found on: <a href="http://www.llls.co.za/">http://www.llls.co.za/</a> for R 1200.00 excl vat and postage. </p></li></ul><ul><li><strong><em><a href="http://www.llls.co.za">Life Long Learning Solutions</a>: </em></strong>Engineers in Practice and LLLS in 2007.<br /><br />Subscribers to <em>SAACE - Engineers in Practice</em> which is a CPD learning programme on ECTV operated by Life Long Learning Solutions need not worry about 2007 programming. Subscriptions are automatically renewed, so existing subscribers need only sit back and await their first DVD in 2007 in order to continue to earn their annual compulsory Category One credit. The 2007 programming will earn a credit in Category One, while the 2006 series will move to Category Three from 1 February 2007. Therefore, if subscribers have not yet completed their 2006 tests, they should do so before the end of January 2006 if they still wish to earn a full credit in Category One. Late subscribers who join the service in 2007 can opt to purchase the full 2006 series and complete the tests retrospectively for a credit in Category Three which includes self study opportunities. The full 2006 series of 10 DVDs is available to purchase at R1200 excl VAT and postage. Delivery is 6-8 weeks from order.<br /><br /></li><li><strong><em>HR Forum: </em></strong>How do you join this forum? <br /><br />This is an open forum and anyone is welcome, all you have to do is send me an e-mail with all your contact details and I will extend an invitation to you for the upcoming meetings. (We will also add you to the HR database).<br /><br /></li><li><strong><em>Hot site of the week: </em></strong>Addressing small business needs online, find out more at "Google Docs & Spreadsheets" or "Office Live" (Microsoft Office).<br /><br /><em>Send your suggestions, seminars issues, requests and advice to Johan van Schalkwyk on (011) 463-2022 or email: <u><a href="mailto:johanv@saace.co.za">johanv@saace.co.za</a>.</u></em></li></ul>
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<p><strong><em>Tender Notices and Invitation to Tender:<br /><br /></em></strong><strong>Contract No: NRA. N008 - 100 - 2007/1: The reseal OF National Route 8 : Section 10 between Petrusburg 1/c ( KM 2.5 and De Brug farm ( KM 31.7).</strong></p><p>Queries related to issues arising from these documents may be addressed to Mr. A Holder at (033) 392 - 8100 ; e-mail <a href="mailto:holdera@nra.co.za">holdera@nra.co.za</a></p>
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<p style="color:#000000;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11px;line-height:14px;">
Graham Pirie<br>
<strong>South African Association of Consulting Engineers</strong><br>
E-mail: siphom@saace.co.za <br>
Tel: +27 (11) 463-2022<br>
Fax: +27 (11) 463-7383<br>
P O Box 68482. Bryanston. 2021<br>
Website: <a href="http://www.saace.co.za" target="_blank" style="color:#01577D;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-decoration:underline;">www.saace.co.za</a>
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<td style="color:#FFFFFF;font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:11px;font-weight:bold;padding-left:10px;">Disclaimer</td>
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