NEWS & VIEWS
Hamba kahle to an industry stalwart
CCP
Rail and infrastructure concrete products manufacturer Colossal Concrete Products( CCP), a proudly black women-owned and controlled precast manufacturer, has paid tribute to rail industry stalwart and former team member Kobus Burger, who had a remarkable career but sadly passed away in October 2025.
According to a CCP press release, his innovative spirit and unwavering passion for rail and infrastructure engineering made a lasting impact on South Africa’ s rail and infrastructure sectors.
“ Kobus was more than a technical and strategic consultant: he was an innovative designer, a mentor and a driving force behind many of the products which have shaped modern rail transport in Southern Africa,” explains Chief Executive Officer Gwen Mahuma- Madida.
“ His pioneering work on the Gautrain project and development of the universal concrete sleeper and InfraBolt won him the prestigious Fulton Award in 2007. He was Concrete Achiever of the Year 2009 of the Concrete Society SA, and received several other awards. He helped with innovative project factories to service rail projects in far-flung rural areas.
“ These projects stand among his most celebrated achievements, transforming the way in which rail systems are built and maintained across the country,” Mahuma-Madida said.
“ He was also a kind, thoughtful, and principled man with a calming presence. He believed in hard work, collaboration, and purpose, and he had a great sense of humour.
“ As South Africa’ s rail and infrastructure sector continues to evolve and rebuild, the spirit of Kobus Burger will remain at its core, reminding all who follow in his footsteps that progress begins with curiosity, courage, and a commitment to building something which lasts,” Mahuma-Madida concludes.
Kobus Burger
Eskom simplifies solar system red tape
Eskom has streamlined the compliance and registration process for customers who generate their own electricity through Small-Scale Embedded Generation( user-owned) systems such as rooftop solar panels.
The aim is to make it easier, safer, and more affordable for households and small businesses to connect legally to the national grid, as required by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa( NERSA), according to an Eskom press release dated 21 October.
Notably, Eskom’ s residential customers can now have their systems approved by a Department of Labour( DoL)– registered person( excluding single-phase testers). An Engineering Council of South Africa( ECSA)-registered professional is no longer necessary. This follows a review of compliance and safety standards and a rigorous due diligence process, in anticipation of upcoming changes by the South African Bureau of Standards.
“ Eskom recognises that many South Africans are eager to participate in the clean energy transition. Our goal is to make it as simple, safe, and cost-effective as possible for customers to connect legally, while ensuring the stability and safety of the national grid. We have been working hard with our industry stakeholders to stay at the forefront of safety standards,” says Eskom Acting Group Executive, Distribution, Agnes Mlambo.
TO BUILD Notes: Electricity users in our main metropolitan areas should not rejoice just yet. The bureaucratic red tape and compliance hurdles involved in electricity distribution by municipalities functioning as agents of Eskom persist, along with the high costs associated with such compliance.
18 summer 2025-26 | www. tobuild. co. za