We are excited to share our events calendar for 2022 at PocketAdvisor enabling entrepreneurs through our online training programs and practical resources to help cultivate a community of empowered Entrepreneurs with the skills to make a positive impact in their community, whilst growing and scaling their businesses.

Our programs are unique as they do not just offer expert content at affordable rates enabling entrepreneurs to make better decisions, but importantly entrepreneurs receive all the resources including contract templates to implement what they have learnt immediately.

For more: https://pocketadvisor.co.za/2021/10/27/events-2022/

SGB-Cape Rope Access, a division of Waco Africa, offers specialist rope access services and has stated that there is a shortage of skills in the “work at height” industry in South Africa. 

A specialist field of work – and not for the faint-hearted – there are significant advantages to using “rope access” over traditional access methods such as scaffolding and mobile elevated working platforms. Apart from the ease of access to hard-to-reach locations, utilising rope access offers an affordable alternative to other methods, such as building scaffolding, and can be set up quickly, efficiently and with minimal disruption. 

Cobus Joubert, manager at SGB-Cape Rope Access, explained, “Say for example a light bulb, 40 meters in the air at a construction or mining site, needs to be changed. Instead of orchestrating an entire operation that requires scaffolding to be built – which includes a number of heavy-duty vehicles, drivers, builders, going through an organisation’s supply chain process – and then of course everything has to be taken down again, a simple task of changing the light bulb can take several weeks or months. On the other hand, a couple of rope access technicians can do the same job in a matter of days.” 

Mr Joubert continued, “Here in South Africa we have a multitude of industries that are already using rope access technicians, such as construction, power, oil and gas, banner signage, industrial maintenance and telecommunications industries. However, we find that we have a serious lack of skill and qualified technicians and would encourage adventurous souls to actively pursue it as a career. To become a rope access technician is not as daunting as most people think, and the first entry-level qualification is aimed at individuals with little or zero previous experience.” 

IRATA Training

SGB Cape Offshore (Pty) Ltd is an accredited provider of IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) industrial rope access training courses. IRATA is recognised as the world’s leading authority on industrial rope access and directs and regulates the training of all workers seeking an IRATA qualification through its' accredited providers. To find out more and to register for IRATA level 1, 2 or 3, please visit https://www.sgbcaperopeaccess.co.za/What-We-Do/IRATA-TRAINING-COURSES/IRATA-Courses-Offered. 

About SGB-Cape Rope Access

SGB-Cape Rope Access is an operating division of SGB-Cape, one of South Africa’s leading service providers of access scaffolding and industrial access-based maintenance such as thermal insulation and corrosion protection. SGB-Cape is part of Waco International, a focused equipment rental and industrial services business with operations in Africa (South Africa and other sub-Saharan African countries), Australasia (Australia and New Zealand) and the United Kingdom. The Group provides services in the areas of formwork, shoring and scaffolding, insulation, painting and blasting, hydraulic and suspended access platforms, relocatable modular buildings, portable sanitation products and integrated hygiene services. https://sgbcape.co.za/

Global software testing company Inspired Testing has appointed Bas Dijkstra, an industry renowned test automation consultant, to the new position of Director: International Academy.

Based in the Netherlands, Bas joins the Inspired Testing team with 15 years of experience in improving software testing efforts through the smart application of tools. Over the past 5 years, Bas has focused on helping others become better test automation engineers through his corporate training courses and workshops. Bas builds and delivers industry relevant, technical and engaging courses that incorporate many of his own learnings from his career as a test automation consultant. Bas is also a ‘teaching and learning’ enthusiast who puts time and energy into upskilling engineers, helping companies remain relevant and competitive. As a result, he is well respected in the industry and his courses are lauded for their professional excellence.

“I’ve known the Inspired Testing team for some years and have watched the company’s growth and success with great interest,” says Bas. “Leading the Inspired Testing International Academy is like a dream job for me. I get to work with people and help them learn things that make them better at what they do, I get to fiddle with code and tools, AND I get to build a globally renowned, best practice, industry relevant software testing training institute from the ground up.”

Bas begins his new role on 1 September 2021 and will be responsible for developing and delivering a portfolio of courses designed to provide the Inspired Testing customer base with a well-rounded test automation education offering. Currently, the Inspired Testing Academy attracts companies and engineers from mainly South Africa. Bas will lead a team to expand the Inspired Testing Academy into new markets with a mission to provide comprehensive training that keeps up with global software development trends and business demands.

“To become a good test engineer, you need more than a couple of two or three week standalone courses,” says Bas. “There are a number of scattergun approaches to test automation training out there and in my view, they simply aren’t good enough. The software testing world needs a reputable, gold standard training academy that offers a comprehensive series of courses that combines fundamental principles with practical, technical know-how. And that’s exactly what we aim to deliver with the Inspired Testing International Academy.”

Nadine du Toit, Chief Services & Innovation Officer at Inspired Testing, says notwithstanding all the pressures of 2020, the company pushed forward on its mission to create an innovative, future-geared international Testing Academy. The academy is a key part of the company’s global growth strategy and will be steered by Bas towards growing knowledge and expertise in software quality engineering for the global future.

“Knowledge, experience and skilled capabilities are invaluable commodities within today’s global technology industries,” says Nadine. “As industry specialists, it is imperative that we lead the way in harnessing the latest technology trends and preparing skilled software testers to go above and beyond market requirements. As part of our senior management team, Bas will help us achieve Inspired Testing’s vision of remaining relevant in the ever-changing software testing industry. Under his leadership, our International Testing Academy will shape the software engineers of the future for their and our clients’ ongoing success.”

Bas lives in the Netherlands with his wife and two sons. When he’s not at work, he loves to get outdoors and go for a trail run, a bike ride or a swim, or sit down and relax with a good book.  

Pretoria, South Africa – Drug addiction in South Africa is twice the international norm and a major contributor to crime and early deaths. Hypnotherapy experts are addressing the issue of addiction with the introduction of a new masterclass to empower experienced hypnosis practitioners to become part of the solution.

Addiction takes many forms. Alcohol and cannabis are the two major addictions in South Africa, followed by cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, opiates and ecstasy. It is estimated that some 60% of all crimes committed in this country involve the use of substances. Cigarettes are another major addiction; with about 7 million South Africans over the age of 15 smoke some 27 billion cigarettes every year. Gambling and internet gaming have both been recognized as official addictions. Other compulsive habits such as shopping, sex, food, TV, and social media have not yet been peer reviewed, but are growing problems. It is expected that the Covid-19 pandemic will aggravate the problem and the United Nations is predicting a dramatic rise in addictions in the near future because of it.

Hypnotherapy has been scientifically proven as an effective method to both prevent and solve addictions, but has largely been ignored because of the many misconceptions that exist about hypnosis. This is a problem that the experienced and respected South African hypnotherapists Thomas Budge and Yvonne Munshi are determined to rectify. According to South African hypnotherapy guru Thomas Budge: “Addiction is one of the most feared aspects of the hypnotherapist’s practice, simply because they do not possess the in-depth knowledge and skills to successfully help their clients.”

Thomas has taken it upon himself to rectify this problem and share his knowledge built up over many years. Together with Yvonne Munshi, herself an expert in this field, they have written a book called Addiction: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. This work forms the basis of the masterclass that will address the neurobiology of addiction, the rules of the mind, and effective and tested methods to address this growing problem. Registrations are open for suitably qualified and experienced hypnosis practitioners, whether they are working in the clinical or non-medical fields. This is the first course of its kind that will soon be presented around the world.

The masterclass will be held at Pretoria Ranch from 2 – 6 September 2021. It is limited to a maximum of 18 participants who will benefit from the expert information that will expand their practice. Those who have completed the course will become part of an online community where they receive support and regular updates. A referral system will be implemented to ensure that clients who need these specialized services get to the right practitioner.

This masterclass is a unique opportunity for hypnotherapists to gain expert information, which includes the 450-page course book Addiction: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Bookings are now open on http://hypnosismasterclass.pro

Roodepoort, Gauteng - On Friday, the 6th of December, South Africa’s leading construction materials group, AfriSam, celebrated the graduation of 21 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises,.This was the company’s third graduation ceremony this year which has now seen about 70 entrepreneurs going through its SMME development program. The graduation ceremony which was held at the AfriSam Business Development Center in Roodepoort is a big part of the company’s contribution to the upliftment of small and medium businesses in communities close to its operations.

The new graduates from Roodepoort underwent a six months construction course and successfully completed the training through AfriSam’s Enterprise Development Program. With these skills the entrepreneurs are now equipped to advance their businesses in the construction and related sectors.

“We are very confident that this initiative will upskill and add value to these entrepreneurs as well as deliver further growth to local SMME’s. At AfriSam, our aim is to empower and enhance the capacities of previously disadvantaged, black owned SMME’s. We support them so that they can be supplier ready and actively compete for opportunities in the other markets”, says Betty Masinge, Enterprise and Supplier Development Manager, AfriSam.

In conjunction with the City of Joburg, an open day was held to disseminate information about the program. Local registered SMMEs who applied were selected to participate in the construction skills programme.

Naziem Ismail, owner of NRRFS Projects and Distribution PTY is one of the candidates who applied, got accepted and had the opportunity to do the ESD program through AfriSam. His business has been operating since 2015, in the construction industry. Naziem says the training received from AfriSam added great value to his business.

“I would like to thank AfriSam for giving us this opportunity. I now operate and manage my business much better with the skills they taught me. I am more willing to take on bigger projects and ready to expand. You are never too young or too old to start a business and therefore I encourage all entrepreneurs to join this program”, Ismail added.

Godfrey Mathebula, trainer for NM Consultants who facilitated the program says this opportunity will help small business owners build their businesses and strengthen relationships with customers. “I urge SMMEs to challenge themselves and take calculated risks in their businesses with a good vision in mind”, he adds.

“Entrepreneurs must build mutual relations with other experts and seek mentors who can guide, help and provide professional advice through the journey. Take advantage of opportunity centres and other services provided by the City of Joburg”, Masinge concluded.

This press release was published by Archy Hlahla, Hlengani Communications on behalf of AfriSam PTY LTD

For more information, please kindly contact Maxine Nel, Head of Communications, AfriSam on +27 011 670 5893 OR This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mention the word chainsaw, and Innocent Sefolo’s heart probably beats just a smidgen faster. That’s because this particular granddad has been employed by Husqvarna in Pietermaritzburg for a mindboggling 42 years – most of which have involved working with the world-renowned brand’s chainsaws.

To say he is passionate about his job is an understatement. “I love what I do,” he says with heartfelt enthusiasm.

Sefolo said the past four decades with Husqvarna have been wonderful. Highlights, said the Imbali father-of three (and granddad of five), include a trip to Husqvarna’s global headquarters in Stockholm, and attending a conference in Munich, Germany.

“But I also love travelling up north, and seeing other parts of Africa, like Zimbabwe and Zambia, and I’ve also been to Swaziland.” More recently he was in Stellenbosch, which he also enjoyed.

Sefolo is the company’s chainsaw guru, and a whiz at training people on how to use Husqvarna’s range of super-efficient machines: think foresters (privateers as well as major forestry companies), and students (Cedara Agricultural College, Stellenbosch University wood science/forestry students), among others. He also sells equipment.

“I started my career repairing chainsaws for a Sandvik franchise, a small family-owned company in Pietermaritzburg, with just the manager, his wife and I, when I was 25. They used to import the equipment from Sweden and I learned to repair and sell the machines. Back then, in 1977, the business was run from a small 50sqm shop.”

The company was bought out by Husqvarna, and Sefolo continued with the new group, becoming more involved in the training and sales of equipment. “But the chainsaws have always been my favourites,” he confessed. He conceded, however, that the chainsaws with which he started his career are now on display in the museum at Husqvarna’s Pietermaritzburg headquarters. “They are very different from what is available today and what I train people on!”

Sefolo is particularly proud to have shown the chainsaw ropes, so to speak, to Roger Jackson, long-serving Husqvarna Business Developer: Forestry.

Said Jackson: “Back in 1980, the company I worked for bought four Husqvarna 480SE chainsaws and Innocent was sent to me to teach me how to maintain and service them. He has an amazing and humble approach in how he communicates with people, and it is impossible not to appreciate what he tries to convey.”

Sefolo’s major assets are his passion for the brand and the product, added Jackson, as well as his unassuming approach to everyone and his incredible ability to converse in several different languages.

“The people who use or maintain our products come from diverse backgrounds, and Innocent has absolutely no problem adapting to whatever situation he finds himself, and excelling.”

He said Sefolo’s loyalty to the brand and dedication to excellent customer support “have helped us retain and build our customer base throughout South Africa and, in some cases, beyond, like in Mozambique and Zimbabwe”.

Although he was due to retire this month, Sefolo is so valuable to the company that they’ve asked him to extend his services. “I’m happy to do that,” he said. “I love my job, and dealing with and meeting different people. I really enjoy the sales and the training, and if I had to retire, I think I would very quickly ‘go upstairs’,” he said with a broad grin, gesturing heavenwards.

For more information about Husqvarna, visit www.husqvarna.com.

Join us as we unpack the provisions of the new Carbon Tax Bill.

The Carbon Tax Bill which has been debated for the past 8 years has finally been signed into law and has been effective since 01 June 2019.   The Bill imposes a liability on the greenhouse gases emitted during the production of goods and services. The nominal tax rate is R120 per tonne  of carbon emitted, although with the various tax-free allowances the rate could drop to between R6 and R48 per tonne.

 Allowances included are:

• a basic tax-free allowance of 60 percent for all activities,
• a 10 percent process and fugitive emissions allowance,
• a maximum 10 percent allowance for companies using carbon offsets to reduce their tax liability,
• a performance allowance of up to five percent for companies reducing the emissions intensity of their activities,
• a five percent carbon budget allowance for complying with the reporting requirements,·and
• a maximum 10 percent allowance for trade exposed sectors.  

Our 1 day workshop will assist you to understand:

• Who is liable for carbon tax   I The Greenhouse Gases  I The tax base - Scope 1 emissions   I  Rate of tax·Tax Period  I  Calculating emissions   I  Tax allowances and offsets  I  Sectors not covered by the tax  I  How to calculate tax liability and use allowances to maximise tax reductions 

Date:   07 November

Time:   9h00-15h00

Venue: 36 Wierda Road West, Sandton

Cost:   R2 950.00pp

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your seat

The PG Bison 1.618 Education Initiative 2019 has just revealed the top ten finalists in South Africa in their coveted design competition.PG Bison is a highly soughtafter event, garnering hundreds of entries from design and architecture institutions from across the country confirming the popularity thereof.

Pretty sure the judging panel had a tough time deciding on the shortlist. Following on the yearly success of the PG Bison campaign and its 23 years of existence, this is only Cad4all Design College second year of participation in competing in this acclaimed event.Cad4all Design has only received full accreditation for our design qualifications in 2014,thus making us adolescent in industry in comparison with our established competitors which proves that it is not about the length of existence but the depth of our passion.

We have yet proven that we have the tenacity and competency to compete with the very best in industry .Cad4all is  immensely honoured to receive this massive recognition and commends the extensive work put in over the weeks by its dedicated staff and our very own Jano Fourie who was selected as a top 10 finalist in SA. His work was judged collectively in an anonymous process by a panel of leading industry experts.

Cad4all Design College has experienced some tough battles and trying ordeals over the weeks but remained composed and inspired to prove the contrary against daunting odds. The most memorable achievements, such as this selection of one our students as a top ten finalist, are the ones to be treasured as no one predicts or expects its occurrence.

Cad4all Design College is committed to higher learning and endears itself to the learners enrolled for a caliber of education paralleled to excellence. Jano Fourie, we are super delighted of this memorable achievement and CAD4ALL wishes to express our full support to you in your journey to success. We wish you the very best in the race to the end of the PG Bison 2019 competition and know that you have put in so much to inspire us all.

CAD4ALL College is overjoyed with the hardworking class of 2019 and the dedication and commitment of its diligent staff.In the words of Amelia Barr,” It is always the simple that produces the marvelous.” Visit the home of AEC education on www.cad4all.co.za 

The CAD4ALL EGD Academy linking our graduates to our corporate clients CAD4ALL is the leading provider of CAD design education and a significant provider of employees to industry. Cad4all Career and Design College is one of Cape Town’s first private accredited design institution within the AEC industry. Offering a unique, professional environment in lectures taught by working professionals who are experts in their specific fields.

The CAD4ALL curriculum offers subject matter experts in specialist areas bringing extensive industry experience thus providing an opportunity to bring your creative passion to life.With more accredited qualifications offered in 2020, CAD4ALL pioneered and set up the first EGD Academy for all Grade 12 learners creating a hub for them to access resources, information and design software within the AEC industry. CAD4ALL College focuses on teaching in single discipline specific areas only.

Organisations that offer a wide array of qualifications from IT to Business, and design only as an abstraction from their product offering usually achieve generic competencies for their learners because of the lack of technical specialization.

CAD4ALL is the leading provider of design education and a significant provider of potential employees to industry for thee past 11 years Through the CAD4ALL corporate database and as a single point of contact the learners from our academic institution may now seamlessly connect to a variety of business opportunities for possible employment.

CAD4ALL offers expertise in which AEC companies can access the talent pool of graduates at no cost.  Come and join a 11-year CAD4ALL AEC history where you gain design experience professionally from the ground up.

Work directly with qualified lecturers and career advisors to collaborate a design portfolio to develop employment goals and a path to get there.

CAD4ALL the home of AEC Education designed for you in the AEC industry, Study at CAD4ALL both inContact and online at the most competitive tuition fees in Cape town.Get social and visit us on our Open Day on the 31 August 2019 and register on our website www.cad4all.co.za

Join Us as we unpack the provisions of the new Carbon Tax Bill

The Carbon Tax Bill which has been debated for the past 8 years has finally been signed into law and has been effective since 01 June 2019.

The Bill imposes a liability on the greenhouse gases emitted during the production of goods and services. The nominal tax rate is R120 per tonne of carbon emitted, although with the various tax-free allowances the rate could drop to between R6 and R48 per tonne.

Allowances included are:

• a basic tax-free allowance of 60 percent for all activities,
• a 10 percent process and fugitive emissions allowance
• a maximum 10 percent allowance for companies using carbon offsets to reduce their tax liability
• a performance allowance of up to five percent for companies reducing the emissions intensity of their activities

Time: 09h00-16h00
Address: 36 Wierda Road West, Sandton
Cost: R2950.00 excl VAT
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for a booking form

Included in the cost

• Comprehensive course manual
• Legislative documents
• Refreshments and lunch
• Certificate of attendance

About Your Expert Presenter

Yasmine Miemiec is a qualified Carbon Tax Analyst and a Director of 5 Inc, a waste transformation and BEEE project implementation organization.

Yasmine has a qualification in Environmental Management and Third World Development from the Open University (UK), is a Climate Leader in AI Gore's Climate Reality Corp and is a graduate of the International Labour Organisation's Green Jobs training.