n keeping with global efforts to prevent the skyrocketing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are trapping heat in our atmosphere, Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal has embarked on a R10.5 million project to retrofit its head office in Westville, Durban.

As a leading professional association representing the building and construction industry in the province, the association encourages green building initiatives and leading by example is one way of driving this message home.

"Buildings account for 30 to 45% of all energy consumed," according to the association's Executive Director, Brandon Abdinor. "If you consider that more than 40% of the world's carbon emissions originate from buildings and their use, then surely this is where we should be directing our attention in the fight to save the environment?" According to the United Nations Environment program the building sector has the biggest scope for reducing these emissions.

Buildings are the second biggest emitters of CO2 with the power industry being the single biggest culprit.

The Marketing Department has a full schedule of meetings, events and functions planned for this year.  If you want to get the best from your membership of the Association, we recommend that you pencil in some of these dates.  Please note some of the dates are provisional, so it is a good idea to check the online calendar on our website (masterbuilders.co.za) regularly.  Changes and updates will also be communicated on our Blog and in our e-Newsletter which comes out every second Wednesday.

Our flagship function this year will be the opening of the Green Building Centre on the ground floor of our head office in Westville.  Renovations are currently in full swing and also include additional conference and meeting rooms, a range of alternative energy solutions for the Master Builders Centre and a new parking deck.  The launch will coincide with our AGM and will be held early in June.

Our two regular functions, the Excellence in Construction Awards and the Health and Safety Awards, will be taking place in September and October respectively.  Both of these functions have grown in support and recognition over the last few years and we look forward to another big increase in entries.  In 2009, the winners of our Regional Health & Safety Awards went on to win 9 out of the 10 categories in the National Health & Safety Awards.  This is an outstanding achievement and we are working hard to help you repeat the achievement again this year.

From time to time the Auditor-General of South Africa publishes guidelines in respect of audits carried out by his office in terms of the Public Audit Act of 2004.

General Notice 616 of 2008 issued in Government Gazette No. 31057 of 15 May 2008 has now been superceded by General Notice No. 1570 of 2009 issued in Government Gazette No. 32758 of 27 November 2009 and will be applicable to financial periods beginning 1 April 2009 and will apply until further notice.  General Notices by the Auditor-General will not necessarily be issued annually.

The detailed contents of the General Notice is available on the Association's website and is of interest to all readers inter-acting with public sector entities such as the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) etc.

The promulgation of the current Construction Regulations under Government Gazette No. 25207 on the 18 July 2003 was the culmination of a lengthy process of consultation with the stake holders in the construction industry - approximately five years.  Furthermore, the Regulations are based upon research and best practice internationally, South Africa included.  It is hard to believe that these regulations have been in place for nearly more than six years.

We are now on the verge of seeing some substantial changes to these regulations. At a Minister of Labour's Advisory Council Meeting (ACHOS) held on 12 August 2009 proposed amendments to the current Construction Regulations were approved. ACOHS agreed that the amendments be made to Construction Regulations and be published for comment. The amended regulations are currently at the state legal advisors and according to the newly appointed Chief Inspector, Thobile Lamati, we could see these new regulations out for public comment in the first quarter of 2010.

This article is intended to provide an opinion on one of the amendments that, when promulgated, will have the most impact on contractors and clients, as opposed to a detailed review of all the changes.

In 2009, the Association offered to complete Workplace Skills Plans on behalf of members and encouraged all to participate. 37 members took advantage and as of the end of 2009, they had received their second tranche of levy reimbursements totaling R465 228.

While some may have become disillusioned with the system, these payments do indeed prove that it can work; we wish these members well and trust that these monies will be ploughed back into training.  

This Year Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal will again be assisting members with Workplace Skills Plans and invite you to contact us so that we can begin work on the 2010 submissions.  

Towards the end of 2009, we informed you of our intention to implement a Training Committee and Forum. The Training Committee founding meeting is scheduled to take place on 2 February at our Westville offices at 2pm, where the parameters of the committee and the forum will be set out. The committee is intended to be a small research and work group while the forum will include representatives of all member companies, training providers and interested parties. Please contact me on 031 266 7070 if you are interested in participating on either of the two bodies.

• RICA registration is a legislative requirement from the South African Government;
• All users of SIM cards are required to comply with this new law;
• This new legislation aims to help law enforcement agencies to track criminals using cellphones for illegal activities, thereby contributing to make South Africa safer for everyone.

• All current and new Contract, Top Up and Prepaid customers must register their SIM cards.
• Existing customers: 

In a recent edition of the 'Upper Coast Fever' its columnist Wouter Willemse relates to a tale told to him by 'Oom Pottie' at the local. The story concerns the ideal formula to ensure financial peace of mind.

Somewhere in the Great Karoo is a 'dorpie'. It was mid-summer and the sun was beating down. The streets were deserted, times were tough, everybody was in debt and lived on credit.

A wealthy Tourist decided to break his journey and stay the night at the local Hotel which was getting frayed at the edges. After entering and placing a R200 note on the reception desk, he announced that he wanted to inspect all the bedrooms to see whether there was one suitable for him to spend the night in.

While the Tourist was busy with his inspection, the Hotel owner grabbed the R200 and settled his debt with the Butcher next door to the Hotel who had supplied him with meat. The Butcher promptly settled his debt with the Farmer who provided him with livestock for slaughtering. The Farmer, in turn, settled his debt with the Agricultural Co-op for providing him with fodder and fuel. The Manager of the Co-op then settled his personal debt with the local goodtime girl for favours rendered.