That sounds like the stupidest idea I have ever heard, they're going to make all building construction state controlled? Isn't SA supposed to be the "shining light" on that continent? Aren't they supposed to host the world cup in 2010?
SA has had a policy of saving money by tossing out "non-essential" professional services for the past decade.
"Non essential" in the eyes of the "experts" (read corrupt buddies of the politicians) in government. One of the first jobs to go, in the quest to save money, were all maintenance jobs at government controlled companies. Power plant maintenance and grid infrastructure maintenance services were the first, now the country has rolling blackouts b/c all the power plants are falling apart and when they do actually get a plant to run, the grid collapses b/c either the copper has been stolen or they didn't bother to maintain the lines which subsequently collapsed.
I reckon now, the "experts" feel that they can build a better building than an architect and so they've gone and tossed out that profession.
Sigh.....and people wonder why South African expats are so disgruntled.
Obviously they feel that they're doing such a fine job with the telecoms and electricity (amongst other things), that they may as well control architecture too. Powerhungry bastards.
I feel sick.
"SAIA has submitted a response on Friday 28 March 2008 (which was the original deadline) only to be told on Friday afternoon that the deadline has been extended. If you want to view and comment on our submission please contact Bryan Wallis at the SAIA office; we can add a follow up to our submission before the new deadline if we consider it necessary."
Some of my architectural friends thought it was an April fools joke (I sent it to them April 1st ZA time) although the president of the SAIA responded above.
ok, seriously, is this a joke?
I haven't read about it in the papers and people in the industry don't seem to have heard about it.
what the hell is going on?
Over there? I live in South Africa.
Zimbabwe has only been major news the last couple days.
The news has been focussing on things like Zuma and Eskom, but you'd think something like this would make the news too.
sounds a bit communist in their actions, the creation of a single state run board to handle all issues relating to the built environment verus the individuals/professionals involved.
chopsky,
it's good to hear from a fellow SAfrican.
SA is "over there" to me, b/c I did the 'chicken run' to Canada.
I figured Zuma would be in the news alot, that ol' commie scum bag.
How's the situation over there for professionals?
architechnophilia,
The present SA administration has its roots in Commie/Marxist nonsense, although so far they've been fairly moderate to left of centre. I think they realised that being part of an elite in a properous country is better than being part of the elite of a flat broke worker's paradise.
I will not make friends here, but I kinf of agree with this decision.
The role of Architecture Institutes, or similar organisations to control the professions has been to complexify more and more the access to the profession, and less to help architects once the were accredited.
I feel that these organizations could vanish and dissapear if they continue to have the door almost closed to new talent and don't change their practice soon.
It's not only in Canada and the US that there's a architect shortage all due to ever complexifying access rules.
It could just be good for the profession to live a kind of democratization of the practice and have new talented individuals to try their luck too.
Well etienne, thanks for spoiling what was actually a serious thread.
Damn socialists...they ruin everything.
If you were actually being serious (which I hope you weren't), I'll respond briefly:
Someone needs to ensure that architecture standards are upheld and that the term 'Architect' is not abused to no end. For this reason, a private, market-based, government-free institute is formed. An institute whose beneficiaries are both the consumer and supplier. This provides consumers with proper assurance, that by hiring an Architect who is a member of the institute, he/she meets acceptable standards.
Agreed, pretty much all professionals who deal with health and safety have to deal with some kind of licensing agency and there's nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is totalitarian hegemony that derives from state-run organizations.
I agree with you chopsky to a point - I think architects are the ones abusing the title of architect - in America at least, I feel general contractors should have the right to sit for licensing examinations for a graduated scale of project size and building classification. Same with architects - how can a wet behind the ears architect with a big commision say for a 20 story building tell Turner Construction whats best? They cant.
no more architecture in SA
if this story is accurate it seems that architects will be loosing even more control over our own profession in the near future
Huh?
"TIA"
"This is Africa"
Maybe one day somebody over there will realise that professionals are needed to make a country run.
Sounds like phase one of a Khmer Rouge-type regime.
What the?
Well, why haven't the freaking architects responded at all? I guess it's on someone's "task list" somewhere.
Wow, thank goodness I've applied to study in the US rather.
This is very sad :(
That sounds like the stupidest idea I have ever heard, they're going to make all building construction state controlled? Isn't SA supposed to be the "shining light" on that continent? Aren't they supposed to host the world cup in 2010?
yah some people in my program just came back from SA... apparently the disparity is still quite obvious
SA has had a policy of saving money by tossing out "non-essential" professional services for the past decade.
"Non essential" in the eyes of the "experts" (read corrupt buddies of the politicians) in government. One of the first jobs to go, in the quest to save money, were all maintenance jobs at government controlled companies. Power plant maintenance and grid infrastructure maintenance services were the first, now the country has rolling blackouts b/c all the power plants are falling apart and when they do actually get a plant to run, the grid collapses b/c either the copper has been stolen or they didn't bother to maintain the lines which subsequently collapsed.
I reckon now, the "experts" feel that they can build a better building than an architect and so they've gone and tossed out that profession.
Sigh.....and people wonder why South African expats are so disgruntled.
Obviously they feel that they're doing such a fine job with the telecoms and electricity (amongst other things), that they may as well control architecture too. Powerhungry bastards.
I feel sick.
who are the notable firms working in SA these days who would be affected by this?
Here is the scoop -
"SAIA has submitted a response on Friday 28 March 2008 (which was the original deadline) only to be told on Friday afternoon that the deadline has been extended. If you want to view and comment on our submission please contact Bryan Wallis at the SAIA office; we can add a follow up to our submission before the new deadline if we consider it necessary."
Some of my architectural friends thought it was an April fools joke (I sent it to them April 1st ZA time) although the president of the SAIA responded above.
C.
is this an April Fools Day Joke?
ok, seriously, is this a joke?
I haven't read about it in the papers and people in the industry don't seem to have heard about it.
what the hell is going on?
i found it about 3 days ago... dont think its a joke
I should have put context to the quotes. That was directly from the President of the SAIA.
Why'm I not seeing this anywhere in national news? It's quite a big deal.
I'm hoping it doesnt work out.
It's not top news over there, the South African media is concentrating on the trouble in Zimbabwe, and on the corruption within the SA government.
Over there? I live in South Africa.
Zimbabwe has only been major news the last couple days.
The news has been focussing on things like Zuma and Eskom, but you'd think something like this would make the news too.
sounds a bit communist in their actions, the creation of a single state run board to handle all issues relating to the built environment verus the individuals/professionals involved.
is the response
chopsky,
it's good to hear from a fellow SAfrican.
SA is "over there" to me, b/c I did the 'chicken run' to Canada.
I figured Zuma would be in the news alot, that ol' commie scum bag.
How's the situation over there for professionals?
architechnophilia,
The present SA administration has its roots in Commie/Marxist nonsense, although so far they've been fairly moderate to left of centre. I think they realised that being part of an elite in a properous country is better than being part of the elite of a flat broke worker's paradise.
I will not make friends here, but I kinf of agree with this decision.
The role of Architecture Institutes, or similar organisations to control the professions has been to complexify more and more the access to the profession, and less to help architects once the were accredited.
I feel that these organizations could vanish and dissapear if they continue to have the door almost closed to new talent and don't change their practice soon.
It's not only in Canada and the US that there's a architect shortage all due to ever complexifying access rules.
It could just be good for the profession to live a kind of democratization of the practice and have new talented individuals to try their luck too.
Well etienne, thanks for spoiling what was actually a serious thread.
Damn socialists...they ruin everything.
If you were actually being serious (which I hope you weren't), I'll respond briefly:
Someone needs to ensure that architecture standards are upheld and that the term 'Architect' is not abused to no end. For this reason, a private, market-based, government-free institute is formed. An institute whose beneficiaries are both the consumer and supplier. This provides consumers with proper assurance, that by hiring an Architect who is a member of the institute, he/she meets acceptable standards.
Agreed, pretty much all professionals who deal with health and safety have to deal with some kind of licensing agency and there's nothing wrong with that. What's wrong is totalitarian hegemony that derives from state-run organizations.
I agree with you chopsky to a point - I think architects are the ones abusing the title of architect - in America at least, I feel general contractors should have the right to sit for licensing examinations for a graduated scale of project size and building classification. Same with architects - how can a wet behind the ears architect with a big commision say for a 20 story building tell Turner Construction whats best? They cant.
evil, then it comes down to Turner Construction checking the Architects credentials and past work experience.
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