Nelson Mandela University Construction Management

26/05/2026

Philippines ends rescue efforts as hope fades for victims of building collapse:

The focus on May 26 shifted to recovering the remains of the victims. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

25/05/2026

Prof John Smallwood, Emeritus Professor of Construction Management, Department of Construction Management, Nelson Mandela University, delivered four presentations at the CIB W099 and W123 and ICONS 2026 International Conference ‘Empowering People, Protecting the Planet, Unlocking Possibilities’, Hanoi, Vietnam, 21 May 2026. Major thanks are due to my co-authors, and to the hosts, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE), for hosting our 2026 conference.

25/05/2026

https://dailyinvestor.com/south-africa/135027/one-state-owned-enterprise-that-didnt-need-a-bailout-is-making-a-comeback/

Airports Company South Africa has returned to pre-COVID levels of profit, but operational headwinds continue to affect the company.

24/05/2026

The Troll A platform, located in the North Sea off the coast of Norway, is widely regarded as one of the largest and most complex engineering projects in history.Key details about its massive scale include:Height: It has an overall height of 472 metres (approximately 1,549 feet), making it taller than many skyscrapers and the tallest structure ever moved by humans.Weight: Its dry weight is about 683,600 tonnes, but this increases to approximately 1.2 million tonnes when ballasted with water and equipment.Structure: The platform stands on four concrete legs that extend 303 metres below the sea surface to the seafloor.Construction: It was built using 245,000 cubic metres of reinforced concrete and 100,000 tonnes of steel.Because of its sheer size, you can find more information about its record-breaking status on the Guinness World Records website, where it has been recognized as the largest offshore gas platform.

24/05/2026

This aerial perspective captures the dramatic 1976 fire that consumed the acrylic panels of Buckminster Fuller’s Montreal Biosphere. Seen from above, the flames engulf the dome, yet its steel geodesic framework remains resilient, demonstrating the strength of Fuller’s innovative design. The fire transformed the Biosphere, stripping it to its skeletal geometry and enhancing its visual transparency. Today, the structure endures as an environmental museum, preserving Fuller’s legacy as a pioneer of sustainable and efficient architecture.

24/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18rngMca2j/

Henry Swartz, a 54-year-old father of nine from Gqeberha, tragically lost his life after he and a colleague were found inside a milk cooling tank at a Humansdorp dairy farm while carrying out technical work.
Read on https://tinyurl.com/yc55vam4

20/05/2026

Prof John Smallwood, Emeritus Professor of Construction Management, Department of Construction Management, Nelson Mandela University, delivered the keynote address ‘Health and Safety in Higher Learning: A Holistic Perspective’ to the ‘Rhodes University Health & Safety Symposium Risk, Research, and Resilience: Addressing the Unique Challenges of Health and Safety in Higher Learning’, Grahamstown, 08 May 2026. Selected slides from the presentation have been included.

19/05/2026

Richard and Ryan Hutton are two of our BSc (Construction Studies) graduates.

19/05/2026

The Atacama Desert is home to some of the highest solar radiation levels on the planet, making it a prime location for large-scale energy projects. Utilizing these natural conditions allows for the generation of power at incredibly competitive rates, setting new benchmarks for the global industry.

This latest activation represents a significant step forward in the transition toward a more sustainable and cost-effective electrical grid. By leveraging advanced photovoltaic technology, the region is able to support both industrial and residential needs while maintaining a low carbon footprint.

The success of these massive installations proves that renewable energy can be a viable and affordable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. This development not only lowers utility costs but also strengthens national energy security through diversified resources.

Engineering such a large facility in one of the world's driest environments requires specialized equipment and innovative maintenance solutions. These systems are built to withstand harsh conditions while providing a consistent flow of clean energy to millions of people.

As global demand for green technology grows, projects like this serve as a powerful example of what is possible with strategic planning and investment. The move toward cheaper, cleaner power is a cornerstone of modern ecological and economic progress.

19/05/2026

https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/05/19/joburg-cbd-demolition-marble-towers-owes-city-r14m-electricity-bill-morero

Monday morning's crackdown started at Marble Towers, one of the tallest buildings in the city, where there are several bylaw violations.

19/05/2026

Richard and Ryan Hutton are graduates of our BSc (Construction Studies) programme.