Conservancy News

Hartebeestfontein Conservancy helps with skills development

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Parent Category: News

Created on Sunday, 01 May 2011 05:35

Last Updated on Saturday, 05 January 2013 04:07

Published on Sunday, 01 May 2011 05:35

Written by Administrator

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In August 2010, the Hartebeest Jobs Work Skills Project, in conjunction with Wickedfood Earth, Everite, ClotanSteel and AfriSam ran a two-month, Seta-accredited hands-on course in various aspects of light steel construction, and related building practices. The course was open to all residents of the Hartebeestfontein Conservancy. The initiative was aimed primarily at skills improvement for anyone wanting to enter the building industry. Initially, there were twelve applicants, eight of whom began the course. Of these, five completed the course and received certificates of competence in light steel construction in November 2010.

Light steel frame building in South Africa is one of the most exciting developments in recent times in the building industry. While this method of building has been used in the USA, Europe and Australia for decades, it was only recently introduced to South Africa. It offers quality, cost efficiency and speed of erection for low-rise residential and non-residential buildings. In addition, it can be much more eco-friendly than conventional building methods, as it has a lighter foot print on the earth and makes extensive use of recycled and biodegradable materials.

Light steel frame building in South Africa is one of the most exciting developments in recent times in the building industry. While this method of building has been used in the USA, Europe and Australia for decades, it was only recently introduced to South Africa. It offers quality, cost efficiency and speed of erection for low-rise residential and non-residential buildings. In addition, it can be much more eco-friendly than conventional building methods, as it has a lighter foot print on the earth and makes extensive use of recycled and biodegradable materials.

Light steel frame building consists of structural wall frames and roof trusses, manufactured from cold-formed light gauge galvanised steel sections (very often produced from recycled steel). Exterior cladding can consist of a single skin brick wall or fibre cement board, fixed to the wall frames.

While on site, the students learned a wide variety of skills, from setting out foundations and floating concrete, to working with power tools, glazing, and basic plumbing. The top pupil, Johannes, is now passing skills on to two additional students working on other projects with Wickedfood Earth.

Information kindly provided by Mike Crewe-Brown.