Multidisciplinary engineering, project and construction firm Zimile Consulting Engineers, is supervising and monitoring the Ezinembeni Crèche, in Maqongqo, Pietermaritzburg, in KwaZulu-Natal, as part of the defects liability period of the contract. This follows the completion of the initial design and construction of the Ezinembeni Crèche.

“Zimile Consulting Engineers was initially appointed for the civil, structural and geotechnical services. While the final completion of the project has been achieved and certificates of practical completion issued on September 18, 2020, the project is in the defects liability period until September of this year,” says Zimile Consulting Engineers CEO Shawn Gama.

The defects liability period ensures that all defects that may arise during this period are fixed and corrected, and that, by the end of the period, the permanent works of the project are in the condition stipulated by the initial contract between the engineers and the contractors.

The objective of this project is to provide a sheltered day-care facility, educational grooming and a safe environment for children. Gama notes that, at the peak of the project, 17 local labourers were employed, while three contractor employees were on site.

“These types of projects are integral as it improves the quality of school infrastructure in South Africa, which is important in contributing to an enhanced schooling system and the quality of learning,” he adds.

The facility has two classrooms, an administrative office, a kitchen, a storage facility and seven toilets, which includes one toilet for disabled persons and one staff toilet. There is also a grass playground area to accommodate recreational activities, as well as paved parking facilities, adds Gama.

The project received initial approval in October 2017 and construction started in August 2019. The budget of R3 888 056.46, including contingencies and value-added tax, was implemented at a total amount of R3 857 144.47.