Rebuilding of Angola brings rich rewards

Posted On Wednesday, 02 July 2003 02:00 Published by
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THE reconstruction of war-ravaged Angola is bringing in millions of rands in foreign exchange for SA companies.

THE reconstruction of war-ravaged Angola is bringing in millions of rands in foreign exchange for SA companies.

Nico Maas, president of the Building Industries Federation of SA (Bifsa), says SA companies are building many commercial buildings in Angola. "Because of the destruction (of the war) the entire country is being rebuilt."

There are so many building and construction industry representatives, engineers and quantity surveyors flying in and out of Angola that flights have to be booked two weeks in advance.

"SA construction companies compete very well across our borders," says Maas. "Because of the weak rand, we are very competitive against other companies from developed countries."

They have the skills, expertise and knowledge of African conditions.

"Most of the large construction contracts are being done by SA companies," says Maas, who is the co-owner of Gauteng Piling.

SA companies are also working in other African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Tanzania.

Gauteng Piling has been laying the foundations for the R500m Nova Vida housing scheme in Luanda for the past two years, subcontracting to Group Five International, which is developing the project.

The Financial Mail reports that the Nova Vida contract with Angola's public works department requires Group Five to deliver 2500 homes.

The units will be used by army personnel and government employees, and others will be sold to the public.

One of the most recent developments is a Shoprite Checkers store, which is being built by Grinaker-LTA.

Much civil engineering work, including earthworks, water reticulation and the provision of basic services such as roads and sewerage is also being carried out done by SA-based companies.

Maas says that the equipment and materials needed in construction projects have to be shipped to Angola because of bad roads.


Publisher: Business Day
Source: Business Day

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