SA Affordable Housing November - December 2019 // ISSUE: 79 | Page 11

EVENTS
From tools and materials to green
building solutions and drones,
new building expo promises
sector-wide interest
T
here will be something for every building enthusiast
when events co-organisers Interact Media Defined (our
publisher) and Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery
launch their brand-new show in October 2020, with the
aim of providing practical advice and solutions to the entire
building industry.
AfriBuild is gearing up for its exciting launch at the
Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, from 13 to 15 October
2020. The trade-only expo will be a biennial event that will
take place over three days and intends to become a hands-on
building solutions show for the entire sector.
Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery Event Director, Sven
Smit clarifies, “The show is aimed at equipping the local
building sector for successful future advancement, through
the use of practical examples and demonstrations, and the
sharing of skills and advice. With a strong focus on skills
development, knowledge exchange is intended to be a real
distinguishing characteristic of AfriBuild – in this way, we
plan that the expo can play an important role in assisting
with the upliftment of the industry.”
He says the show will bring together hundreds of local
and global exhibitors to showcase their expertise, products
and services, adding, “We envisage the holistic inclusion of
mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) providers; tools,
equipment and materials experts; structural authorities;
occupational health and safety (OHS) specialists; and
technology and innovation experts. Additionally, AfriBuild
2020 will be co-located with PlumbDrain Africa, the
only dedicated plumbing, draining, sanitation, water and
sanitaryware expo in Africa.”
Features of the show include the following:
• Two free-to-attend seminar theatres, one for
AfriBuild and one for PlumbDrain, which will allow
expert speakers to focus on key industry trends and
topics.
• Dedicated AfriBuild and PlumbDrain demo areas,
where experts will explain new concepts and give
practical examples.
• The show will be divided into four zones where
exhibitors will be able to provide concrete ‘how-to’
guidance within their unique areas, as follows: the
MEP Services Zone, The Tools, Equipment and
Materials Zone; the Structure Zone; and the
Technology and Innovation Zone.
• A designated outside area will be set aside for drone
www.saaffordablehousing.co.za
technology demonstrations, with video footage
being streamed back to exhibitors’ stands.
• A New Products Display area will provide an at-a-
glance snapshot of the latest trending products
across the different areas of the show.
• Additional benefits include the AfriBuild mobile app,
which puts the information you need about the show
in the palm of your hand, as well as associated
conferences running alongside the expo.
“The holistic inclusion of a tremendous variety of
building and plumbing offerings on-site over three days
is truly impressive. At the same time, the functional focus
on how to get things done offers a uniquely personal
element, in which everyone is invited to share,” concludes
Smit.
A LOOK AT IMPACT LENDING AND INCENTIVES FOR GREEN
FUNDING
Homeownership is key to wealth-building and upward
mobility, and a foundational part of the South Africa dream.
Affordable housing has grown legs across the African
continent, with the subject of impact lending and incentives
for green funding coming up for a panel discussion at the
IHS Affordable Housing Conference held on 5 September.
The consensus of the panel was that the present was ‘a
good time’ for any investor to build a ‘green’ portfolio. Due
the current favourable cost of doing developments, it was
not likely to remain low for much longer as there was bound
to be an uptick in development costs.
The IHS (International Housing Solutions) ensured the
topic was on the programme and has been at the forefront
of introducing the ICS (International Certification Services)
and Edge certification and programme for green properties
into the South African market.
The panel consisted of: Leonore Cairncross, Green
Building lead – Africa at the IFC; Graham Cruickshank at
the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA); Dirkje
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