ROOFING & WALLS
design we were seeking for this flagship school. The selected solar panels over the boarding area were easily fitted to the selected profile,” Moodley notes.
Roofing contractor Andrew Gove, the Managing Director of GW Roofing, adds that the classrooms, residence and auxiliary buildings have timber trusses supporting the roof, while the hall uses structural steel. The roofing is profiled coated steel. No steel cladding was used on the walls.
Turning the vision into a reality
The MSoE is strategically located at 41 Somtseu Road, Durban, in eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, close to the largest port in Africa. A vision that began 16 years ago is finally becoming a reality, driven by the passion of members of the Department of Education to bring a modern facility that will use the latest teaching technologies to prepare learners for work in the maritime field.
Professional team
Client: Department of Education Project architect: GIARC Designs( Craig Moodley) Structural engineer: MPAMOT Durban( Pty) Ltd
Building contractor: GVK – Siya Zama Roofing contractor: GW Roofing
About the MSoE
The MSoE is accredited as a training institution under the South African Maritime Safety Authority( SAMSA) and the Transport Education and Training Authority( TETA). These organisations are recognised as accreditors of advanced training in the port and maritime sector.
Operated by the Transnet Academy, the MSoE introduces nautical studies to high school learners and will prepare them for important roles in local and international ports. The MSoE aims to become a leading high school that provides learners with an understanding of the marine industry, marine and terminal operations, port management, port engineering, and supplying high-quality seafarers to the market. It opens avenues to new career options and, therefore, new job-creation opportunities. The project is funded by the Kwa-Zulu Natal Department of Education and facilitated by the Development Bank of South Africa.
58 autumn 2026 | www. tobuild. co. za