The roles of the three concrete industry organizations in South Africa, CSSA, C&CI and CMA, are often blurred, especially as they all share the common goal of ensuring the optimum use of concrete in the built environment. However, they have specific target audiences, objectives and initiatives that differentiate them. We hope to shed some light on the unique characteristics of each of these three bodies.

Concrete Society of Southern Africa NPC (CSSA)

The Concrete Society of Southern Africa NPC is a non-profit, public benefit organisation that promotes excellence and innovation in the use of concrete and related products and services. Membership is open to any individual with an interest in concrete and CSSA provides a forum for networking and technology transfer between its members.  Company membership is also available in a range of categories from Bronze to Platinum.

 Each of the Society’s four branches has its own annual calendar of events. These include technical meetings and seminars where information is disseminated amongst members and serious networking can take place amongst the delegates. Where projects of interest are in progress, site visits are arranged to enable members to see concrete in action.

All events on the Concrete Society’s programme of meetings and seminars have been granted CPD approval by SAICE and carry a unique CPD identification number for registered professionals. Appropriate seminars also carry accreditation by the architects’ professional body SAIA.

The CSSA also organises a variety of social events. The concrete boat race, cube competition, action cricket, golf days and year-end functions provide ample time for social interaction and further networking.

Every second year the CSSA hosts the prestigious ‘Fulton Awards’ to honour excellence in concrete construction. The awards have, for over 25 years, recognised southern Africa’s major concrete projects. On a branch level there are also the ‘Concrete Achiever Award’ and ‘Concrete Man of the Year Award’ which are presented to the individual or team of a particular project worthy of recognition.

The Society is affiliated to the American Concrete Institute and the Concrete Society UK from whom CSSA members qualify for special benefits.

More Information from Natasja Pols on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 012 348 5305 or www.concretesociety.co.za

Cement and Concrete Institute (C&CI)

The Cement and Concrete Institute is a marketing organisation that promotes sustainable concrete by providing advice, education and information to all interested in concrete in southern Africa.

 Members fall into three categories: Producers, Associates, and Built Environmental Professionals, and help ensure that C&CI’s activities are focused on areas of potential growth to strengthen concrete’s competitive position in the building materials market.

As the central marketing organisation for the southern African concrete industry, C&CI aims to assist anyone involved in design and construction realise the full potential of concrete.

C&CI’s Information Centre houses the most comprehensive collection of books, journals and technical reports on all aspects of cement and concrete in the southern hemisphere. Access is free through personal visits to the Centre or by electronic means. The Information Centre’s portal on the website is the gateway to the vast volume of available information.

Most of the 45 C&CI publications currently in print can be downloaded from the website free of charge. The 9^th edition of Fulton’s Concrete Technology, the definitive handbook on concrete, is available for sale. A quarterly journal, Concrete Trends (free on request), is published to showcase the many and varied applications of concrete.

C&CI’s School of Concrete Technology (SCT) offers professional courses at different levels of concrete theory and application. The portfolio ranges from basic introductory courses to the internationally recognised Advanced Concrete Technology course. Training is offered in Midrand, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth and can be arranged at suitable venues anywhere in southern Africa. As the SCT has full NQF accreditation, organisations can claim back on their training levies.

The Institute’s members also sponsor involvement at tertiary level for students of civil engineering, architecture, building science and quantity surveying throughout South Africa.

Independent, professional advisory and consulting services are provided for private and public sector clients. Consulting can take the form of advice, verification or investigation and Institute engineers are available for consultation by telephone, at C&CI’s offices or on construction sites anywhere in southern Africa. General technical advice is available through the free advisory service.

C&CI coordinates concrete research activities through its Research Advisory Committee.

The Institute oversees the review of existing concrete related standards and the introduction of new standards where necessary, with a view to ensuring effective implementation of StanSA standards.

More information from Hanlie Turner on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 011 315 0300 or www.cnci.org.za

Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA)

As their motto - Quality cast in Concrete - implies, The Concrete Manufacturers Association is the voice of the quality precast product manufacturers and primary representative of the precast concrete industry. It initiates and also applies standards in close cooperation with StanSA, and in close collaboration with its members, develops new products and services.

It promotes the cost-effective and correct application of precast concrete products, ensuring that they are manufactured and installed to either StanSA or CMA standards. Its promotional activities target architects, engineers, developers, contractors and property owners through its six divisions: Concrete Masonry, Concrete Block Paving, Concrete Roof Tiles, Concrete Retaining Block Walls, Precast Suspended Floor Slabs, and Concrete Pipes and Infrastructural Products.

Although the maintenance of minimum product standards is an important CMA function, its prime focus is on ensuring that its members’ products are applied correctly. A CMA mark serves as a guarantee of quality and the CMA takes responsibility should a problem arise.

Members are encouraged to hold an accredited product certification as per the relevant SANS standard published by StanSA or to manufacture to specifications laid down by the CMA. Should a problem arise the CMA will carry out an investigation, and, if the product does not conform to the required standard, the member company is obliged to rectify the situation.

Research is another important CMA function. Several new products have been introduced to the local market over the past years, many of them aimed at previously disadvantaged communities, and all manufactured to standards offering durability and aesthetic appeal.

The CMA also regularly runs refresher courses and holds seminars to introduce new technology and methodology, often featuring overseas experts.

More information from Hamish Laing on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 011 805 6742 or www.cma.org.za