3rd Steering Committee meeting in Ekuphumleni, November 9, 2017

With the goal of guaranteeing that the EcoSUN Sustainable Village project will achieve their targets in the time frame given by the German BMBF and DST a Steering Committee (SC) has been established in 2016 to supervise project achievements.

It is chaired by Mr Tshepang Mosiea, of the directorate of research in Human Settlements of the National Department of Science and Technology (DST). Other members are representatives of the National and EC Departments of Human Settlements, CSIR and the National Housing Builders Registration Council, as well as the German project partners represented by GTS and Potsdam University. Nelson Mandela University is represented by Prof. Sijekula Mbanga whose chair does research into education in Human Settlements and is a focal point of RSA research institutions in this important field.

As a result of the 3rd SC meeting held on Nov 9, 2017 in Ekuphumleni, DST announced that CSIR was their Implementing Agent and will be responsible for all organizational issues. CSIR presented the project schedule that covers all project activities under given RSA rules and regulations. As the starting point of construction September 6, 2018 was fixed, and this will last for about 160 days, meaning that the EcoSUN Village will come into existence until April 2019.  A clear definition of the types of the houses of the Sustainable Village will be met after a survey amongst the community. The options under discussion are innovative kinds of buildings on RDP level or multi-storage buildings for rental. Design proposals for both options were worked out by German Architect Barbara Mohren and were extensively discussed, and accepted in full, during the SC meeting. As part of their activities during the construction period German companies and their RSA partners will establish technology components and will educate local people to become able to operate such a system. A cooperation between German companies as well as FIT colleges is envisaged. A curriculum for maintenance of EcoSUN related technologies is under preparation. 

For the Summer School on Conceptualizing Green Villages, to be held at Potsdam University from March 19 to 27, the final program was discussed. It will involve all aspects of a sustainable human settlements including demonstration site visits. An important aspect will be the discussions with German Representatives. As a result a clear description of what Green Village really means will be prepared for further discussion in both countries. On the academic level an MoU will be signed between partners from both Potsdam University and Nelson Mandela University which are also jointly managing the scientific program. The delegation will be headed by Director Tshepang Mosiea.

Published at: January, 18th 2018