PROJECT
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for the theatres, and we have to make our installation
suit,” Buirski explains.
Communicating with the German contractors has not
always been easy. “They have one translator, but even
he struggles with translation of the sometimes difficult
technical terms. It’s been very challenging, especially
on how information is relayed, which sometimes gets
interpreted differently to the way it was intended.
“The Germans are also not used to the way of operating
in Africa — they are used to 100% efficiency. But we
have gained their trust as they can see we are a solid
technical subcontractor. They supply hospital theatres
around the world; the components are manufactured in a
factory in Germany and shipped to site and installed very
quickly.”
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“It’s quite something to watch them work; they are
precise in everything and you can tell they’ve been
trained very well. They have certain specifications that
they want, and we have to make sure we deliver in line
with their strict schedule,” he adds.
LOCAL INVOLVEMENT
A local workforce has been an integral part of the GDM–
Sebenza JV plumbing team.
“The objective was to take local, unskilled labour,
and train and upskill them in the plumbing trade. Our
objective was to provide them with skills to continue in
the trade long after construction has been completed.
I have been happy with the commitment and quick
learning of many of the employees. In fact, many of them
have been absorbed onto other sites and now have full-
time employment.
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“Many of the employees were unemployed before this
project, with many of them starting with little to no
experience in the construction sector. It has been a great
experience empowering them. They have all got a skill
now, whether it is welding copper pipes, laying sewer
lines, or installing geysers. They have been involved and
now their general knowledge of plumbing is good.
“We have a project we are completing in Pretoria, where
a learnership programme has been implemented with
local students.
“The students come in, they are compensated to
study, and allocated to various subcontractors for
practical training. I believe the programme has been a
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
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Sink and Hydroboil installation at the wash-up area of the three-storey ward.
Construction of one of the new theatres.
New sluice room installation; each new area has one or two new sluice rooms.
October 2017 Volume 23 I Number 8