Basil Read Developments Background

Overview

  1. Basil Read is a public listed Company established in 1952 and is a level (4) 100% BBBEE contributor.
  2. Its core business is large integrated housing developments, civil engineer projects, construction and mining operations.
  3. Basil Read has made the conscious decision to concentrate on the eradication of informal settlements by implementing the governments “Breaking New Ground” strategy on all its housing developments thereby:
      1. Creating Employment
      2. Accelerating delivery of housing
      3. Poverty alleviation and creation of wealth and empowerment
      4. Turning settlements into sustainable integrated suburbs

 

Experience

  1. Basil Read has over 50 years experience installing the Civil infrastructure in townships.
  2. Due to the excellent service provide and the good relationship Basil Read always enjoyed with the community they were called in by National Government when a tornado struck Cape Town in 1999 to carry out emergency repairs to various townships.
  3. Since that date Basil Read have been involved in upgrading and developing new mixed use, sustainable towns in various parts of South Africa.
  4. Basil Read Developments are currently busy with 5 large scale, integrated projects involving about     60 000 houses and 250 000 inhabitants in Gauteng, Free State and Western Cape.
  5. Basil Read has recognised that there is not a blue print for developing a new town and each development is unique. However, we have identified many common factors where important lessons have been learnt and improvements incorporated in the new developments.
  6. Basil Read Green Energy Projects:
      1. Nurseries are developed on projects to propagate 500 000 trees and shrubs for  planting on the projects and creating vegetable gardens,
      2. Solar water heater programme: objective is to install a solar water heater on every BNG and Finance Linked house on all the projects,
      3. House designs to maximise energy efficiencies,
      4. The use of energy efficient lights throughout the developments.
Finance and Services:  It is evident that there are major constraints for local and provincial authorities to provide the services and financial contribution they are responsible for. Basil Read are working closely with Government and various financial institutions to unlock those obstacles hampering delivery.