Morgenson Primary School wins R30 000 in Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages Recycle Race
Learners at Morgenson Primary School were thrilled to find out on Monday, 28 November 2016 that they had won the 2016 Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages Recycle Race, earning themselves R30 000 cash for the school. Vice-principal Ms. Smith accepted the winner’s trophy from Priscilla Urquhart, Public Affairs and Communications Manager for Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, during a school assembly.
“Our school has learnt in a practical way about keeping our suburbs clean and seen value in recycling items which we would normally throw away. We have had wonderful support from parents and local members of the community who have helped our learners to collect as much as possible for the school,” said Ms Smith.
In second place was Cascade Primary, winning R20 000 and in third place was Arcadia Primary School, winning R10 000. In total 7 648 learners at the participating schools collected 9 492 kilogrammes of recyclables (equivalent to 1.24 kilogrammes per learner). Morgenson Primary School competed against seven other participating schools in Cape Town to recycle the most plastic, glass, cans and paper per learner during the competition which began on 01 August 2016 and ended on 31 October 2016. All recyclable items were collected and weighed by recycling partner WasteWant, who will reimburse all the participating schools for the recyclable waste that they collected.
[Photo credit: Craig Wilson]
Tips when looking for office space
Caption: Finding a workspace that leads to productivity is crucial for entrepreneurs and small businesses, but this can sometimes be very difficult. “People often choose an office based on how nice it looks, but then a few weeks into occupation they realise it doesn’t work for their business. Knowing what questions to ask upfront is important,” says Greg Beadle, Founder of The Bureaux, Cape Town’s leading flexible workspace provider (pictured above is one of The Bureaux’s office spaces in Sea Point).
Beadle’s advice is to ask for a ‘test drive day’ before committing to signing a lease. “No one buys a car without driving it out of the showroom first, so take the same approach to the workspace you are considering. Ask to try out the space for a day and get a real feel for what you can expect,” advises Beadle.
Beadle shares the top questions to bear in mind when looking for office space.
1. How fast is the internet?
“Internet is probably the single most important aspect of running a successful operation these days,” says Beadle. “Check whether the upload and download speeds are the same and if the internet is fibre-based. You may have to work after hours, or if your business runs around the clock over different time zones, you need to be sure you can count on reliable and fast internet 24 hours a day not only from 08:00 to 17:00. Confirm what contingency plans are in place should the primary internet service not work and ask existing tenants for their opinion on how reliable the internet is.”
2. Where is the office located?
“Everyone needs to take a break from work to refuel and rehydrate, so location and surrounding amenities like restaurants, gyms and coffee shops are important. However, it’s not only about how close you are to your next caffeine fix, but also if the workspace puts you conveniently close to your key stakeholders making meetings easy to arrange,” says Beadle. “When considering location, keep in mind the commute for all employees when travelling to work and whether parking and public transport options are convenient.
3. How long is the lease and are they flexible with these terms?
“For a new start-up business or a consultant taking on project contracts, flexibility is very important. Having the option to easily upsize or downsize according to your needs helps a lot because you may not want desk space for five team members until March next year,” says Beadle. “Our maxim is that tenants should stay as long as they want to, not as long as they have to so find out what the minimum notice period is to cancel your lease. A three-year fixed contract rental is something that should be avoided, especially if you want to keep a tight hold on your business expenses and can’t forecast budgets too far into the future.”
4. What is not included in my rental?
“If renting a boardroom comes at an additional cost, you’ll never be able to follow an annual budget for expenses for this line item. Don’t be shy to ask if usage of a communal kitchen is billed in addition to the rental fee; even this can become a premium add-on. Sometimes the superior high-speed internet is offered at an additional fee, so do be aware of these extras that you may not expect and look for all-inclusive options that suit your needs,” advises Beadle.
5. Is the workspace available 24/7 and can I leave my personal belongings on my desk?
“Safety is undeniably important,” says Beadle. “It’s important to check whether 24-hour security is provided. Should you have to work late, you want to feel comfortable doing so. Find out from current tenants if there have been any breaches of security and be sure to check that you don’t have to lock your laptop away every time you leave.”
Hot desks are to be avoided because service providers tend to ‘oversell’ this option. Beadle explains, “If you rent a hot desk, you have to pack up and take home your personal belongings every day, not knowing where you’ll sit the next day. On busy days you may not even find an open desk. Ideally, you want your own safe space where you can leave your laptop and files, knowing you’ll find them there when you return the next day.”
6. What comes as a value add when you rent office space here?
“Enquire about reception services; this is very useful if you want to maintain a professional appearance with clients. Having dedicated receptionists to receive couriered post or forward calls helps you to focus on the important work you need to do,” shares Beadle.
7. Can I use workspace at your affiliated locations?
“You may want to meet or work in a different part of town from time to time; it’s important to find out what affiliated locations are available with your rental contract. Know what you can expect at other locations that could make your work life even easier,” concludes Beadle.
For more information about The Bureaux, visit thebureaux.co.za or contact: +27 87 470 0369 or email: info@thebureaux.co.za. For more information about Bureaux Black, visit bureauxblack.com or contact +27 87 470 0369. Find them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/thebureaux/.
16 Days of Activism: Marching against violence and crime
[CAPTION] Almost 200 Grade 5 to 9 pupils from Rabasotho Combined School marched through Diepsloot to protest against crime and violence in the area. Accompanied by the National Children and Violence Trust, they handed over a memorandum of concerns to the Diepsloot Police Station’s station manager.
The group of learners and NCVT staff walked through the streets of Diepsloot on Friday, 25 November 2016, singing and shouting boisterously. The learners held up placards that read, “Protect us from abuse!” and “We are the leaders of tomorrow”. They were marching to the Diepsloot Police Station to hand over a memorandum of concerns as part of 16 Days of Activism, under the watchful eye of the National Children and Violence Trust (NCVT) staff.
In preparation for the peace walk, the learners made the placards themselves once NCVT social workers had discussed challenges in the community with them. The NCVT staff had compiled the memorandumof concerns with input from social workers, the learners and members of the community. The list of concerns includes a quicker response time by the police to reports of violence and the increased use of Victim Empowerment Centres in Diepsloot to assist victims of violence and abuse.
“Learners should know that they are never too young to make a difference,” says Mpumi Mndaweni, senior social worker at NCVT. “We see the signs of abuse every day; it is time for it to end. With the help of community members, even the young ones, we can stop the violence rife within our communities. The learners will never forget this experience.”
This walk is the first of two for 16 Days of Activism; the second is taking place with the Grade 8 learners from Far North High School in Cosmo City tomorrow, 29 November 2016 at 10:00. NCVT will also speak to learners from Zandspruit Primary School in Zandspruit on Monday, 05 December 2016 from 10:00 to 12:00 to help create awareness about abuse, violence and AIDS.
For more information about NCVT or to make a donation, contact +27 11 705 1960 or visit http://www.ncvt.co.za/. Join NCVT’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/The-National-Children-Violence-Trust-NCVT-197670257245796/or tweet them @NCVT_ZA.
Building reputations through transparent business results
American Businessman, Howard Schultz, once said: “When you're building a business or joining a company, you have to be transparent; you can't have two sets of information for two sets of people.”
Transparency is becoming increasingly essential to an organisation’s healthy reputation and continual operation in today’s socially conscious world. Active consumers and society demand that businesses play open cards with regards to financial health and shareholder value, as well as non-financial reporting and more.
“It is all good and well to be a financially strong organisation with wonderful business growth opportunities. However, without transparency in all dealings, these results do not mean much in terms of an organisation’s overall reputation,” says Regine le Roux, Managing Director of Reputation Matters. “Should stakeholders notice any discrepancies or inconsistencies in financial reporting, they will easily get suspicious and develop a sense of distrust towards the organisation,” explains le Roux.
Organisations face increasing pressure to report publicly, not just on financial performance but also on non-financial, social, environmental and ethical performance as well as on remuneration policies. In turn, this reporting is becoming increasingly more specific and measurable and therefore subject to independent scrutiny and audit. Transparent reporting is, therefore, a key reputational driver and holds endless benefits to organisations.
Transparent financial reporting helps investors and shareholders make decisions based on sound financial information. Having this information easily accessible will ensure that investors are more likely to consider investing in your organisation. “The same applies to clients, if they know that your organisation is open and honest in all its dealings, they will be more likely to trust and support your business over your competitors,” says le Roux.
“Business growth is just as important as being transparent in order to help build a strong organisational reputation,” adds le Roux. “It’s about creating shareholder value and it is believed that the only way to maximise this value and increase business growth is by ensuring client happiness and motivating employees.”
A mission-driven, value-centred organisation is able to motivate employees to create innovative products and superior client service that is sustainable over a long period of time. This, in turn, leads to increased client satisfaction and a competitive advantage that drives high revenue growth, with high-profit margins and high rates of growth in profitability. An organisation that proves to be profitable and sustainable will also prove to be commercially viable. Ultimately, this upward spiral of success attracting success contributes to a positive impact on the organisation’s overall reputation.
Le Roux shares pointers to keep in mind when it comes to building your reputation through business results:
- Be transparent in all your doings, especially financial ones: disclose information, even though you may think it is insignificant.
- Ethical behaviour is non-negotiable on all levels of the business: stakeholders are activists and are always scrutinising organisations for any inconsistencies or discrepancies. Manage your business in a way that it is a responsible and ethical participant in society.
- Continuously build value for your shareholders: put yourself in your shareholders’ shoes and deliver the value to them that you would have wanted to receive.
- Shareholder value is maximised by ensuring client happiness and motivating employees: keep your employees motivated and they will perform above what is expected and keep clients happy. If the clients are satisfied with the service and continue to support the organisation, shareholders will be pleased with the business results.
“By keeping these pointers in mind when conducting business, it will result in a win-win situation for both the organisation and its stakeholders,” concludes le Roux.
For more information on managing and investing in your reputation, visit www.reputationmatters.co.za or call +27 (0)11 317 3861. Reputation Matters is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/yourreputationmatters) and Twitter (@ReputationIsKey).
Western Cape non-profit against gender-based violence
Friday, 25 November 2016 marks the start of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children. Mustadafin Foundation, a Western Cape non-profit organisation, is once again at the forefront in poverty-stricken communities in Cape Town to educate and raise awareness on gender-based violence.
Initiated in 1991 and coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, the campaign celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and takes place internationally from Friday, 25 November 2016 until Saturday, 10 December 2016.
Director of Mustadafin Foundation, Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, says, “This year, our focus is not only on violence against women and children; we are focusing on men as well. We often overlook that everyone is susceptible to violence, regardless of their gender or age. We deal with numerous violent cases throughout the year, be it women, men or children.”
Education is a key focus for the Foundation and for the 16-day period they will create awareness on domestic violence as well as social, health and safety issues. World Aids Day is taking place on 01 December 2016 and the Foundation will have an awareness programme where youth, aged between 14 and 18 years living in Tafelsig and Delft, will be educated on HIV and AIDS.
“We are calling on all residents to advocate peace in the home not only for 16 days, but for 365 days. Without education, support and commitment, gender-based violence will not stop. We call on everyone to please report suspicious and violent crimes to the SAPS,” concludes Johnstone-Cassiem.
For more information on any of the programmes or to donate, please contact Mustadafin Foundation on 021-633-0010 or visit their website at www.mustadafin.org.za. Join their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MustadafinFoundation.
Join Mustadafin Foundation in spreading joy this festive season
The festive season is around the corner and Western Cape non-profit organisation, Mustadafin Foundation is calling on the community to help put a smile on children’s faces by donating gifts to the less fortunate. The Foundation plans on making the festive season holidays a memorable one by providing age-appropriate gifts to 1000 children, between the ages of one and 18 years old, who are part of their Isibindi Child Care Programme in Tafelsig.
“Many of the children we work with in Tafelsig will not receive a gift this year. It is an area in Cape Town that is ravaged by poverty, crime, alcohol abuse, drugs and gangsterism. We are calling on corporates and individuals to sponsor gifts to brighten up the lives of these children,” says Ghairunisa Johnstone, Director of Mustadafin Foundation.
The Tafelsig Isibindi Child Care Programme is one of more than 300 programmes running nationwide which enables poorly resourced communities to develop effective protection services for children. During the school holidays children are often left unattended and at high risk of joining gangs, being caught in violence or suffer abuse. Volunteer care workers, trained through the Isibindi Programme, provide adult supervision and structured activities in designated areas; they are prepared to identify and refer any possible signs of child abuse.
“Since we started this project in August last year, it has been tremendously successful,” says Johnstone. “During this year, 16 children on the programme were accepted in schools in the Mitchells Plain area. We are thrilled that an additional 16 have been accepted to start school at Khanya College in Mitchells Plain next year with reduced fees. We are looking for sponsors who would like to join us in paying R200 a month for these school fees.”
To find out more about how you can help, contact the Mustadafin Foundation. “There is no greater reward than to give back to those who are deserving; let’s help these children have a joyous holiday period,” concludes Johnstone.
Please contact Mustadafin Foundation on 021-633-0010 or visit www.mustadafin.org.za. Join their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MustadafinFoundation
Profile: Greg Beadle – combining business with creativity
Businessman with a creative mind: Greg Beadle, Founder of The Bureaux (above) says he is lucky to have a rare combination of creativity paired with business skills which have helped him to rapidly scale his company to unexpected heights in just four years.
How does a business which began as a bright idea penned at two in the morning expand so quickly and successfully from 175 square meters of rented office space in 2012 to 8 500 square meters four years later? Founder of The Bureaux, Greg Beadle is himself surprised at what has happened. “In the early days, it was amazing to see it grow. The demand for flexible, serviced workspace has exceeded my expectations,” says the man behind Cape Town’s leading flexible office space located in Sea Point, City Junction, Granger Bay and Woodstock.
Beadle’s creative flair and business mind have led him on an interesting career. Having worked in sales for luxury cars and yachts, as well as being the Advertising and Marketing Director of Men’s Health, he has also been the brains behind starting a fruit delivery company, a magnetic frame business and a property sales guide for Gauteng called Home Gallery Magazine. With an interest in the property space, Beadle managed Engel & Völker’s Developments Division after which he consulted on key developments in Woodstock such as the Upper East Side incorporating The Hilton Double Tree Hotel. It was while consulting independently for the Woodstock Exchange as a design and special planning consultant, that The Bureaux was born.
“I was curating the space at the time when one of the tenants gave us notice that they were moving out. I decided to convert this now vacant space into the first ‘Bureau’ based on a dream I had the night before. I woke up at two am one morning and started writing notes about the shared office space business idea I had dreamt about.” To get the business going, Beadle did everything himself. He built the desks, hired painters over weekends and managed the sales and client service side of The Bureaux. Two years later he employed his first staff member.
“It’s only through working so many different jobs that I’ve learnt so much and found a niche area as an entrepreneur where I’m able to thrive,” says Beadle who was adamant not to take his father’s advice to stay in one job for many years. “I’ve always wanted to work for myself and I’m not a fan of routine, so I love what I’m doing because every day is different.”
Beadle’s approach to renting workspace is totally different to a regular property agent. “Running this business is like having guests stay at your hotel. You want to make sure that their stay is a comfortable and convenient one.” This approach has certainly worked as the feedback most often received from tenants is that their work productivity increases tremendously when at The Bureaux. Perhaps, in a small way, this is also due to the clever name Beadle chose for the business? Bureaux, a word more commonly used 100 years ago, means writing desk, which today evokes the idea of a productive working space, albeit with a laptop instead of a pen and paper.
His business inspiration comes from the author of The 4-hour Workweek, Timothy Ferris and life coach Tony Robbins. Beadle has certainly taken Ferris’ concepts to heart. To keep his creative side flourishing, he still freelances from time to time as a photographer at extreme sporting events like the Iron Man World Champs, Tour de France and Cape Town Cycle Tour as they appeal to his sense of adventure and love for cycling.
Where to from here for Beadle? “We’ve already got plans underway for more space in Woodstock and I’d like to expand with locations in Stellenbosch and the Southern Suburbs and eventually internationally too.” Of course with each new location, Beadle says there is a great risk involved and that’s where a business mind keeps him on his toes. “It’s the thrill of business, knowing when to expand and when to sit tight. The easiest and safe option is to always sit tight, but then The Bureaux would never have grown as fast as it has. If you believe in the opportunity then you have to take the chance,” he concludes.
For more information about The Bureaux, visit thebureaux.co.za or contact: +27 87 470 0369 or email: info@thebureaux.co.za.
For more information about Bureaux Black, visit bureauxblack.com or contact +27 87 470 0369.
Public invited to comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report available for proposed Drakenstein Waste Recovery, Beneficiation and Energy Project
The Drakenstein Municipality encourages the public to review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the proposed Drakenstein Waste Recovery, Beneficiation and Energy Project. There are currently three possible sites earmarked for the project: a preferred and an alternative site on Erf 34 in Wellington (both are located in close proximity to the existing Wellington Landfill Site) as well as Erf 736 in Klapmuts. The public’s comments, involvement and feedback is very important.
Interwaste is the applicant for the proposed Waste Recovery, Beneficiation and Energy Project (Project). The Project is envisaged to play an important role in Drakenstein Municipality’s effort to divert waste from its current Wellington landfill site and in return generate energy from waste material. The existing site is running out of landfill airspace and based on current disposal tonnages (volumes), will need to close by 2023. The Project will have four main components: Materials Recovery Facility, Municipal Solid Waste Pressing Plant, Anaerobic Digestion Plant, and a Direct Combustion Plant.
Acting Municipal Manager of the Drakenstein Municipality, Jacques Carstens, says, “There are many benefits associated with the proposed Project. Should it be approved by the Department of Environmental Affairs, following their stringent processes, the Project will be one step further to reduce Drakenstein’s waste sent to landfill and extend the current landfill’s lifespan from 2023 to 2035. The Project will be a first for municipalities in South Africa and will consist of the latest, globally acceptable waste recovery and beneficiation technology. The Project will also enable Drakenstein Municipality to maintain affordable waste tariffs for residents and will have a longer term positive impact on its electricity costs. Very importantly, the Project will be a catalyst for job creation and economic development.”
The Draft Environmental Impact Report, compiled by independent environmental consultancy, Resource Management Services (RMS) can be viewed online at www.rmsenviro.co.za as well as at the Wellington, Paarl and Mbekweni Public Libraries until Wednesday, 30 November 2016. An electronic Executive Summary is available on request. Written comments need to be submitted to Resource Management Services (Larry Eichstadt) at larry@rmsenviro.co.za no later than 30 November 2016.
The public are invited to attend Public Open Days and Public Meetings which will take place in early November 2016:
- Public Open Day: 08 November 2016, 14:30 to 16:30, Rusticana Hospitality Estate, Klapmuts
- Public Open Day: 08 November 2016, 18:30 to 20:30, Breakthrough Restoration Community Church, Wellington (Corner of Blossom & Klaasen Streets)
- Public Open Day: 09 November 2016, 14:30 to 17:00, NG Gemeente Kerk Wellington Noord (Maccrone Street)
- Public Meeting: 09 November 2016, 18:30 to 21:30, NG Gemeente Kerk Wellington Noord
“Public participation in all processes related to the Project is essential. We encourage all residents to find out more about the initiative and to take the opportunity to raise any concerns they may have by attending these open days and meetings,” concludes Carstens.
For more information about the Drakenstein Waste Recovery, Beneficiation and Energy Project, please visit their website.
Choir provides a ray of sunshine in the community
Music brings people together; it brings joy, entertainment and healing. In underprivileged communities, it can be a powerful tool that unlocks opportunity and social empowerment. The National Children and Violence Trust (NCVT) harnesses the power of music through its choirs in Cosmo City and Diepsloot which provide unemployed youth, aged 16 to 27 years, with an alternative to crime, drugs and other illegal activities.
NCVT’s choirs are growing quickly. “In Cosmo City, the choir has been running for just over a year now and consists of 30 members. The Diepsloot choir started only two months ago and already has 18 members,” says Mpumi Mndaweni, senior social worker at NCVT. Other than providing entertainment at NCVT’s various community empowerment events, the choirs are often invited to perform at weddings and other events.
As much as music provides entertainment, it can play a far deeper role in dealing with trauma and grief. No one knows this better than Nondumiso Msibi, musical director of the NCVT’s choirs.
[CAPTION]: NCVT’s musical director, Nondumiso Msibi is working with young people in Diepsloot and Cosmo City. She has been on her own journey of healing through song.
Msibi grew up with music in the home. Her father, Makhosonke, was a choir leader himself. He instilled a love for the musical arts within his daughter and trained her to lead choirs. Unfortunately, this came to an abrupt end in 2013 when he was shot and killed at home by intruders. Msibi kept singing, though, finding healing in musical expression after her loss. In 2015, NCVT recruited her as a full-time music director and she has been providing healing to others through song ever since.
CAPTION: Members of the NCVT youth choir. From left to right: Thokozani Gama, Junior Phesiya, Thapelo Montsho, Nondumiso Msibi, Tshepo Pelembe and Orapeleng Takalase.
“There is a great interest in our musical group and we have so much fun during training and performances,” says Msibi. “The choir members are eager to gain experience and learn about the music. We would love to record our own CD at some point, especially now that the Diepsloot group is growing so well. Funds are just a bit on the short side; it would also be great to find a sponsor for uniforms.”
Mndaweni says that she looks forward to seeing the choirs grow over the months and years to come. “Music makes the soul come alive in so many different ways,” states Mndaweni. “We believe that this will not be just another singing group, but one that enriches those involved, develops them emotionally and socially and expands their career options,” she concludes.
For more information about NCVT or to make a donation, contact +27 11 705 1960 or visit http://www.ncvt.co.za/. Join NCVT’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/The-National-Children-Violence-Trust-NCVT-197670257245796/ or tweet them @NCVT_ZA.
Selecting the cream of the crop for your organisation
“If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur”; wise words from Red Adair, an American oil well fire fighter.
When managing the reputation of any organisation, investing in the right people to do the job means that you are investing in the quality of your output.
Regine le Roux, Managing Director at Reputation Matters, mentions that human capital is a vital element when establishing and building on a positive reputation for your organisation: “Identifying the right calibre of people during the recruitment phase is directly aligned to the strategic intent of the organisation: knowing exactly where you are going with your business and who you need on your team to get you there. Getting this right at the onset will save you a lot of time, frustration and money in the future.”
How do you select the cream of the crop for different positions? Here are some tips:
- Set up strategic alliances: In order for you to build your reputation, you would need to employ individuals who can do the job and be an ambassador for your organisation. “At Reputation Matters we have really good strategic alliances that helps feed the recruitment funnel. We have a great relationship with the University of Pretoria’s Communication Management Department and offer their top BCom Communication Management honours students internship opportunities with us,” mentions le Roux.
- Implement a rigorous recruitment programme: Having a set recruitment programme for all applicants, in both small and larger organisations, is essential. “By having an in-depth online application form or process, you will be able to determine whether the person is serious about wanting the position; if they are, they will complete the form in full. It also demonstrates their basic use of spelling, grammar and industry knowledge,” says le Roux.
- Test their communication skills and contact references: The next round should always involve a phone call to determine how the candidates handle themselves telephonically. If they pass with flying colours, the first face-to-face interview is set up. “Should the interview go well, check references and then do personality profiling to get an idea of how they will fit in with the rest of the team. Culture fit is extremely important in any organisation and this needs to be determined from the get go,” adds le Roux.
- Presentation of a case study: “As the final step of our recruitment process, the candidate is given a case study to prepare and present to our team. By implementing this, we are able to pick the best candidates for different positions, as it often highlights their strengths and shows their way of thinking,” mentions le Roux.
Le Roux explains that once you have selected the ideal candidate, a thorough induction is necessary to help them get to grips with ‘how things are done around here’. “During this session the vision, core values and culture are discussed. This instils a level of respect and understanding for the organisation and leaves very little room for misinterpretation; it helps the candidate grasp exactly what the expectations are. This important step links back to strategic intent and operational governance, with the message and vision being reiterated right from the top,” says le Roux.
Building a reputation is about getting the right team in place from the onset, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding the business goals and vision.
For more information on managing and investing in your reputation, visit www.reputationmatters.co.za or call +27 (0)11 317 3861. Reputation Matters is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/yourreputationmatters) and Twitter (@ReputationIsKey).
