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.

G. Power

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.

Bulldozing over many obstacles on the road to success, we’ve left no stone unturned in reaching our dream. We’ve laboured through steep learning curves, setting new records along the way.

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:
   

At Power, we really believe in the value of our people. Anybody can buy the same equipment, but it is the passion of our people that really makes the difference.
We are more than a company, we are a family. Through the cool interiors of head office to the most remote, dusty site, flows the power of one. A sense that every one of Power’s people count. Roping in our individual strengths, we make diversity work for us. Dedication to the Power Ways is what unites us in purpose. As our vision expands, we are planning ahead to see the Power family grow in strength and number.

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

D. Mcetywa:

The partnership entered into 4.5 years ago between ourselves and the Power Group of Companies, is a reflection of their belief in the potential of the people and their ability to aid new opportunities.

We believe that the foundation we have laid, will enable our successors to continue building and maintaining the relationship with the Group.
C. Hughes:

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.

Brick by brick, worker by worker, we’re committed to building a nation. As South Africa’s leader in the field of township development, we’re proud of the record 30,000 roofs we’ve provided over the heads of the poor. Hope, dignity and quality of life, this is our legacy of upliftment in townships across the Western and Eastern Cape. We are committed to constructing a future for the nation, builders of tomorrow.
S. Bothma

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.

Building on the foundation of our successes in the affordable housing sector, we’re solidly cementing our reputation in property development. As we’ve explored new territory, we’ve increased our portfolio to include multi-million rand turn-key developments.
We have indeed come a long way. The road to achievement has been paved by our ability to predict market trends and gear ourselves for change. Innovative developments have kept us on the cutting edge, while strategic repositioning has taken us to new levels of performance.

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.

G. Power:

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.

As we head for the future, we prepare for greater growth, greater influence and greater impact. The secret to success, we know, lies in the welding together of our most precious resources, the potential of a people committed to creating something bigger than themselves and the power of a dream, with the promise to outlast us all.

2003
Take Five!
As the IHSA’s Developer of the Western Cape for 2003, Power Developents would like to thank and congratulate the following for their role in making the Delft leiden project such a resounding success:

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 second phase will see the doubling of the works and will include the constructrion of a new off-ramp from the R44 to the Mall. The good news is that this new off-ramp will have a wider angle than the present off-ramp that connects the R44 to the Mall. Phase II will be tackled once a traffic impact assessment necessitates it.
The project is funded by Heartland Properties – the property arm of AECI, which has systematically been developing the Mall and Surrounding sites. Customarily, projects of this nature with a major regional impact are jointly implemented by provincial and local governments. IN contrast, the R44 bridge will see 100 percent private sector funding.

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.