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BOTSWANA’S BUILT ENVIRONMENT NEWSPAPER | Vol. 5, Issue 10 | Dec 2015 www.boidus.co.bw
GUEST COLUMNIST
ARTS
GUEST COLUMNIST
The Real Estate Advantage Plan your 2016 Today
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Professional Practice: The meaning of the
words “Without Prejudice”
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Up Close with Tomeletso Sereetsi p7 of Sereetsi & the Natives
Molefhi’s rude awakening: Plan, Design and
gov`t Had a Loose grip on contractors By Kitso Dickson
• Construction industry’s growth last out performed others in 2011 • Closes 2015 relatively flat compared to other sectors • A grand plan to uncork value in 2016
Build your Rural Housing Project By Tlotlo Tsamaase
The benefits of building small housing projects outside planning areas are obviously no regulations and restrictions. Though, how can one build easily and cheaply in rural area? There is what is called an auto-construction method that can range from choosing the design and doing the construction yourself or hiring a specialist for the design and construction of your home. Though, how far can a self-builder go without professional assistance? p11
Climage Change and
Changes to Our Built Environment By Boidus Admin
The government of Botswana pledged to allocate some USD18.4 billion to achieve a target reduction of 15% of green house gases (GHG) by year 2030.
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the u.n frame convention on climate change (unfccc) - What does it all Fairgrounds Office Park, a skip and a hop from the Botswana Accountancy College, the Ministry of Infrastructure’s domicile, incumbent Minister Nonofo Molefhi sums up what has been a nasty, brutish and longer than expected hung back projects that mounted government’s pressure, drawn up by public’s
impatience. In his telling, the former minister of Lands radiates a stature of goodwill signified by his usual show of candour even with cold facts that stained the construction industry’s repute, almost whenever he spoke, Boidus Focus staff writer Kitso Dickson reports. p3
mean for the Built Environment.
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Low-carbon cities are a US$17 trillion
opportunity worldwide
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lOcal neWS P2
BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
Botswana to spend USD18.4 billion An uptick growth in
to combat Climate Change botswana’s capital [report] By Boidus Admin
by Boidus Admin
Continued from the FRONT PAGE These funds will be allocated to energy and transport sector infrastructural developments which will contribute to emission reductions. Therefore, future activities need to be conducted on the following key issues: • Identification of sources of funding for implementation of the mitigation measures. • Share of government and international contribution to support the mitigation measures. • An assessment of the impacts to the national economic growth for allocating national resources to mitigation measures. • Development of conducive legal framework to support 15% emission reductions. The submission reads in part; Consequently, achieving such targets is a function of resource availability and appropriate legal frameworks. Achieving the 15% greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions reduction target requires robust and comprehensive planning within the sectors. Consequently, it is essential that there are conducive legal frameworks in place to enable the achievement of the national target. This proposed emission reduction path will be subjected to legislative review and endorsement by Parliament.
(CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). The reductions will be realised from the energy sources which is categorised as the stationary and mobile sources. The country will also continuously implement mitigation measures for the livestock sector to reduce CH4 emissions mainly from enteric fermentation though these initiatives are not estimated in the 15%. Initiatives for emission reductions will be developed from long term low carbon strategy
Scope and coverage Gases: This emissions reduction target was estimated based on baseline GHGs inventory for the three GHGs being CO2, CH4 and N2O. Sectors: Energy sector (mobile and stationary sources), Waste, and the Agriculture
Methodological approaches The methodological approaches for estimating national GHGs emissions inventory involved standard IPCC approved methods. Consequently, calculations of GHGs emissions were based on the IPCC Guidelines. For other non-energy sectors such as waste and agriculture, IPCC spreadsheets were adopted and data was input to generate emissions statistics. The country used 100-year global warming potential (GWP) values to estimate the CO2 equivalent totals.
Mitigation Contribution The country intends to achieve an overall emissions reduction of 15% by 2030, taking 2010 as the base year. The emission reduction target was estimated based on the baseline inventory for the Business Assist Flyer - Print.pdf 1 2/25/2015 three GHGs being carbon dioxide (CO2), methane
Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reached a landmark agreement on December 12 in Paris, charting a fundamentally new course in the two-decade-old 12:10:49 PM global climate effort.
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Professor George Angelopulo, a research methodologist at the University of South Africa, in his latest report, the African Cities Growth Index 2015, indicates that Botswana’s capital: Gaborone shows a medium to low growth potential. ACGI, a mixed measuring instrument for 74 cities across the African continent and its island states, is a barometer of current urban conditions potential. The report assesses economic factors and dimensions of agglomeration and a range of social indicators. Although it’s not an explicit measure of inclusive growth, it reflects the inclusive growth potential of cities divided into three groups according to population size. Large Cities represent population over one million, Medium Cities account for population between 500,000 and one million while small Cities’ share is under 500,000. Gaborone is ranked 3rd, behind Victoria: Seychelles, under the category of small cities from fourth place in 2014. The Small Cities category has been reduced from 12 cities in 2014 to 10 cities in 2015. Profesor Angelpulo says it’s likely that the category will see more cities shift into the medium cities category in future as their populations grow. Gaborone’s index rose from 37.969 in 2014 to 39.416 in 2015. “Gaborone has steady GDP and household consumption growth, the highest percentage of the population with cellular subscriptions, and the highest level of political sta-
bility. Its regulatory quality is second only to Port Louis and its control of corruption is the highest in the 2015 ACGI,” Professor Angelpulo says. Experts say Botswana’s track record of economic and political stability as well as conducive business environment boosts investors’ confidence in the diamond rich economy. The country has experienced relatively high GDP per capita levels and middle income status, and has a reasonably healthier income distribution in comparison to most African countries, they say. ACGI assesses the potential of a city to increase the well-being of its entire urban population, assessing whether the majority of people living in the city today will experience a better standard of living in the future. It is estimated that in 2035 most of the continent’s people will live in cities. Thus, AGCI also assesses cities from the perspective of the urban inhabitant, but also from the perspective of business and foreign investors, and it compares them to locations elsewhere in Africa and around the globe. “Cities with skilled and educated populations, low levels of crime and corruption, higher discretionary income, regulatory stability and predictable commercial environments are beacons for talent, business and investment, and they offer their citizens greater promise than cities without these characteristics,” Professor Angelopulo says in the report.
SADC’s upscale: regional insurance sector’s hope for prosperity by Boidus Admin
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The fifteen member states, through the SADC vision 2027 aims to scale up implementation of regional infrastructure in the short term (5 years: 2013 to 2017) by planning to spend at least US$ 64 billion, most notably in the transport, water and energy sectors. The commitment by governments is complemented by ongoing and anticipated private sector investment in mining, oil, gas and real estate, a scenario that provides great opportunity for the regional insurance sector.
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CPERS boss, Cassim Hansa says Africa needs more and better infrastructure to fulfil its economic potential and direct foreign investment is an enabler. “Greater localisation of the insurance supply chain would support the profitable
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development of Africa’s own sophisticated, specialist insurance capacity,” he says adding that foreign investor should take a more collaborative approach to business. “To enable this we need to reap more benefits locally, meaning a higher percentage of premiums generated in Africa’s remain here,” Hansa says. However, Lawrence Nazara, Executive Director at Continental Reinsurance is wary of infrastructure investment driven GDP growth not translating to premium growth due to export of insurance component, capital outflows from emerging and developing economies due to tightening global liquidity arising from discontinuation of ‘quantitative easing’. He says slowing Foreign Direct Investment particularly in resources sector is impacting economic growth in region. “Balance of payments deficits causing remittance issues thereby impacting premium cash flows for reinsures and compounding receivables challenges,” he states.
main feature P3
BOIDUS FOCUS december 2015
Molefhi’s rude awakening:
intra and inter-trade.
Government had a loose grip on Contractors By Kitso Dickson
After all, in all emerging arguments of the last quarter of 2015, the Economic Stimulus Package (ESP), ambitious in nature, but deficient of details, is perhaps the biggest theme of the fiscal policy which may rejig tattered construction industry. Expert say “fiscal policy is undergoing regime switch of fiscal consolidation, to fiscal expansion in the form of ESP and plenary for National Development Plan 11”. Sebabole has more reason to project a more medium-term fiscal expenditure analysis and even medium-term budget review so as to timely measure the effectiveness of government expenditure. “Given that the fiscal budget will undergo deficits and ESP will likely taper on reserves, there needs to be a debt management analysis to establish if government could partake more in the government bond issuances to cover deficits and compliment the funding for projects identified in the ESP”, Sebabole says.
photo by: loungeimages
Continued from the FRONT PAGE “For us implementation of government projects has been our biggest challenge,” Molefhi admits, visibly reeling from delay of projects delivery. “We are coming from a very difficult and painful past where many of our major projects like stadia, airports, education facilities and other infrastructure facilities were completed behind their intended time. As a consequence of their delayed delivery, most of these projects ended up utilising more funds than they had been budgeted for,” Molefhi pronounces, under the glare of the media fraternity. It is during this year that the ministry managed to close many its crucial projects that had been delayed for quite some time now, striking thoughts of the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport and the Francistown stadium, its flagship project in terms of facilitation. The ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s spending on construction has been confined to fulfilling incomplete projects, resulting in many of the most prominent local contractors gasping for revenue on the back of low margin tenders, drawing down order books. Low construction activities accelerated radical job cuts as firms are provoked to right size work force to compliment available work load. “Most of the projects undertaken in 2015 were mega projects that had little impact on the local industry. Having said that, we appreciate the unbundling of mega electrical projects that enabled local contractors to participate,” Markas Markides Chairperson under the Construction Sector at Business Botswana said by mail, reiterating the
absence of tenders. “As you have rightly observed, in a small economy like Botswana the sector is driven by expenditure on infrastructure projects and if government does not spend money in development project that has a negative impact the private investor’s confidence,” he stated further responding to Boidus Focus enquiry. For them to participate as an equal partner, Markides says government should involve private sector from planning stage for sustainability and capacity building. This, he says, places them at an advantage to plan for what will be coming. Panicky times prompted a climate of doubt with most of the contractors almost having no believe in future prospects of a sector.
How can we measure the sectors performance? Observers say the construction industry has remained relatively flat compared to other sectors. “Its contribution to Gross Domestic Product as at second quarter of 2015 was 6.4 percent, 4bp higher than it was in the same period last year. The sector has only managed to grow at 3.0% in second quarter of 2015, higher than the 2.8% recorded in second quarter of 2014,” official statistics indicate. In the past decade, construction sector growth has only outperformed the rest of other sectors in 2011 at 23.1% when there was a property development boom in Central Business District and a lot of other infrastructure developments such as roads as well as residential properties, the records further revealed.
“These indicate the temporal nature of the construction sector in that healthy growth numbers are only visible during expansionary periods and when there are mega infrastructure projects which are implemented,” Moatlhodi Sebabole, an economist at First National Bank Botswana says.
“Ideally, mega projects like power generation, road and rail networks should support growth in terms improved trade and economic activities,” he stated further adding that gross fixed capital formation will measure the extent to which infrastructure developments translate to economic growth. Sebabole posits that sustainability of construction sector will lie in the usage and type of structures that are being put up speaking to Gross fixed capital formation. Given that construction activities trickle down to other sectors, emphasises over the relevance of the construction sector towards the economy rests on the type of infrastructure put up and whether it yields economic continuity such as a manufacturing plant, warehouse, retail malls etc. he explained. In case of big projects, it will encompass rail and road networks which improves
As the ESP aims to address backlog of projects and stimulate some economic activity at a time where the local economy is expected to grow below trend. He say its success will rely heavily on successful implementation and execution. But how exactly is the Minister of Infrastructure planning to enhance value to that effect? “My ministry has forged ahead with the development of Contractors Registration Bill for the establishment of the proposed Construction Industry Authority Botswana. This bill is still at drafting stage but the overarching objective of Construction Industry Authority Botswana will be to implement an integrated strategy for the reconstruction, growth and development of the construction industry and to provide matters connected therewith,” Molefhi says. Should the Contractors Registration bill be passed, Molefhi calmly guarantees “the construction industry will perform well”. Already, the Government, through Infrastructure ministry, under the 2015/16 fiscal year, coughed out funds to facilitate three professional registration bodies. Engineers’ registration board which launched operation last year has exceeded the 1000 mark, fewer than 300 who are government employees. Quantity Surveyors Registration Council will commence registration of Quantity Surveyors during the first half of 2016. Architect Registration Council which commenced its mandate beginning November 2015 on another hand gaining momentum. “Construction should be for those whom have qualification in that field, in the recent we observed that everybody became a contractor or expert somehow in one of construction disciplines. With registration of professionals and thereafter contractor we hope it will alleviate some of the problems,” Markides, also a Director at Rola Botswana says.
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BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
The Real Estate Advantage:
Plan Your 2016 TODAY By Sethebe Manake, ©vantage properties
We have come to the end of 2015, the end of a year is usually filled with immense excitement of the upcoming festivities perhaps sometimes prospects of the New Year. It is however necessary to reflect on one’s year for celebration with a purpose and a future with direction. I believe the trends of the Real Estate market has made it clear now that it is not any different from any investment asset class. It has a level of risk: it required careful consideration and professional guidance to go into. Many have been bitten this year, by investments that have been made with very little consideration or less diligence than required. If you find yourself in that position at the end of 2015, hey dust your-
self up. It’s time to look ahead and start again. Real Estate my all-time favourite asset class and having grown in it I am more than proud and happy to advocate for anyone to get into it as a sure bet in securing your future. However as previous articles and many before my time, now and will continue to advise; “ it’s not every property that is a good investment”. Do your own homework!! The key to planning for your portfolio next year is to consider your investment strategy. As more properties come into the market for sale you need to be well prepared to know very quickly if that opportunity will help you achieve your investment goals or not.
Property portfolio’s may be built for many reasons, the two main ones are for CAPITAL GROWTH or INCOME GROWTH.
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Income Growth, is mainly driven by rentals as such it is always ideal to look for properties that have the highest potential of achieving higher rentals over time, even in this scenario you have to know what income yield is ideal for your investment, and what yield would inform you when it is time to dispose of the property.
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BOIDUS FEATURE P5
BOIDUS FOCUS december 2015
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BOiDuS feature P6
BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
Did BOB Rejig Property Service Providers’ Investments Fortunes? By Kitso Dickson
will be added to their profits which will contribute to shareholders’ wealth which can also have a positive impact to the overall economy, value creation, dividend payments and foreign investor appetite for our local equity market” Ramalepa pronounces. His views have the backing Manake, who testifies this will increase geographical diversification and exposure to local economic and financial sectors. “A company of such a nature should be looking at investments that improve overall performance of their portfolio, since those are sophisticated and informed investors, I would expect that each investment they go into is able to deliver. So then growth would be eminent,” Manake, a Chattered Surveyor of Property Investment and Finance says. Joe Simpson, PrimeTime
Second quarter of 2015, the Bank of Botswana (BOB) released P2.3 billion into the banking sector by way of reducing the Primary Reserve Requirement (PRR) for commercial banks from 10 to 5 percent. The reduction of the reserve requirement ratio was mainly to enhance liquidity within the banking space which is a major source of funding to propel industries within the economy. Experts insist on the difficulty to single out impact geared towards property space, but provide ideal clues that could better signal? Boidus Focus scribe, Kitso Dickson writes. Analysts admit that increased liquidity enhances banking lending capacity which would assist in propelling the economy, property space inclusive. BOB’s adjustment in 5 years, effective April, saw the central bank take a greater role: provision of liquidity contrary to absorption in 2011, a time excess liquidity made itself a menace within the banking sector. Since the ‘new normal’, listed property counters have been gearing-up (seeking debt) in order to expand their property portfolios. “The appetite for gearing is line with the low interest rate environment, easing the cost of borrowing and thus the property space could have relative cheaper capital to grow their asset base which could also increase rental incomes in the long term, filtering through to their profits/earnings, Tlotlo Ramalepa, an analyst at Motswedi Securities says. Observers say lenders had moved away from lending on real estate, tightening the criteria for real estate which is seen as long term and as such, less liquid than other debt products. “What I would agree with is that the lending for real estate has reduced this year, particularly for high income residential households, and for commercial property in Gaborone. The same does not remain true outside of
Gaborone,” Sethebe Manake, the Chief Executive at Vantage Properties, a property consultancy firm says. The Gaborone based property expert says reduction of PRR saw less households afford to service debt on higher cost housing and as such less purchases in that income group experienced. Investment firms admit that liquidity challenges draw down growth plans, slowing down the wheels of the industry as banks hesitate to extend credits to businesses, a grand plan to shore up balance sheets. Some are constantly eyeing alternative means of funding outside the cover expansion plans. Joe Simpson, asset manager at Prime Time, says the Botswana Stock Exchange listed property investment firm is considering the US$ to shore up balance sheets for expansion plans in neighboured countries. BOB did not make much of a difference, he says. If that’s the case, plausibly, like Tlotlo says, some firms may have survived by utilized financing avenues such as right issues for prospective projects, thereby increasing the number of shares available and possibly enhancing liquidity within our market. “We have seen some of the companies refurbishing and expanding their already existent properties which could also boost their long term rentals,” he says. Is regional expansion a step in the right direction? Ramalepa says seeking growth outside the country does not necessarily mean that there’s no room for growth locally. Most of property listed counters are mainly invested on the retail (with over 50%) and office sectors which are very competitive. Considering all factors, the market crack-head says, “…looking for possible opportunities outside boarders could be a step in the right direction. “Potential rentals they could earn
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Echoing Ramalepa’s pronouncements, she is assured that investor with a tuned eye and vision for the future will always create an opportunities where others cannot find it. But what will it take?
“Creativity and innovation is key in current times. The days of doing things the traditional way are over. Disruption is breeding more success and greater returns. Investments that are out of the norm, that answer to the problems of the local market and respond to the needs of Batswana,” the property market-watcher says.
PROPERTY SECTOR’S CHAPTER OF 2015 While there are visible effects of the current countries macro’s on the market movements, Manake says industry’s signs of resilience are a evinced by consumers having a better understanding that property like any other investment has to be a calculated investment decision. “The myth that you can never go wrong with property has been proven to be untrue. I am happy that as an industry we are moving forward and our profession is better understood and appreciated. There is more that needs to be done, but this year has definitely created some strides,” she says in addendum. While Vantage Properties is still in the process of putting together a year-end report, to be availed in January as is the norm, clues suggest that Tourism sector is leading the pack in terms of performance. But Vantage Properties boss says property investment is the least risky investment compared to the other more volatile investment asset classes.
gueSt cOlumniStS P7
BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
Up Close with Tomeletso Sereetsi of Sereetsi & the Natives The Company@Maitsisong.
I think the message is that I have created music that people are proud to identify strongly with. I think people really love the music, and the love they showed at the launch is consistent with the excitement on radio, print media and social media over the album since its release in May 2015. I believe that the night was a great triumph for locally made music. I showed that Batswana will support their own as long as they put out great work no matter whether there is a superstar or two in town. How would you describe your music style? My music is heavily steeped in Botswana musical traditions and poetry. It also draws from western idioms such as jazz.
photo by: Teto Mokaila
Sereetsi & the Natives’ ‘Four String Confessions’ album brought nostalgic, yet fresh notes to the music scene; encapsulating the soul of Botswana folk music pumped by a contemporary heartbeat. The rhythmic, lyrically creative compilation addresses varying topics taken directly from pages in society’s life. In this column we dig deeper to find out more about the man behind the hits ‘Thaa Kokome’, ‘Ke Boletsa Mongwe’ and ‘Robete’. You officially launched your debut album ‘Four String Confessions’ to a packed Maitisong Hall and standing ovation on the 6th November 2015, which also happened to be one of the
busiest nights for entertainment in Gaborone with a number of local and international giants performing at various locations. What do you think this says about you as an artist?
What influenced you to take this direction for your debut album? I wanted to create music that speaks to my roots, that speaks clearly about my cultural heritage, yet forward looking and speaking about myself as a young man living in modern day Botswana which is part of the growing interconnected global space. What message or impact do you want your album to make? I want to be able to perform consistently locally and internationally. I want Batswana to take pride in their art, in their own artists and their own potential to be world beaters in whatever trades they may pursue. If my music can do just a little bit of that then my work is done. From your viewpoint, how has the public responded to your work and has it met your
expectations? The response has exceeded my expectations. I have no words to express my gratitude. God has really blessed me. How did you decide to go with the name Sereetsi & the Natives? Sereetsi is myself and the natives are my people from whom I got the gift of poetry, language and music. You have worn many hats: journalist, publications and media relations manager, news editor, scriptwriter, songwriter, musician, singer, producer, author of ‘The Solo Four String Guitar’... Which role do you identify with the most? I am more at home wearing the artist cap. How do you think your past experiences in various careers influenced you as a musician? I think journalism and the discipline of management have really helped with important perspectives that I wouldn’t have if I was just a regular musician. I think that all that comes through in the music and the way I conduct my business. How did you discover your musical talent? I am still discovering myself. What made you decide to pursue a music career full time? I love music. I couldn’t imagine departing this world before I become a professional musician.
continues to
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going on Holiday? Because anything can happen...
Get your home insurance right and robberies. Consequently it is of paramount importance to make sure that your insurance cover for your property, contents and vehicles are up to date before your departure and that you’re familiar with what you’re insured for. The homeowners policy normally covers your residential property including outbuildings and swimming pools against loss, destruction or damage caused by perils such as fire, lightning, explosion, wind, water, earthquake and theft. However, in addition to insurance it is important that your property has all the necessary physical protections, electric fencing and alarms etc in place as thieves generally will look for soft targets.
By Christopher Burton The festive season is upon us once again and many of you will be travelling to your preferred holiday destination breaking away from the monotony of our everyday lives. As a result it is the season which is most susceptible to house break-ins
Insurance cover is provided for your home while you are away on holiday as long as the property is not left unoccupied for more than 60 days in any one period of insurance. An excess may also apply to claims arising during the period of unoccupancy. The extent of cover and excess will vary from insurer to insurer.
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Some house protection tips that you can put in place to deter intruders or to make it look like you are not on vacation at all may be of assistance to you: 1. Invest in a radio alarm system with a reputable security company - an alarm system may help you save on your insurance premiums but mostly importantly it will reduce the likelihood of break-ins. 2. Use light switch timers on internal lights - You can program them to switch on at a certain time of the day making it appear as if the property is occupied. 3. Never advertise your departure- every time you leave your home don’t give hints of your absence. Minimise posting on social media about your vacation or leave auto generated emails indicating that you are away and the date when you will be back. 4. Join a neighbourhood crime watch- Neighbourhood members will keep an eye on your home and report anything suspicious while you are away. 5. Talk to your neighbours to help collect advertising collateral/newspapers left at your gate. This is an easy indicator that someone is away. 6. House sitting is another great idea to keep intruders at bay.
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BOIDUS FEATURE P8
BOIDUS FOCUS december 2015
The U.N Frame Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)What does it all mean for the Built Environment.
By Boidus Admin, [Source: http://newsroom.unfccc.int/green-urban/]
Continued from the FRONT PAGE Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reached a landmark agreement on December 12 in Paris, charting a fundamentally new course in the two-decade-old global climate effort. Culminating a four-year negotiating round, the new treaty ends the strict differentiation between developed and developing countries that characterized earlier efforts, replacing it with a common framework that commits all countries to put forward their best efforts and to strengthen them in the years ahead. This includes, for the first time, requirements that all parties report regularly on their emissions and implementation efforts, and undergo international review. The agreement and a companion decision by parties were the key outcomes of the conference, known as the 21st session of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, or COP 21. Together, the Paris Agreement and the accompanying COP decision:
• Reaffirm the goal of limiting global temperature increase well below 2 degrees Celsius, while urging efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees; • Establish binding commitments by all parties to make “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs), and to pursue domestic measures aimed at achieving them; • Commit all countries to report
regularly on their emissions and “progress made in implementing and achieving” their NDCs, and to undergo international review; • Commit all countries to submit new NDCs every five years, with the clear expectation that they will “represent a progression” beyond previous ones; • Reaffirm the binding obligations of developed countries under the UNFCCC to support the efforts of developing countries, while for the first time encouraging voluntary contributions by developing countries too; • Extend the current goal of mobilizing $100 billion a year in support by 2020 to 2025, with a new, higher goal to be set for the period after 2025; • Extend a mechanism to address “loss and damage” resulting from climate change, which explicitly will not “involve or provide a basis for any liability or compensation;” • Require parties engaging in international emissions trading to avoid “double counting;” and • Call for a new mechanism, similar to the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol, enabling emission reductions in one country to be counted toward another country’s NDC.
BENEFITS OF LIVE PLANTS IN THE OFFICE Plants in a workplace offer more than aesthetic value; studies have shown that they also have benefits that can influence the growth of your business. Adding plants to your office is something that every company should want to do because of the positive benefits that affect employees’ physical and psychological state. It is very important to choose carefully the best plants to have in your office as not all of them are suitable. Choice of plants depend on natural light conditions and room temperatures. For advice, look no further than Sanitas Nurseries & Garden Centre. They have the widest range of plants to choose from. Here are some of the benefits of life plants in an office.
REDUCE STRESS Several studies across the world have shown that introducing plants to your working environment reduces stress. Buildings and office environments appear more calming and are simply a nicer place to be when plants are present. They are more interesting, colorful and relaxing. The effects aren’t just psychological either; physiological effects such as lowered blood pressure are also proven benefits of a greener office. Plants also enable us to perceive our surroundings better, we feel more comfortable and this, in turn, reduces stress.
INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND CREATIVITY Productivity is known to be improved in an environment where plants are present. Cognitive tasks, concentration and focus are all improved, therefore increasing productivity of the workforce. In numerous studies conducted, it has been found that fewer mistakes are made, tasks are completed faster and in reference to computer workers, productivity increase ranges between 10%-15%. Plants also reduce excess carbon dioxide in the air.
A BETTER ENVIRONMENT TO WORK IN Most will agree that an office with plants present is a nicer place to be. As we’re within this environment for a considerable time most days, it’s important that we should be comfortable. Not only do office plants improve surroundings for employees, but also renders a place more accommodative to clients.
CLEANER AIR TO BREATHE By introducing a ratio of 1 plant per 3 employees, air quality can be improved within the office. CO2 can be reduced by 50% scaling down the presence of dust, bacteria and mould which would otherwise be inhaled by employees. Dust levels in a workplace can be reduced by up to 20 percent when plants are introduced. There are also manmade toxins within an office created by plastics, paint, furniture, carpets, and certain cleaning products that will be reduced significantly by plants. With correct placement of plants, the need for air con can also be reduced and air kept at a higher humidity (up to 20%). By reducing the dry air caused by air conditioning and increasing humidity, illnesses such as tickly coughs are much less common.
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p9
BOIDUS FEATURE P9
BOIDUS FOCUS december 2015
The U.N Frame Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Continued from PAGE 8 The built environment was a big feature in some of the agreements and initiatives agreed by international countries. 1. Governments also launched new joint initiatives. India and France led 120 countries in announcing an International Solar Alliance supporting solar energy deployment in developing countries. More than 20 developed and developing countries launched Mission Innovation, pledging to
double public investment in clean energy research and development over the next five years. 2. New and strengthened initiatives also came from “non-state actors,” including cities, states and regions, companies and investors. Microsoft founder Bill Gates and 27 other major investors in 10 countries launched the Breakthrough Energy Coalition to steer more private capital into clean energy deployment. At a side summit hosted by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, the Compact of Mayors declared that the collective commitments of more than 360 cities will deliver over half of the world’s potential urban emission reductions by 2020.
The C40 Cities Finance Facility, with €3.5 million (US$3.7m) funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and $2 million from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), will provide technical assistance to cities within the C40 network to help them prepare sustainable infrastructure projects for investment. The facility will benefit 50 Latin America and Carribean cities as they manage their urban growth in a sustainable way.
3. Press Release: C40, Germany & IADB Achieve Major Breakthrough For Developing Cities - $1 Billion In Green Infrastructure Unlocked Within Four Years
4. Unprecedented Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction to Combat Climate Change Ministers from Finland, France, Morocco,
Senegal and Sweden, international organizations, multinational CEOs and civil society leaders launch the alliance to speed up and scale-up the potential of the sector for climate action. The Alliance, which gathers organizations from countries to cities, NGOs, public and private organizations, networks of professionals, cities, and companies as well as financing institutions, announced the initiative at the Lima to Paris Action Agenda Focus on Buildings, in Paris. Among other members, the International Union of Architects (UIA) now represents, through national architecture organizations, close to 1,3 million architects worldwide; the World Green Building Council (WGBC) represents 27000 companies involved in green buildings business worldwide; the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) represents 180000 building surveyors globally; the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) represents the construction sector employers through 33 national federations in 29 countries.
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The buildings and construction sector is responsible for 30 per cent of global CO2 emissions but it also has the potential to avoid about 3.2 GtCO2 by 2050 through mainstreaming today’s available state-of-theart policies and technologies. Reducing energy demand in the building sector is one of the most cost-effective strategies for achieving significant greenhouse gas reductions. Real estate represents about 50% of global wealth. Creating this transformation requires investing around an additional US$220 billion by 2020, an almost 50% increase on 2014 investment in energy efficient buildings – but less than 4% of the current total global annual investment in construction activity ($8.5 trillion/ yr). Returns on this investment could be as high as 124% if investments in ambitious policy and technology actions are being made now. As of today, 91 countries have included elements of commitments, national programs, or projects and plans relating to buildings in their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), the declarations by countries of what they are prepared to commit to.
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As cities keep on growing until more than 70% of the global population will call urban areas home, it becomes crucial for the sector to reduce its emissions and literally build in greater resilience against climate change. Action will include: • minimizing energy demand, • greening the construction value chain, • integrating renewables through district energy, • implementing integrated building design and urban planning, and • engaging financing institutions.
guest columnist P10
BOIDUS FOCUS december 2015
The meaning of the words
words ‘without prejudice’. But what is the meaning of these words?
By Barry Herholdt
The effect of marking correspondence ‘without prejudice’ is sometimes misunderstood and misused, even by those within the legal profession. The privilege that attaches to without prejudice correspondence enables parties to explore the possibilities of settlement.
“Without Prejudice” After the institution of a dispute and before the hearing or trial takes place or determination by the adjudicator or arbitrator is given, a period might exist where the parties decide by themselves or are advised by their respective legal representatives, to attempt and settle their disagreements before the dispute is heard or goes to trial, in an endeavor to avoid hefty legal costs to incur on both parties.
motivation, in itself, to effect a settlement.
When looking at the time, costs and the efforts involved in contested proceedings, it is a
Any communication intended for settlement proposals, should be clearly marked with the
The settlement negotiations, takes place between the parties and their legal representatives, but mostly between their respective legal representatives on their client’s instructions. Communications and correspondence then gets exchanged, which will record each parties wishes and terms to settle.
any statements made under ‘without prejudice’ will not be admissible as evidence against the person who made the statement.
Correspondence marked ‘without prejudice’ by a party, cannot be made open if that same party chooses to waive its without prejudice status. This is a common misunderstanding. Only the subsequent conduct by the other opposing party will entitle it to do so. The meaning in this effect is, if one party issues without prejudice correspondence, unless the other party agrees, the party issuing it cannot then refer to it. Also,
The ‘without prejudice’ privilege allows parties to make certain desirable grants, demands and or expediently accept a standard that is lower than is desirable. However, all this is done without the risk that a willingness to accept an undesired standard or proposal will be used against you at later stage if the settlement negotiations are unsuccessful. In conclusion, if you choose to rely on correspondence at a later stage during the dispute or court proceedings, it is important to carefully consider whether to record the words ‘without prejudice’ on a letter. It should only be used during attempts of dispute settlements.
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Up Close with Tomeletso Sereetsi of Sereetsi & the Natives You recently held songwriting workshops at the University of Botswana as well as the Maun International Arts Festival 2015. What were your highlights from those experiences? Seeing how people who thought they can’t write songs coming up with beautiful songs in a matter of minutes. What would you say makes a good song? A perfect marriage of melody, rhythm and harmony. Good lyrics can also go a long way. Which is your favourite song from your ‘Four String Confessions’ album and why? Maitsetsepelo. I think it captures the quintessential Sereetsi & the Natives sound.
Continued from PAGE 7
It is perceived as a risky business that doesn’t necessarily make a lot of money, what keeps you going despite the challenges? I love music so much that I work hard at it every day. I know that if I work hard enough at it, it will take care of me. It is doing a great job of taking care of me today, and I intend to keep on serving it to the best of my abilities. What instruments do you play? I used to play keyboards, drums and bass. I’m now more focused on the four string guitar. Why have you specifically decided to use the four string guitar? I like its sound. It’s beautiful. I like that it also easily makes me stand out from all out there. It naturally gives me competitive advantage as not many people play it. It is also underexplored, which is also a potential for fresh sounds and ideas.
Who would you say influences you the most musically and how have they influenced your work? I am influenced by great music and great art. It may be hip hop, a poet like Ponatshego Monake, a great lyricist like Ratsie Setlhako, a masterful guitarist like Sam Raditsebe or a rocker like Jimi Hendrix. I just like great music. I like great songs. I like great writing. That’s the stuff that really inspires me. I usually search YouTube for new artists that I haven’t heard before. That’s the stuff that inspires me. I’m constantly searching for people who carve their own paths. People who are not afraid to sound and look different in a world that seeks to put us all in boxes. That’s inspirational stuff. If you weren’t doing music what would you be doing? I don’t know really.
What are some of the events and venues you have performed at so far? I have done a lot of events since the album came out. We are performing at least once a week. Most of the gigs are corporate functions. I have also performed at the President’s Concert. In terms of festivals, we have done the Maun International Arts Festival, The Cultural Calabash (Durban), and we are due to headline the Hamptons Jazz Festival next February. We are doing the the newly established Mahika Mahikeng Festival, South Africa on December 13th, playing alongside South African and Southern African greats such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Tshepo Tshola, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbuli, Jaziel Brothers…to mention a few. You participated in and helped organize a music workshop which involved skills exchange between US jazz band Anthony Stanco Ensemble and a number of local musicians. What did the initiative entail and what was the aim of the workshop? The workshop was about imparting skills on musicianship and the music industry to local musicians. The project was also special in that
it afforded locals to play and record with the US musicians and to also network for further collaborations. What did you take away or learn from the initiative? That if you take care of music, it will take care of you. The workshop and music show was hosted at Old Naledi. Why was this particular venue chosen?
It was important that we take such an opportunity to a disadvantaged community. It is important that we provide access to the arts to such communities as they carry huge potential for social development and economic upliftment. Where is your home town or village? Where did you grow up and how did your upbringing play a role in light of your music career? My home village is Matsiloje. I grew up in Somerset East, Francistown. This is a low income locality otherwise known as kasi/lekeishane. Music was always blaring from loud speakers in the drinking holes in the neighbourhood. One would play disco, another would feature live music thanks to the four string guitarist.At home Radio Botswana provided huge musical education. It played all sorts of music genres from country, rock, gospel, folk, funk, disco to dikhwaere and poetry. I believed that it helped me develop taste for a wide variety of music to this day, which is evident from my music. What can we expect from you in the future? Lots of great music and a lot more work focused on arts in development.
home improvement P11
BOIDUS FOCUS december 2015
Plan, Design and Build your Rural Housing Project By Tlotlo Tsamaase
www.world-challenge.co
Continued from the FRONT PAGE The benefits of building small housing projects outside planning areas are obviously no regulations and restrictions. Though, how can one build easily and cheaply in a rural area? There is what is called an auto-construction method that can range from choosing the design and doing the construction yourself or hiring a specialist for the design and construction of your home. Though, how far can a self-builder go without professional assistance? When constructing small housing projects at minimal costs, the factors to consider are the type of materials used and the labor employed. Temitope A. Awe, Architect at Centre for Disease Control and Prevention under the U.S Embassy, advises that a method can be applied using the old traditional method of the mud-cow-dung mixture for walls. Incidentally, the walls could be plastered and painted to replicate the appearance of any other contem-
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porary housing. The only problem is the plastering has a tendency to crack. Therefore, it would require constant re-application. Mr. Awe says, “When roofing a mud-constructed house, you avoid using heavy roofing materials like your concrete roof tiles. You use aluminum or zinc because then you don’t have to change it for a long time.” The alternative to mud constructions is you could manufacture your own blocks (a combo of cement, sand and water) having bought the mold for it. Rather than buying the blocks, you use your home-manufactured blocks to construct the house. “You can use light-weight concrete which is a cheaper concrete due to the aggregates that compose it. Except, you can’t use it to build a two-storey building,” says Mr. Awe. Key building components to watch out for when your builder starts is during the foundation’s
Design Aspects Affecting Cost
Why
Story height
Depending on how complex the project is this can require extra labor as well as more time.
Plan shape
The shape of the plan affects the usage of materials to cover the required areas. Subsoil conditions and topography (steep slope, levelled ground) affect the type of foundation used.
Size of building
Incidentally, having too many corners and junctions increases costs and can require more labor for the challenging assembly.
Method of construction
These affect the wall and roof constructions; the latter ends up having too many valleys and ridges.
Choice of materials
Several factors affect a well-balanced design: function, cost and appearance. These affect the choice of materials as they could be expensive.
construction. Essentially, one must understand the plan when setting it out. Setting out the plan refers to its shape and location on site, that is, the plan’s setbacks from the site boundary. This eliminates mistakes that could be problematic further on during the construction. If the foundation is improper—unlevelled, unstable— then “You risk the house cracking or collapsing, because everything sits on top of the foundation,” says Mr. Awe. In addition, the quality of concrete mixture is significant. For instance, excess water could lead to cracking. Quality of workmanship is also important. It affects the appearance of the house as well as a sound construction. Mr. Awe advises to “Ensure the use of the appropriate materials and tools. All nails should be grooved and not smooth.” This eliminates the instance of them slipping out and forming loose connections between important elements. “Use the appropriate
size of timber roof member. Rubber seals ensure the joints between the roof sheet and the timber rafters are watertight. If the building is too big in size it might just be a good idea to brace the roof structure.”
When budgeting for your project, the only way to get your costing right starts from the design stage. “Design to accommodate the budget,” says Awe. One should be realistic with their budget. A certain amount of money can build a certain size. You must try to avoid mistakes as they create costs as well. Another way to save costs is being your own project manager. “As a project manager you’re managing the contractor and the building project.
continued to
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BOiDuS feature P12
BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
Low-carbon cities are a US$17 trillion opportunity worldwide By Boidus Admin Continued from the FRONT PAGE New research from the New Climate Economy finds that investing in public and low emission transport, building efficiency, and waste management in cities could generate savings with a current value of US$17 trillion by 2050. These low-carbon investments could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3.7 Gt CO2e per year in 2030, more than the current annual emissions of India. With complementary national policies such as support for low-carbon innovation, reduced fossil fuel subsidies, and carbon pricing, the savings could be as high as US$22 trillion. Masdar City, by Foster+Partners
“The steps that cities take to shrink their carbon
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footprints also reduces their energy costs, improve public health, and help them attract new residents and businesses,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change. “This report can help accelerate the progress cities are making in all of these areas, by highlighting smart policies and encouraging cooperation through efforts like the Compact of Mayors.” The report recommends that cities commit to low-carbon urban development strategies by 2020. It also recommends cities commit to the Compact of Mayors, a global coalition of mayors and city officials pledging to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to climate change, and track their progress transparently. More than 130 cities, representing more than 220 million people have already committed to the Compact of Mayors and will be setting ambitious emission reduction targets and reporting publicly. “Better, more resilient models of urban development are particularly critical for rapidly urbanizing cities in the developing world,” said Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro and Chair of C40 Cities. “Cities around the world are already leading the way in implementing sustainable and innovative urban solutions. By sharing and scaling-up these best practices through international collaboration, cities can save money and accelerate global climate action.” “Developing country cities have a major opportunity to lead the low-carbon future”, said Parks Tau, Mayor of Johannesburg. “In Johannesburg, the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit and the highly competitive R1.5bn green bond both demonstrate a commitment to economic growth and investment rooted in resilient, sustainable urban development.” Creative policy instruments and innovative financing can help cities overcome barriers to action, the report says. For every US$1 invested in improving the creditworthiness of cities, more than US$100 can be leveraged through private finance for low-carbon urban infrastructure. Every US$1 million invested in project preparation could yield US$20–50 million in capital support for successful projects.
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The report offers numerous examples of cities that have achieved or can achieve economic benefits from green investments. • Bus Rapid Transit: The economic returns of Johannesburg’s Bus Rapid Transit system in its first phase were close to US$900 million. • Building efficiency: Singapore’s “Green Mark” program, for instance, which aims to cover 80% of its buildings by 2030, could see a reduction in building electricity use of 22% and net economic savings of over US$400 million. • Cycling: Copenhagen’s planned Cycle Super Highways are estimated to have an internal rate of return on investment of 19% per year. Nick Godfrey, Head of Policy and Urban Development at the New Climate Economy and author of the report, provided context for the report’s analysis. “US$17 trillion in savings is actually a very conservative estimate,” he said, “because it only looks at direct energy savings generated from investment, which are a small proportion of the wider social, economic, and environmental benefits of these investments.” The report also recommends that the international community should develop an integrated package of US$1 billion or more over five years to help accelerate and scale up lowcarbon urban strategies in at least the world’s largest 500 cities.
ADVERTISING P13 BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
BOIDUS FOCUS december HOME IMPROVEMENT P10 2015
DIY Projects - How to Build the Perfect Picnic Table [Source: www.popularmechanics.com]
At each end of the top, drive 3-inch deck screws through the inside of the frame and into the legs. Here’s where a stubby impact driver really comes in handy, to fit between crossmembers.
Step 1: Start at the Bottom
Begin by cutting four picnic table legs out of pressure-treated 2 x 6 lumber. Cut two legs at a time on a power miter saw. Cut the angle on the legs; gang cuts are faster and more accurate than single cuts. You can also use a circular saw
Step 5: Assemble the Table (Cont.)
Later, install carriage bolts to bolster the joints. Fasten the seat frames by driving deck screws through the outside of the seat support into the frame. Be sure the frame is flush with the seat support to ensure that seat planks, well, seat evenly. Now move on to the frame for the tabletop. Crosscut the side rails, and predrill 5/32-inch pilot holes to prevent splitting; join the parts with 3-inch deck screws. Screw the top frame together. Use a simple pipe clamp to hold the parts in position. Duplicate the process to cut and fasten the seat frames.
Step 4: Assemble the Table and a guide to cut the angles on the top and bottom of the legs. Next, crosscut and bevel the seat support and lay the support across the legs. The tops of the supports should be 18 inches from the leg bottoms (as shown in the profile illustration), and the ends of the supports should extend 14¾ inches from each leg.
Step 3: Make the Frame
Step 8: Crosscut the Planks
Step 6: Reinforce the Base
To reinforce the table base and ensure that it doesn’t tilt out of square, install two diagonal braces. Use a power miter saw or a circular saw to cut the angled ends on these pieces. Slip the braces between the seat support and top-frame cross support and secure them with 3-inch deck screws. Now the heavy work is done.
Crosscut the composite decking for the top and seats. To increase accuracy, gang-cut several planks at once. Lay the decking planks across the frame with their woodgrain texture facing up. The planks should have a 5-inch overhang on each end, and the end planks should project 1 inch. Bore 1/8-inch pilot holes through the plank and frame. Use a square to align the bit with the frame crossrails. Fasten the planks with 2½-inch-long trim-head deck screws.
Step 7: Attach the Legs
Step 2: Secure the Supports
Secure the 2 x 4 supports to the legs with 3-inch deck screws. Lay the seat support across the legs and fasten. To prevent twist, lay the parts on a dead-flat surface. Later, you’ll strengthen the joint with carriage bolts. Be careful to drive the screw head flush but no deeper; otherwise, you risk the screw point poking out the other side.
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The next step is to assemble the picnic table structure. First, position the tabletop assembly flush with the top of the legs and clamp it into place.
Use a drill and a 13/32-inch-diameter bit to bore carriage-bolt holes through the legs and tabletop frame. To ensure that any splintering occurs on the inside face of the legs, run the bit from the outside to the inside. Use a hammer to tap the carriage bolts through the holes, slide on galvanized washers and nuts and tighten with a socket wrench. If you use longer bolts than those I’ve specified, be sure to cut off any excess bolt shank and file the cut surface smooth. This will prevent the possibility of injury from a protruding shank. You’ll probably have to tighten the parts slightly in a few months after the lumber dries out.
Step 9: Round the Ends
To maintain a uniform ¼-inch gap between the planks, use plastic spacers designed for composite decking. Fit these between each plank.
Finish the project by rounding off the square ends of each plank with a router and a 3/8-inchradius rounding-over bit. Finally, fire up the grill and sit down to your first meal at your new table.
INTERVIEW P14
BOIDUS FOCUS december 2015
The stake that was
foreseen now lies in ruins By Kitso Dickson
The government, through its national development vision unit, spent a decent amount of time focusing on the most likely outlook for Botswana’s prosperity. When finessing the forward looking Vision 2016, it was envisaged that revenue generated from renewable and non-renewable resources will better conditions of infrastructure. But projectors lost track of accumulating vulnerabilities that caught the diamond dependent economy off guard. How far did we limp? Staff writer Kitso Dickson speaks to Tshetlho Ramaologa, an expert in the construction fraternity.
fair distribution of resources across communities and use of renewable resources. It was envisaged the country will use renewable resources at a rate that is in balance with their regeneration capacity. In addition, there will be efficient use of non-renewable resources such as minerals. The revenue that they generate will help to improve the physical infrastructure and the capacity of our human resources. We are now a few months before time frame elapses. From your standpoint, how much of that has materialized towards infrastructure sector objectives?
Kitso Dickson: According to the Vision 2016 aspirations, it was predicted that economic growth and development in Botswana would have reached a sustainable balance with a
Tshetlho Ramologa: I would like to think that as a country we have made significant strides in as far as development is concerned. The resources have been fairly distributed in my
opinion even though more needs to be done. The development is heavily concentrated in the eastern part of the country. When you look at the fact that our country is heavily reliant on minerals to drive the economy, you realize that we still have a lot of work to do in terms of infrastructure development. Some mines could be opened elsewhere in the western part of the country where we lack power and water. More revenue could be generated from minerals and help improve the sector. All of the above have made it impossible to achieve our Vision 2016 aspirations.
onwards. By then the country was doing well economically with double digits growth figures. Had it not been the economic crunch, I think we could have progressed more than what we are at this point in time, but overall we are in the right path.
Kitso Dickson: How would you better measure Botswana’s efforts at developing infrastructure since Independence?
Tshetlho Ramologa: The chief driver obviously has to be a good economy because without money we can’t do much. Of course water and power are big enablers and without them the sector becomes stagnant as we are experiencing today. Road networks are also important to the growth of the sector. The shortage of power and water has negatively impacted the growth of the sector.
Tshetlho Ramologa: In my opinion, I think the country has made concerted efforts regarding infrastructure development. If you look at we had at independence, for instance, roads, we only had a couple of kilometers of tarred roads and today we have a very good road infrastructure which covers almost every breadth of the country. The same applies to public buildings which were almost nonexistent at independence. The only area still lagging is power and water. Kitso Dickson: Is Botswana far from what we could potentially or naturally achieve within the infrastructure development sector? In other words, can it be said that there has been good progress or lack of progress and how do we gauge that? Tshetlho Ramologa: There has been some good progress since independence looking where we came from. The industry has experienced booms like in the late 1980`s where construction was at its peak. It must be remembered that prior to the boom we had a serious drought where construction had to be put on hold until the heavy rains of 1988 and
Kitso Dickson: What could be some of the drivers that have/are contributing to Botswana Infrastructure developments, especially in pertinent areas such as Water, Power, Roads and Public Systems which you have hinted earlier during this conversation?
Kitso Dickson: What more do you think needs to be invested to see the sector hype up to potential as it was intended? Tshetlho Ramologa: The sector needs a massive investment in infrastructural development• good road networks because without them, the economy can’t grow.. • provision of water though in this area the government has done well save for the distribution which is behind. • power needs some investment as well because without it, everything comes to a halt as we have experienced lately. Kitso Dickson: The government oversees funding projects while the private sector is often contracted to construct them. Are both the private sector and government playing its role? Tshetlho Ramologa: I think both are trying, but our sector is largely driven by the government and if something happens like the recent economic meltdown, the sector becomes paralyzed. We need more private sector involvement in our sector as opposed to what is on the ground now.
bitri sets-up centre for material science
Chief Executive Officer Professor Nelson Torto The Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation is in the process of setting up a state of the art Centre for Material Science that will benefit both local and international research institutions. Speaking at a media briefing this morning, the Chief Executive Officer Professor Nelson Torto said BITRI has invested huge amounts of money in nanotechnology
and has procured pilot and laboratory scale instrumentation so as to ensure that it drives its research that is geared towards products. He indicated that BITRI is undoubtedly one of the best equipped organization in the area of electrospinning in the world, and he hoped that should facilitate innovative products.
On other issues Prof. Torto said BITRI as a research organization has done well in terms of promoting research and development with its seminars. BITRI has been hosting bi-monthly seminars addressing different topics that have been presented by local as well as international speakers. He said BITRI has done well in participation and articulation of research and development in line with its co-creation and collaboration motto, especially in the area of Climate Change. In terms of integration of science and technology into society, he said BITRI was instrumental in the formation of the Botswana Academy of Sciences which was launched by the Minister of Infrastructure, Science and Technology Mr Nonofo Molefhi last month. Prof. Torto mentioned that BITRI is currently re-focusing on the area of specialty chemicals which will facilitate research in areas such as Coal beneficiation.
He mentioned that through the Seding solar street light, BITRI has addressed street lighting problems especially in more than 6 villages which are off the national grid. BITRI is also cur-
by Boidus Admin
rently rolling out the Kgalagadi Sand Building Block Technology (KSBB). KSBB is a technology where BITRI uses fly-ash from coal fired power stations such as at Morupule Colliery and Sowa, which is mixed with Kgalagadi sand and ordinary Portland cement to make bricks The initiative takes advantage of the vast resources of the Kgalagadi sand and eliminates river sand in the brick making process. Brick moulding facilities (depots) will be set up across the country to facilitate the availability of affordable housing for Batswana. Notwithstanding the successes, BITRI faced Challenges one of which is attracting personnel. “I believe the best brains should be based at BITRI, but we are struggling in this regard” said Prof. Torto.
gueSt cOlumniSt & neWS P15
BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
plan, Design and Build your Rural Housing Project By Tlotlo Tsamaase Continued from PAGE 5 You manage the project in the area of quality and in the area of the sequence of operating different work items,” says Mr. Awe. Though, the role is both time-and-emotionally consuming. In regards to working with building material suppliers, there are cases when certain materials are not on stock, and there is a waiting time involved before obtaining them. Therefore, certain materials need to be procured beforehand so they arrive in time for when they are needed as this affects the project schedule because it holds up other construction tasks in the process. You incur overhead costs to compensate for going over the scheduled time to finish the construction. Mr. Awe advises: “You must develop a good relationship with your supplier. The benefit of this is you can gain the ability to purchase materials on credit. You must pay on time. Often, good relationships with building material suppliers can
often lead to gaining favors.” In addition, one must establish project contingency costs in addition to the project budget. The contingency costs account to cover unpredictable circumstances the building construction faces and simultaneously financially prepares the home owner to address unplanned costs. Such changes they may account for range from errors, omissions, modifications and alterations in the construction. One habit to avoid is the urge to splurge. During constructions, there are times when one finds a product on the market for their home. To avoid overspending, one must consistently check the budget to see whether they have room to spend or not. When inspecting your finished project or seeking advice, Mr. Awe says, “For a building to be functional and habitable, you need a mix of ideas from different professionals: one of which is electrical, plumbing, mechanical engineer (for a big proj-
ect) and a structural engineer. For instance, the foundation is the work of a structural engineer. As the project manager you need to know when to call a particular professional in for inspection. Once he inspects the foundation, you can do the walls. For plumbing you can do it yourself, but if it’s for a big project the external plumbing is done by a civil engineer, and internal plumbing is done by a mechanical engineer. As a project manager you need to know who to call for which aspect of work. Electrical would test/commission all electrical works, makes sure that all the electrical connections are right. The sockets are distributing the right amp.” For certain tasks the underlying question is: should you Do It Yourself or hire professionals? What are the risks of a DIY project as opposed to hiring a professional with expertise? First thing to note is how much experience you have to employ in finishing the tasks. Tackling easier jobs that are perhaps labor intensive could reduce labor costs
if you hired yourself to do the job. Significantly, the task depends on how competent you are, the time you want to put in your own home and the necessary tools and skills required. Taking up a DIY project could incur more cost if it’s a disaster. You would need to hire someone to rectify that problem, which could be even more costly than if you had opted to hire a professional in the first place. Taking up a dangerous job such as electrical wiring is life-threatening. Hiring a professional saves time and ensures your safety. It allows them to employ their expertise to produce a work of quality. Several reasons to hire professionals are because of the following: the task is difficult, dangerous, and any mistakes incurred could be expensive. DIY projects can be time-consuming whereas hiring a professional could finish the job in a short span of time. Though, it is pleasuring to witness the result of designing your own home and showing your work to your friends and family. Therefore, even if you don’t have the skills for a DIY project there are countless of tutorials from manufacture websites, books, videos online, and other sources.
GLObAL EXPO 2015: Mont Catering Scoops Golden Exhibitor Award Mont Catering and Refrigeration’s partake at the just ended 2015 Global Expo was greeted by a second succession of accolades since hoping onto the bandwagon of local exhibitors avenue in 2003. The firm’s GOLDEN EXHIBITOR AWARD under the BUSINESS SERVICE, speaks to its avenue of being “always ahead” for its customers, evidenced by its motto. “Our team is very proud and the mood has changed, because the award was not only looking at how the stall was decorated or laid out but it was questions like; how do we do business?, doing a sales pitch to the judges, what is our corporate social responsibility and how well we know our products and how we assist the disabled when they want to partner with Mont in business,” Ishamael Basuku, head of Marketing and Public Relations says. Mont catering’s taste at the 2013 Global Expo cooked them Silver prize yet under BUSINESS SERVICES.
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“Mont Catering and Refrigeration’s wishes its valued costumers a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
aDvertiSing P16
BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
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ADVERTISING P17
BOIDUS FOCUS december 2015
Virgin Active lights-up Airport Junction shopping center By Boidus Admin
The opening of Virgin Active’s first health club in Botswana on Saturday 12TH December 2015 marked a significant step in the company’s expansion journey into Africa. The new Gaborone health club, officially opened by Botswana’s Assistant Minister, Dr Alfred Madigele on behalf of the Honourable Minister is the first for the group on the continent outside of South Africa and Namibia, where it has two clubs in Windhoek.
Managing Director Ross Faragher-Thomas says that Africa offers significant strategic growth potential for the company; “South Africa is our biggest market but we believe we can replicate our success across the continent as long as we move with proper care and consideration for each specific market”. Faragher-Thomas said the company had researched the Gaborone market carefully before building the club at Airport Junction, the biggest mall in the country, and he described Botswana as “the obvious choice for this first move given
its stability, flourishing economy and prospering middle class”.
Nairobi is next for Virgin Active, with a club opening planned for the latter part of 2016, and as many as three other countries are due to be confirmed during 2016. Faragher-Thomas said he was “moving with a very deliberate purpose into the continent keeping our focus on SA members and the 15 new clubs we will open here next year”.
Virgin Active RED. Virgin Active also operates two health clubs in Namibia and now one in Botswana, and will shortly be opening in Kenya. Globally Virgin Active operates more than 275 clubs in ten countries. In April 2015, Luxembourg and JSE-list-
Depending on location, building and category, club builds represent an investment of up to R85 million. In April 2015, Luxembourg and JSE-listed investment holding company, Brait, acquired a controlling interest in Virgin Active in a transaction that put an enterprise value on the business of c. £1.3 billion. Virgin Active South Africa was established by Sir Richard Branson in 2001. The company currently operates 124 health clubs in SA via three different club formats; Classic Collection, LifeCentre and
ed investment holding company, Brait, acquired a controlling interest in Virgin Active, with Branson’s Virgin Group retaining 20%, a transaction that put an enterprise value on the business of c. £1.3 billion.
SERVICES
• Electrical Installations (Building Services) • Electrical Instalations (High Voltage) • Industrial Automation • Electronic Security Solutions (CCTV, Access, Fire) • Video Conferencing & Public Address Systems contacts Tel : 395 67 66
Fax : 395 67 68 Cell : 72 113 010 Plot 20695 Unit 6 Block 3 Industrial E-mail : ben@benelectrical.co.bw web : www.benelectrical.co.bw
eDitOr’S nOte P18
BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
Editor’s Note:
An Uneventful Year in the Local Construction industry, but The Paris Agreement is a reason to hope for a better future. by H. Killion Mokwete / RIBA Chartered Architect Botswana is signatory to. This will see some huge investments in cities across the world as the attention focusses on the role that cities and the building industry play in global warming. From smart cities growth, carbon markets, investment in clean technology and infrastructure, cities will see major investments to help them reduce their carbon footprints. Botswana has proposed to spend USD 18 billion till 2032 on infrastructure and energy projects aligned to this deal. This is a course to be hopeful for the future of the industry. As we round off the year 2015, construction industry has been luke warm with nothing significant to write home about. The most notable positive development has been the finalization of the Architects Registration Council. This by any measure, has been a big feat for the sector. If implemented and managed well, the council will go a long way to professionalize what has been, for a long time, a thorn in the industry. The big prize remains the Construction Industry regulator, which is still to see the light of the day. We hope that 2016 will see this being brought to life and finally the nature of our local construction can begin to take shape.
Boidus has managed to continue through the troubles that affect media fratenity, thanks in part to our loyal clients and readers. The banks liquidity problems affected a big part of our clients spending budgets and hence what we can do in the industry. Although we have not been able to do our signature events; the CBD Executive seminar and Property breakfast event, we will have already started planning for these events to come back bigger and better in the year 2016. From our team at Boidus Media and Boidus Focus, we wish our readers and clients a merry christmas and a happy new year.
Internationally, The Paris 2015 UN climate change conference just reached a historic deal which
Boidus Team - December 2015 MANAGING EDITOR H. Killion Mokwete
ART DIRECTOR Bridget MacKean
DISTRIBUTION & SUBSCRIPTION Mogapi Ketletseng
GENERAL MANAGER Phenyo Motlhagodi
GRAPHICS ASSISTANT Taelo Maphorisa
ACCOUNTS Ngwewabo Mokwete
SALES Tebogo Sekwenyane Susan Benjamin
GUEST COLUMNISTS Barry Herholdt Sethebe Manake Tlotlo Tsamaase
STAFF WRITER Kitso Dickson
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advertising P19
BOIDUS FOCUS december 2015
Letlole La Rona, the biggest driver of BDC’s rental income
by Boidus Admin
levels are up, and expenses across both the company and the group continue to come down. At the same time, we have grown the group asset base to P4 Billion. All signs of the early success of our Transformation Programme.” Gaetsaloe states.
BDC recorded an increase of 29% in company revenue to P194.4 million from P150.4 million made in the previous financial year. Group revenue also showed an increase of 19% from P286.7 million in the previous year to P339.9 million in 2015.
BDC Managing Director, Bashi Gaetsaloe Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) group closed its profit before tax at P247.3 million, reflecting an increase of more than 592% from the P35.7 million realised the previous year, according to audited financial results for the year ended 30 June 2015. The underlying factor is business performance and the remodelling programme which management say is bearing tangible results.
“Throughout this year, we have been focussed on implementing our Crisis Response Plan and our long term Strategic Plan - including: execution of our divestment strategy; increased monitoring of subsidiary performance; improvement of our origination and business development capabilities; adherence to risk and governance principles; and increased productivity driven by a growing culture of delivery and value creation,” BDC Managing Director,
Bashi Gaetsaloe says. He adds that 2015, a successful year for the corporation, marks the first year of the Transformation Programme and the first full year of its Strategic Plan. At an early stage, Gaetsaloe, a man charged with improving BDC’s profit fortunes believes the plan is well off the mark.
“Our revenues at both company and group
The group’s property subsidiaries: Botswana Hotel Development Company, Fairground Holdings, Letlole la Rona (LLR), Residential Holdings (RH), and Western Industrial Estates (WIE) are among the robust performing firms enhancing its coffers, BDC spokesperson Boitshwarelo Lebang revealed. LLR, a Botswana Stock Exchange listed property firm being the main contributor of the group’s rental income, she says discloses. She says “revenue increased by 19% from prior year, mainly attributable to an increase in income from trade by the group companies”. High performing associates, companies which BDC holds less than 50% stake include, Global Resorts, Metropolitan, Investec, DBN Developments ,Trans Union , Mashatu Nature Reserve and Healthcare Holdings.
COMPANY PROFILE Scotch Macdonald (Pty) Ltd. Trading as Delta Glass & Aluminium has developed a wealth of experience over the years in Botswana Architectural Glass and Aluminium supply market. Delta Glass & Alu minium is Botswana’s foremost supplier of Suppliers of: an enormous variety of specialised glass PO Box AD 214 ADD Gaborone products and Architectural aluminium Architectural Aluminium & Botswana applications such as Shop front systems, Tel: (+267) 3925395 Glass, Curtain Wallings, Shower Curtain Wall, windows and doors, shower Fax: (+267)3925350 and Patio Doors cubicles, skylight and Louvers and numer Plot 23609, Unit 7 ous other products that complement the Gaborone West Industrial Fenestration Industry. Plot 53609, Unit 7 Gaborone, Botswana Gaborone West Industrial As an active member of the Botswana BuCompany Profile Gaborone, Botswana reau of Standards technical advisory com-
SUPPLIERS OF: Architectural Aluminum & Glass, Curtain Wallings, shower and Patio Doors
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Tel: (+267) 3925384/95 Fax: (+267) 3925350 Cell: (+267) 71321032 Email: grantstacydelta@gmail.com
mittee we at Delta Glass & Aluminium Scotch Macdonald (Pty) Ltd. Trading as Delta Glass & Aluminium has developed a wealth of Tel: (+267) 3925384 / 95 combine the technical expertise of the experience over the years in Botswana Architectural Glass and Aluminium supply market. Delta Fax: (+267) 3925350 most experienced glass and aluminium Glass & Aluminium is Botswana’s foremost supplier of an enormous variety of specialised glass Cell: (+267) 71321032 products and Architectural aluminium applications such as Shop front systems, Curtain Wall, designers and engineers in Southern AfriEmail: grantstacydelta@gmail.com windows and doors, shower cubicles, skylight and Louvers and numerous other products that complement the Fenestration Industry. As an active member of the Botswana Bureau of Standards technical advisory committee we at Delta Glass & Aluminium combine the technical expertise of the most experienced glass and aluminium designers and engineers in Southern Africa to render expert opinion on all aspects of aluminium and glass fenestration, we help determine the best solutions, both technically and economically, with systems and products that have been carefully engineered and thoroughly tested to comply with the most stringent performance specifications. Operating from our 1600 square metre warehouse in Gaborone west industrial, Delta has a most comprehensive distribution network in place to service local and northern businesses with our fleet of purpose built vehicles. Most importantly, Delta boasts a team of highly experienced technical, production and management personnel focused on maintaining the high level of service and quality standards for which we are renowned.
ca to render expert opinion on all of aluminium and glass fenestrat help determine the best solution technically and economically, wi tems and products that have bee fully engineered and thoroughly te comply with the most stringent mance specifications.
Operating from our 1600 square warehouse in Gaborone west ind Delta has a most comprehensive bution network in place to servic and northern businesses with our purpose built vehicles. Most impo Delta boasts a team of highly expe technical, production and mana personnel focused on maintaini high level of service and quality sta for which we are renowned.
aDvertiSing P20
Sunshine Insurance Company of Botswana (Pty) Ltd
is a duly registered non-bank financial service provider. It is an emerging privately owned company which strives to bring on board optional service standards, improved efficiency and enhanced customer service.
BOIDUS FOCUS DECEMBER 2015
Your Shelter in Insurance, all under one roof. Household Insurance Workman’s compensation Motor Vehicle Insurance Engineering covers All types of bonds OVERVIEW OF SUNSHINE INSURANCE COMPANY The company strives to conduct business in good faith and with integrity, fairness, honesty and in a transparent manner.
KEY SERVICES OFFERED BY SUNSHINE INSURANCE COMPANY OF BOTSWANA (PTY) LTD. Insurance is a principle which works on the law of large numbers and spread of risks. Sunshine Insurance is well supported by good reinsurance programmes locally and internationally, in compliance with NBFIRA regulations and guidelines. The Company is duly authorized by the Non-Bank Financial Institutions Regulatory Authority (NBFIRA) to deal with all short term insurance products and service to the general public and all entities. A brief outline of products offered is as hereunder.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES OF THE FOLLOWING: Ground Floor West Wing Plot 67977 Fairgrounds Private Bag BR15 Gaborone, Botswana Tel: +267 3105137 Fax: +267 3105139 Email: richard@sunshineinsurance.co.bw Mobile: +267 74111104 Email: weston@sunshineinsurance.co.bw Mobile: +267 74762621
• Shortest turnaround period in claims settlement. • Least possible time in issuance and provision of quotations, policy documents and endorsements. • We also boost of extensive knowledge about the local economy. Our decision making process is so swift hence we transact business within the shortest possible turnaround period. This is a package which gives us a competitive edge and differentiates us from other players in the insurance sector.