One of Hatch’s jobs in South Africa is part of a joint venture, HMG JV (Hatch; Mott McDonald & Goba), that has been formed to facilitate the Transnet Capital Expansion Program. Transnet, the client, is a government owned body responsible for Rail and Port infrastructure in South Africa. Hence, the program focuses on the revitalisation of the Ports and Rail infrastructure nation wide.
My role on the project is within the procurement team for the Port of Ngqura (‘gqu’ pronounced with a click of the tongue…. nigh on impossible for an Aussie). The port is 20km northeast of Port Elizabeth.
The Port is being built on a green fields site and the phase that is currently underway has a budget of around 8 Billion Rand (A$1.33billion).
The work at this stage is major concrete paving and civil works to shape the container terminal, rail connections, power infrastructure, navigational aides, the buildings that will be required to run the Port (around 20) as well as purchasing the equipment required to run the port (tugs, gantry cranes, STS - ship to shore cranes etc.)
My role on the project is within the procurement team for the Port of Ngqura (‘gqu’ pronounced with a click of the tongue…. nigh on impossible for an Aussie). The port is 20km northeast of Port Elizabeth.
The Port is being built on a green fields site and the phase that is currently underway has a budget of around 8 Billion Rand (A$1.33billion).
The work at this stage is major concrete paving and civil works to shape the container terminal, rail connections, power infrastructure, navigational aides, the buildings that will be required to run the Port (around 20) as well as purchasing the equipment required to run the port (tugs, gantry cranes, STS - ship to shore cranes etc.)
Although I am based in the head office in JHB I visit site for various reasons once every 2-3 weeks. The offices on site are simple, however in a stunning location. They are perched on top of a sand dune, and at its highest point offer a 180º view overlooking the Port and Indian ocean. Native wild monkeys run around (outside) the office and across the roof, confirming that we are definently in South Africa.
Working in SA certainly has its differences including the frustration of dealing with the multiple languages and accents (French, Scottish, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Australian). Dealing with the politics of such a large organisation is also something new for me and can, at times, be testing.
Also unique is BBBEE (Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment) legislation and policies. All of our contracts are awarded not simply on Time, Cost & Quality but also using a preferencing system designed to assist BBBEE. A rating depending on the level of black ownership, employment, training and various other criteria is obtained by bidding companies and impacts the awarding of the various contracts. This makes a lot of sense but is also quite an unusual concept coming from Australia. Other than this the works issues are mostly the same invoices, emails, contracts and contractors!
