Johannesburg, South Africa, 9 June 2017. The aftermath of devastating fires continues to affect the lives of thousands of people in the Southern Cape. The areas most affected are Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield and surrounding towns, villages and informal settlements. The fires have been described as the most destructive spread of fire in a built-up area in the province in at least 30 years. 

They have caused loss of lives, the destruction of homes, and the evacuation of thousands of people. Given the extent of the tragedy, Vuma Reputation Management is calling on all South Africans to stand together and play their part in helping the communities whose lives have been devastated.  “This is a national emergency,” says Janine Hills, CEO of Vuma Reputation Management and a member of the board of Brand South Africa. “Fire is a tragic, unexpected and traumatic experience that can leave you without your home, your valuable or sentimental possessions, and even your pets. 

“Having grown up in the area, I know some of the families and communities affected, and to witness the extent of the destruction is truly heart-breaking,” she says. “It’s at times like these that we have to roll up our sleeves and get involved. We encourage all South Africans to gather together and help the affected communities in whatever way they can.” 

The Southern Cape fire services and disaster management teams are doing incredible work, but others need to get involved, as displaced fire victims start to rebuild their lives, Hills added. By donating basic necessities such as clothing and household items, everyone can do their bit to help a family get back on their feet.  

Here are some of the simple ways Hills suggests that ordinary citizens can assist: 

Take a family in if their home has been destroyed Feed a family Provide people with sandwiches, tea and coffee Offer basics like toothbrushes, facecloths and bottled water

Hand out blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothes Provide support and food for emergency teams who are working hard Be kind and gentle with people – they are in a state of trauma Donate loyalty points from eBucks, Pick ‘n Pay, Woolworths, and Spar, for example.

Donate supplies like tinned food at supermarket collection points Offer your service through community initiatives Donate to legitimate local disaster-relief organisations.

The Knysna Lions have set up the Knysna Lions Fire Fund, for example. Contact Gift of the Givers, or your nearest Makro store to make a donation.    

The Vuma Reputation Management team is donating essential items like nappies, baby formula, wet wipes, tinned food, blankets, and pet food, and urges other companies to follow suit. Hills stresses that people from all walks of life – from the poorest to the wealthiest communities – have been affected. “Recovering from a fire takes a long time, and continued support will be needed to help affected families transition back to a normal life,” says Hills. “This disaster provides us with an opportunity to stand together and show our humanity towards others.” #play-your-part. 

About Vuma Reputation Management

Vuma Reputation Management are experts in reputation management within South Africa and Africa. We specialise in building an organisation’s reputation from the inside out. Our focus areas are crisis communication, media relationship management, government protocol, public relations, media training, and stakeholder relationship management. We have an extensive track record and have implemented work for at least 50 JSE listed companies and operated in10 African countries. We live by the approach of Africans working for Africa. 

For any further information kindly contact: 

Roshnee Pillay

Business DirectorVuma Reputation Management

Tel: +27 82 654 1531Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo together with the Hollard JURA & JUMA team have put in some serious work to ensure the Braamfontein Spruit is nice and clean before the race.   Taking all the feedback from previous years the Hollard JURA & Hollard JUMA team, together with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, have taken steps to improve the sections of the route that were a little less than fragrant.  

“Our aim is to maximize the participants experience and together with Johannesburg City Parks we came up with using Effective Microbes (EM) as a water cleaning and odour busting solution to the problem. Now riders and riders can enjoy everything the route has to offer and have fresh, clean fun along the way,” explains Event Organiser Mark Castel. 

Ben Masalesa, Senior Training Facilitator, Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo, hails the Bokashi balls as an excellent water cleaning solution. “The balls are created from a mixture that includes bran, wheat bran, molasses and a combination of various bacteria endemic to South Africa. The balls sink to the riverbed, where they slowly release effective microbes (EM) for up to a month, improving water quality as the ‘good bacteria’ eats away the ‘bad bacteria’.” 

Over 1 000 EM Bokashi Balls were released into waterways along Killarney Golf Course, Wynberg, Emmarentia, Alberts Farm and Innesfree Park. Each Bokashi Ball can clean approximately 1000 cubic metres of water over its lifespan. The naturally beneficial microbes in EM act to biologically consume odour-causing toxins and break down waste and they are 100% eco-friendly. 

Louis Gordon, General Manager: New Business Development for Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo comments: “The Johannesburg City Parks team of Region E and Region B assisted in cleaning some of the areas that the race runs through, collecting over 150 bags of litter along the way. The team were also tasked with releasing the Effective Microbe (EM) based Bokashi Balls as part of their entry fee, it was a fantastic team building exercise and we can’t wait to participate in the race this weekend. “Huge improvements have come from the partnership with Hollard JURA & Hollard JUMA events, it’s a race that raises awareness of the environmental issues we face and encourages the use of the beautiful public parks we have in Johannesburg.” concludes Gordon.    

Entries are still open! Entry fees for the Hollard JURA are R249 ex VAT for the 6km Fun Run, R299 ex VAT for the 12km Adventure and R330 for the 18km Adventure ex VAT. Visit www.joziadventure.co.za for entries and more information. Entry fees for the Hollard JUMA are R399 (ex VAT) for the 54km and R299 (ex VAT) for the 22km. Enter now at www.juma.co.za.

South African regional company of the German photovoltaic system provider records initial successes in the distribution and project business

Cape Town, 09 May 2017 – IBC SOLAR AG, a global leader in photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy storage, has been active since January in the growth market of South Africa with its own regional company. Initial projects all over the country have already been successfully realised. From 16 to 18 May, IBC SOLAR South Africa (Pty) Ltd. will be showcasing its products at African Utility Week in Cape Town, one of the leading trade fairs for the African energy industry, where IBC SOLAR will exclusively launch the new SMA Sunny Boy Generation.

IBC SOLAR has been working together exclusively with its partner maxx | solar energy (Pty) Ltd. in the South African market since 2014. The two companies formed the new company IBC SOLAR South Africa (Pty) Ltd. based in Cape Town in January 2017. IBC SOLAR South Africa now offers its customers a perfect combination: over 35 years' experience of planning and realising PV systems of all sizes, together with an established partner that is familiar with the South African market and has access to a strong network of highly trained PV installers in South Africa.

The Management Board of IBC SOLAR South Africa consists of Albert Engelbrecht (IBC SOLAR AG) and Dieter Ortmann (maxx | solar energy). Locally, General Manager Daniel Haitzler is in charge of the regional company. Together with his team of four people at the Cape Town headquarters and Johannesburg, they are striving to a continuing market success.

“The South African PV market has substantial growth potential. Above all, there is a great need for self-consumption and storage systems for private households and the commercial sector,” says Daniel Haitzler. “In South Africa, we are taking a solution-oriented approach. Instability of the electricity supply and rising power costs are very challenging for private persons and companies alike. That's where we come in. We analyse, advise and offer customers a solution that meets their individual needs, which might be a diesel hybrid, off-grid or storage system.”

At the African Utility Week from 16 to 18 May, visitors to IBC SOLAR (Hall 1, German Pavilion, Stand B7-2) can find out more about the options for energy supply with solar power in South Africa.

Pretoria, 10 March 2017: Leading animal health industry company, Bupo Animal Health today announced that it has made a donation to a long serving landscaping services supplier, Reckson Makaringi of T-Rex Gardening Services . The donation, a set of brand new Ryobi landscaping equipment i.e a Trimtec lawnmower, Petrol chain saw, line trimmer and a bush cutter was made in lieu of Bupo Animal Health’s commitment to invest in the community.

The donation is instrumental in developing T-Rex Gardening Service’s service offering and skill set, all the while taking care of the environment that we all are a part of. From the Ceo’s office, Ms. Antonieta Bupo added, “Our organization depends on our community, and without the help of local vendors like T-Rex Gardening Services, we would not be able to provide our services and products in a clean and safe environment and thus it is only right that we support them back.”

Since 2014, Mr. Makaringi has been instrumental in the preparation and maintenance of our garden areas. These and the general spaces around our factory have to be kept highly sanitary at all conditions and this is no small feat.We have spearheaded other initiatives in the past, supporting schools as Mamelodi High School in 2015, 2016 and 2017, Silverton Primary School in 2016 as well as Meyerspark Primary School in 2017. The group CEO, Mr. Oscar Bupo believes that education is fundamental and should be supported at all costs. We are invested in the development of our community and employees and will continue to do so.

To learn more about Bupo Animal Health, its corporate philanthropy initiatives, please visit www.bupoanimalhealth.com

About Bupo Animal Health: Headquartered in Pretoria, Bupo Animal Health is an international South African company that manufactures, imports and distributes veterinary and pharmaceutical products as well as feed additives since 1988. Focusing on service, value chain and efficacy of our products, we aspire to be your preferred partner in Animal Health in Africa. Our products are synonymous of quality, efficacy and with a great element of innovation in each of them. We believe in the wisdom of mother nature, in a clean and friendly environment and offer a team of distinguished professionals, aligned with the ethos of nature’s principles of protection of our habitat. Proof of this is that we own 2.000 hectares of pristine land in Uruguay of natural and plantation forests managed in a sustainable, eco-friendly and conservationist way. We are very proud of this project.Bupo Animal Health has also invested in efficiencies at our factory in South Africa, particularly in the processing of liquids, powders and feed additives.

We have our own branches in South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco and Nigeria and also work closely with a Distribution Network of in the entire African Continent.

Contact

Lloyd Chikamba
Bedson Group, Marketing officer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+27128034376

20 March 2015 – Shamwari Game Reserve, part of Shamwari Group, in conjunction with key partners - South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI-Electric Nissan Truck supplier), Powertech (ATV battery supplier), Tracker (Vehicle telematic equipment supplier) and Imperial Green Mobility (ATV fleet supplier) have unveiled their first electric safari vehicle, which is hoped to help make the safari experience greener and more sustainable and also support Shamwari Game Reserve’s anti-poaching initiatives.  

An electric Nissan truck and an electric vehicle platform provided by SANEDI, will be placed at Shamwari Game Reserve for use by the Conservation Experience Programme. This 20 seater truck will be used to host and transport students as part of Shamwari’s behind the scenes experiences, which expose guests to several management tasks and projects in conservation, wildlife, ecology and community incumbencies.   The ‘quads’, electric all-terrain vehicle platform provided by Imperial Green Mobility, will be used by the rhino anti-poaching programme and possibly a mobile film unit.  

The deployment of a dedicated car port housing a solar array at Shamwari will provide the ideal renewable source of energy for charging the vehicles and will provide a completely off-grid solution for a ‘green’ game reserve experience.   The multi industry partnership forms part of uYilo’s activities to pool together various companies and organisations towards introducing e-mobility and its technologies in to South Africa. The intent is to create awareness, test performance of EVs in different roles and determine the feasibly of e-Mobility for the safari industry.  

The research and development focus will be on the feasibility of developing a fully South African designed and engineered EV for the safari industry and its potential to champion several other rural industries.   Comments Joe Cloete, Group General Manager for Shamwari Group, “This is yet another remarkable initiative that helps us in our pursuit to conserve a vanishing way of life and be more self-sufficient whilst offering guests something truly unique. This type of support will be groundbreaking in the fight against poachers. The research and development will help in developing and testing the technology at Shamwari Game Reserve for the safari industry of the future. ”   

“We look forward to the Department engaging with the industry and to join the debate”

South Africa’s Department of Energy is throwing its full weight behind efforts by the utility industry to find urgent and sustainable solutions to current energy challenges, says African Utility Week event director Evan Schiff. The Department has committed to a three-year partnership with the conference and exhibition that annually attracts more than 5000 power professionals from across the globe and takes place from 12-14 May in Cape Town.

“We take this official host ministry partnership with the Department as seriously as they do”, says Evan Schiff. He adds: “not only will the Honourable Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson address our opening session, she will attend our unique CEO Forum, that brings together utility leaders from across the continent. Moreover, as a member of our Advisory Board, the department is helping to shape the conference programme and set the debate agenda. This fits seamlessly with our aim to remain relevant and be an event for and by the industry. We have similar partnerships with various integral industry bodies such as Eskom, Power Africa, SAEEC, SAAMA and the City of Cape Town.”

“Department engaging with the industry”
Says Evan Schiff: “every year African Utility Week gathers the industry to learn, share knowledge and debate the key topics that will secure the future development of Africa’s power and water industries. Topics will range from regional collaboration in the power sector to the untapped potential of renewable energy and investment challenges.”

He adds: “We look forward to the Department engaging with the industry and to join the debate to find creative and sustainable solutions to the energy challenges we all face. We are excited to have the Department as an official partner of such a long-standing event as African Utility Week that has become an important fixture and meeting place on the energy calendar for the continent.”

More event highlights
The 15th African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa is expected to again attract more than 5000 attendees and feature 250 exhibitors, 190 speakers, eight conferences, free technical workshops on the expo floor, site visits, three high-profile plenary sessions and the coveted industry awards gala dinner.

DNV-GL has already confirmed its exclusive diamond sponsorship of the event while Accenture, Building Energy, MarelliMotori, Rubbytad and Edison Power Group are the platinum sponsors.

African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa dates and location:
Exhibition & Conference: 12-14 May 2015
Industry awards: 13 May 2015
Site Visits: 15 May 2015
Location: CTICC, Cape Town
Website: www.african-utility-week.com

Contact:
Communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone : +27 21 700 3558
Mobile: +27 82 562 7844
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Notes for Editor
Spintelligent (Pty) Ltd is an African media business, specialising in Exhibitions, Conferences and Publishing. Head-quartered in Cape Town with a team of 90 experienced professionals, Spintelligent is a dynamic and recognised organiser across multiple industry sectors and geographies. A specialist organiser with the ability to deliver key growth projects in the early emerging markets of the African continent.

Spintelligent is the African partner office of Clarion Events Ltd, the UK based organiser operating in 36 countries worldwide with 9 subsidiary offices delivering over 500 exhibitions and conferences annually.

Spintelligent delivers projects in African growth industry sectors; Power & Utilities; Energy; Mining; Education & Careers; Agriculture; Infrastructure; Military & Defence. Spintelligent delivers projects in the emerging African markets; South Africa; Nigeria; Ghana; Kenya; Tanzania; DRC; Angola; Mozambique; Zambia.

Spintelligent is recognised for its print and electronic publications, with market-leading brands including Metering International, ESI Africa and Mining Review Africa. Its regular global events and exhibitions, as well as its critical business intelligence and integrated marketing services make it a leader in its field. The company’s highly skilled resources in management, marketing, research and production allow for unique products bridging the developed and developing markets.

www.spintelligent.com
www.african-utility-week.com/Pages/Detail/17902

“The community really enjoyed the whole process and supported us”

“It has changed my life a lot, it is seriously much better. I am more independent now with my own electricity,” says 35-year-old Monier Larry who lives in the backyard of a council house in Albecore Street in Factreton, a northern suburb of Cape Town. His dwelling is one of hundreds that has been provided with electricity, water, sanitation and waste services by the City of Cape Town.

Due to the wide spread occurrence of informal dwellings in the backyards of houses in formal townships, the mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille, saw the need to improve the circumstances of the many so-called backyarders living on council property. In October 2011, the City Council gave the green light to continue with three pilot sites, namely Factreton, Hanover Park and Langa.  The latter was later withdrawn due to consumer resistance. 13.6% of the national population lives in informal housing including backyards.

According to Hein Boshoff, Head: Electricity Distribution Area North at the City of Cape Town, a total of 188 backyarder dwellings in Factreton have so far been provided with electricity while 984 dwellings in Hanover Park have been connected. He adds: ”the two pilot backyarder projects, each with their own challenges, proved to be successful and Council is continuing with this approach in areas where the community is willing to accept these improvements. The Electricity department will be attending to two other areas for backyarder supply: Parkwood and Bonteheuwel.”

“Much easier since I have my own box now” Monier Larry, who looks after his two-year-old daughter Isis, says he has been a backyarder for more than 20 years. He now has a light and an electricity box in his shack and the council installed a sink with tap and a toilet in the backyard. He explains: “we used to get electricity from the house inside and it used to be a bit of a problem. Sometimes it would trip or they would complain that we use too much electricity or you did not know how much electricity you were using. It is much easier since I have my own box now.”

Next door, 31-year-old Teresa Gordam agrees. She shares a backyard dwelling with her boyfriend and young cousin. “When I moved in here they were busy installing the new services. It is so much more convenient for us to have our own toilet, tap and electricity connection in the back because the people in the main house would not allow me inside to use the toilet and water.”  

Community engagement The infrastructure that had to be put in place includes the removal of the midblock supply to the street front in Factreton. The City of Cape Town’s Hein Boshoff explains that “a new design was also necessary to account for the increased demand in supplying up to three Backyarder dwellings per council rental unit with electricity. This resulted in the strengthening of the backbone of the network and substations. New street lighting was also installed.”

All Backyarder projects are funded through the Urban Settlement Development Grant (USDG).

Part of the success of the backyarder programme has been the community engagement aspect and according to Hein Boshoff “the community really enjoyed the whole process and supported us in this whole venture to uplift the social environment for them.” He says the initiative changed the lives of the backyarders with regards to “safety around their homes as there is no more dangerous wiring from the main dwelling, social upliftment  - the EPWP Expanded Public Works Programme allowed for work opportunities, improved living conditions – alleviating poverty through subsidised electricity connections - and no more exploitation by the main occupants.”

African Utility Week
Hein Boshoff will discuss this successful project as a featured speaker during the Transmission & Distribution and Smart Grids session of the upcoming African Utility Week conference and expo at the CTICC in Cape Town from 12-14 May. During a technical site visit on 15 May, conference delegates will also have the opportunity to visit the Factreton site to see the improved infrastructure for themselves and meet some of the backyarders. Last year, the City of Cape Town was named top municipality at the African Utility Week Awards.

Gathering thousands of energy professionals
For the past 14 years, the African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa conference and exhibition has helped to reduce the energy consumption of commercial and industrial large power users and has assisted in African utilities providing electricity and water to all of Africa. The event brings together thousands of utility professionals from across the globe to learn, share knowledge and debate the key topics that will secure the future development of Africa’s power industry. These include energy efficiency, improved service delivery, renewable energy and collaboration across the continent and investment in new power projects. South Africa’s state utility Eskom has been a key partner for many years.

DNV-GL has already confirmed its exclusive diamond sponsorship of the event while Accenture, Building Energy, Edison Power Group, MarelliMotori and Rubbytad are the platinum sponsors.

African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa is organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. 

African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa dates and location: 
Exhibition & Conference: 12-14 May 2015
Industry awards: 13 May 2015
Site Visits: 15 May 2015 Location:  CTICC, Cape Town
Website:  www.african-utility-week.com

Contact:
Communications manager: Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone: +27 21 700 3558
Mobile: +27 82 562 7844
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Notes for Editor
Spintelligent (Pty) Ltd is an African media business, specialising in Exhibitions, Conferences and Publishing. Head-quartered in Cape Town with a team of 90 experienced professionals, Spintelligent is a dynamic and recognised organiser across multiple industry sectors and geographies.

A specialist organiser with the ability to deliver key growth projects in the early emerging markets of the African continent. Spintelligent is the African partner office of Clarion Events Ltd, the UK based organiser operating in 36 countries worldwide with 9 subsidiary offices delivering over 500 exhibitions and conferences annually.

Spintelligent delivers projects in African growth industry sectors; Power & Utilities; Energy; Mining; Education & Careers; Agriculture; Infrastructure; Military & Defence. Spintelligent delivers projects in the emerging African markets; South Africa; Nigeria; Ghana; Kenya; Tanzania; DRC; Angola; Mozambique; Zambia.

Spintelligent is recognised for its print and electronic publications, with market-leading brands including Metering International, ESI Africa and Mining Review Africa.

Its regular global events and exhibitions, as well as its critical business intelligence and integrated marketing services make it a leader in its field. The company’s highly skilled resources in management, marketing, research and production allow for unique products bridging the developed and developing markets.

Website: www.spintelligent.com
www.african-utility-week.com/pages/detail/17625

“We are part of the industry and therefore perfectly placed to identify trends”

“We’re ready for this year and great things are already underway, from a new corporate identity that reflects where Spintelligent is going, to exciting new events that will be launched in the second half of this year”, says David Ashdown, Managing Director of Spintelligent Pty, the leading Cape Town-based publisher, trade exhibition and conference organizer in the power, mining, agriculture, defence and education sectors.

New identity reflects transformation
As of the beginning of 2015 the company boasts a revitalised corporate identity with new printed and electronic collateral, which Ashdown says “reflects the transformation that is taking place in the company and the new direction we have taken as we continue to evolve and redefine our business from the inside out, while remaining in touch with the industry to stay relevant, vital and innovative.”

Training Academy
Part of this growth is the new Spintelligent Training Academy that was established at the end of last year to address learning and development needs in the energy, utilities and mining industries on the African continent. Says David Ashdown: ”we are part of the industry and therefore perfectly placed to identify trends and gaps with regards to skills development. The Training Academy’s first courses have started and will give power professionals from South Africa, Ghana to Nigeria practical insights into and solutions to their daily challenges.”    

Busy first quarter & new events
A busy first quarter is already underway as the preparation for various upcoming flagship Spintelligent events is in full swing. These shows include the agriculture and mining expos in Zambia: Agritech Expo and CBM-TEC, both of which were launched with great success last year, will take place again in April and May in Chisamba and Kitwe this year.

“Then as part of our ongoing strategy to identify gaps in the market and broadening our audiences at existing strong shows”, says Spintelligent’s David Ashdown, “we are launching four new events in the second half of this year. The new Clean Power East Africa, Clean Power West Africa and the iPAD Power & Infrastructure Investment Forums in Uganda and Cameroon are all extensions of highly successful Spintelligent event franchises.”

Publishing
Spintelligent’s Publishing division has just launched the second edition of the “Most influential people in Africa’s power sector” publication, which features the most influential people who are shaping the power sector across the continent. This complements the “Most influential people in European Smart Grid” publication, which was launched late last year.

Says David Ashdown: “with 22 publications a year, this is a busy department, and we have an amazing team working to make our titles best in class, setting new standards in the power, metering, smart energy and mining publishing sectors.” 

Contact:
Communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web:  www.spintelligent.com

About Spintelligent
Spintelligent (Pty) Ltd is an African media business, specialising in Exhibitions, Conferences and Publishing. Head-quartered in Cape Town with a team of 90 experienced professionals, Spintelligent is a dynamic and recognised organiser across multiple industry sectors and geographies. A specialist organiser with the ability to deliver key growth projects in the early emerging markets of the African continent.

Spintelligent is the African partner office of Clarion Events Ltd, the UK based organiser operating in 36 countries worldwide with 9 subsidiary offices delivering over 500 exhibitions and conferences annually.

Spintelligent delivers projects in African growth industry sectors; Power & Utilities; Energy; Mining; Education & Careers; Agriculture; Infrastructure; Military & Defence. Spintelligent delivers projects in the emerging African markets; South Africa; Nigeria; Ghana; Kenya; Tanzania; DRC; Angola; Mozambique; Zambia.

Spintelligent is recognised for its print and electronic publications, with market-leading brands including Metering International, ESI Africa and Mining Review Africa. Its regular global events and exhibitions, as well as its critical business intelligence and integrated marketing services make it a leader in its field. The company’s highly skilled resources in management, marketing, research and production allow for unique products bridging the developed and developing markets.

www.spintelligent.com
www.spintelligent.com/pages/detail/16472

New General Manager for Hytec Engineering  

Pierre Goosen has been appointed General Manager, Hytec Engineering – a Hytec Group company, which was effective from November 2014. Goosen has 30 years of manufacturing industry experience and holds an MBA degree from Business School Netherlands.

Caption: Pic 1. Pierre Goosen, Hytec Engineering, General Manager  

Enquiries:
Willem Gijzelaar
Group Marketing Manager: Communications
Hytec Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 011 979 4630
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.hytecgroup.co.za

From: CubicICE (Pty) Ltd (011) 705 2545
Submitted: Zelda Onay
Compiled: Andrew Smith
PR: PR HYT 3938 Goosen appointment

Top tips for saving and celebrating a greener Christmas 

Load shedding is a fact of life for the foreseeable future in South Africa and a little planning and creativity can alleviate a lot of the unpleasantness during the holidays. This is according to Evan Schiff, event director of the annual African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa conference and expo in Cape Town.

He says furthermore that higher electricity prices in South Africa have become an increasing strain on consumers’ monthly expenses and that “Christmas is a great time to introduce energy saving habits into a household as many easy and simple changes in the way we live can end up putting extra money into your pocket.”

Practical tips to plan for and cope with load shedding this holiday:
•    Be prepared, keep a regular eye on websites with information on load shedding schedules and print these out.  http://www.loadshedding.eskom.co.za/
•    Create a Whatsapp group for your neighbourhood and keep each other informed.
•    Make sure that there are enough candles, matches, torches, batteries and so forth for load shedding periods after dark.
•    Be ready for it! Make sure all cellphones, tablets, laptops and toys are fully charged before the lights go out. This way you can keep the kids entertained with a movie, or at least be able to use the phone.
•    Have fun activities ready for when the lights are off such as board games and family time around the barbeque.
•    Keep a gas burner as a back-up in the kitchen to be able to heat water and do essential cooking.   

An energy efficient holiday season
“There are a variety of ways we can use a lot less electricity this holiday season”, says Schiff, “such as using LED* Christmas lights which use 90% less electricity than regular Christmas lights. Consider investing in solar powered outdoor lights which can also be used on the Christmas tree and only come on at night.”

He continues: “up to 40% of all batteries are purchased during the holiday season so try to buy toys and gifts that don't use electricity or batteries. Gifts made of recycled material are also a great environmentally friendly gesture.”

More handy energy saving tips for the holiday season:
•    Don’t use the tumble dryer unnecessarily – it is summer, so take advantage of solar powered drying.
•    Turn off the room lights when the Christmas tree lights are on.
•    Set a timer to Christmas and outdoor lights to limit the time they are on.
•    Create a romantic and intimate atmosphere by using candles instead of lights.
•    Enjoy the weather and celebrate the holidays outside with a braai instead of cooking on a stove!  Or enjoy cold meats and salads during this summer season – it’s healthier and saves on power.
•    If you’re going away, turn off/ the geyser, empty and unplug the refrigerator.Advice for improving energy efficiency in your home during the year:
•    Invest in a geyser blanket. Unless the geyser is properly insulated, switching it off does not save electricity.
•    Insulate the roof to make the house cooler in summer and warmer in winter and thereby saving on seasonal heating and cooling.•    Switch off appliances at the wall plug when not in use.
•    Replace CFL (compact fluorescent lamps) bulbs with LED.
•    Use cold water to do laundry, it saves electricity and is better for the clothes.

Gathering thousands of energy professionals
For the past 14 years, the African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa conference and exhibition has helped to reduce the energy consumption of commercial and industrial large power users and has assisted in African utilities providing electricity and water to all of Africa. The event brings together thousands of utility professionals from across the globe to learn, share knowledge and debate the key topics that will secure the future development of Africa’s power industry. These include energy efficiency, improved service delivery, renewable energy, collaboration across the continent and investment in new power projects. South Africa’s state utility Eskom has been a key partner for many years.

The 15th edition of African Utility Week is expected to again attract more than 5000 attendees and feature 250 exhibitors, 190 speakers, eight conferences, free technical workshops on the expo floor, three high-profile plenary sessions and the coveted industry awards gala dinner. Stakeholders from across the industry and continent are represented, from Ministers of Energy through to power and water utilities, municipalities and regulators to investors and technology and service providers.  

Attending the African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa exhibition is free when registering in advance and it showcases energy saving technologies and services for the industry and features hands-on demonstrations and workshops on the exhibition floor.

*LED=light-emitting diodes

Eskom’s 49M campaign encourages all South Africans to take the 49M pledge to save at least 10% electricity.  http://www.49m.co.za

African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa are organised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

The dates for next year’s African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa are:  
Exhibition & Conference: 12-14 May 2015
Industry awards: 13 May 2015
Site Visits: 15 May 2015
Location:  CTICC, Cape Town
Website:  www.african-utility-week.com, www.clean-power-africa.com 

Contact for interviews:
Event director: Evan Schiff
Mobile: +27 83 415 3534
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
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