We’re excited to share the intriguing site location of a recently completed project, Azra, City Deep.

Nestled behind the bustling Multiflora Market, the project is an integral part of the Natalspruit River Diversion Project.

This strategic placement aims to spark future developments along the vibrant trading corridor, bringing new possibilities to the community.

One key aspect that sets Azra – City Deep apart is the thoughtful use of gabions.

These sturdy structures embody our commitment to ensuring that the local community reaps the benefits of this project’s development.

By leveraging gabions, we are not just building infrastructure but also nurturing a sustainable environment that prioritises both functionality and community well-being. The client’s vision prioritises the socio-economic upliftment of the area, ensuring that the project positively impacts the lives of those residing in close proximity.

After the recent heavy rainfall we experienced, the results have been both evident and promising. At present, the river is flowing freely, albeit with a controlled release as the diversion has not yet been fully opened.

To foster growth and rejuvenate the surrounding environment, we have kept the flow minimal, allowing seedlings and existing grass to sprout and line the embankments of the channel.

It is noteworthy that despite the varying levels of precipitation, our purpose-built weirs and culvert section have efficiently served their purpose.

They continue to regulate the flow, ensuring that hydraulic processes filter through as intended. This strategic management of water flow not only aids in environmental preservation but also facilitates sustainable development within our community.

During the course of the project, a substantial number of gabions were employed. Specifically, a total of 921 gabions were utilised, varying from 1.5 x 1 x 1 to 6 x 2 x 0.3. This statistic alone demonstrates the scale and complexity of the project.

However, the sheer volume of materials put to use in this project extends far beyond just the gabions.

An impressive amount of rock was also incorporated into the project’s construction. To be precise, an astonishing 3234 tons of rock were utilised. The use of such a significant quantity of rock material highlights the project’s robustness and durability.

These figures, both for the gabions and the rock quantities used, are a testament to the project’s size, rigour, and the high level of detail that went into its planning and execution. It underscores the commitment to achieving the desired project outcome, while also ensuring structural stability and long-term durability.

As we witness these positive outcomes following the rain, let us all remain vigilant and committed to the continual maintenance and preservation of our natural resources. Together, we can ensure the long-term health and vitality of Azra – City Deep and its surrounding ecosystem.

In the construction industry, a project’s success hinges on a multitude of factors. One such project exhibited a majority of its complications centred on the existing terrain. The site posed significant challenges, as the prevalent material was primarily composed of mine sludge and slime, making the conditions exceptionally demanding.

The first hurdle was the difficult founding conditions for culverts and gabions due to the slime material’s scanty shear strength. This situation was further complicated by the extremely saturated soil, which necessitated double handling of material.

The wet material had to be excavated and left to dry before being moved, increasing the project’s complexity and duration.

Excavation was another significant bottleneck, as the equipment would occasionally sink into the saturated soil when slime material was abundant.

The situation escalated during heavy rains, causing temporary river bursts on several occasions. Consequently, it necessitated continuous water pumping from the new excavations to cut the final channel, an operation that was both time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Finally, the stone packing became an arduous task, as trucks could not access the work areas due to the harsh terrain.

The stones had to be dropped off at the site entrance and manually transported up to 1 km to the work areas.

This process was not only labour-intensive but also led to significant delays in the project.

Therefore, a keen understanding of the terrain and its challenges is crucial to ensuring successful project implementation.

At the outset, it’s important to acknowledge that an experienced trainer was deployed on this site. This trainer was pivotal during the initial stages of our collaboration.

However, it is crucial to note that we only utilised this trainer’s expertise for a duration of one week.

During this time, the trainer played a vital role in educating the team on strategically building baskets and emphasising the necessity of neatly packing the exposed faces. This not only enhanced the overall project efficiency but also ensured an aesthetically pleasing outcome.

Moreover, an invaluable aspect of this training process involved the empowerment of community members.

They have been equipped with a life-long skill, one that they can leverage in different contexts in the future.

This skill acquisition, we believe, will serve as a stepping stone towards their self-sufficiency and growth.