SALGA Directory - October 2021 by SundayTimesZA

MUNICIPAL SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS MUNICIPAL SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY

IFC & PAGE 1: SOL PLAATJE UNIVERSITY

Sol Plaatje University (SPU) opened in 2014, the rst of two new universities to be established in post-apartheid South Africa. It is also the rst university to be established in the Northern Cape Province. Tel: 053 491 0000 | www.spu.ac.za

PAGE 3-5: BCX

BCX o ers a complete service in Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

We take care of your technology so you can focus on your customers’ needs. +27(0) 11 266 1000 | www.bcx.co.za

PAGE 8-9: UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO

A University which responds actively to the development needs of its students, sta and communities. Through relevant and higher quality education and training, research and community engagement, and in partnership and collaboration with its stakeholders. Tel: +27 (0) 15 268 9111 | www.ul.ac.za

PAGE 10-11: MUNSOFT

Munsoft delivers Integrated Financial Management and Internal Control Systems that enable municipalities to meet transacting and reporting regulations, according to the standard chart of accounts (mSCOA) as set out by National Treasury. Tel: 011 215 8000 | www.munsoft.co.za

PAGE 14-15: SBS TANKS

SBS Tanks® is a leader in the water storage tank and reservoir industry working with government, municipalities, and the commercial sector to deliver on the “Water for all mandate”. Tel: +27 31 716 1820 | www.sbstanks.com

PAGE 16-17: WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES SOUTH AFRICA

Water and Sanitation Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd (WSSA) is an ISO certi ed water services provider o ering solutions to Water Services Authorities in Southern Africa. Tel: +27 11 209 9200 | www.wssa.co.za

PAGE 18-19: FIJ CONSULTING

FIJ is a world class provider of project management and consulting services in the following sectors; civil engineering, structural engineering, and construction management. Tel: +27 11 958 0437 | www. jconsulting.co.za

PAGE 20-21: TAKE NOTE IT

Take Note IT is a leading provider of cybersecurity and early warning detection systems. We provide cybersecurity monitoring and incident response services utilising nextgeneration endpoint protection, threat intelligence and services. Tel: +27 87 550 5184 | www.takenoteit.co.za

PAGE 22-23: POSWA INCORPORATED

Established in 2010, Poswa Incorporated is a progressive and credible 100% black owned boutique law rm that o ers an array of specialised legal services. Tel: +27 11 783 8877 | www.poswainc.com

PAGE 24-25: ZIMELE TECHNOLOGIES

Zimele Technologies provides Real Estate Management solutions that are tailor made for any customer across multiple industries. +27 (0) 86 999 0229 | www.zimeletechnologies.com

PAGE 26-27: HOSMED MEDICAL SCHEME

Hosmed is a non-pro t, open medical Scheme and has been in existence for more than 30 years. With our nationwide footprint, we are only a phone call away. 0861 hosmed (467 633) or 0860 00 0048 (Toll-free) www.hosmed.co.za

PAGE 28-29: BONITAS MEDICAL AID

Bonitas has been around for nearly 40 years. We don’t believe in one-size- ts-all, so our wide range of plans ensure that you and your family will nd a snug t for your particular needs. general enquiries: 0860002108 | www.bonitas.co.za

PAGE 30: NATIONAL FUND FOR MUNICIPAL WORKERS

The National Fund for Municipal Workers(NFMW) has grown to be the largest fund in the Local Government industry, providing retirement bene ts to Local Government employees and councillors for more than 25 years. Positively impacting the lives of members, their families and their communities, today and tomorrow. 012 743 3000 | www.nationalfund.co.za

Published by: Picasso Headline, a proud division of Arena Holdings Hill on Empire, 16 Empire Road (cnr Hillside Road), Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, Postal Address: PO Box 12500, Mill Street, Cape Town, 8010 www.businessmediamags.co.za

EDITORIAL

Content Manager: Raina Julies, rainaj@picasso.co.za

Copy Editor: Brenda Bryden

Content Co-ordinator: Vanessa Payne

DESIGN

Head of Design: Jayne Macé-Ferguson

Senior Designer: Mfundo Archie Ndzo

Advert Designer: Bulelwa Sotashe

SALES

Sales Project Manager: Jerome van der Merwe jeromem@picasso.co.za, +27 82 668 1496

Sales: Jacqueline Bezuindenhout, Natasha Hendricks, Frank Simons, Yoliswa Stivin

PRODUCTION

Production Editor: Shamiela Brenner

Advertising Co-ordinator: Shamiela Brenner

Subscriptions and Distribution: Fatima Dramat FatimaD@picasso.co.za

Printers: CTP Printers, Cape Town

MANAGEMENT

Senior Bookkeeper: Deidre Musha

Business Manager: Lodewyk van der Walt

General Manager, Magazines: Jocelyne Bayer

Copyright: Picasso Headline. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Picasso Headline, municipalities or government departments. All advertisements/advertorials and promotions have been

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN MUNICIPAL SPHERE

Public sector entities are beginning to discover the importance of Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (IFMIS) in supporting operational efficiency and responsiveness to provide better constituent service for citizens.

THE CHALLENGETHE OPPORTUNITY

Municipalities in South Africa are faced with a challenge regarding Integrated Financial Management Information Systems in improving financial management.1

These technologies (IFMIS) are proving to be an important tool for economic growth and development as they ensure municipalities have appropriate management of public resources to enhance service delivery to citizens.2

THE SOLUTION

Service-Oriented Local Authority Resource Management Solution.

WHAT IS IT?

A proudly South African integrated financial management software solution for the municipal environment.

TRIED | TESTED | TRUSTED

74+

Number of municipalities where the system has been implemented in South Africa, Namibia, and Lesotho.

57+ OVER 29 YEARS DEVE L

Number of our current clients including municipalities, and municipal entities from metropolitan, secondary cities, smaller and district municipalities using the solution.

HOW IT WORKS

01 02 03 CONNECT INTEGRATE OPTIMISE

To citizens, suppliers, and other governmental organisations rapidly and securely to enable the exchange of business-critical information.

All critical business data, systems, and different applications among multiple independent business units into a common platform to deliver real-time information to citizens and suppliers.

Core internal and external business processes to create an agile organisation able to quickly react to changing business conditions in real-time.

HOW SOLAR BENEFITS THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER:

Single technology partner (Optional). Managed services (Optional). Remote support. On-site support.

Benefit from a shared national user group (Knowledge Base). Specialised professional advisory services. Full-time on-premise business and application consultancy support. Central development of system enhancements shared at no cost.

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

BCX’s SOLAR management solution is available nationwide. For more information, speak to your Account Manager or send an email to info@bcx.co.za.

A BIGGER PUSH TOWARDS STEM EDUCATION

The pandemic has highlighted the country’s growing need to promote better education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and greater student support, writes

JOHAN KLEU, executive head of Momentum Multiply

The National Income Dynamics Study reported that between 400 000 and 500 000 learners dropped out of school during the past 16 months. As the Department of Basic Education (DOB) gazetted the impact of COVID-19 in the schools, 20 years of gains made in the education sector have been compromised due to the pandemic.

COVID-19 has emphasised the important role that nurses, doctors and scientists play in society’s survival. For over two decades, African institutions have been advocating for an enhanced focus on education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with particular attention on gender and racial equality.

Yet, it will take more than just learning institutions to pull South African education in line with global STEM standards. It will require a concerted e ort from all corners of the economy.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

South Africa was named the Most Favoured O shore CX Delivery Location for 2021 in the Annual Front O ce BPO Omnibus Survey. Ranked number two last year, South Africa has beaten sti competition from India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Poland, Egypt and Northern Ireland to claim the top award for the rst time. Growth in the sector has been driven by strong support by government, through the incentives o ered by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).

Sector growth was interrupted by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 that led to business closures in many parts of the world. However, the Minister for Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel, issued regulations that enabled call centres supporting local and global essential services to continue to operate during the lockdown, where rms in other locations could not. Further support was provided by the Presidential Jobs Fund during the pandemic. Together with the dtic incentives, the Jobs Fund has supported 14 300 new jobs in the sector with R1.9-billion in export revenue.

Source: dtic.gov.za

Developing STEM education is a South African imperative. The record-high youth unemployment rate in South Africa has highlighted the need for better primary and secondary education, and preparedness programmes for tertiary education and career development in the “new normal.”

Schools and education institutions have a signi cant role to play in preparing learners for tertiary education and the world of work, which has changed drastically due to the pandemic and within the context of a turbulent labour market in South Africa and worldwide.

FAST FACT

SEZs have attracted more than R56-billion worth of private investors in South Africa’s 10 operational zones. Some 222 companies have been attracted to the zones.

Bay SEZ

SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) within South Africa are geographically designated areas set aside for speci cally targeted economic activities to promote national economic growth and exports by using support measures to attract foreign and domestic investments and technology. Categories of SEZs may include Free ports, Free Trade Zones (FTZs), Industrial Development Zones (IDZs) and Sector Development Zones (SDZs).

Saldanha

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Why improving the customer experience is critical. By

Bluegrass Digital CEO NICK DURRANT

Financial services continue to be one of the most competitive markets, especially now that it has entered the global arena via the internet. Many clients have already moved to a digital environment, and they are becoming more demanding and expectant of exceptional customer experience.

Institutions need to realise the importance of building valuable and intuitive digital experiences to drive loyalty and prevent consumers from easily switching nancial services providers. Traditional businesses that still expect their customers to download, print, sign and scan or fax documents will most certainly lose business to institutions o ering modern innovative digital tools with automated processes.

PERSONALISATION

Every customer wants a unique, personalised experience, regardless of how they interact with a brand. It should also not matter whether it’s in-store or via an app or website.

With the right tools and insights from customer data, institutions can create a more personalised customer journey and provide o ers that better align with the customer’s nancial situation. Apps can also provide a vast amount of data through technologies such as analytics and machine learning.

DATA IS A POWERFUL TOOL

Veri ed customer data can be a powerful marketing tool when building a digital customer experience initiative. It assists nancial institutions to gain deeper visibility into their customer’s nancial behaviour and helps them grow.

MANAGING RISK

Financial institutions need to provide an easy method for customers to share their nancial data to verify their creditworthiness. This will not only improve the customer experience, but will also increase sales opportunities and reduce losses. By automating these processes, institutions can set interest rates, o er loans and change credit card limits.

NEW MODELS

To remain competitive in this digital world, nancial institutions need to continue building new business models that create new products and services. More importantly, they need to create new channels for engaging with customers.

Buy Now Pay Later nancial service providers like PayJustNow. com are disrupting the retail payment space as they o er shoppers an interest-free alternative to costly credit card purchases.

The service works by assessing the creditworthiness of a consumer using the company’s arti cial intelligence platforms. It simultaneously checks several data points such as the type of card being used, LinkedIn and other professional information in about 10 seconds. The system also cross-references the information it gathers with one of the large credit bureaus.

THE FINAL DECISION

There has been a fundamental shift in nancial services and staying relevant means becoming an active part of a customer’s digital life. Real-time smart digital services are being delivered instantly via various channels, including apps and websites, on desktops or smartphones. Consumers are shopping online, booking ights and ordering takeaways on their phones. It’s instant, seamless and easier than ever before.

When choosing a bank, consumers no longer compare the di erent banks, they compare the customer experience. Customer onboarding should be done in a few clicks or unhappy customers will switch to another provider instantly.

GDP GROWTH Q2 2021

The South African economy recorded its fourth consecutive quarter of growth, expanding by 1.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2021 (April–June). This followed a revised 1.0 per cent rise in real gross domestic product (GDP) in the rst quarter (January–March). Despite the gains made over the last four quarters, the economy is 1.4 per cent smaller than before the COVID-19 pandemic. These results cover the months of April, May and June; the economic impact of the wave of severe economic disruption, protest action and violence in KwaZuluNatal and Gauteng, which took place in July, will re ect in the third quarter GDP results, due for release in December.

Source: Stats SA

DEVELOPING EMPOWERED NEXT-GENERATION WATER AND SANITATION EXPERTS

The University of Limpopo introduced a four-year BSc degree in Water and Sanitation Sciences in 2018 to address skill gaps in this area

Unreliable access to safe water as well as inadequate sanitation are ongoing issues in developing countries such as South Africa, where water burdens are attributed to operational challenges, infrastructure constraints, pollution of sources, marginal service delivery, institutional impediments, capacity and skill gaps.

To address the capacity and skills limitations, the Department of Water and Sanitation in the School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences within the Faculty of Science and Agriculture at the University of Limpopo (UL), now offers a fully accredited four-year BSc degree in Water and Sanitation Sciences.

The programme commenced in 2018 and the first cohort of students are currently in their fourth year of study.

THE VALUE OF THE PROGRAMME

Water and sanitation is a multidisciplinary eld, which includes water treatment, water resources management, sanitation, water chemistry, water microbiology and groundwater resources management.

Due to the high demand for well-trained innovative and solution-oriented water and sanitation scientists, the school developed a well-rounded, research-intensive, relevant programme aligned with the water and sanitation skills needs countrywide. The carefully formulated problem-based learning (PBL) undergraduate curriculum aims to produce highly skilled graduates who will assist in redressing the water and sanitation challenges nationally and internationally through their specialised theoretical and practical knowledge and advanced level research skills. They will be qualified to address emerging water challenges across the entire water and sanitation value chain in areas such as water and sanitation departments, science councils, municipalities, catchment management agencies, water boards and consulting companies.

The qualification was designed using a mixed mode, guiding students from the traditional facilitation approach towards the

PBL approach. In their first and second years of study, students are slowly introduced to PBL in the modules, and in their third and fourth years, students learn through full PBL delivery.

PROPOSED MSC PROGRAMME

The Department has developed a comprehensive proposal for a water and sanitation stream into the Master of Science programme. The programme by full-research dissertation is proposed at an NQF level 9 as a postgraduate pathway for students who graduate from the four-year BSc in Water and Sanitation Sciences or any other BSc Honours degree related to water and sanitation. The proposed MSc programme is designed to equip graduates with the requisite research knowledge to further their careers and learning in the water and sanitation value chain.

TEACHING, LEARNING AND RESEARCH

The department has several memorandum of understandings (MoU) in place to ensure that the syllabus is in line with market needs. One such MoU with Capricorn District Municipality has led to the construction of an accredited water quality laboratory, used to analyse the water quality of municipalities in the province, which is available for student training and research.

COLLABORATIONS

ROC Water Technologies in partnership with UL and TUT Acid mine water contributes to surface and groundwater pollution; and technologies are being developed to recover drinking water and saleable products from mining effluents. ROC Water Technologies is working on the recovery of drinking water and pigment from mine water and high saline streams.

COIL Project, Amsterdam

The IKUDU-COIL project allows students to understand dynamic issues around water and sanitation topics. The module served to

enlighten students about water-related distinguishing factor(s) that exist in South Africa and Amsterdam. Discussion revolved around water and sanitation availability, technology utilisation and water resource management systems that are used in both countries. Students had the opportunity to interact and share stories and cultures that enriched their learning experience.

VLIR-OUS Project

The project seeks to explore challenges associated with water-based pollution, declining nutrients and water shortages. The challenges require a paradigm shift, involving the transition of wastewater treatment plants into water, sanitation and resource (nutrients and energy) recovery facilities to promote social, economic and environmental sustainability in South Africa, and capacity development of sta members and students in the Water and Sanitation Department. Knowledge exchange related to modelling and simulation of wastewater resources recovery was undertaken with the assistance of colleagues from the University of Cape Town and KU LEUVEN (Belgium).

A specific educational curriculum is being developed to assist in the improvement of human resource potential for the design and operation of future water sanitation and resource recovery facilities and the development and management of

novel water treatment systems. This process will involve the implementation of simulation-based engineering tools for predictive modelling of the systems.

Water Research Commission, CSIR and South African Weather Service

UL partners with the Water Research Commission, CSIR and the South African Weather Service to develop models for managing water resources in the future in more efficient ways and under future climate change scenarios. For admission requirements, funding opportunities and the BSc degree in Water and Sanitation Sciences curriculmn blueprint, please see the university’s website or contact the faculty directly.

Students operating the mini water treatment plant at the Capricorn District Municipality Laboratory.

Prof JP Maree

Fourth-year students on a site visit to the Ebenezer drinking water treatment plant.

Dr MM Mpahahlele-Makgwane

SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS TO ENHANCE MUNICIPAL CAPABILITIES

Munsoft offers a ﬁnancial management system that delivers integrated ﬁnancial management and internal control systems that enable municipalities to meet transacting and reporting regulations and standards

Munsoft’s software has been adding value to clients FOR over 20 years and is regarded as a South African municipal market leader. The Munsoft nancial management system (FMS) is its agship product. It consists of several fully integrated modules and subsystems that allow municipalities to budget, transact and report according to the standard chart of accounts (mSCOA) as set out by the National Treasury.

Key offerings tailored for the municipal sector include:

• Financial management system (FMS)

• Payroll and HR system

• Performance management system

• Asset management and veri cation systems

• Metering solutions

• Spatial system (GIS)

• Reporting, Dashboarding and Business Intelligence

• ICT services

Munsoft also partners with other industry specialists to deliver domainspeciﬁc solutions to enhance its clients’ capabilities as part of the municipal ecosystem. At present, the company integrates with nearly 30 different specialists and national stakeholders in the municipal sector.

FAST FACTS ABOUT MUNSOFT

• Munsoft was established in 2001.

• It is a proud Level 1 B-BBEE contributor.

• Munsoft has a stable and longstanding client base with close to a quarter of all South African municipalities using its nancial management solution. The company also services cross-border clients – eight in Namibia as well as Mbabane in eSwatini.

• It has a countrywide footprint with o ces in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Polokwane, Pietermaritzburg, Cape Town, and Windhoek (Namibia).

• Munsoft’s nancial management system is developed in South Africa.

• The company is rapidly approaching 200 skilled and professional employees who serve its clients complex needs.

• Besides the world-class FMS, Munsoft provides training and advisory services to help clients succeed by getting the most out of the system.

Contact Munsoft, your pathway to improved governance, administration and top nancial management for your municipality.

For more information: Visit www.munsoft.co.za for more information on our Software, Advisory, Training , Support Solutions or Munsoft News.

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

Why infrastructure investment makes sense.

By LUZUKO NOMJANA , portfolio manager and credit structuring specialist, Prescient Investment Management

Infrastructure forms the backbone of every economy, enabling economic and social development, cites The Principles for Responsible Investment.

Since infrastructure development is an integral part of economic growth and development, research on its impact has consistently shown its ability to unlock economic growth, especially in communities that have historically had inadequate access to basic amenities. Many of these amenities are essential for the e cient production of goods and services, transport and trade – all of which spur economic growth that helps to reduce poverty.

Within the South African context, the government has historically held the key responsibility for infrastructure development. Current research shows a signi cant and widening infrastructure de cit. Recent reports indicate that gross xed capital formation as a percentage of gross domestic product hovers around 18 per cent, which is not only materially lower than our emerging market peers, but also signi cantly below the national target of 30 per cent. The scale of investment needed to solve the infrastructure de cit dictates that we can no longer only rely on the government to drive

SA’S INFRASTRUCTURE DRIVE

• A digital infrastructure initiative valued at R4-billion.

• 2 agricultural and agroprocessing projects valued at R7-billion.

• 15 transport projects valued at R47-billion.

• 3 energy projects valued at R58-billion.

• 11 water and sanitation projects valued at R106-billion.

• 18 human settlement developments, valued at R138-billion, that will produce over 190 000 housing units.

Source: Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille

DID YOU KNOW?

Infrastructure refers to the basic physical structures and systems, for example, buildings, roads, power supplies, water supplies and communication networks, that provide utilities or services for public use or enjoyment.

Source: ASISA Infrastructure Taxonomy

this investment class. The private sector should play a much more prominent role – a role as signi cant as the successful roll out of renewable energy independent power producer procurement.

WHY INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTING MAKES SENSE

• It’s an investment in tangible assets that make a positive social and environmental impact without compromising returns.

• Research shows that infrastructure investments exhibit a low correlation with traditional/vanilla assets such as equities markets and therefore have an innate portfolio diversi cation bene t.

• They are in ation-linked, long-term assets with a lower cash- ow risk compared to traditional investments.

Investment in infrastructure has an incredible ability to unlock economic growth, which in certain cases can be localised to communities in which projects operate. This helps to create jobs and drive small, medium and micro enterprise development (local content procurement) and an inclusive economy through local ownership.

ACCELERATING ECONOMIC RECOVERY: INFRASTRUCTURE

1. R100-billion infrastructure fund in full operation

2. An infrastructure pipeline worth over R340-billion has been developed in energy, water, transport and communication. This includes the rehabilitation of the N1, N2 and N3 highways, the student housing infrastructure programme and the Mokolo and Crocodile River water project.

Source: SONA 2021

DID YOU KNOW?

Over the next four years, South Africa hopes to unlock R1-trillion in infrastructure investment.

Source: President CyrilRamaphosa: Infrastructure South Africa Project Preparation RoundtableandMarketplace

THE GREEN SCORPIONS

The Department of Water and Sanitation is enhancing its efforts to deliver good quality drinking water by reiterating its commitment to enforce compliance and implement legislative measures to address water pollution across the country

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has admitted that the main source of pollution comes from wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) due to sewer blockages, poor operations and maintenance as well as pollution from mining operations.

According to Siboniso Mkhaliphi, acting chief director in the DWS’ compliance, monitoring and enforcement unit, the department has designated members of the Environmental Management Inspectorate, known as the Green Scorpions, to prevent and curb the extent of water pollution.

“The Green Scorpions have a wide range of powers and functions and are empowered to investigate and e ect arrests for water crimes,” says Mkhaliphi.

He explains that since 2014, the department’s Green Scorpions have investigated 598 cases related to dysfunctional WWTWs, mainly because of complaints received from the public.

Mkhaliphi says the DWS took enforcement action, which includes administrative, civil and criminal action, against municipalities that violated water legislation in WWTWs. However, it embarks on legal processes as a last resort, only taking legal action after numerous attempts to persuade and compel the municipalities to rectify their noncompliance. Since 2014, enforcement action has included opening ve criminal cases, issuing 148 notices of intention to issue a directive, issuing 74 directives, and two court interdicts granted in favour of the department.

“We are also monitoring mines, one of the key perpetrators of water pollution,” says Mkhaliphi. “We have monitored just over 240 of the 561 authorised mines for compliance with their water use entitlements. Of these, 159 mines recorded a compliance level below 50 per cent.”

The DWS is also dealing with 152 unauthorised mines located mainly in the Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

ESKOM UPGRADES PREPAID METER SOFTWARE

PARTNERSHIPS

The DWS is working with the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency to repair dysfunctional WWTWs, and partners with SAPS, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to ensure that water-related crimes receive the necessary attention in terms of urgency and penalties. “Training on the National Water Act is also underway to capacitate SAPS and NPA,” Mkhaliphi says.

Other measures include training the Green Scorpions to build internal capacity, and a joint operations committee with Eskom to ensure that coal is sourced from compliant mines.

Furthermore, the reinstatement of the Blue and Green Drop Certi cation Programmes, which call for excellent drinking water and wastewater quality management, will help improve water quality and ensure that wastewater treatment and water infrastructure at municipal level is up to standard.

DID YOU KNOW?

Earlier this year, private investors were told that they could build power plants with up to 100MW of generating capacity without requiring a licence. This is a signiﬁcant win for private investors as it’s a raise from 1MW. The extended exemption will see South Africa accelerating plans to contract independent producers to supply more power to the national grid.

Source: GCIS

Eskom has announced that its upgrade of prepaid software will see the current meter software expire in 2024. “This initiative aims to address all meter challenges encountered by customers and ensure that Eskom has accurate customer data,” the power utility said. “The upgrading of the meter software will be rolled out to all prepaid Eskom and municipal customers.”

Important information

1. If meters are not updated by 2024, they will not upload prepaid tokens and customers will have no electricity supply.

2. The upgrade process will not cost any money and customers will be assisted with any challenges they have with their meters.

3. The project will be implemented on a door-to-door basis by Eskom technicians and contractors. Eskom assures customers that it will strictly follow COVID-19 regulations and apply the required preventative measures when visiting homes.

4. Customers should be vigilant and only allow technicians and contractors carrying authentic identification into their homes.

Source: Eskom

SBS® water storage tanks can be installed in a matter of days, commissioned immediately and deliver vital water resources to a community quickly, says Mava Gwagwa, director: new business development at SBS Solutions SA, a Level 2 B-BBEE-accredited water security solutions provider. “The modular panel design means our tanks can be installed anywhere, no matter how remote or rugged the location or terrain, even on the top of a hill with no road access. No heavy lifting equipment is required on site to complete the installation and SBS tanks can withstand high wind and harsh environmental conditions,” Gwagwa says.

working to empower local communities, employing local service providers and labour for site preparation and o ering skills development training.

In partnership with municipalities and SALGA, SBS regularly donates water security solutions that build for better as the following installations, which have resulted in the provision of essential water supply to businesses and schools, indicate:

As a leader in the water security space and with its “Build for Better” initiative, proudly South African SBS Tanks has a legacy spanning 23 years. The company is well positioned to work with government, municipalities and the commercial sector to ensure that access to water for all is achieved quickly

From donating water storage tanks, developing modular products and elevated solutions, improving the speed of installation and commissioning of reservoirs, to providing effective liner solutions for existing ageing infrastructure, SBS works in partnership with national government, regional municipalities and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to deliver effective, durable and low-maintenance water storage solutions across South Africa.

SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES

While most businesses are purely pro t-driven, SBS has continued to support the development of infrastructure for rural communities,

• Donation and installation of a 28 000-litre water storage tank and rainwater harvesting system at Mziwenkosi Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal. The school suffered severe damage from a storm that ripped the roof from the structure and damaged the existing plastic water storage tank. The new water tank alleviated the need for pupils to carry buckets of water from the river.

• Delivering not only the convenience of water, but also the hope of a better future, SBS donated and installed a 38 000-litre water storage tank in the Boknafarm Farm (Matoane) Village, Blouberg Municipality in Limpopo. The installation was completed in three days and the tank was handed over to municipal representatives and community members.

• The latest donation of a 50 000-litre SBS water reservoir has brought water to the homes of 250 community members and a local creche in the Thulamahashe district of the Bushbuckridge Municipality, Mpumalanga. The water storage solution will resolve the irregular water supply and low water pressure issues experienced in the area, providing the community with access to water every day.

“At SBS we believe in doing good while doing good business. Helping municipalities and government deliver on the mandate to provide access to water to communities brings hope for a better tomorrow for all,” says Gwagwa.

DIRECT POTABLE REUSE SYSTEM

TRIALLED IN CAPE TOWN

PROXA, together with the WSSA/ ZanaManzi Joint Venture, established a demonstrationpotable water recovery system

From 2016 to 2019, the Western Cape experienced a “once-in-a-400-year” drought, resulting in the Municipality of Cape Town urgently seeking alternative feed sources for the production of potable water.

PROXA, together with the WSSA/ Zana Manzi Joint Venture, was contracted to provide rapid deployment of a 10 MLD potable water recovery system to demonstrate the technical suitability and economic viability of producing potable water from treated domestic efﬂuent. The demonstration project was designed to operate over 24 months – a timeframe that would give the city time to investigate the feasibility of further supplementing potable water on the grid with recovered water as part of a longer-term strategy.

For more information: enquiries@proxawater.com enquiries@proxawater.com

Known as the Zandvliet Demonstration Plant, the water recovery system was developed to upgrade treated efﬂuent from the existing treatment works at Zandvliet in the Western Cape with feed from either the conventional activated sludge process or the membrane bioreactor lines. The demonstration plant was designed and developed to produce up to 10 MLD of potable water that meets the SANS 241 standards for potable water, with a speciﬁc focus on addressing chemicals of emerging concern (CEC).

In terms of processes, the demonstration plant deployed the following multibarrier treatment train, downstream of the main treatment plant:

• coagulation and clariﬁcation

• media Filtration

• ultra Filtration

• reverse Osmosis

• advanced Oxidation Process

• remineralisation

• disinfection

The demonstration plant included a site-based online laboratory to continuously measure critical process, chemical, organic and biological data. This, together with HACCP-based critical failure point analysis, shuts down the plant if any anomalies are detected. In addition, off-site detailed analyses of a range of CECs were performed monthly to further ensure adherence to the strictest global water quality standards.

Of equal signiﬁcance, local contractors were used for the design and construction of the plant, providing necessary technology development, training and skills for future potential operations and maintenance of the plant infrastructure and technology by the city.

The demonstration project was successful in:

• producing high-quality water that meets comprehensive international standards for potable water reuse;

• providing technical training in operating advanced water puriﬁcation technologies;

• developing protocols for the operation of such a facility at scale;

• establishing local laboratory capacity for advanced water quality analysis;

• carrying out a community outreach, education and acceptance programme;

• establishing partnerships for future successful potable water reuse; and

• developing and demonstrating capacity to identify sources of contaminants in the collection network.

EXPERIENCE, EXPERTISE AND EXCELLENCE

Engineering consultancy FIJ Consulting delivers cost-effective, efﬁcient value-adding engineering solutions to its clients

FIJ Consulting is a black-owned engineering consultancy company established in January 2014. It is a leading engineering consultant in the built environment striving for excellence by applying its extensive experience and expertise from concept to completion. Compact enough to act responsively, yet large enough to get the job done, FIJ Consulting provides consulting services and project management in the following sectors:

• Civil engineering – municipal engineering, transportation, water and wastewater engineering.

• Structural engineering – mining, commercial, retail and residential.

• Construction management.

The company is particularly proud of its impressive and diverse client base.

The FIJ team has extensive experience in the built environment’s diverse spheres, and is proud of its ability to provide high-quality, optimised, cost-e ective engineering solutions within clients’ budgets and schedules in challenging and dynamic project environments. The company believes that speed, dependability, quality and exibility translate into tangible value for the client.

FIJ PHILOSOPHIES

For some organisations, “value” is more than just a nice idea, “safety” is more than a lofty promise, and “green” is more than just a proclamation – FIJ Consulting is this kind of organisation. FIJ Consulting is committed to delivering value in projects by.

• Adapting to clients’ changing engineering requirements through the provision of exible service.

• Providing guaranteed creative and innovative engineering solutions by well-trained, experienced and professional staff.

• Delivering projects that are economically feasible and technically viable.

• Integrating a creative and technical thinking approach, allowing the company to explore problems deeper and imagine bolder and innovative ways.

• Being socially relevant to the communities in which it operates.

• Exclusively having a reputation for providing quality products on time and cost effectively to both clients and recipients of the company’s services.

• Using design schemes that promote labour-intensive methods where possible to create work on projects it is involved in.

FIJ Consulting is focused and centred on the key goal. It is equally concerned with specialist capabilities; being able to offer consummate expertise in three specialisations – consulting, engineering and project management.

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

FIJ Consulting is an engineering specialist in several fields. Structural Engineering Division

• Mining, commercial, residential and retail projects.

• Due diligence services to new and existing structures, including electronic modelling (point cloud or similar) of inspected facilities to enable a digital walkthrough to view and assess all defects or the status quo.

• Transportation systems.

• Reinforced, pre-stressed and post-tensioned structures.

Civil Engineering Division Municipal Services

• Infrastructure master planning services.

• • Roads and Stormwater

Water and Wastewater Treatment and Reticulation •

Safety, Health and Environment (SHE)

Construction Management

QUALITY, SAFETY, HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT Quality System

CLIENTS

The FIJ team has extensive experience in the built environment’s diverse spheres, and is proud of its ability to provide high-quality, optimised, cost-effective engineering solutions within clients’ budgets and schedules in challenging and dynamic project environments.

For more information: +2711 958 0437 admin@fijconsulting.co.za www.fijconsulting.co.za

PROACTIVE AND COST-EFFECTIVE CYBERSECURITY SERVICES

TAKE NOTE IT offers a range of cybersecurity services to protect its clients’ digital and physical assets using technologies that enable early detection of possible cybercrime

Founded in 2007, Take Note IT is a leading provider of cybersecurity and internet of things (IoT) early warning technologies systems. We provide cybersecurity monitoring and incident response services utilising next-generation endpoint protection, threat intelligence and services.

We o er proactive and cost-e ective cybersecurity services and technologies to detect cybersecurity threats and protect our clients digital and physical assets. Take Note IT leverages the best cybersecurity tools, processes and skills to provide value-added services to customers.

We provide services across industries such as insurance, manufacturing, retail, telecom, nancial services, pharmaceuticals, government, consumer services and emerging technology businesses. Our core strengths are unyielding integrity, applied innovation, commitment to quality and passion for excellence. One of our core competencies is in operating managed security operations centres for our clients where we do logging of events, monitoring, analysis and incident response 24/7, 365 days a year.

The company has also developed RFID tags with integrating software in-house.

OUR SERVICE OFFERING

1. Fully managed security operations centre

Extend your team with our people and processes. Running your own security operations centre (SOC) and security information

Take Note IT leverages the best cybersecurity tools, processes and skills to provide value-added services to customers.

threats

and event management (SIEM) can be expensive and challenging. Finding expert cybersecurity analysts to sta your SOC and manage your SIEM with the necessary correlation rules and use cases while keeping them on your payroll can be di cult. Paying for the entire operation can quickly add up to hundreds of thousands of rands annually. When you extend your team with Take Note IT cyberservices, you get fully managed security support, including 24/7 monitoring. Take Note IT’s fully managed security operations service centre takes the pain out of SIEM and SOC management. Your organisation can bene t from using the most advanced SIEM technology to log and correlate security events without the cost and complexity of owning and administering a SIEM system.

2. IoT early warning security solutions

Take Note IT means to observe with care and pay close attention We give you powerful insights into your security needs. We create highly successful and innovative solutions for you. We believe in blazing fresh trails instead of creating stale conventional ideas. Get expert guidance from trusted cybersecurity advisors.

3. Incident response management

Take Note IT complements your incident response teams with highly skilled incident responders who have been in the trenches and have experience and know-how in handling breaches.

4. Security risk assessment

Our free managed security service provider (MSSP) evaluation checklist is a comprehensive tool that blends two well-known methodologies for use by most organisations. We take a detailed look at your security landscape and how you are set up to prevent, detect and respond to incoming threats. We employ the

When you extend your team with Take Note IT cyberservices, you get fully managed security support, including 24/7 monitoring.

NIST cybersecurity framework guidelines to conduct a detailed analysis that accurately defines an organisation’s risks.

5. Cyber consulting

The evaluation of a MSSP is an important step in improving your organisation’s cybersecurity posture. Our free MSSP evaluation checklist will help you ensure that you ask all the right questions.

6. Penetration testing

Penetration testing is a key component of understanding how secure your environment is. Take Note IT’s proven penetration testing methodology and process thoroughly identi es security vulnerabilities and risks associated with those gaps.

CASE STUDY

Problem

The client is a large metropolitan city municipality with a population of three million residents. There are 15 000 endpoints scattered across the city. The city runs critical services, such as electricity, water and sanitation, housing, transport and infrastructure, 24/7, and manages a large number of residents services payments on their system. Access to a wealth of resident data and information municipalities more and more susceptible to cybercrime. Additional cyber-risk is posed by the fact that the city is also migrating its physical channels to digital channels. To e ectively fend o the security menaces and meet compliance regulations, the customer decided to leverage the security SIEM system and endpoint detection and response (EDR) technologies. The municipality selected Take Note IT, as our information security experts have an established strong reputation in SIEM and EDR for public and private domains.

Solution

The two-week SIEM for this municipality project involved two Take Note IT security consultants, who worked on-site. Before their arrival, the customer prepared complete network information, installed 2.5K EPS software with proper activation keys on all appliances and precon gured the network devices to allow cross-communication between all components.

The scope of services provided by our SIEM experts was divided into several stages:

Stage 1: Out-of-the-box log sources con guration.

Stage 2: System ne-tuning:

• building network hierarchy

• LDAP integration

• incident forwarder customisation

• identifying and removing sources of noise

For more information: www.takenoteit.co.za

• activating rules, saved searches and accumulated time series graphs

• customising dashboards

• parsing enhancement for various network appliances.

Stage 3: End-user training and knowledge transfer.

Providing hands-on mentoring of customer user and admin teams.

Results

• The scope of work accomplished by Take Note IT’s SIEM specialists visibility and ensured much better protection of customer valuable data.

• Our cybersecurity experts are ready to provide advanced ne-tuning at the customer’s request.

WHY TAKE NOTE IT

Certiﬁcation

• ISO 27001 certified

• ISO 9001 certi ed

Partners

• International partners

• Sta complement of 20 highly skilled security consultants with CISSP and certi ed ethical hackers

Track Record

• 13 years experience in the cyberspace

• Proven delivery in financial and public sector

Youth Employment

• Take Note IT contributes immensely to job creation for youth via the Youth Cyber Excellence Programme.

To deliver our quality service o ering, we are backed by an array of internationally recognised strategic partners. Our team is led by Mamela Luthuli – a seasoned business professional – the founder and CEO of Take Note IT. Luthuli has an MBA and numerous quali cations. She is extremely passionate about mentoring young people and creating opportunities for them. She is an entrepreneur, having started several informal ventures since the age of 14.

LEGISLATION ADVICE

OFFERING MUNICIPAL LEGISLATION ADVICE

PPoswa Incorporated (Poswa Inc) has over 10 years experience in legal advisory services in municipal legislation such as the Municipal Finance Management Act No. 56 of 2003 (the MFMA), the Municipal Structures Act No. 117 of 1998 (the MSA), Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000, the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009 (NLTA) and the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA). Over the years, Poswa Inc has been appointed to assist various municipalities with a wide range of legal services. These services include but are not limited to:

oswa Incorporated (Poswa Inc) has over 10 years experience in legal advisory services in municipal legislation such as the Municipal Finance Management Act No. 56 of 2003 (the MFMA), the Municipal Structures Act No. 117 of 1998 (the MSA), Municipal Systems Act No. 32 of 2000, the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009 (NLTA) and the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA). Over the years, Poswa Inc has been appointed to assist various municipalities with a wide range of legal services. These services include but are not limited to:

CORPORATE COMMERCIAL/BANKING AND FINANCE

• Drafting issuance documents in relation to updating the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s ZAR8 000 000 000 (R8-billion) Domestic Medium Term Note Programme and the issuance of instalments notes under the programme.

• Redrafting the bulk water supply agreement concluded between the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and one of its municipal entities to incorporate the provisions of the MFMA, the MSA, Municipal Systems and the National Water Act No. 36 of 1998.

• Drafting a shareholder compact agreement, redrafting a memorandum of incorporation for one of Mangaung

Poswa Incorporated assists municipalities with a broad spectrum of legal advice

Metropolitan Municipality’s municipal entities as well as advising and redrafting the service delivery agreement, pursuant to the municipality’s corporate restructuring and governance of its municipal entities.

• Appointed by the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (COJ) as transaction advisors to provide advisory services during the bid specification process, the procurement process and the implementation process of the tender for the provision of banking services to the COJ and its municipal-owned entities.

• Drafting the programme establishment documents of the COJ’s ZAR30 000 000 000 (R30-billion) Domestic Medium Term Note Programme and the issuance documents for the debt issuance of ZAR1 400 000 000 (R1.4-billion) notes thereunder.

• Drafting issuance documents pursuant to the issuance of ZAR1 458 000 000 (R1.458-billion) Notes (Green Bond) for the COJ.

• Currently appointed as the legal counsel for the COJ in the implementation of the third phase of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit.Human Settlements Projects: assisting the COJ with the development of social compacts for the COJ and assisting in the implementation of the Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme for various informal settlements in COJ.

Over the years, Poswa Inc has been appointed to assist various municipalities with a

ZIMELE BRINGS THE DELIVERY CENTRE TO CLIENTS

Zimele Technologies has expanded its ICT-based business solutions with the recent launch of its centralised service delivery platform for clients

Zimele Technologies is a South African-based black-owned IT company, which has been in the market for over 15 years. Born out of a shared passion for education, technology and a desire to push the boundaries of what is currently possible, Zimele has managed to expand its horizons by specialising in not only educational programs, but also in ICT-based business solutions for the utilities, public, retail, real estate management and facilities management sectors.

Through its understanding of local community challenges, Zimele is one of the rst companies in the Southern African region to utilise the expertise of its highly skilled and experienced personnel to e ectively implement and maintain IP-based solutions.

As an SAP-accredited partner, Zimele o ers specialised services to implement, maintain and support IP-based solutions with the below accreditations to name a few:

• SAP Recognised Expertise in Utilities

• SAP Recognised Expertise in Oil and Gas

• SAP Recognised Expertise in Real Estate Management

• SAP Recognised Expertise in Customer Relationship Management

• SAP Recognised Expertise in Public Sector

In addition to those specialties, Zimele has added the Delivery Centre to its list of expertise o erings. The Delivery Centre is a centralised service delivery platform for Zimele’s clients across Africa. It provides the necessary support to all clients by leveraging Zimele’s expertise and infrastructural capabilities, it is also supported by standard ways of working, best practices, common toolsets and quality measured by metrics. This model will allow Zimele to grow its client base signi cantly over the next couple of years.

THE ZIMELE SOLUTION

• Standardise the input required for effort estimations.

• Consolidate the effort across all functional areas to assist with over- or under-allocation.

• Workflow for internal and client approvals.

• Displaying the data and balances as per approvals for reconciliation to billing.

WHO WILL BENEFIT AND HOW

Zimele’s clients

• Increase customer satisfaction as Zimele focuses on driving SLA outcomes.

• Increase value, that is, include innovation in its services.

• Offer flexible services with potential cost reductions.

Zimele’s people

• Balance the workload, using its pool of people/skills to get the job done.

• Free up time to allow for value-adding initiatives and cross-skilling.

• Quicker resolutions through access to the central knowledge base with reusable solutions, assets and collateral to support quicker solutions.

Zimele’s business

• SAP operations certification to increase business growth.

• Offer flexible and cost-attractive solutions to clients.

The introduction of The Delivery Centre proves that Zimele continues to develop and is not stopping yet.

REDEFINING HEALTHCARE IN 2022

Bonitas Medical Fund announced its 2022 product line-up, which includes the use of reserves to keep contribution increases lower, a Benefit Booster to stretch day-to-day benefits, a revised international travel benefit with payment for COVID tests and a contribution towards quarantine costs

The Bonitas Medical Fund performed well in a volatile market, attributable to proactive risk management and prudent board decisions, says Lee Callakoppen, principal officer of Bonitas. “A positive offshoot of the pandemic was an increased appreciation of the need for medical aid cover that resulted in better-than-expected member retention and a 2.3 per cent membership growth since January.”

TOP LINE CHANGES

“We have taken a strategic decision to use approximately R600m of reserves to ensure that 82 per cent of members receive a below CPI contribution increase for the 2022 bene t year,” Callakoppen explains. The average weighted contribution increase across all plans is 4.8 per cent with the BonStart premium decreasing by 7.9 per cent – an industry first, as was the decision to offer BonFit Select at a 0 per cent increase in 2020. Increases range from minus 7.9 per cent to 6.5 per cent. The New offerings include:

• The Benefit Booster is the most innovative change in the healthcare industry, it equates to an increase in day-to-day benefits ranging from 16 to 32 per cent, depending on the plan. This covers all out-of-hospital claims including acute medicine, GP consultations and nonsurgical procedures.

• Cancer prevalence is increasing alarmingly, which sees the introduction of a new oncology management programme that utilises a partnership between Medscheme Managed Healthcare and the South African Oncology Consortium, to improve the co-ordination of care of oncology patients.

• A new personalised wellness and lifestyle programme, AMP, is now available on the new Bonitas app. It allows members to access their health information. Biometric data, claims and wearable data are used to regularly update their health score while an avatar nudges them on the best steps to take to boost their health. In addition, through a partnership with Nedbank AVO, members can access discounts and deals from over 7 000 merchants.

For more information: 0860 002 108 www.bonitas.co.za @BonitasMedical

• The back and neck programme has seen a 93 per cent success rate, a new eDBC app will offer digital coaching solutions and home-based care to help improve pain and mobility.

• The introduction of a specialist network on BonCap to extend access to secondary care, with a range of specialists to meet the member needs.

• The existing international travel benefit has been advanced to offer COVID-19 PCR tests pre- and post-travel as well as a contribution of up to R1 000 a day for enforced quarantine.

VIRTUAL CARE

BonStart, introduced in 2020, has proved very successful so the scheme is introducing an additional Edge plan, BonStart Plus, for 2022. Virtual care has proven a sound and reliable solution for improving access to quality healthcare and is offered across all 15 Bonitas plans.

SUSTAINABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY

The Council for Medical Schemes recommended increases in line with CPI with the caveat that financial stability and sustainability of schemes must remain a priority. “We feel that the use of part of our reserves to cushion members against increasing costs is an appropriate strategy, “ comments Callakoppen.

“ Our members remain at the heart of our interactions and we actively strive to find ways to amplify value and drive business development. Our focus on care, capability and reliability encompasses providing our members with the tools and preventative measures to guard against chronic conditions, as well as helping us to redefine healthcare for a new world.”

Lee Callakoppen