April 2003 20th Anniversary of the Power Group

April 2003

20^th Anniversary of the Power Group

The Power of One

20 years ago new ground was broken as one man dared to pursue the power of his dream. Today, nearly 2000 others share in this dream, to be Southern Africa’s leading supplier of civil engineering services. It is with pride, that we, the Power Group of Companies, celebrate the pioneering spirit that’s brought us this far.

The Power Group of Companies is not my company alone, it’s ours. We employ above average people, expect above average performance, for which we’ll provide above average rewards.

In an industry that revolves around the might of the machine, it is people that make the world of Power go round.

1. 
   du Preez:
   

Strategic partnerships with Empowerment companies have made us a leading force in Employment Equity.

Over the past 5 years, we had a very fruitful and exciting relationship with the Power Group of Companies. Their Technical, Financial and Services support were absolutely amazing. It has been a real honour and privilege for us to be a part of this company.

It is our passion to be the best in whatever we do. We want to make a difference in the lives of our clients, from the poor to the rich.

Our numerous awards are tokens of the hard-earned respect of a tough industry. As we look ahead, these tributes will continue to point us towards reaching our 100-year dream.

Each company, like a person, I believe needs a clear vision and dream in order to achieve its purpose or its calling on earth. We recently had a strategic planning session where 400 people from the Group, from all levels in the company, reviewed our vision, mission and values and during those deliberations, we clearly set ourselves a 100 year dream for the organisation. That means that each of us have committed to train and mentor our successor to do a far better job than we are even doing today. I truly believe that this Group is a gift from God and that we have a responsibility to influence the industry in which we operate, the community in which we operate, South Africa, Africa and I’m convinced that through a spiritual revival Africa can become a light to the world and that this dark continent can be turned around and that we have a key role to play in seeing God’s will done in Africa.

1. 
   Housing Person of the Western Cape – Herman Steyn. Thanks for your superb leadership!
   
2. 
   Best Housing Practice – The professional team. Well done!
   
3. 
   Merit Award – Delft Integrated Builders. Great work!
   
4. 
   Local Authority of the Year – City of Cape Town. Congratulations!
   
5. 
   Developer of the Western Cape – Our colleagues at Power Developments.
   

Way to go Power!

This takes some doing! Displaying their usual staying power, pioneer spirit and team work, Power Developments once again delivered the caliber of work that has earned them three previous “Developer of the Year” awards. Awards and contracts are welcome rewards, but for Power the lasting value lies in the benefits that the Delft Leiden project has brought to the community.
In less than 19 months, Power Developments completed houses and services for 6 320 families – six different types of houses at an average of 500 oer month! Job opportunities and the acquisition of skills are further spin-offs. Power and five local builders formed a joint venture, the Delft Integrated Builders. Together with the community, they employed 2 000 local labourers and artisans every day – for 12 months.
The R116 million development – one of the biggest single-phased subsidy projects yet in South Africa – was managed as a turn-key project, with a single developer (Power Developemtns) assuming responsibility for the entire process.
Thanks to excellent liaison with government departmenets, everything went smoothly – including the coordination of facilities such as schools, recreational amenities and churches, which are essential for ensuring sustained development.
And through sustained development – of the community as well as the environment – we at Power Developments strive to create a win-win situation for all.

May 2003

Thesen Islands celebrates environmental achievement

Last Friday marked an important environmental achievement for Knysna with the official opening of the new bridge to Thesen Islands in the Knysna Lagoon by the Mayor, Clr. Charles Thobi.

The Thesen Islands Development Company was responsible for the attractive new arched bridge, which has replaced a 40-metre section of the causeway to the Islands. This has restored the natural tidal flow of the lagoon in the surrounding area, and has had a very positive impact on the natural environment, considerably improving the water quality and conditions for marine life.
Clr. Charles Thobi said at the opening function that the stringent design standards and restrictions imposed on the development by both the authorities and the Thesen Islands Development Company have "had a rub-off effect on other developments in the region because it set aesthetic standards for architects and planners."
The waterways around the 19 islands have also proved highly successful from an environmental perspective. The gabion rock construction of the waterway edges are not only very sturdy from an engineering perspective, but have provided an ideal habitat for the establishment of a diversity of marine organisms. These organisms 'filter' the seawater resulting in superior water quality in the waterways and lagoon around Thesen Islands. The sheltered waterways also provide a refuge for tens of thousands of small, and some much larger, fish. It is predicted that soon some of Knysna's best fishing will be within the Thesen Islands waterways.
Most recently the environmental monitoring team discovered that the Knysna seahorse has taken up residence in the waterways. This has caused major excitement in conservation circles as the 20 hectares of new sheltered water area will provide important additional habitat for these endangered creatures.

April 2003
Work begins on R12m bridge over R44
Work has begun on a new overhead bridge that will significantly improve the flow of traffic which exists from Somerset Mall.
The overhead bridge will be built from the Mall over the R44 to connect with Kynoch Road. Work began on April 1 and will be completed in December.

The R12 million private sector project has been awarded to Power Construction’s road division. The construction of the new three-lane overhead bridge is the first phase of a two-phase project. This phase will allow Mall shoppers to drive straight from the Mall back onto the R44 in the direction of Stellenbosch, or to access the light industrial development area across the road from the Mall.

The new infrastructure is an integral part of the AECI macro plan that will eventually form part of the proposed activity spine that will link Somerset West and Macassar.