The constant increase in the development of lifestyle estates and commercial office parks in areas previously open spaces puts increased pressure on existing infrastructure, creating challenging situations that require economically viable engineered solutions. Hazeldean Road, part of the Riverwalk Project near Pretoria East, is currently undergoing upgrades to not only reduce traffic congestion between The Blyde and Silver Lakes residential estates, but also to improve stormwater and road infrastructure. Rocla and Technicrete were contracted to supply the supporting stormwater solutions.

Lourens Swanepoel, Site Agent with Kwa Mhlanga Construction said “Rocla supplied 1,564 Interlocking Joint (IJ) pipes of varying sizes, whilst sister company Technicrete delivered nearly seven kilometers of Fig 7 (semi-mountable) and Fig 10 kerbs. Technicrete also supplied 3500 m2 of Amorflex 180, a flexible heavy paver, which is specifically suited for stormwater and drainage applications that were stipulated as a requirement for this project by the engineers”.

“The pipes, kerbs and Armorflex 180 are all to be applied to the new road currently being constructed that will link Silver Lakes and the Blyde Estates with a more serviceable roadway and which will have superior drainage and stormwater solutions installed. Rocla was selected because they offered the best competitive pricing and packaged solution comprising all of the products required which included the Technicrete solutions” said Swanepoel.

Rocla’s IJ pipe is for use in stormwater applications. The male/female type joint is formed inside the wall of the pipe, which ensures no widening of the pipe, and therefore the outside dimensions of the pipe remain constant. The joint itself is used for centering the pipe during laying operations, making the process easier.

The following IJ pipes were supplied to the project:

• 730 x 450 mm IJ pipes
• 17 x 675 mm IJ pipes
• 280 x 750 mm IJ pipes
• 30 x 825 mm IJ pipes
• 122 x 900 mm IJ pipes
• 55 x 1050 mm IJ pipes
• 330 x 1350 mm IJ pipes

Armorflex 180, an internationally licensed product of Technicrete’s, is an articulating concrete block (ACB) system, specifically designed for storm-water management and ideally suited to lining of trapezoidal channels.  The Armorflex 180 blocks provide a loose but sophisticated interlocking design allowing the surface to remain flexible to movement without the cracking and spalling issues that occur with insitu cast concrete when exposed to regular stormwater or flooding incidents causing layerwork subsidence. 

Figure 7 kerbs from Technicrete are versatile precast kerbs generally used for edge restraint in the construction of roads, kerbs, gutter systems and rumble strips. Whilst Fig 10 kerbs are a light to medium duty bull-nosed edge restraint normally used for pathways where there is a possibility that vehicles can access the pathways, for example in an emergency situation, or that might need to be guided to remain on the paved paths.

Technicrete precast concrete product solutions have been installed in numerous projects around South Africa for over 50 years and offer a wide range of kerbing that will meet any developmental requirement.

Swanepoel commented that he was impressed with the quality of the products from both Rocla and Technicrete, “That is, after all upon which their reputation rests” concluded Swanepoel.

The 2022 Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) honoured both Rocla and Technicrete with Engineering Excellence Awards in the Infrastructure and Paving Categories.

Group Marketing and Communications Manager for the ISG Group, Malebusa Sebatane commented that being recognised by their peers is one the highest accolades a company can receive. “Both Rocla and Technicrete are known for designing innovative solutions that overcome challenges faced on infrastructure projects by contractors”.

“Our precast concrete products are designed with one objective in mind, to provide a reliable and sustainable solution for the project. The CMA’s recognition adds value to the entire Rocla and Technicrete teams efforts to deliver a superior solution” said Sebatane.

Rocla, winner of the Infrastructure Category, supplied over 19kms of HDPE piping to Safcrete Construction for the Polokwane Waste Water Treatment Project which was commissioned by the Polokwane Municipality to upgrade an outdated sewerage system that serviced the Seshego area of Polokwane.

The pipes supplied were 1,980 x 1000 mm concrete pipes and 2,116 x 900 mm concrete pipes. The placement of each pipe also required the insertion of a rubber ring and the welding of a ‘capping strip’ on the inside of each individual joint to ensure proper sealant. Announced as the winner of the Paving Category, Technicrete’s internationally licensed Armorflex Erosion Control System 140 was selected for upgrades to major stormwater systems in Mamelodi Extensions 4 and 5 north-east of Pretoria. Tefla, who undertook the project, said Armorflex’s easy installation enabled them to outsource 30% of the work to the local community enabling them to add a skills transfer element to the project.

Set amongst the unspoilt rolling hills, grass and woodlands that surround the Eikenhof, Midvaal area, south of Johannesburg, the Eye of Africa Golf and Residential Estate has been developed to offer the best that life can offer a homeowner – a quality lifestyle with quality residential finishes.

Construction and civils contracting company, Down to Earth Civils, selected Technicrete and Rocla for the supply of paving, manholes and storm water pipes for Phase One of the project, which when completed will have over 2,000 residential homes and apartments. The project commenced in August 2021 and was completed towards the end of 2021. Additionally, Technicrete will be supplying 18,900 m² of DZZ 60 mm Slate pavers for Phase Two of the Eye of Africa resort which commenced mid-2022.

Down to Earth Civils, Senior Site Agent Philip Foster said “We have worked with both Technicrete and Rocla on projects over the years and we selected them for the Eye of the South project primarily due to the high quality of their pre-cast concrete paving and storm water related products, their delivery scheduling and their competitive pricing”.

“The 25,000 m² of main roadways throughout the estate have been paved with Technicrete’s DZZ 60 mm slate coloured interlocking pavers. It is a quality paver that offers the durability required by an estate of this size” said Foster.

Grant Fourie, Sales Consultant at Technicrete Olifantsfontein said, “The DZZ 60 mm pavers form a continuous interlocking hard wearing surface overlay and once they have been fully applied give a visually pleasing finish to the roadways throughout the Eye of the South Estate. We will be supplying a further 18,900 m² of our DZZ’s to the second phase of the Eye of the South project”.

“We have a good working relationship with Down to Earth Civils and our ability to manufacture quickly, efficiently and meet the scheduling demands associated with the Eye of the South development made us the preferred partner” commented Fourie.

“As with all residential and commercial developments appropriate storm water drainage and sewage systems must be installed to meet the needs of the expected water capture levels at the estate and we selected storm water pipes and manholes from Rocla. They are recognized throughout the country as the preferred product for storm water reticulation and redirection” said Foster.

To meet the estate’s storm water requirements Rocla supplied 675 meters of interlocking joint pipes. The IJ pipes are specifically designed and manufactured for storm water applications. The male/female type joint is formed inside the wall of the pipe, eliminating any widening of the pipe, and therefore the outside dimensions of the pipe remain constant. The joint itself is used for centering the pipe during laying operations, thus making the process easier.

Fourie added “Although the IJ pipe is primarily designed for use in a non-watertight pipe-line, rubber collars can be supplied to facilitate a measure of water tightness. These can be used where the ingress of groundwater needs to be avoided, and the more expensive rubber ring joint pipe is not necessary”.

“The pipes are manufactured in 2,44m and 1,22m, but can be manufactured in special lengths to meet specified customer requirements. Special intermediate strengths or heavier loading requirements can be designed and manufactured. These are subject to various material constraints, but will be evaluated by our engineers on an ad hoc basis” concluded Fourie.

Rocla also supplied 142 manhole units of 1000mm in diameter to the estate.

Lwazi Goqwana has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for the Infrastructure Specialist Group (ISG) effective immediately. ISG is South Africa’s leading manufacturer of precast concrete solutions and products for the construction, infrastructure and mining sectors.

An Engineer by profession with 25 years of working experience in Manufacturing, Construction, Financial Services, Logistics, Energy and Government Services. Goqwana has worked for multiple organisations including Unilever, Tiger Brands, Barclays Africa, Transnet and the Department of Public Enterprises.

Goqwana commented “I am very excited to be joining one of South Africa’s iconic companies. I look forward to joining the existing management team as we lead ISG forward in a way that will enhance our competitive position in the market”.

With an Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town and an MBA in Strategic General Management from Milpark Business School, Goqwana brings a wealth of technical and operational excellence as well as executive management experience to ISG.

Technicrete, the first South African company to utilise the Pressed Kerb manufacturing concept, has opened a second kerb manufacturing plant based in Roodepoort, Polokwane, Limpopo. This will enable Technicrete to meet the demand in and around Polokwane and from neighbouring provinces.

Infrastructure Specialist Group CEO Roy Robins stated that this is the third significant investment the company has made in Polokwane over the years. “We are able to reach such milestones due to the support received from our customers and the commitment and loyalty of our employees. The plant has been running since April this year and has already exceeded our expectations” said Robins.

“The new Technicrete kerb plant, is a Pressed Kerb plant, and is the first of its kind in the province. Many years ago, Technicrete invested in specialised machinery from the United Kingdom, becoming the first South African company to introduce the Pressed Kerb technology into its kerb manufacturing processes” said Christo van Zyl, Sales and Marketing Director of Infrastructure Specialist Group.

Traditionally kerbs are made using moulds in wet cast which has a longer manufacturing time and requires curing time, before being re-cast for another batch. The Pressed Kerb technology involves the manufacturing of kerbs utilising machinery that have three moulds, enabling kerbs to be manufactured on one machine, saving production time and increasing cost efficiencies. “It is a quicker process while still meeting volume demands and maintaining a consistent quality of kerb” commented van Zyl. Technicrete offers eleven ranges of kerbs for various applications: from barriers kerbs, semi-mountable/mountable kerbs to standard industrial kerbs.

Rocla and Technicrete, part of the Infrastructure Group of Companies (ISG), funded the conversion of 14 pit latrines into flushing toilets and supplied associated paving and concrete structures at the Tsekere Primary School, Ga-Raphahlelo in the Limpopo Province. The total funding by ISG for the project was R350,675.00.

“Tsekere Primary School had 14 pit latrines which were not in a good condition or really usable, so they were sealed and then converted into flushing toilets” commented Malebusa Sebatane, Group Marketing and Communications Manager for ISG. “We decided to fund the upgrades to their sanitation system in order to provide clean and safe sanitation units for the pupils of the school, as ISG believes that every school should have properly functioning sanitation units. Every child has a right to personal dignity”.

Sebatane added “We appointed Enviromould Product Solutions to install the Rocla designed and Agreement approved, Eaziflush low flush toilet pedestals with a child seat lid incorporated. Included in our donation was funding for septic tanks, cisterns and all the associated plumbing components. We provided funding for the refurbishment of the roofing sections and repainting of the toilet doors.  An additional two Rocla manufactured Sanitation Community Cast Toilet Top Structures were also supplied which increased the total number of toilets to 16.”

Rocla’s precast concrete sanitation units are a cost-effective solution to one of the most basic and essential needs in South Africa – the need to supply clean, hygienic and cost-efficient sanitation not only to schools but also to the homes of people living in rural areas. All of Rocla’s sanitation units are designed as water saving units that can function on the existing grey water output from a household rather than requiring fresh drinking water.

Additionally, Technicrete supplied 90 square meters of 50 mm grey Bond Brick pavers that have been installed around the sanitation units and the school’s hand wash basins. Technicrete’s Bond Brick is particularly suited to this kind of environment due to its durability and sturdiness.

The associated transportation costs for Rocla and Technicrete’s precast concrete products to site was also funded by the ISG.

“ISG is proud to have funded these sanitation and infrastructural upgrades, which the school so clearly needed. Inside the classroom, ISG donated R4,000.00 worth of calculators for the learners to use with their studies – safety and hygiene outside of the school coupled with educational supplies for inside use, will hopefully make an impact upon the learning experience” concluded Sebatane.

Carnival Gardens located at Salfin, Boksburg on the Ekurhuleni boundary with Gauteng, is a three-phase, 888-unit Affordable Housing Development project consisting of one- and two-bedroom units. Technicrete, part of the Infrastructure Specialist Group (ISG), were commissioned to supply the development with JZZ pavers, kerbs and retaining blocks.

“There is a high demand for socially affordable housing in South Africa and developments such as Carnival Gardens, help those who qualify, to get a foot in the property market. The ground layout, design and landscaping has been carefully thought through and utilises top quality products, such as our Technicrete JZZ pavers, garden kerbs and Earthform retaining blocks, which have created an attractive and aesthetically pleasing finish to the complex” said Arno Smuts, Technicrete Sales Consultant based at Technicrete’s Olifantsfontein manufacturing plant.

“Our JZZ pavers re renowned for their longevity and hard-wearing surface, which make them ideal for residential complexes and the anticipated high traffic and foot flow”.

“Despite the completion date having been brought forward by one month, our production team were able to manufacture and release stock without any delays, and the supplies were delivered to site on time” Arno said.

Stefanutti Stocks, Senior Site Agent, Thomas Herholdt commented “Technicrete’s technical support was very much evident on the Carnival Gardens project, and the products supplied are of a high quality. Arno Smuts and the Technicrete team ensured we had sufficient stock on site to keep the continuity of the development on schedule. It’s always a pleasure to join forces with Technicrete”.

Products Supplied to Carnival Gardens

The Technicrete JZZ pavers are a solid block interlocking paver that once applied forms a continuous, hard wearing surface. They are particularly suitable for domestic driveways, pedestrian pavements and pathways. Technicrete supplied 9321m²   of their 60mm grey pavers and 370m²  of their 80 mm grey JZZ pavers to Carnival Gardens.

In addition to JZZ pavers, Technicrete supplied 285m of grey garden kerbs 500 x 150 x 75 mm and 195m

of Fig.3 Barrier kerbs sized at 1000mm. One thousand Earthform retaining blocks were also supplied to the development, offering an attractive feature for plant and flower placements whilst maintaining difficult steep areas safely.

“When you look at the finish of Phase One at Carnival Gardens, you can see how the products selected from Technicrete’s range have created a sense of smartness to the driveways and paths. The grey tone blends beautifully with the earthy tones used on the four-story high apartment buildings” concluded Smuts.

Technicrete offers a range of paving and kerb solutions suited to any commercial, industrial or residential project, with colours such as slate, terracotta, plum, tan and autumn also available.

Technicrete was selected to supply pavers and kerbs for the first ten phases of a thirteen-phase high-quality and stylish Woodwind Estates housing development taking place in Centurion, near Tshwane. The estate when completed will occupy 14,500 square meters comprising 700 single and double storey free standing and apartment units.

Werner Bloemhof, Quantity Surveyor with Raubex Building, said “At each stage of the development of Woodwind Estate, a new tender is issued. Technicrete has been awarded the tender to supply pavers and kerbs for each of the newly completed ten phases. This has been based on the quality of their products and cost effectiveness.”

“We have received good service and reliable delivery scheduling from Technicrete. Their kerbs and pavers offer estates such as Woodwind an aesthetically pleasing finish and a longevity that is needed in an estate where there will be a large amount of traffic and foot flow-through” said Bloemhof.

“Over the first ten phases Technicrete has supplied over 60,000m² of Bondbrick and DZZ Interlockers and 6,000m of Fig.8b kerbs. The Fig.8b are mountable kerbs of 300x175x7mm suitable for medium loading, and have a sloped profile in order not to damage vehicles that may need to move onto the pavement or grassed area” said Luan van der Berg, Sales Consultant for Technicrete.

The Bondbrick, is a cost-effective traditional paver that offers long durability. Bondbrick is well suited for estates such as Windwood and was designed with applications such as parking areas and pathways in mind. Sizes include 50mm x 200mm x 100mm, 55 x 200mm x 100m and 60 mm x 200mm x 100mm.

The DZZ Interlocking paver from Technicrete forms a continuous interlocking and hard-wearing surface overlay, which offers an extremely elegant finish. Sizes include 50mm x 220mm x 97mm, 60mm x 220mm x 97mm or 80mm x 220mm x 97mm.

Colours for both paving blocks and kerbs include slate, terracotta, plum, grey, autumn and tan.