1. A possible solution
South Africa’s
Housing Shortage

2.  South Africa has a growing population.
 Like the UK, in the EU, SA, in Africa, is a desired
immigration destination.
 In spite of the fear of xenophobia,
thousands cross the border each
month, to make a home in SA.
 Over the period 2002 – 2014, a
continued growth in the population is
indicated by SA Statistics.
 Millions live in shacks.
The Problem

3. WHAT YOU CALL A SHACK, WE CALL HOME

4.  Many people do not have the choice of
where they should, or could live.
 The growth in population leads to an
inflating housing shortage.
 The problem does not need to be blown
up! (Pun – see later!)
 Inflating the number of units built,
could lead to a lessening of the
problem.
Millions live in informal housing.

5. Many say, “Shacks are our homes!”

6. .
Period Male Female Growth
Total
2002–2003 1,35 1,19 1,27
2003–2004 1,38 1,21 1,29
2004–2005 1,41 1,24 1,32
2005–2006 1,44 1,26 1,35
2006–2007 1,48 1,28 1,38
2007–2008 1,51 1,31 1,40
2008–2009 1,54 1,33 1,43
2009–2010 1,57 1,35 1,46
2010–2011 1,61 1,38 1,49
2011–2012 1,64 1,40 1,52
2012–2013 1,67 1,43 1,55
2013-2014 1,71 1,45 1,58
Estimated annual population growth
rates: 2002-2014 SA Statistics

7.  Whilst South
Africa has
abundant land,
housing is not
conveniently
located.
 Thus, the
ubiquitous Taxi
situation has
arisen.
Shack Accommodation

8.  We have a R30bn taxi industry with
approximately 25 million customers a day
(News 24 (30 April 2012)).
 Not only do 18 000 people die in South
Africa from road accidents but;
 a staggering 180 000 are severely injured
annually (Medical Research Council).
 The World Health Organisation estimates
road crashes to be the main cause of
death in youth between the ages of 5-29.
Taxi Carnage

9. Taxi Carnage
Source: News 24

10.  Approximately half the vehicles on our
roads are deemed to be un-roadworthy!
(The Retail Motor Industry Organisation).
 All public transport vehicles (including
taxis) should be tested annually for
road worthiness.
 All public transport drivers (including
taxi drivers) should be required to
undergo a rigid drivers licence
competency testing annually.
 Driving laws should be rigidly enforced.
Taxi Carnage

11. We accept bribes!

12.  Total 54 019 952
 Male 26 366 008
 Female 27 635 944
 African 80.3% (43 378 802)
 Coloured 8.7% ( 4 699 735)
 Asian 2.6% ( 1 404 518)
 White 8.4% ( 4 537 675)
 About 30% of the SA population is under the age of 14.
(16.2 Million)
 8,4% are 60 years and older. (4.5 Million)
 Population Growth since 1996 13 436 000
 33.1% more people in SA
Total Population from Census
2014

14.  Joblessness in South Africa has
reached its highest level since 2008.
 25.5% jobless in the second quarter of
2014.
 The unemployment rate rose by 0.3% in
the second quarter of 2014.
 From a rate of 25.2% in the first quarter
of the year, Statistics South Africa
reported.
Unemployment

15. Period 2003 – 2014
Population Growth and Unemployment
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
2002 2005 2008 2011 2014
Male
Female
Average
Unemployed %
Linear (Unemployed
%)
Unemployed %
Until Zuma
Population increase %

16.  A 1994 housing white paper estimated that
the urban housing backlog stood at about
1.5 million houses.
 This figure was growing at a rate of
178,000 units a year (in 1994).
 By 2011, the census showed that the
number of “shacks and informal
dwellings” had increased to about 1.9-
million informal dwellings.
 However, the total housing shortfall must
have grown to approximately 4.526 million
units.
Statistics

17. Date Est. Housing shortfall Estimated annual extra Total Shortfall
1995 1500000 178000 1678000
1996 1678000 178000 1856000
1997 1856000 178000 2034000
1998 2034000 178000 2212000
1999 2212000 178000 2390000
2000 2390000 178000 2568000
2001 2568000 178000 2746000
2002 2746000 178000 2924000
2003 2924000 178000 3102000
2004 3102000 178000 3280000
2005 3280000 178000 3458000
2006 3458000 178000 3636000
2007 3636000 178000 3814000
2008 3814000 178000 3992000
2009 3992000 178000 4170000
2010 4170000 178000 4348000
2011 4348000 178000 4526000
Depressing
Statistics

18.  How do we house the homeless?
 How do we minimise the backlog?
 It isn’t easy to build 178 000 homes a year.
 That means 685 houses per working day!
 Impossible you say!
 Yes! Using traditional methods it is impossible.
 And not everybody can afford even a RDP home.
 Just building to keep pace with the
shortfall, doesn’t solve the problem!
Homes for the masses.

20. HOW ?
Monolithic Dome
Homes

21.  Not all RDP homes are cheap!
 Some are well constructed and safe.
 They vary in sizes, with a variety of
interior layouts.
 There are starter houses, which allow later
improvements.
 Usually, starter homes have no plumbing or electricity laid on.
 Some have the standard plumbing and
electrical fittings.
 Some have illegal electrical connections.
Reconstruction and Development
Program Homes (RDP)

22. New homes ARE being built.
Source: www.timeslive.co.za
Builder gets R73 333 per house on this contract in Soweto.

23.  There are a range of homes that can be
built.
 New methods must be investigated to
ease the backlog.
 The previous table showed a growing
shortfall of housing.
 In 2011, SA statistics said that there
were nearly 2.0 million shacks.
 It is impossible to re-locate the masses.
Shack housing must be replaced.
Homes

24. Source: www.Google.com/ search/hdp houses

25. Quality
 Many of them are shoddily built.
 Bad building practices are used.
 Poor mortar mixes.
 Sub-standard blocks or bricks.
 Reports in the media show that houses
that are poorly constructed, cost the
economy an enormous amount.
 Better construction, could lead to more
starter houses being built.

26. No ceilings, plaster, or
insulation, and it leaks!
But this home was offered
in Soweto recently at
R165 000.00!
Why?
Because housing is in short
supply! Source: http://homes.mitula.co.za/

27. A Typical RDP House
Source: www.wordpress.co.za

28.  The Portfolio Committee on Human
Settlements said that to restore just one RDP
house could cost up to R300 000.
 This is three times the cost of building one home
from scratch.
 The presentation revealed that in the Northern
Cape, Almost R7 million (R6 929 000) was
spent on the restoration of just 32 houses.
 This amounts to R216 532 per house.
 In the Free State, the Department spent almost
R80 million on the restoration of just 264
houses in that province.
 This amounts to about R302 250 per house.
 Plus the estimated original R100 000 cost!
Media reports in May 2015

29. Dangerous construction
Source: www.thenewage.co.za

30.  One problem is corruption.
 Contractors who build or repair homes often
face demands of back-handers to officials!
 Were NHBRC Inspectors competent to
check quality?
 Were quality checks ever carried out?
 Many contracts have been given to
incompetent builders.
 Repairs can entail the virtual re-build of the
structure.
 Sometimes, a better quality contractor is used
for repairs, than the original builder.
Why are costs so high?

31.  Approximately 2 million shacks in 2011.
 The shacks are innovative in that they
are built from all sorts of materials.
 None of them comply with any building
codes.
 They are fire hazards and are not safe.
 They are often built on land not allotted
to housing.
 No water, no sewage, no roads, no electricity.
Shacks

32. Shacks are unsound and burn.
Source: https://www.sabc.co.za

33.  Mostly, small starter homes are required.
 Traditional brick and mortar, or block and
mortar homes, are labour intensive.
 Admittedly, with a job shortage, more
builders could be accommodated.
 However, only certain numbers of brick courses
can be raised on a structure in one day.
 The mortar between the bricks or blocks must be allowed
to stiffen and harden.
 This slows down the construction process.
Requirement

34.  Good foundations are
required.
 Limited number of
courses can be laid per
day.
 Correct mortar mix
designs needed.
 No re-tempering of
mortar should be
allowed.
This is the addition of more
water to mixed mortar.
This is totally common bad
practice.
Building with brick and mortar
Source: http://www.mimages.co.za/
Source: Picture: Gcina Ndwalane

35.  Using monolithic
systems, some of the
backlog can be
overcome.
 In Haiti, a complete
large Ecoshell is
ready for occupation
in 10 days.
 Smaller domes can be
built in 5 days.
 This includes
foundation, walls and
roof.
 Interior left open for individual
occupier to complete layout
 Dry walling will complete the
structure.
The New Paradigm
Source: Monolithic.com
Ecoshell I

36.  What are monolithic systems?
 Monolithic dome houses are structures where
walls and roof are a single unit.
 A floor slab, with an integrated ring beam, is
constructed first.
 An inflatable air-form is then fixed to the floor.
 The air-form is inflated into a balloon-like mould.
 Sprayed, or hand packed, fibre reinforced
concrete, forms the exterior walls and roof.
 The airform is deflated and removed, after shell
hardens, leaving a strong thin-walled concrete
home.
Monolithic Domes

37.  Dome housing erected
after devastation of village
due to earthquake.
 72 dome homes built, with
washrooms, septic tanks
and water supplies, roads,
and optional electricity,
etc.
 Built by “Domes for the
World” in the USA.
 Financed by donors.
 Team from US went to
teach locals to build.
 Construction is
continuing though locals.
Photos Source: HildebrandInc.com
New Ngelepen Indonesia

38.  Unfortunately, corruption does exist in
SA.
 Corruption does make a portion of the
community wealthy.
 However, it robs desperately needed
funds from the people that urgently
need dwellings.
 This building program needs to supply
dwellings at the lowest possible cost.
Getting back to corruption!

39.  The next couple of slides showed what
happened in Haiti.
 The desperate need of the homeless
should be foremost in every person’s
mind, be they:
 Officialdom,
 Suppliers of material,
 Contractors,
 Or the Students at the training schools.
 PLEASE DON’T SEEK A BRIBE!
Corruption isn’t only in SA

40. World Bank
A few years ago, seven executives from
World Bank told David South that they
would fund Monolithic Domes to the tune of
six billion dollars to rebuild Haiti.
Their plan included roads, sewers, water,
generators, a new parliament building, a
new palace, 150,000 houses, various
commercial buildings, fire stations and
police stations.
That plan also called for training Haitians to
do the construction, thereby providing them
with an employable skill, as well as a daily
nourishing meal.
Four months later, two World Bank
attorneys came calling; they told David that
World Bank would not do the rebuilding
because Haiti was just too corrupt.
Source: http://theconservativetreehousecom

41. An European funder
Almost three years later, another
company called on behalf of an European
funder who wished to rebuild Haiti.
They wanted Monolithic Domes to build a
university, an airplane manufacturing and
repair facility, fifty other commercial
buildings, housing for the people they
employed, and 250,000 houses for the
citizens.
But after three months of talk, talk, talk,
Monolithic were told that the project was
cancelled because the country was just
too corrupt.
It’s really sad that something can’t be
done to help Haiti’s entire population.
Haiti still has 400,000 people living in
tents.
Is SA any Better?
Source: Swiped from Zapiro – Sorry!
Does it have to be?

42. Domes can do it!
Bakery Petro-coke Plant
Basketball Arena
Theatres
Monolithic Factory in Texas
Not only does Monolithic provide Ecoshells, they can
provide hospitals, factories, schools, police stations,
entertainment facilities, and commercial buildings.

43. Domes built to re-house people.
Quote from Deseret News –
A crew from Southern Utah
University built a dome house in
Guaymas, Mexico, after homes
were destroyed.
"To take an untrained crew and build
a nearly indestructible house in
three days — you just can't get that
with traditional cinder block," they
said.
"If you go into a disaster area, or
poor area, and you build typical
housing, you lose them all when the
next disaster comes along. Domes
are permanent housing."
Source: Monolithic.com

44.  So what makes domes special?
 They are quick and easy to build.
 They are fireproof, tornado proof, waterproof,
termite and vermin proof.
 They are less expensive than traditional
structures.
 They can be individualised, to suit the
occupiers.
 They are PERMANENT!
 As long as you don’t use steel reinforcement!
Dome Houses

45. Clustered fireproof rental homes Replaced homes after earthquake
Dome Villages
After a disaster, communities don’t want to move to a new area and begin
afresh.
Dome houses can be built in the same area, keeping communities together.
Roads can be provided during reconstruction.
Public transport systems are imperative!

46.  They use a special Ecoshell Airform mould.
 Available from Monolithic Domes, Italy, Texas, USA.
 They could be made in South Africa.
 The inflatable mould can be re-used for up to 100
structures.
 They are built from thin skinned concrete.
 The houses use special rustproof reinforcement, so
corrosion is not a problem.
 Conventional steel reinforcement cannot be used in thin-
skinned structures, as can be seen in New Ngepelen.
 The domes can be either hand-packed, or
sprayed, so high technology, and expensive
tooling is not required.
How Are Dome Houses Built?

47. Warning – Don’t use steel rebar
Built before lava rock reinforcement became available.
Cracks due to rusting steel reinforcement. Only use basalt rope.

48.  We have to keep prices affordable
 We have to provide the houses that
won’t be built, if back-handers are
demanded.
 We have to find ways of funding these
houses.
 We have to use the unemployed and
teach them a skill.
 We HAVE to make homes safe!
Costs

49. Trees and gardens around homes Even Russia has dome structures
Individual Domes
Giving Dome Ecoshell I homes individual identities is
possible with colour, added porches, or awnings, or just
creating a garden around the structure. The homes won’t
disappear. They are permanent!

50.  Get support from all political groups to
help in getting systems accepted.
 Get Agrement Board approval (CSIR).
 Get NHBRC approval.
 Get Banks to ‘buy in’ with bond
availability.
 Find qualified contractors who will stick
to the rules. (Actually, training schools).
 Find ground to be allocated for homes.
What needs to be done?

51.  The concept is simple.
 Untrained and unemployed can be
taught a new skill that will help them!
 Using local labour, and MENTORS, with
the necessary equipment, homes can
be built, quickly.
 Funding from IDC or Lotto could set up
newly trained constructors to multiply
the effort.
 Homes MUST be built.
Why Training Schools?

52.  The concept has different ideals!
 Provide desperately needed homes for the
homeless!
 Upgrade shacks to strong fireproof
dwellings!
 Remove squalor and disease from shanty
towns.
 Increase employment by developing young
MENTORS!
 Find fund-raisers to assist in financing the
Mentor development!
In Addition

53.  Proper townships need to be developed.
 Build as many homes as possible.
 Use home building as a teaching medium
for the unemployed.
 Local labour can be recruited from the
neighbourhood and taught skills by contractors!
 Gradually replace shacks with permanent
structures.
 Installation of services such as sewage, water
supply, roads, and electricity installed
concurrently.
Dome Home Concept

54.  The project needs to be managed by
persons who will see that donor funds
are only used for construction and
purchase of materials.
 No tenders, negotiations, or other areas
where questionable practices can arise,
should be used.
 The projects should be under the
watchful eye of leaders, of the
community.
Financial

55.  Leaders in the community need to see
the value of a shack reduction project.
 Donors need to be found to support the
re-housing project.
 Young people in their late teens or early
twenties will need to be recruited to
learn how to erect the domes.
 They will learn skills that will make them
employable in the future.
 No salary, whilst they are training, but a meal could
be provided. Keep construction costs down to a
minimum, so that more homes can be built.
What needs to be done?

56.  Students (labour) will have to abide by the
school rules!
 They must accept that they are being taught a
skill, for no pay!
 The contractor could provide a midday meal.
 Funding to be provided for, in the cost of construction!
 Government must pass legislation that
unruly students may be expelled from the
training site, and replaced immediately by
willing learners.
 No union involvement can be tolerated.
Training Schools

57.  Students will need to be enrolled.
 Health and safety checks need to be
considered.
 Funding for homes will have to be
sourced.
 No kick-backs can be accommodated. We
need homes for the poor!
 Funding for safety and PPE must be
arranged.
 Planned construction layout, with
services will need to be prepared.
Training School

58.  Since labour will be recruited from local
residents, no camp accommodation is
required.
 However, ablution and rest areas need to be
arranged.
 If meals are provided on site, local cooks can
be vetted and provided with part time
contracts to provide cooked meals.
 Canteen (cookhouse) facilities will be
required, if meals provided.
 Supplies could be sought from donors!
Training School

59.  An organising structure of management
people will be required to set up the
businesses/schools.
 People that have the organisational skills, are
needed to supervise the necessary tasks.
 Mentors should be taught to construct, and
teach the young people how to construct the
domes.
 Technical people – such as ex-miners who are
skilled in shotcrete, or plasterers, could be the
mentors.
 People who have built swimming pools also have
the necessary skills.
What needs to be done?

60.  Obtain an Ecoshell I Airform from
Monolithic, so that a sample home may be
constructed for approval.
 Alternately, produce an airform locally.
 Perhaps a 2nd hand, used Airform is available.
 Source funding so that an initial
contractor can build the structure.
 Order sufficient StoneRod reinforcement,
for the initial trials.
 Imported by Basalt Technology (Pty) Ltd Jet
Park, Boksburg, Gauteng, SA.
 sales@stonerod.co.za
What needs to be done?

61. What needs to be done?
 Get training for the initial contractor.
Construction is simple, but rules have to be
followed.
Certain specialised equipment needs to be
sourced.
 Fans to inflate Airform.
 Tie-down hooks for rope reinforcement.
 If sprayed method is used, a suitable spray gun
(Putzmeister) and a mono pump will be required.
 A suitable concrete mixer and air compressor.
 Normal batching and placing tools.
 A utilities source – power, water, ablutions.

62.  Involve Monolithic Domes in Italy,
Texas, USA for village design
assistance.
 www.monolithic.org (David South)
 Involve Hildebrand Dome Houses in L.A
in USA for practical assistance in new
dome village development.
 www.hildebrandinc.com (Dan Hildebrand).
 Consult Hans Brink & Associates in
Pretoria for thin skinned road design.
 jhbrink@ffg.net (Hans Brink)
What needs to be done?

63. Information sources

64. Inflating the airtight dome,
which is temporarily fixed to the
ring beam, using suitable fans.
After a first layer of mortar is applied,
basalt rope reinforcement is applied,
before finishing with another layer of
mortar.
Construction
Obviously, a reinforced foundation, with a ring beam, will be
constructed to support the dome. The ring beam and floor
have rebar reinforcement, made from basalt fibre, a non-
rusting, but strong, easily used material. Do not use steel!

65.  Basalt fibre
rope and rebar
are non-rusting.
 The materials
are lava rock so
they wont burn.
 Thin skins
reduce the cost
of concrete.
 Reinforced
concrete needs
reinforcement.
 However, these
are thin skinned
structures.
 There is
insufficient cover
to protect the
steel from water
and oxidisation.
Why not steel?
A 6m diameter Ecoshell 1 should use less than 7 cubic
metres of concrete, including the ring base floor

66. Airform inflation Airform fan
Airform and Fan

67.  Proper township layouts will have to be
proclaimed, with deeds available for lots.
 Services must be provided to each
dwelling.
 Depending on type, house can be an
empty shell, or a home with shower and
toilet.
 The other interior structure can be
achieved using dry walling.
 Owner can choose an empty shell, or one
with ablutions, but costs will need to be
recovered, through bank funding.
Houses and land

68. Dome interior (Owner decorated)

69.  Homes for the homeless.
 Prices set at an acceptable level to ensure
funds are available to continue building.
 Homes will not be free! The owner must buy!
 Subsidised by donor funds or bank loans.
 Young people trained to be productive
members of society.
 Various trades can be taught such as:
 Plumbing
 Building
 Reinforcement installation.
So! What do we get?

70.  A small importer and technical source
of basalt usage in South Africa.
 Gordon Forrester, Technical Director of
Basalt Technology is the author of this
presentation.
 He has imported samples of the basalt rope
and rebar, which cannot be made locally.
 He is skilled in concrete technology, and
conducts training courses in the
construction industry.
 It is his vision to see homes erected.
 Contact: gordon@stonerod.co.za
Basalt Technology (Pty) Ltd

71.  You can look under Ecoshell I on the
internet, and watch the video from
www.monolithic.com.
 Or contact me for a PowerPoint
presentation on construction methods.
 This presentation was achieved through assistance
given by David South of Monolithic Domes in Italy,
Texas USA, and Dan Hildebrand , of Hildebrand
Dome Houses, in Los Angeles, USA.
 Thank you, David and Dan!
Building Method

72.  Contact:
 Gordon Forrester
 Cell +27 82 905 2818
 Email: gordon@stonerod.co.za
 Yes, I confess, I want to sell the reinforcement. But
that is all.
 I wont get rich! The reinforcement is a tiny part of the project costs.
 Everything else can, and must be under other
people’s control.
Interested?

73.  Gordon Forrester
 Technical Director
 Basalt Technology (Pty) Ltd.
 Graniet Street
 Jet Park
 Boksburg
 Gauteng.
 gordon@stonerod.co.za
 +27 11 578 8600 (Landline)
 +27 82 905 2818 (Mobile)
Produced by: