5) Description of housing product/service offering: moladi construction systems is a viable alternative to traditional building methods and provides the housing solution by addressing the six key challenges embodied in the low-cost housing shortages that face developing countries; the lack of resources, insufficient funds, the shortage of skills, time constraints, work flow control and waste. moladi possesses an award winning and unique lightweight reusable patented injection moulded formwork system that has been developed to streamline the cumbersome qualities, and the many inefficiencies, associated with traditional timber and steel formwork as well as other alternative building methods. moladi has developed this system over a period of 19 years in order to fulfil the needs of housing on a global and mass scale, without forfeiting quality. The moladi structure has undergone testing by the South African Bureau of Standards and is proven to be waterproof and is also able to withstand high velocity impact. Please see http://www.moladi.com/certification.htm. The moladi technology allows for the shell structure of a house to be cast in just one day with one moladi mould. All the conduits for plumbing and electricity, as well as the trusses, doors and windows, are strategically cast in situ, which eliminates the need for chasing or beam filling with no waste. The smooth off shutter finish has no need for plastering; saving on time and cost. The modular components of the moladi formwork are designed to accommodate the desired configuration of the house and allows for dimensional changes to be made with little effort. Once the formwork panels have been stripped they can be erected directly on an adjoining site; again saving valuable time in the construction process. With its streamlined and simplistic approach to construction, moladi has provided the means whereby local unskilled members of the community are fundamental to the building of their own homes. Please see http://www.moladi.com/social_upliftment.htm.

6) Description of innovation: moladi approaches building construction as a ‘Production Line’, similar to that of the automotive industry. One of the important principles under a lean production paradigm is termed ‘lean assembly’. This refers to simplifying the process of assembly through industrialisation, modularisations, standardisation, and continuous flow processes. The reduction of operations required for a production process means less chance of the occurrence of errors, waste and rework. This follows from the same logic that the fewer the number of operations, the higher the quality of the product and a predictive timeline, resulting in cost savings. The application of the moladi technology is not dependant on skilled labour and is especially suited for repetitive housing schemes to enable community involvement as well as the individual to obtain their own home. Please see http://www.moladi.com/low_cost_construction.htm. The injection moulded formwork is lightweight and robust, allowing for easy transportation and speedy assembly. The precision components are interlocking to produce easy to handle panels which can be re-used 50 times; making the technology cost effective due to this repetitive application scheme. moladi provides for a realistic modern alternative in overcoming the widespread misuse of scarce materials, particularly timber, by introducing a system that combines moladi with other indigenous materials, which are suitable for easy handling.

7) Benefits to clients: By incorporating affordability within the framework of providing fast-track, quality and durable structures to millions of poor and underprivileged communities, moladi endeavours to create partnerships with those who desire to facilitate a symbiotic relationship with these communities. By mobilising joint ventures and partnerships involving the business sector, community based and non- governmental organisations, moladi cooperatives facilitate the investment in the technology, resulting in the empowerment of communities in utilising the technology creatively and efficiently. In all aspects, participation of local unskilled labour is encouraged to allow for the social and economic upliftment of their own environment. The partnership options could involve independent business units within a local authority or leasing and concessionary arrangements. This would mean job creation, multiplied secondary economic activities and more small and medium scale enterprises. moladi provides an alternative way to enable and empower sections of society by providing a building technology that encourages self participation by means of technology transfer. Countries that lack the infrastructure to meet basic humanitarian needs provide the ideal situation for the development of environmentally sustainable technologies and products. The building industry’s emphasis has traditionally been on commercially viable projects sidelining low-cost housing and the implicated low profit margins. As a rule, small contractors build low-cost affordable houses in a traditionally ineffective way, with low quality materials. For companies with the resources and persistence to compete at the bottom of the economic pyramid, the prospective rewards include the incalculable contribution to social and economic development, growth and substantial profits.

8) Key operational partnerships: moladi has established key business partnerships by appointing exclusive agents in America, Kenya, Panama and South Africa. With many other representatives throughout the globe, moladi is rapidly growing and proving itself to be the forerunner in the development of housing within poverty stricken areas. Informal partnerships between non- profit organisations and government institutions has inadvertently established moladi as the leading solution to the massive backlog of low cost housing as well as in addressing the inferior standards employed by many other companies within the housing sector. Through sheer determination moladi has gained favour with many individuals and organisations, private as well as public, to overcome stereotypical scepticism of the innovative technology. Over the years, through word of mouth, moladi has gained its reputation as the means to benefit many sectors of industry as well as social upliftment and sustainability.

9) Financial model: The moladi technology, on all levels, seeks to lower the cost of production as well as the costs involved with the implementation of the technology in order for the sale of goods to be purchased at the lowest possible price. Through a distributor the houses can be sold, or subsidised, at an extremely affordable rate; therefore the cost involved is not a heavy burden on the purchaser as the cost to be covered is very low. moladi endeavours to eliminate the financial burden facing the potential home owner and to shift the emphasis of home ownership on the impact that a quality home can potentially affect the lives of millions of people in a positive and socially beneficial way.

          • Costs as percentage of income: 100

          • Financing: moladi is financially self-sustainable as we endeavour to create the accessibility of quality and durable structures to many millions of people in need. moladi has remained self-sustaining throughout its 19 years of existence.

10) Effectiveness

          • Project outcomes: It is not possible to ascertain the extent of the moladi impact as there are agents internationally who are implementing the technology to provide much needed homes to underprivileged and needy communities throughout their countries. Undoubtedly, the impact that moladi has is extensive as the development of the technology is aimed at effecting millions of people internationally. moladi is a feasible means to achieve these goals in a realistic and effective way. One of the most rewarding spin-offs is that moladi is a catalyst at generating opportunities and wealth by providing the opportunity for communities to establish mutually beneficial projects with the established formal sector.

          • Number of clients in past year: It is not possible to ascertain the extent of the moladi impact as there are agents internationally who are implementing the technology to provide much needed homes to underprivileged and needy communities throughout their countries.

          • Percentage of clients that are poor or marginalized: 98%

          • Potential demand: The potential demand for housing is colossal; over and above 5 million people are in need of quality homes that cannot afford the current available building methods. A home is a fundamental need to meet and fulfil the basic human needs and moladi strives to provide the means with which it can be accessible and achievable to acquire ownership of a home; as moladi is accessible to any country in the world, the potential beneficiaries of the technology are enormous.

11) Scaling up strategy

          • Stage of the initiative: Mature stage.

          • Expansion plan: Currently we are planning on establishing production plants to produce moladi components in Mexico, Panama, India and Nigeria in order to reduce costs related to production as well as to reduce and even eliminate import duties, which will ultimately reduce the overall cost outlay of the construction.

12) Origin of the initiative: With the intended purpose of "Housing the Nations", Hennie Botes embarked on an endeavour to develop a system to construct durable structures of quality in the shortest possible time. This system has developed into a construction technology that addresses challenges embodied in the low cost housing shortages facing developing countries. The moladi construction system has been developed and improved over a period of 19 years. It represents the most advanced technology and innovations in the industrial construction of low-cost and affordable houses, schools, clinics and other structures and is a leader in this field.

Contact Information:
Shevaughn  Botes
Member
moladi construction system
(Business)
South Africa
Website: http://www.moladi.com/