The National Building Society (NBS) says it will take a bold stance in its development projects in order to prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility, as the organization has deliberately avoided developments that could potentially harm water bodies, demonstrating its dedication to environmental preservation.
NBS recognizes the importance of governance in sustainability and guarantees that all of its projects meet local authority expectations. The organization is currently expanding its eco-friendly initiatives by introducing solar electricity into its buildings.
Speaking with NBS Acting Managing Director Sifiso Mahlangu on the sidelines of the commissioning of the first phase of the Glaudina Flats last week, he told The Environment that In terms of sustainability, naturally, I think what you’ll probably find is that we would want a situation where we always observe the issues to do with the environment adding that there are certain developments that they basically shied away from developing because they had the potential to compromise water bodies.”
He also stated that, in terms of sustainability, part of the sustainability agenda is governance, and that they want to ensure that in every area, they comply with the governance structures and expectations of each and every local authority.
The Glaudina Housing Projects is a nine-flat unit development, with each block yielding 32 flats. However, the first phase, when completed and available for occupation in the first quarter of 2025 next year, will consist of 64 units.
Mahlangu told the Environment that the new apartments will include solar geysers and solar power, indicating a huge shift towards sustainable energy. “Certainly, this is actually one of the features that these flats are going to have. Every household is actually going to have a solar geyser as well as solar power. We just want also to make sure that we are addressing the issue around conventional power as we move towards clean power,” he said.
With its emphasis on sustainability and governance, NBS sets a good example for the construction industry, demonstrating that environmental responsibility and corporate success can coexist. The organization’s continued innovation and prioritization of environmentally friendly methods pave the path for a more sustainable future in the built environment.
