Behind every great Rewardsco building are the female masterminds who helped create these world-class facilities.
This Women’s Month, Rewardsco is turning the spotlight on Architect and Sustainable Design Consultant, Makhosazana Mthethwa and Structural Engineer, Terresha Moodley – two talented young women responsible for the construction of Rewardsco’s third and final building, Block A, in Umhlanga, KZN.
Makhosazana, 36, is no stranger to the Rewardsco family, having worked on the creation of the second building (Block B) as a Green Building Consultant.
It’s thanks to her innovation and foresight that Block B achieved a 5 Star Design and “As-Built” certification from the GBCSA, an accreditation that is internationally recognised and serves as a trusted mark of quality for the design, construction and operation of buildings.
For Makhosazana, Block A is yet another feather in her cap and an experience she labels a “very prestigious project”.
“This is the finishing piece of the 2 Ncondo Place Precinct. It joins three other green-rated buildings making this sector truly sustainable thanks to quality architectural design and world-class facilities operational management. It’s a great achievement for me to be a key part of the professional team working on this project,” Makhosazana said.
Thanks to Makhosazana’s input, Block A is well on its way to earning its own 100% rating within the Green Star Water category, much like its predecessor Block B.
“A big highlight of the project has been the integrated stormwater system. The precinct stormwater is stored in the attenuation ponds, one of which is linked to each of the 5 office buildings’ plumbing systems. This stormwater is used to flush toilets and urinals, serves as landscaping irrigation and acts as a cooling system for the building. Block A has a further 60kL water storage. This means that the building reduces potable water consumption significantly,” Makhosazana explained.
Like Makhosazana, Terresha has also been linked to Rewardsco before, working on both Blocks A and B. But it’s Block A, Rewardsco’s most recent structure, that holds special meaning for the 28-year-old.
“It has been quite an honour for me. I got to work on an incredible project like this in the heart of Umhlanga, one of the trendiest parts of Durban. It is quite a treat for us as engineers to make the ideas of our clients a reality. I feel immense pride seeing our work come alive, and it is very special seeing the progress every day from the foundations through to the roof,” Terresha said.
Construction on Block A began during the height of the Covid pandemic and weathered a few setbacks, including the 2021 June riots and the 2022 floods. However, despite the obstacles, the building remained on track thanks to the dedication of the construction team.
“There were tight timelines for both us and the contractor,” Terresha said.
“Towards the end of last year, we were sometimes pouring two slabs a week, which took a substantial amount of effort to execute. There were many days when we worked late hours into the evening and most weekends to get inspections done on time,” she added.
But the payoff has been worth the effort for Terresha, who is especially proud of one of Block A’s stand out features.
“The steel link bridge connecting all our buildings is quite striking. It is something everyone observes about the Rewardsco buildings. Often my friends tell me that is the first thing they notice when driving along Umhlanga Rocks drive!”
Makhosazana believes these distinct aesthetic and environmental features make for a clear advantage in Rewardsco’s favour.
“In competitive industries, attracting and retaining the best talent is crucial, and a quality office ecosystem gives employers an advantage. Creating a variety of spaces for employees to work and relax within the office results in employers not only retaining great talent, but also encourages new talent to join.”
In light of this feature being published during Women’s Month, we asked Terresha and Makhosazana what advice they would give to other women in the industry. Here are their responses:
A curious mind is a creative mind, so keep learning! With this you’ll be able to continue being relevant in this fast-changing industry and you’ll be an innovative thought leader. In the boardroom and on the construction site, speak up, be confident in yourself. People want to hear your thoughts and solutions. You have a lot to offer. Take credit where it is due to you. When you’ve done a good job, be proud of that. If you make a mistake, learn from it and move on.
- Makhosazana Mthethwa
They should not be afraid of a challenge; site work is fast paced and often difficult but also very rewarding. In engineering the greatest part of your professional development comes from being on site. I am also fortunate that I get to work with supportive men that promote a culture of inclusivity.
- Terresha Moodley