The Association of South African Quantity Surveyors

12/12/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at ASAQS!

As we wrap up the year, we want to extend our appreciation to every member, partner, and friend of the Quantity Surveying community.
Thank you for your trust, collaboration, and energy throughout the year.

Wishing you a season of rest, peace, and time with those who matter most.
See you in 2026!

Our office will be closed from 12 December to 12 January.

26/11/2025

Spotlight on Success: ASAQS Turner & Townsend Future Leaders Award 2025

Congratulations to Reynard Otto

Every now and then, a young professional reminds us why the future of Quantity Surveying is bright. This year, that person is Reynard Otto, recipient of the ASAQS Turner & Townsend Future Leaders Award.

Rynard is not only a top academic performer - but he is also a genuine ambassador for excellence, humility, and leadership in our profession.

Rynard completed his undergraduate studies at the University of the Free State with distinction, ranking top of his class in first, second and third year. His achievements also include multiple institutional and national awards, including last year’s Great Outcomes Award and the Bell John Award for best all-round student. He is also currently completing his BSc Honours in Quantity Surveying, where he continues to excel.

We are incredibly proud to recognise Reynard as this year’s ASAQS Turner & Townsend Future Leaders Award winner. His journey reminds us that excellence is not accidental - it is earned through discipline, resilience, and passion

We also extend a heartfelt thank you to Turner & Townsend for your continued partnership and investment in the next generation of Quantity Surveyors. Your commitment to supporting young talent makes real impact - not only in individual lives, but across our profession and industry.

Congratulations, Reynard - your journey is only beginning !

24/11/2025

Authorities are tightening accountability for non-performing contractors as project failures continue to erode budgets and public confidence. Stronger oversight reinforces the need for rigorous cost control, performance evaluation and early risk identification. Quantity surveyors are uniquely positioned to help clients navigate this shift.

Read more here:

They will be blacklisted from doing work on government projects.

21/11/2025

Spotlight on Excellence: Congratulations to Dylan Minnaar – 2025 ASAQS Gold Medal Award Winner

The ASAQS is incredibly proud to announce that Dylan Minnaar has been awarded the prestigious ASAQS Gold Medal - the highest national honour bestowed upon a Quantity Surveying student in South Africa.

This award is presented to only one student in the entire country each year, recognising not only academic brilliance, but leadership, integrity, professionalism, and the potential to make an exceptional contribution to the Quantity Surveying profession.

Dylan is a standout graduate of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) QS programme, where he excelled across all academic modules, consistently demonstrating the discipline, analytical ability, and commitment expected of a future leader in our profession. His lecturers describe him as “dedicated, mature, hardworking, and unfailingly professional,” and those who have worked with him will tell you that he embodies the very best of what a future PrQS should be.

Beyond the lecture halls, Dylan has shown remarkable character - always prepared, always thorough, always willing to go the extra mile. His technical understanding, problem-solving ability, and strong ethical compass were just some of the qualities that set him apart during the adjudication process.

Dylan, the ASAQS congratulates you wholeheartedly, and we look forward to watching your career continue to flourish.

19/11/2025

The national construction summit has been called a historic moment for rebuilding the sector and accelerating infrastructure delivery. It signals a stronger push for collaboration, compliance and professional oversight. Quantity surveyors are central to this shift because credibility in cost and risk management depends on disciplined project controls. Read the full update here:

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has hailed this week’s National Construction Summit as a “historic” milestone, saying it reaffirmed government’s commitment to rebuilding South Africa’s construction industry through regulatory reforms, improved project delivery, and...

18/11/2025

National Construction Summit 2025 | ASAQS Reflections

The ASAQS team had the privilege of attending the National Construction Summit 2025 last week, and what a positive, energising experience it was for our profession and the broader built-environment sector.

With President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering the keynote address, the Summit reinforced the critical role construction plays in rebuilding South Africa’s economy. The President emphasised job creation, localisation, accountability, and the need for predictable infrastructure pipelines --- all themes that directly support the work and mandate of Quantity Surveyors.

In his address, Minister of Public Works, Dean MacPherson, also presented several significant achievements since the 2024 Durban Declaration, including:

🔹 130 000 new construction jobs in Q3 2025
🔹 Over 770 extortion cases investigated
🔹 241 arrests & 176 convictions
🔹 KZN disruption incidents down from 60+ to fewer than 10 per month

For ASAQS, the Summit was a powerful reminder that our industry is moving forward, and that professional Quantity Surveyors play a vital role in ensuring accountability, cost governance, and delivery excellence.
South Africa is rebuilding, and we’re proud to be part of it!

17/11/2025

Professional Fees 101: Can the final fee be negotiated?
Yes. The guideline sets a starting point but encourages clients and Quantity Surveyors to agree on a fair fee. Read more: https://www.asaqs.co.za/page/ProfessionalFees

12/11/2025

Executive director Nolubabalo Tsolo and president Mosha Senyolo represent the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) at the SACQSP International Research Conference 2025, joining industry leaders shaping the future of the built environment.

From sustainability to digital transformation, the conversations today highlight how quantity surveyors continue to lead innovation with purpose and integrity.

11/11/2025

Spotlight on Success: Yeshlen Thulkanam

Every now and then, we come across a student whose story reminds us exactly why the ASAQS Bursary Programme exists.

Meet Yeshlen Thulkanam --- a name you’ll no doubt be hearing more of in the years to come. Yeshlen’s journey is defined by quiet determination, academic excellence, and a genuine desire to make a difference.

He graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Built Environment in Construction Studies at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) during the 2025 Autumn Graduation Ceremony --- a moment that marked the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance. He credits his family for their constant support and motivation throughout his academic journey.

But it’s not just his academic results that set him apart --- it’s also his mindset. From serving as a class representative to tutoring fellow students, Yeshlen embodies the spirit of leadership through service. Whether he’s mentoring first-years or assisting in tender evaluations, he gives every task his full commitment.

When asked about his long-term goal, Yeshlen says he wants to “contribute to meaningful work that creates sustainable value.” We believe he’s already doing just that.

👏 Congratulations, Yeshlen ---your dedication, humility, and passion are exactly what our profession needs. The future of Quantity Surveying is in excellent hands.

10/11/2025

Professional Fees 101: What if there is no principal contractor?
Managing multiple subcontractors means more work. The guideline allows a 20 percent fee increase. Details: https://www.asaqs.co.za/page/ProfessionalFees

06/11/2025

The Construction Monitor – October 2025 reports stabilising economic activity and renewed public-sector tender growth.

QSs should watch regions like Gauteng and Western Cape where infrastructure commitments are picking up, while maintaining caution in delayed civil projects.

https://industryinsight.co.za/wp/construction-monitor-october-2025/

04/11/2025

The true cost of green: unveiling the business case for sustainable development

What does it really cost to build green, and what’s the return?
At the Green Building Council South Africa Convention 2025, the workshop “The true cost of green: unveiling the cost of Green V4 and MSCI 2024 insights” explores the data behind sustainability.

Join Anelisa Keke, Dr Danie Hoffman, Eileen Andrew, and Georgina Smit as they unpack how sustainability drives long-term value through operational savings, asset performance, and market advantage.

Date: Tuesday, 11 November
Time: 13h30 to 15h00
Venue: Meeting Room 7, Century City Convention Centre, Cape Town