GIBB, multi-disciplinary engineering consulting companies with a presence across African, has partnered with government’s Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative to drive future employability amongst South Africa’s youth. Introduced in 2018, the YES initiative is a government and business-driven initiative which seeks to tackle South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. While Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Labour Force […]

GIBB, one of South Africa’s leading multi-disciplinary engineering consulting companies with a substantial presence across the African continent, in partnership Nexant Consulting Ltd have completed the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) 57 km-long network. Comprising a sea-crossing bridge, 12 stations and a maintenance depot, the first phase – referred to as […]

South Africans need to conserve water systematically and effectively, and a holistic countrywide educational strategy needs to be implemented and maintained to cultivate a culture of treating water as the precious resource that it is, says GIBB senior design engineer Mohammed Nazzal. “While the majority of us may take water for granted every time we open our taps, we should refrain from causally and […]

According to a report compiled by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), only one in five engineers in South Africa is a woman. Although we live in a country that strongly advocates for women empowerment, there still remains a real need to change the under-representation of female engineers in leadership positions within the country. […]

South Africa may not be a country that experiences frequent or sizeable earthquakes, but the possibility still exists, and our infrastructure needs to be prote cted. This is where the method of base isolation demonstrates its value. Kabelo Seosenyeng, Design Engineer at GIBB Engineering, discusses the use of base isolation and how it can protect […]

    According to Bheki Vilakazi, managing director of SVA International, South Africa’s property market is starting to show encouraging signs of improvement. This after having been sluggish over the past five years. Currently classified under financial and business services, according to the 2021 Property Sector Charter Council (PSCC) report, the financial, real estate and […]

The Nalubaale hydropower station’s first turbine unit was commissioned in 1954 and cracks were first noticed in the powerhouse structure in 1964, initially thought to be caused by an unprecedented rise in water levels in Lake Victoria, resulting in a rise of tailwater levels. However, by the 1990s, Alkali-Aggregate Reaction (AAR) was identified as the cause of the concrete deformations and cracks, […]

    Thabiso Motshegoa has been appointed as business development executive at GIBB Petrochemicals & Energy. It’s a move that forms part of the company’s plans to entrench itself in the South African oil and gas sector and grow its footprint on the greater African continent. Motshegoa says the new role will require hard work […]

    Bheki Vilakazi has been appointed managing director of SVA International (SVAI), effective October 2021. SVAI is a member of the GIBB Group of Companies and GIBB Engineering. Vilakazi is an economics graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand, with supplementary certificates in corporate governance, executive development and construction management from Rand Afrikaans University, […]

  Pushing boundaries in a male-dominated industry, heading the bid & transformation of an engineering powerhouse, Moud Maela is the Group Head of Bid Management and Transformation at GIBB Engineering and Architecture. While her title may be a mouthful, it conveys the breadth and depth of her role in the organization, one that has grown […]

Strength, Trust and Adaptability I had the privilege to invite one of the founders of the South African chapter of GIBB, Mr David Hill, to join me at the company’s 2014 excellence awards celebration in Cape Town. Notwithstanding his frailty due to his advanced age at the time, his sense of humour and attention to […]

    Despite the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the issues of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, improving health and safety and creating value for surrounding communities require urgent and ongoing attention, says multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy GIBB mining division MD Alan Wingrove. He points out that although Covid-19 pandemic protocols have been “exceptionally well managed” by the South African mining industry, other pressing challenges are demanding renewed […]

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Owing to the ubiquity of the world’s sun and the wind, all mines have the opportunity to generate their own green electricity no matter where they are located in the world, Hydrogen Optimized CEO Andrew T Stuart emphasised during last week’s Fasken online panel discussion on hydrogen. In this way, carbon can be removed […]

  Construction company Enza Construction recently completed a new Covid-19 hospital wing – the Bara500 unit – in the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital complex using innovative building technology which enabled the company to significantly reduce construction time in comparison to conventional building methods. The new Bara500 Covid-19 facility has 500 intensive care unit (ICU) beds and is located […]

The Bill aimed at revamping Gauteng’s township economy is expected to be passed by the end of June 2021. Despite some delays caused by the Covid-19-related restrictions, the Gauteng Township Economic Development Bill has been gazetted and is currently undergoing public consultations. It is expected to be introduced in the legislature before the end of […]

The Durban Climate Action Plan (CAP) released earlier in September forms part of a drive by 96 cities across the world to address climate change under the banner of the C40 Cities Network, whose goals are linked to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. But Desmond D’Sa, founder of the globally recognised South Durban Community Environmental […]

Mineral Resources & Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe’s address at the #AfricaOilWeek virtual conference, left no doubt that the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy views the energy sector as a catalyst for economic recovery in SA. Read the article Although South Africa allowed the energy sector to operate at full capacity throughout the nationwide lockdown, […]

There has long been discussions about the development of a gas economy having the potential to help transform the South African landscape and, despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, about gas emerging as a game changer both in terms of its role in the country’s energy transition and the new opportunities it presents. These […]

The health hazards caused by using disinfectant tunnels as a preventive measure against Covid-19 have come under the spotlight after the release of advisories by the Covid-19 ministerial advisory committee (MAC). Disinfectant tunnels, also known as fumigating tunnels, were installed in malls, schools and taxi ranks when the coronavirus first hit SA. However, Prof Salim […]

Dear Valued Clients, Partners and Suppliers. The situation in South Africa around COVID-19 is worsening on a daily basis with increasingly stringent measures being necessitated to contain the rate of infections. Consequently, the President announced a Country-wide lockdown effective from midnight on Thursday 26 March 2020. The GIBB Group of Companies fully support the lockdown [...]

Dear valued Clients, Partners and Suppliers The GIBB Group of Companies reassures all Clients, Partners and Suppliers that we are taking all necessary precautions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 global pandemic. We are treating the situation with all the seriousness it demands, and are fully cognisant of the challenges it poses to our […]

  JOHANNESBURG, January 2019 – South Africa’s mining sector is building new partnerships and finding innovative solutions that will see it strongly positioned to transcend current challenges. This was the message emerging from an extremely positive roundtable discussion hosted by GIBB recently, with the theme “Towards Mining Consensus”. The event attracted mining entrepreneurs, industry experts […]

  JOHANNESBURG – The South African engineering and construction industry is currently under severe stress. According to the 2019 Budget Review report, public sector spend on infrastructure has reduced by almost R36 billion since 2016. The recently released Q3:2019 Labour Force Survey by Statistics SA showed that the construction industry lost 163 000 jobs over the past […]

SVA International(SVA), one of Africa’s leading architectural companies, is proud to announce the appointment of Sandi Mbutuma as managing director, equipping the company to continue providing comprehensive solutions for its clients across Africa. SVA is a member of the GIBB Group of Companies, part of GIBB’s Property Delivery Unit, providing integrated, comprehensive building-service offerings. GIBB Property […]

Leading multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy company, GIBB, is excited to announce the appointment of Kiren Maharaj as Managing Director of GIBB Power, a subsidiary of GIBB Holdings PTY LTD, Maharaj assumed her role effective 4 March 2019. Maharaj is a seasoned professional in the power space having held several high-level roles in major companies in the […]

A significant project that is set to revolutionise operations in the Port of Durban is progressing well underway under the watchful eye of an independent Environmental Compliance Officer. R7 billion Durban Container Terminal berth-deepening project, which commenced in October last year, will see deeper berths created at Durban Container Terminal: Pier 2’s North Quay so […]

Railway engineer and analyst Dr Willem Sprong says the rail network can still be saved, but only just. With only three months left on their contracts, the Passenger Rail Agency SA’s (Prasa) board still has time and money to fix the failing agency. This is according to railway engineer and analyst Dr Willem Sprong, who […]

The GIBB incubation programme to develop women entrepreneurs in the water sector is bearing fruit, with three women-run small businesses already benefiting from the programme to unlock skills and opportunities in this under-developed sector.

Designed by GIBB Engineering and Architecture, the Motherwell Passenger Rail Corridor (MPRC) in the Eastern Cape is one of PRASA’s largest rail projects. The MPRC, when constructed will be a major benefit for Port Elizabeth and could lead to other important developments, such as the upgrading of the railway station in the area to include […]

Dave Clark, Technical Executive at GIBB, takes us through the challenges that exist within the water sector and what can be done to remedy them. Part 1: Part 2:  

On 4 October 2018, EDF, one of the world’s leading electricity companies, and GIBB, a leading engineering player in Africa signed agreements for EDF to invest in GIBB Power, a subsidiary company of GIBB Engineering and Architecture specialising in engineering in the energy sector. By building on the skills of GIBB’s energy division and on […]

Fana Marutla, Head of Business Development and Transportation at GIBB, elaborates on the challenges and opportunities facing the Railway Sector within South Africa. Part 1 Part 2

This article first appeared in Engineering News on 23 August 2018. The new $100-million Metolong Dam in Lesotho has achieved a significant project success this year, with the dam spilling for the first time since its completion in 2016. Spilling occurs when the dam is at full capacity, and the dam’s spillway – meant to […]

Onke Ngacu, a Technologist at Engineering and Architecture firm GIBB, is set to make history by becoming the first black woman to hold the position of Chairperson of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering for the Amathole (East London) region. Ngacu, who works in GIBB’s Water sector at the East London office, says she […]

Paul Fitzsimons: General Manager for Power and Energy and Louwrens van der Merwe: Sustainability Consultant: Sustainability and Strategic Projects in the Environmental Sector.

To rebuild itself for the 21st century, the construction industry needs to embrace innovation and new technologies. Across many sectors, companies large and small are ditching manual systems and investing in technology to streamline processes and create competitive advantage. The construction industry should be no exception. In a sector where manual systems still rule, construction […]

  As Chinese construction conglomerates enter Africa’s business landscape, success will depend on adaptation South African consulting engineering companies are confronted with some fascinating trends that will shape our industry, now and even more so in future. One of the most influential trends we are seeing is the evolution of business models away from the […]

  Minigrids gradually becoming more connected in Africa Emerging power generation networks, which are minigrids that are off the grid, are gradually becoming more connected and providing a directional generation of supply to the demand in Africa, where about 625-million people are still without access to power. At a media roundtable discussion on Wednesday, GIBB […]

Solar-hydro hybrid schemes can help fulfil Africa’s energy needs The evidence for climate change is clear worldwide. We see it in record heat levels, heavier rainstorms and severe droughts, increased tropical storms and hurricane intensity. This reality has forced a new era of clean energy development. At the same time, Africa has great renewable-energy potential […]

What is the ideal energy balance between various energy resources? Should we embrace renewable energy, and phase out fossil fuels entirely? Would this approach be able to meet the country’s growth needs? The halted nuclear build programme promises 9,6 GW of power, but can the country afford it? Germany, for example, has made a policy […]

  Engineering sector – remaining competitive in tough times South African companies face an embattled business environment, especially in the infrastructure space. While there are pockets of growth, South Africa and many other African countries are not recovering as quickly as hoped. South Africa has not recuperated from the world economic collapse and all indicators […]

  Long-term strategy needed to grow black-owned businesses WHILE some policies are rightfully placed to develop Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa, further consideration needs to be given to the development of large black-owned companies to ensure they can compete globally, undertake large complex projects and export their services and products to […]

JOHANNESBURG – In determining the ideal energy mix for South Africa, there is no objective truth. What is the ideal energy balance between various energy resources? Should we embrace renewable energy, and phase out fossil fuels entirely? Would this approach be able to meet the country’s growth needs? The halted nuclear build programme promise 9.6GW […]

  In May, Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane made greater water security for all South Africans a priority, with the department setting a R15.1 billion budget for the 2017/18 financial year. In light of this, and given the country’s ongoing water shortage challenges, it is imperative to implement models for large infrastructure projects in […]

WHILE some policies are rightfully placed to develop Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa, further consideration needs to be given to the development of large black-owned companies to ensure they can compete globally, undertake large complex projects and export their services and products to other global markets. The revised Preferential Procurement Regulations […]

Jacques Laubscher, GIBB Technical Executive: Integrated Infrastructure In South Africa, it seems that whenever drought starts to bite, talk of desalination returns to the national debate. In principle, everyone supports the idea of desalinating sea water or sewage wastewater to a potable level, but the real challenge is to produce it at an economical, affordable […]

Caption: The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa’s (IWMSA) Eastern Cape branch hosted the ‘Green is the new Gold’ conference in the splendid World of Windows venue at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium last week. Back Row (Guest Speakers): Vuyo Sikwebu (Managing Director, Clariter), Dr Adele Botha (Teacher, Kabega Primary), Brian van Niekerk (Managing […]

http://www.702.co.za/articles/264266/behavioural-change-in-the-home-is-key-to-saving-water <iframe src=”https://omny.fm/shows/the-john-maytham-show/gibb-round-table-waterwatch/embed” width=”100%” height=”180px” frameborder=”0″></iframe> On Thursday, the Department of Water and Sanitation together with Sunlight and engineering consulting firm, GIBB held a round-table discussion in the quest for alternative water resources. Some of the issues covered during the discussion include restoring and sustaining water security and behavioural change in the water sector. Water […]

 With the winter months here and a forecast of low rainfall in South Africa the already water scarce country could be under dire strain. However, there could be some hope for water users. A roundtable looking at alternative sources for the precious commodity met in Johannesburg on Thursday. The worst drought left many of the […]

With freshwater resources in South Africa almost fully utilised and heavily stressed – especially in the Western Cape, where drought conditions have left dam levels at 25% – water scarcity conditions are set to increase in the country, especially in winter months, according to engineering consulting firm Gibb technical director Jacques Laubscher. Addressing delegates at […]

As temperatures drop, sometimes to below freezing point in South Africa, winter represents cruel and cold nights for many who don’t have the means to stay warm. With the cold winter grip set to continue GIBB staff set out to make a valuable contribution through a sock collection drive. Employees and the public also rallied […]

In Southern Africa, Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) has secured a joint venture to begin works of one of its two main water transfer facilities. The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has appointed the Matla a Metsi joint venture to oversee the R445 million ($33 million) design and construction of the […]

The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) has appointed the Matla a Metsi joint venture to oversee the R445-million design and construction of the Polihali dam. The dam is one of the two main water transfer components of Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), with work expected to start this month. The JV […]

The Competition Commission has approved without conditions the buyout by Kutana Construction of a 51% beneficial interest in Aveng Grinaker LTA from Aveng Africa. The former is a black women-owned company. The deal ticks off a major black economic empowerment transaction under the government’s voluntary settlement programme for SA’s construction and engineering industry. Kutana will […]

by Paul Fitzsimons, GIBB Power and Energy Sector South Africa will have to adopt global engineering and construction standards and technologies to compete on the world stage. While some industries such as the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), automotive and financial have been innovating for years, other industries such as engineering must accelerate their efforts to […]

Providing support to upskill female entrepreneurs in the water sector is being is one of GIBB Engineering’s latest commitments. The company recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the South African Water Research Commission (WRC) to develop a group of women water entrepreneurs. GIBB said the memorandum was a commitment to assist in the support, […]

While fingers have been pointed at examples of mega-projects with cost and schedule challenges such as Medupi and the multi-product pipeline, it not a new or uniquely South African phenomenon. Internationally many flagship projects such as Concorde, the Channel Tunnel, space shuttle, A380 and B747-8 experienced multiple challenges, some ultimately leading to project failure. When […]

GIBB, South Africa’s leading black-owned engineering consulting firm is commended for their gender equity in training and equal pay. Dr Urishanie Govender confirmed a ratio of 1:1 across 49 unique job categories for GIBB’s Average Annual Package per Employee Code for the past four year financial periods. She also indicated that, on average the hours […]

The South African engineering consulting industry has positioned itself to harness opportunities in the gas sector, but a clear gas master plan is required to convince investors and other stakeholders to put their weight behind the country’s energy plans. At the 21st Congress of Parties (COP21) held in Paris last year, South Africa committed to […]

As one of South Africa’s leading consulting engineering firms, GIBB continues to pave the way for bright young minds across the country. As part of GIBB’s continuous development of its people and up and coming engineers, the firm has a myriad of programmes to upskill, mentor and grow the talent locally. Known as the ‘father […]

Water conservation experts say restrictions implemented in parts of the country are likely to remain in place for a while. The experts were speaking at a panel discussion hosted by washing powder brand ‘Sunlight’ in Sandton, where restrictions, infrastructure and consumer behaviour have been discussed. They say in addition to the drought, ageing infrastructure, leakages […]

As a Junior Civil Engineer at GIBB, Kate Murphy owes her successful career at a young age to her own perseverance and determination. She strives harder each day to make a positive impact on the lives of the people around her, through the work she does. Working at GIBB, one of South Africa’s leading black-owned […]

Women are fast becoming valuable resources in the engineering industry, however, there is a need for more women to pursue town planning as a career. Statistics provided by the South African Council for Professional Planners indicate that there is a total of 1403 registered planners in the industry and according to Urban and Rural Planning […]

While the number of railway related fatalities remaining fairly consistent at 450 since 2011, the cost of incidents and related measures has increased by R220 million from the last financial period, according to the Rail Safety Regulator’s Anual State of Railway Safety report for 2014/2015. Dr Willem Sprong, Technical Executive: Transportation at GIBB believes that […]

Women in the engineering industry shared their views on the equality of men and women in the engineering industry at the Women in Engineering roundtable at engineering company GIBB’s head office in Woodmead. The event was to commemorate women who are successful in niche careers within the engineering sector. As part of the Wits 17th […]

“Tunnelling is evident in every part of people’s lives from water supply and sewerage, road and rail transportation, power, and even underground cabling for communication and internet coverage,” says Ron Tluczek, senior associate – geotechnical engineer at GIBB. He was recently recognised by his peers on an international podium for his contribution to the geotechnical […]

In South Africa, the Stortemelk Hydro Power Plant reached its commercial operation in July 2016. Having won preferred bidder status in round 2 of government’s renewable energy programme, Renewable Energy Holdings (REH) has now achieved the development of three hydro plants in the country, Engineering News reported. The 4.5MW run-of-river hydro project, located in the […]

The increasing demand on South Africa’s national grid has driven many businesses to invest in alternative energy efficient sources of power. One of South Africa’s leading consulting engineering firms, GIBB, has over the years been involved in numerous projects which require energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and green buildings. The No 5 Silo building, located at […]

Water-shedding is a concept borrowed from the electricity sector due to the country’s dwindling water supply. However, according to Jacques Laubscher, senior associate integrated infrastructure and business development manager at GIBB, a black-owned engineering consulting firm, the necessity of its implementation can be reduced significantly if consumers start valuing water as a commodity. “There is […]