SA Affordable Housing September / October 2017 // Issue: 66 | Page 21

COVER STORY
From left: Rejoyce Mahlaule,
Lwandile Mbuqwa and Zola
Tsengwa with a section of
paving they have learnt to lay.
The newly completed Aloe Ridge development in Pietermaritzburg.
maintenance-free houses,” says Shangase. “Double skin
walling is about 20% more expensive in-the-wall than
CoroJem’s through-the-wall format. This means savings on
mortar and labour as it reduces the overall costs of
CoroJem construction. In a relatively short period, we have
seen the CoroJem emerge as a frontrunner for the holistic
solution it provides.”
CoroJem, along with all Corobrik’s face bricks, is
associated with many beneficial qualities that are perfectly
suited to the affordable housing market, the first of which
is the cost-saving aspect.
CoroJem and other Corobrik face bricks are extremely
cost-effective as they don’t need to be plastered or
painted. This saves on future maintenance costs,
particularly important in the affordable housing market.
Face brick also has incredible thermal efficiency which
enables the building to store heat and remain cooler for
longer than lightweight structures. It deals efficiently with
extremes of temperature in both summer and winter so
that, regardless of how hot it becomes outside in daytime
or how much cooler it gets inside the house at night; the
interior remains comfortable. In a country like South Africa
with an extreme climate, this insulation is incredibly
beneficial to occupants who can’t necessarily afford
artificial heating or cooling systems.
The nature of affordable housing developments often
necessitates the construction of homes in relatively close
proximity. Face brick – again – proves its worth under these
conditions, in two ways. Firstly, the material density
provides a natural sound barrier which facilitates quiet
indoor environments, offering a form of sound insulation.
Secondly, face brick also has incredible fire-resistant
properties which assist in preventing the spread of fires
and minimising damage.
Because of its qualities, clay brick construction is
increasingly recognised as a vital component of green
building in the quest to find solutions that eliminate or
reduce adverse impact on the environment and
its occupants.
COMMUNITY TRAINING PROGRAMMES
Corobrik continues to uplift the lives of those in
disadvantaged communities by empowering individuals
through its extensive training programmes. The
organisation has three training centres in as many
provinces – Lawley Centre in Gauteng, Avoca Factory in
KwaZulu-Natal and Lansdown Centre in the Western Cape.
The three centres, which are not-for-profit, solely focus on
upskilling South African citizens through extensive training
programmes. The instructors – all of whom are qualified
artisans and assessors accredited with a Construction CETA
– provide theoretical training in class with participants
who are also given real-world experience that includes
on-site practical experience. On successful completion of
the training programme, candidates receive certification,
which e mpowers them with the skills to secure
employment in the construction field or even start their
own business.
“Skills development remains a key priority in South
Africa and Corobrik is committed to playing a meaningful
role in this process,” says Shangase. “Our three training
centres are designed to provide unskilled workers in both
the public and private sectors with recognised
qualifications in bricklaying, blocklaying and segmental
paving disciplines.”
“Corobrik continues to play a vital role in building the
South African nation, offering high quality products for the
creation of sustainable, appealing buildings that citizens
are proud to call ‘home’,” concludes Shangase.
In the past year, Corobrik has supplied millions of
bricks to affordable housing developments
countrywide; they include:
• 2.37 million Corobrik Moroccan Red Travertine face
bricks for Platinum Manor, a Central Development
Projects affordable housing scheme in Pretoria.
• A range of Corobrik products including 3.8 million
Burnt Apricot face bricks, 200 000 Montana Travertine
face bricks, 3.9 million plaster bricks, 10 000 geolok
400, 10 000 geolok 300 and 2 000m 2 of pavers, which
were used in the construction of one of South Africa’s
biggest social housing developments including Aloe
Ridge in Pietermaritzburg, developed by non-profit
organisation, Msunduzi Housing Association.
• 1.2 million Moroccan Red Travertine face bricks and
1.8 million of Corobrik’s Nebraska Travertine face
bricks were used in the construction of The Junction
@Forest Hill, Pretoria and for a 440-unit affordable
housing development by Central Developments.
• Another Central Developments project saw 3.3 million
Nebraska Travertine face bricks and 1.7 million Classic
Satin face bricks used in the construction of
Eldoraigne Retirement Village, Pretoria.
AFFORDABLE
SA HOUSING
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2017
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