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REVIEW: South Africa urgently needs to prioritise upholding the rule of law.

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The perilous working conditions in South Africa's construction industry, plagued by the construction mafia, were brought to light when a Stefanutti Stocks executive narrowly escaped an attempted murder. Last week's news about Stefanutti Stocks coastal manager Matthew Horwill's survival of an assassination attempt near his office sparked widespread speculation. Many believe the attack is linked to the construction mafia, a notorious organization that has been very active in KwaZulu-Natal.  The construction mafia often target construction sites, extorting money from contractors, subcontractors, and developers. Although they have been a part of the South African construction landscape for some time, the government has finally taken action to address this long-standing issue through strategic initiatives. The Public Procurement Bill, currently open for public comment, tackles several concerns. It mandates a certain percentage of local participation and requires organizations to
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REVIEW: Hemp can transform low carbon construction

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Hemp, resembling timber in nature, has the potential to become a pivotal solution in addressing climate change. As a biogenic material, hemp is produced through plant growth, which involves absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. This absorbed carbon is then stored in solid form within buildings and cities, ensuring long-term carbon sequestration.

According to Associate Professor Bernardino D'Amico from Edinburgh Napier University's School of Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment, hemp could be a game-changer in the fight against climate change.

Replacing Concrete with Hemp: The Impact

Using cross-laminated timber instead of concrete in floor construction could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 to 80 million tonnes. Hemp, with its rapid growth rate and carbon dioxide absorption abilities, is an effective crop for carbon sequestration.

Hemp Does Not Delay the Inevitable

Biogenic materials like hemp temporarily absorb greenhouse gases but eventually release them. However, hemp-based building materials delay the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases and have lower embodied carbon emissions compared to fossil fuel-based materials.

Challenges in Incorporating Hemp

Despite technological advancements, challenges remain in hemp cultivation and construction. Legislative hurdles may be the main obstacle to a hemp resurgence.

The full article can be read on The Conversation, follow our Whatsapp channel here for more hardhatREVIEWS.

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