Company Announcement - Leading South African black-owned multi-disciplinary engineering consulting firm GIBB recently completed a Multi-Purpose Community Centre in the remote Kou-Kamma area of the Eastern Cape. This important project will serve the community located off the beaten track within the beautiful surrounds of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The project spanned two years and was implemented by GIBB on behalf of the Kou-Kamma Local Municipality. The project was funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant Programme.

With an impressive track record of excellence spanning more than 59 years across various sectors, GIBB was well positioned to oversee the project management aspects of this development. Appointed as the principal agent responsible for the design and implementation of the project, GIBB’s responsibilities included civil, structural, electrical and project management services.

With a growing presence in Africa, and a deep understanding of local requirements through working with indigenous teams and locally-based knowledge, GIBB appointed an emerging local architect and quantity surveyor, as co-consultants, to assist with the necessary design development and procurement. “It was extremely rewarding to be involved in the provision of this state-of-the-art facility. A lot of credit must go to the entire project team, including the local community, who were actively involved during the building process. Local workers were also employed throughout the project which lead to a strong sense of ownership and pride amongst the locals,” said Jacques Barnard, Associate and Project Leader at GIBB.

Over the years, MPCCs have been identified as key in serving as a base from which a wide range of services and products can reach communities. The aim is for communities to access such services and engage in government programmes for their own empowerment.

The Coldstream MPCC was developed with the same intent for the Coldstream community members. The ultra-modern centre includes a main hall area with an impressive seating capacity for 500 people, making it an ideal venue for hosting community events. Other facilities include ablution facilities catering for the disabled, two admin offices, a storeroom, kitchen as well as a payment kiosk.

“The project provided an excellent opportunity for the transfer of technical skills to the local artisans,” added Barnard.

While GIBB was the appointed principal project agent, the ultimate and successful completion of the project would not have been possible without the continued support and involvement from key stakeholders. “I would like to thank Nepa Projects, Vision Construction, the Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs and Kou-Kamma Municipality for their support and assistance during the implementation of the project.  I also want to acknowledge Time Space Architects and BHC Consultancy for their valuable input during the design development and procurement phases,” Barnard concluded.

The official handover ceremony of new facility took place in September 2015 to the delight of the community elders. The ceremony was overseen by Honourable Mayor of Kou-Kamma Municipality, Mpumelelo Vuso and Municipal Manager, Sabelo Nkuhlu.