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Bobby Richardson
Bobby retired from Eskom at the end of April 2014 after 42 years’ service.
For the first 13 years practiced as a Surveyor, being involved in power line route selection, setting out at least 3000 kilometres of power line routes, power station and distribution station sites, volume surveys of coal and ash dumps, subdivision of properties, precise monitoring of structures on unstable ground, setting out of roads, mapping, templating for tower positioning of power lines and any other surveys.
This included the negotiation of wayleaves with at least 1000 property owners for reticulation power lines over their properties.
Thereafter, then specialized in the acquisition of land and servitudes for the Eskom’s major transmission system for the next 29 years, where I negotiated with property owners for the acquisition of transmission line routes, substation sites, radio sites, pipe lines. access to properties, settle construction damage claims, obtain approvals from Statutory bodies i.e. Road, railway, pipeline, Telkom and other service provider services, determine property ground values, title searches, relocation of people, settle disputes between property owners and Eskom field employees/contractors.
During this period Bobby completed servitude acquisition of 33 projects, totaling approximately 3500 kilometres of transmission lines and dealt with at least 3000 property owners.
Negotiated and arranged the relocation of a whole informal settlement of 550 families, plus various other families in tribal and urban areas.
Expert in Tribal negotiations and dealt with over 100 tribal authorities all over South Africa including Zulu, Xhoza, Tshawa, Venda and North Sotho.
Have absolute knowledge of procedures of Government Departments and Government land.
Have experienced in expropriations and prepared documentation and attended 13 hearings.
While with Eskom, Bobby was nationally recognized as consultant by Eskom colleagues in rights-of-way matters.
Practised as an Environmental Planner and prepared environmental impact assessments and chaired public participation meetings for at least 18 months.
In 2005 Bobby received the South African Right of Way Association Practitioner of the year award.
Bobby was a founder member and first president of the South African Right of Way Association (SARWA) www.sarwa.co.za
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