20th Anniversary of the Power Group

Projects

Some of the projects in which the Power Group has been involved, include:
 In 1996 the Power Group secured a R22-m contract to build a temporary township to house 4 000 workers at Saldanha Steel. A sub-contractor consortium, headed by Power Construction, undertook the R3, 8-m civil; services contract for the new township. They were also involved in the earthworks to the main project;

 In 1996 Power Construction West Cape completed 20 infrastructure contracts at the R2-bn Century City development. Turnover in a single month totalled R17-m;

 In 2000, Power Construction started development on Thesen Islands, Knysna, the largest marina development yet seen in South Africa. The project has a R100-m civil component;

 In 2001 Power Construction carried out the bulk earthworks and installation of services for 6 320 erven at Delft, and Power Developments was appointed as developer for Towns 10 to 13 - a project value of R113-m - where an average of 500 houses/month were delivered by seven local emerging contractors;

 In 2002 the award of the contract to Sibakhulu Construction for bulk earthworks to the harbour basin, the construction of Neptune Road, and civils work at Fairview Township, came as a major breakthrough for Sibakhulu Construction and Eastern Cape business.

 This year the Institute for Housing in South Africa Award for Developer of the Year has gone to Power Developments for is work in the Western Cape and the Group received the Professional Management Review's Diamond Award for Environmental Health Care.

October 2003

Business Focus : World Summit on Sustainable Development

Thesen Islands – Sustainable Development Success

“We stand today on the threshold of a new era in the history of Knysna. An era that will be characterised by development that is sustainable, that takes into account, very seriously, environmental concerns and the need for the future generations to also sustain themselves.” This was the opening address of Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms. R.T. Mabudahfhasi, to celebrate the start of construction of the re-development of Thesen Island in the Knysna lagoon.

Replacing an 80-year old timber factory with an attractive 19 island marina, Thesen Islands is South Africa’s most extensively researched and environmentally investigated residential development. Over the 10 year planning of the project, Cape Nature Conservation, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, S.A. National Parks, Department of Water Affairs and Knysna Municipality, together with the development research and planning team, were involved to ensure that an environmentally friendly, sustainable development was achieved. Of paramount importance was that the project would be in harmony with the lagoon, it would be sustainable and that jobs would be created, particularly for local residents.
Cape Town based, Power Construction, is responsible for the major construction work on the development of the waterways, roads, bridges, sidewalks, water and sewerage reticulation. With a team of 240 local workers, the construction of the waterways has proceeded quickly. Designed by international marine consultants, the waterways are retained by natural packed stone gabion wire baskets. Geofabric material on the inside prevents fine sand filtering through between the stones. The top edges of the gabions in the inter-tidal zone, are planted with indigenous, inter-tidal groundcovers. A state-of-the-art modelling system developed by The Danish Hydraulic Institute was used by the CSIR to assist with the design and layout of the waterways. The tidal flow around the islands is proving to have excellent natural circulation.
The waterways are already populated by a diversity of marine life and the 11ha. bird reserve / parkland provides a safe haven for both aquatic and terrestrial birds. With 230 stands sold and 50 homes already under construction, Thesen Islands is achieving its objectives.

October 2003

PMR’s Corporate Care Awards

PMR’s Corporate Care Awards were launched in 1990 by PMR’s founder, Ray Wood. The aim – then as now – was to recognise and honour companies trying to build a better SA for all (“the good face of capitalism” as he liked to say!) and to encourage others to follow their example.

Initially comprising two categories, Social Upliftment and Environmental Care, the project currently encompasses an additional five major areas of social responsibility: BEE, Corporate Governance, Job Creation & Training, Primary Healthcare and War Against Criminals. The overall winner in each category receives a trophy, while the overall top achievement receives the National Renaissance Award.
Coverage of these activities has also widened to include achievements by government (at all levels) and NGOs as well as corporates. Similarly, the project’s name – amended in the late ‘90s to the PMR emPower Awards – reverted back to its original branding this year, mainly due to external perceptions that the term ‘empower’ has become linked only to BEE and/or more often than not infers intention rather than action.
Since it’s actions – and impact – which PMR measures, the standard procedure of organisations submitting social responsibility programmes for adjudication was supplemented this year by a research project.

The highest accolade – the National Renaissance Trophy – went to Telkom SA for their broad and bold corporate care programmes across all seven categories. As a previous sponsor of this trophy, it’s a special honour for Telkom SA to win the title they initially endorsed and to be recognised as the organisation doing most across the board to uplift and build South Africa.

Individual trophies were awarded to the company rated highest overall in each category. The Power Group of Companies – a top three finalist in three categories – won two trophies, Environmental Care and Job Creation and Training.

ABSA Group and Standard Bank stood out both in their industry and on overall scoring, with each ranking in the top three in two categories. ABSA won the Social Upliftment trophy while the Black Economic Empowerment trophy, sponsored by Cliffe Dekker, went to Standard Bank.

A deserved win in the Primary Healthcare category was Spoor Fisher. With neither the force nor the funding of many other finalises, this legal firm nonetheless supports 103 charities – mostly healthcare-related – while running its own projects to empower people to reach their full health potential.

Crime Buster’s self-empowerment programmes once again won the War Against Criminals (WAC) trophy, sponsored this year by TransUnion ITC.

Across the seven categories, WAC and Corporate Governance (won by Telkom SA) had the least finalists, indicating that more action is required.
Representing all facets and sizes of enterprise, their one unifying factor is recognition for what they’ve done. Like the story of the stranded starfish on the beach where throwing one back into the sea made a huge difference (to that one), so each of this year’s Corporate Care finalists is making a difference in South Africa.
Award eligibility – as based on ratings by survey respondents and/or the Corporate Care judging panel – was determined as follows:

Citations: One or two commendation(s) in an industry sector

Roll of Honour: Ranked second or third in industry sector

Top rated in industry: Ranked first in industry sector

Category Trophy: Highest rated organisation overall (across industries) in each category

National Renaissance Award: Highest rated organisation across all 7 corporate care categories


October 2003
CAPE TIMES WOMEN IN BUILDING
THE POWER GROUP
Marlene Cronje is the Organizational Development Director of the Power Group of Companies, which celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year. The Group employs more than 1600 people and provides a comprehensive range of civil engineering, blacktop paving, manufacturing and township development services with major contracts that spread across the Western-; Eastern-; and Southern Cape.
She says: “The Power Group is committed to Employment equity and thus also to the empowerment of women in the industry. Women are represented on all levels throughout the company and our intent is not to only have women in clerical or administrative positions, but also in technical careers. We were therefore proud to appoint our first female Engineer, Alex Capostagno, in 2002. We have also allocated bursaries to 3 female students for 2004, and are proud to play an important role in their education and training.”
The Power Group furthermore focuses on the development of women within the company. All staff members have personal development plans, which address their aspirations, the competencies needed for present and future positions, as well as the behaviour competencies required. This has played an important role in the development of the female workforce and many women have over the past years progressed to more senior positions as a result of the latter.
Marlene holds Honours degrees in Social Work and in Industrial Psychology. She was appointed to the board of the Power Group in 2001, and after consulting to the Group for five years, joined the company on a fulltime basis in 2002.
She says: “I do not regard the Construction Industry as a man's world. It is an industry for people, both male and female, with guts, tenacity, a willingness to work hard, and for people who enjoys overcoming challenges and have a passion for what they do.”
Woman in Industry - Power Group of Companies
The Power Group is committed to Employment equity and thus also to the empowerment of women in the industry. At the moment we have employed the following females at the following different levels:

Level	Number
Senior Management	1
Middle Management	2
Junior Management	12
Administrative/clerical	45
Entry level workers	44
Total	104

We intend to increase the above and will also have 3 female bursars for 2004. Our intent is not to only have woman in clerical/administrative positions, but also in technical positions. Our first female Engineer, Alex Capostagno was appointed in 2002.

We also focus on the development of women in the Company. All monthly paid staff members have personal development plans which addresses their aspirations, competencies needed for present and future positions as wel as behavior competencies needed. Various females have over the past years progressed to more senior positions as a result of the latter.
Information on Marlene Cronje

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  Married with twins aged 13
  
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  Honours degree in Social Work - University of Stellenbosch
  
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  Honours degree in Industrial Psychology - UNISA
  
• 
  Started career as a social worker in 1983 and while working at the Koeberg nuclear power station as an industrial social worker, decided to change career to human resources field. Specialised in Organizational Development.
  
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  Started own consulting business in 1997 with partner - Helene du Toit
  
• 
  Involved with the Power Group since 1997 as a consultant.
  
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  Appointed to the Board in 2001 as Organizational Development Director
  
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  Full time employee from 2002
  

I believe that one should live a purpose driven life. If you understand your calling in life, you develop a passion for what you do. My passion is the development of people. I further do not believe that women need to compete with men. We have other qualities and talents that we can bring to the table, which are very needed in any industry today, especially with regards to motivation, intuition, teamwork and interpersonal skills and even leadership in general. I am a firm believer in the value of diversity. It is in valuing our differences that we can achieve so much more.

I do not regard the Construction Industry as a man's world. It is the industry for people (male and female) with guts, tenacity, a willingness to work hard and for people who enjoys overcoming challenges and has a passion for what they do.
I regard myself as a very privileged person, although life was not always easy. I had to overcome many challenges and disappointments in life. I fully enjoy what I do and believe that our Industry can also provide other females with the same opportunity.


OKTOBER 2003
POWER GROEP: 20 JAAR MYLPAAL
Op 16 Oktober 2003 het die Power Groep sy 20 jaar mylpaal gevier ten tye van die maatskappy se jaarlikse skemerkelkie wat by die Durbanville se resiesbaan gehou is.
Die maatskappy word wyd erken as een van die provinsie se voorste konstruksie en eiendom-ontwikkelingsmaatskappye. Gestig in 1983 deur Graham Power, die Uitvoerende Voorsitter van die Groep, het die maatskappy oor die jare uitstekende groei ondervind met meer as 1600 personeellede in diens, sonder dat enige personeelverminderingsaksies ooit genoodsaak is, selfs gedurende tydperke van swak groei en lae aktiwiteit.
Die Power Groep het ook takke elders in die Kaap, naamlik Power Construction (West) in Kaapstad en Power Construction (Coastal) in Knysna. Power Construction Roads, ‘n ander maatskappy binne die groep, is baie suksesvol aan die werk aan groot padprojekte regoor die land, en dan het Power ook ‘n 49% aandeelhouding in twee florerende, opkomende maatskappye, naamlik Hughmic Construction in die Wes-Kaap, en Sibakhulu Construction in die Oos-Kaap.
Power Developments het vanjaar vir die derde keer in ses jaar weer die SA Instituut vir Behuising se gesogte toekenning as Ontwikkelaar van die Jaar vir die Wes-Kaap, ontvang uit erkenning van sy bydrae tot die lewering van massa-behuising aan minderbevoorregtes. Power bou gemiddeld 8 000 tot 12 000 huise per jaar as deel van verskeie Bekostigbare Behuisingsprojekte, soos byvoorbeeld die R116 miljoen projek by Delft.
Aan die ander kant is die Power Groep ook trots op sy deelname in sommige van die mees gesogte ontwikkelings in die land, soos byvoorbeeld Thesen Islands in die Knysnameer, wat tans in sy finale fase is. Power het hier die PMR se Omgewingsbewaring toekenning verwerf vir die uitstekende omgewingsorg wat gehandhaaf is op die eko-sensitiewe bouperseel.
Ander belangrike projekte sluit in die gholfontwikkelings Boschenmeer, Pearl Valley en Pezula, sowel as Big Bay in Bloubergstrand, en in die Oos-Kaap, die Coega hawe ontwikkeling en die Oos-London Industriële Ontwikkelingsone.
November 2003

ANOTHER MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL MILESTONE FOR THESEN ISLANDS

Thesen Islands today celebrated another major milestone with the opening of the main lagoon access channel, which passes close to the old Thesen jetty, to complete the linking of the 19 islands and waterways with the Knysna Lagoon. This, together with the 40m long bridge which connects the causeway to the historic Garden Route town of Knysna, will have a positive environmental impact, improving the ecology by fully restoring the water flow around the islands.

With over nine years in the planning, this blue-chip development is South Africa's most thoroughly researched and planned residential project. Extensive environmental studies were conducted to ensure that the development exists in harmony with the Knysna Estuary environment.

Thesen Islands is the largest marina development in South Africa and is said to offer the some of the most desirable real estate in the country. 97% of the 522 freehold stands has been sold and more than 100 families have either taken residence or are building their dream homes. At completion, the low-density estate will also have 64 exclusive apartments/townhouses and the small Thesen Harbour Town commercial area. The buyer profile consists of a mix of local residents, Capetonians and up country families, as well as a small percentage of international investors.

The 90-hectare private estate is spread across 19 individually named islands in the Knysna Lagoon. Eighteen of the islands are residential. Six are exclusive single home islands. The islands are surrounded by tidal waterways, linked by bridges, with waterfront properties offering private jetties and beaches. Thesen Harbour Town is located in the historical heart of the old timber factory area and will offer a lively mix of speciality shops, coffee shops and restaurants, and an Environmental Centre, which will be open to the public.

The needs of the community have been in the forefront of the planning. Local professionals, contractors and labourers have, wherever possible, been given preference in the development construction. The project will run over approximately eight years during which it will support local enterprise and create 2000 jobs, injecting more than R100m a year into the local economy. It is thus earmarked as one of the most significant economic developments on the Garden Route in many years.

The Power Group has a major shareholding in the development. Other shareholders include Chris Mulder and Gray Rutherford who are also part of the development team, and who were responsible for the well-known Belvidere Estate (Knysna). The development is funded by the shareholders and Investec Bank, and has proved itself as an excellent investment opportunity for buyers.
 
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

The Thesen Islands project has been praised by the Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Ms RT Mabudahfhasi as 'the most comprehensive, professional and detailed Environmental Impact Assessment ever undertaken in South Africa, including St Lucia and Saldanha Steel'.

The masterplanning of the project included research by the CSIR and other renowned bird, plant and wildlife specialists. Eleven hectares of the development has been preserved as parkland and a bird reserve. Careful planning and construction has ensured that the new islands and waterways exist in harmony with the Knysna Estuary. New habitats have been created - in the waterways, the parklands and bird reserve - to enhance and protect the natural environment. 

Renowned estuarine marine ecologist Dr Allan Heydorn was appointed to head the Independent Environmental Monitoring Committee to oversee the project. An Environmental Control Officer was also appointed to monitor activities such as the protection of the salt marshes and wetlands, the construction of the waterways, building procedures with a zero-tolerance for any form of environmental damage.

An example of environmentally friendly practice is the natural rock packed gabions that form the banks of the waterways. These provide excellent shelter, feeding and breeding opportunities to marine organism. An 'eco-belt' has been created around the waters' edge throughout the development, where salt marsh vegetation was planted, recreating a natural inter-tidal wetland. 

The natural planting of trees, shrubs and grasses provides food, nesting and shelter and attracts birdlife to Thesen Islands. The islands are becoming a breeding ground for bird species such as the endangered Black Oystercatcher, Dikkop, Stilt, Egyptian Geese, and Blacksmith Plover, to name but a few.

Marine life has prospered too with small fish and creatures, including the Knysna seahorse, seeking food and shelter in the natural rock along the long bank edges of the waterways, which in turn attracts a diversity of birds and larger fish such as Cape Stumpnose and Cob.

November 2003
20-year milestone for Power Group
On October 16, 2003, the Power Group celebrated its 20-year milestone at its annual cocktail function at the Durbanville Racecourse.