The Hot Dip Galvanizers Association of Southern Africa hosted the Eskom Hot Dip Galvanizing Awards Evening on Friday the 11th August 2006 at The Castle in Kyalami. Marc Lottering, who is considered by many to be the hottest comics on offer from South Africa, proved this by entertaining the guests as Master of Ceremonies. 17 Submissions were received this year with all but one category (Export) being represented. According to Bob Wilmot, Executive Director of the Association, the quality of the submissions and projects appears to be improving on an annual basis, with some exciting submissions received this year. The winners of the 2006 Eskom Hot Dip Galvanizing Awards are as follows (listed according to categories):

2006 WINNER of the Walter Barnett Trophy

South African Weather Base On Marion Island

Annexed by South Africa in 1947, Marion Island became best known for forecasting the weather to ships in Sub-Antarctica and Southern Africa. Since then it has grown from a meteorological station to include research programmes in the fields of oceanography, biology and geology. As a result of the remote site location and the non-availability of construction materials and equipment, the designer decided on the use of pre-fabricated 3CR12 and hot dip galvanized steel for the weather base. The site location also required attention to corrosion protection requirements for which hot dip galvanizing offered the ideal solution.

Vintage Category - (Recognizes the successful use of hot dip galvanizing in applications that are 10 years or older)

Winner: Braithwaite Type Pressed Steel Water Tank.

Situated on Constitution Hill, the site of Johannesburg's notorious Old Fort prison complex, it would appear that this hot dip galvanized steel water tank was ordered from the UK to accommodate water for the prison complex 76 years ago. The concept of liquid storage in tanks constructed by means of a series of modular steel panels was originally developed and patented in 1901 by Braithwaite in the UK

Duplex Coatings Category: - (Hot dip galvanizing plus an appropriate paint system, suited to the environment, aimed at longevity and / or aesthetics)

Winner: Eden Island – A Bridge In The Seychelles. As a result of the site location, this steel bridge was fabricated, hot dip galvanized and painted in South Africa and erected in the Seychelles.

Research & Development / Innovation Category: - (Recognises research and development work carried out by galvanizers, universities, technikons, professional institutions and end users, where a significant contribution has been made to expand the knowledge of the hot dip galvanizing process, the characteristics of the zinc coating or the application of the coating. Further, recognition is made to innovative design or novel procedures made to facilitate the improvement of the coating.)

Winner: Eco Tourism Leisure Vehicle A refurbished and hot dip galvanized leisure vehicle, which was galvanized in order to protect the vehicle from the corrosive environment it was exposed to.

Mining & Industrial Category:

Winner: Bidfreight Port Operations Warehouse A new warehouse at Maydon Wharf, Durban. Bidfreight, which is the largest private sector tenant at the Durban port, announced an upgrade of their port side facilities. The design of this project proved to be exceptionally innovative as the architect faced many challenges.

Architectural Category: (Recognizes important or highly visible projects and also durable architectural features)

Winner: Mitchell’s Plain Public Transport Interchange – North Terminal Until recently there were no taxi facilities in the Mitchell’s Plain CBD. This transport interchange has used hot dip galvanized steel for bus and taxi facilities, office accommodation and trading facilities and is the second largest in the City of Cape Town in terms of commuter numbers.