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Fluss, the company that brought you the popular access control device and cloud-based service, is proud to announce its newest IoT product: Fluss+. 

The latest Fluss product brings all the convenience that came with the original that was used to access homes, businesses, gyms, estates and complexes millions of times in the last year. Fluss+ continues to allow users to manage access from anywhere in the globe and brings with it all the advantages of WiFi connectivity; real-time access logs, integration into existing smart home and facility management platforms and complete remote control transcending physical boundaries. 

Fluss+ still retains the resilience of the original load-shedding friendly product, making sure users are in full control even when there is no power from the grid. 

Fluss not only delivers off-the-shelf products available at major distributors across South Africa and beyond, but also works with businesses to develop bespoke solutions. 

One such example is GEM Link, a recent collaboration with Gemini Automation Systems, a trusted brand with nearly four decades of experience. 

“In collaboration with Fluss, Gemini Automation Systems is proud to introduce the Gem Link app, enriching the functionality of Gemini gate motors and exemplifying the synergy between two leading South African companies dedicated to innovation and customer satisfaction,” said Philip de Wet from DMI ENGINEERING. 

Leveraging over 20 years of experience in the electronics, software and IoT space, Fluss is a South African company with offices in Gauteng and the Western Cape and is currently growing its diverse team and fine tuning its pipeline to help build the next wave of robust IoT solutions that not only work well in the African market but offer competitive advantages on a global stage. 

“We are excited to unveil Fluss+ and GEM Link, representing the culmination of extensive research and development of our pipeline and engineering processes,” said Ockert P van Zyl, co-founder at Fluss.

“As the IoT landscape continues to evolve, Fluss remains dedicated to providing cutting-edge solutions quickly and cost-effectively. Watch this space.” 

For more information about Fluss and its innovative IoT solutions please visit www.fluss.io or contact Fluss on +2761-538-3180.

The new DHL Express Service Centre in Waterfall City is a prime example of modern construction that harnesses the functionality and aesthetic appeal of concrete. This tenant-driven project, developed by SOM for Portimix Pty Ltd and used by DHL Express, showcases a blend of office space and a substantial warehouse, strategically located to optimise logistics operations.

Abbeydale Building & Civils undertook the construction, with Empowered Spaces Architects managing the project. EMArchitecture provided the architectural design, while structural design was the forte of Struxit Projects. The project is distinguished by its innovative use of concrete, supplied by AfriSam, which was critical to meeting the high standards set by DHL.

The building’s design is notable for its highway-facing façade that presents a bold, linear impression with wavy concrete columns. These columns, resembling waves, align with DHL’s core business and are visible from one of Africa’s busiest highways, the N1. The office frontage, combined with the functionality of the warehouse, reflects a design that is both aesthetic and efficient. The warehouse was specifically designed for high-volume parcel throughput, ensuring rapid loading and unloading processes, crucial for DHL’s operations. The uninterrupted operation flow was made possible by the by removing all columns within the operational floor and achieving a 47 m clear span within the warehouse.

As a P-Grade building, the DHL Express Service Centre stands out for its superior quality, modern amenities and a striking façade that enhances DHL’s branding. The design also aimed for a timeless appeal, ensuring the building remains fashionable and appealing for decades.

Concrete played a pivotal role in this project, not just in terms of structure but also in aesthetics. The distinctive V-shaped columns were created using custom-designed steel shuttering, requiring a highly flowable concrete mix with a reduced aggregate size to achieve the desired finish. A strut and tie structural system design was implemented to accommodate the exaggerated angles on the slanted column façade. The strut and tie design concept uses the best properties of each structural material. Compression forces are resisted and transferred using concrete, and the tension forces are transferred through the reinforcement steel. The combination of these two properties in the concrete and reinforcing steel enabled the elegant and durable slanted column design of the DHL facade. Slanted concrete columns, along with the external elements of the building, required meticulous planning and execution.

Less obvious, but equally impressive concrete structural element within the building are the book end concrete walls, cantilevering 5 m from the building while still supporting floors from above. The large cantilevers could be achieved by using the mechanism of Vierendeel Action within the concrete wall. The concrete and steel used within these walls were carefully planned and detailed to activate the Vierendeel Action and produce the impressive cantilevering walls.

The structural design technique used within the mentioned concrete elements is not often used in conventional concrete building or designs, which makes the use of the concrete in this building truly exceptional and unique.

The warehouse’s concrete floor was constructed with large panel floors to a FM2 specification, ensuring durability and supporting efficient logistics operations.

The design of the building also focused on energy efficiency and sustainability. The strategic placement of horizontal fins and high performance glass reduced cooling costs and glare, while the potential for solar panel installation aligns with DHL’s sustainability goals. The concrete design was critical in achieving these objectives, with AfriSam providing a tailored mix for optimal performance.

The DHL Express Service Centre in Waterfall City stands as a testament to the capabilities of concrete in modern construction. Its design and execution reflect a synergy between aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability, setting a benchmark for future construction projects in the logistics sector.

As the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Association (Sassda) proudly celebrates its 60th Anniversary in 2024, it has also announced the highly anticipated return of the Sassda & Columbus Stainless Steel Awards supported by title sponsor Columbus Stainless and category sponsors EuroSteel, Macsteel and NDE. Centred around the theme, ‘Sustainability: A Legacy of Brilliance’ the awards will take place on 19^th September 2024 and will honour the enduring strength and durability of stainless steel, while recognising the resilience of the local stainless steel industry in navigating the current challenges it faces.

Explaining the reason for the awards’ long hiatus, Sassda Executive Director Michel Basson explains; “ The last global storm the South African industry had to face came in the form of a pandemic that brought the world to its knees. This also brought a temporary halt to our tradition of the awards as a showcase event every second year.  “The world has undergone countless changes since our founding but through it all, Sassda has remained a pillar of support and innovation for the stainless steel industry, and we are therefore proud to host these sought after awards. They are a vital opportunity to reflect on the resilience of our members and underscore the critical role stainless steel plays in shaping a sustainable future.”

Basson adds that this year’s awards represent a fresh new take on an old classic given that the number of categories has been streamlined to eight and the digital entry mechanism has been made as user-friendly as possible. The award categories are:

Sustainability recognises a sustainable innovative new product or project featuring an impact on either energy use, environmental improvement, recycling, material use or
life-cycle costing.

Duplex Stainless Steel The use of this specific grade of stainless steel in an application which demonstrates innovation and life-cycle cost effectiveness. Entries will cover both projects and products.

Ferritic Stainless Steel in a product or project that demonstrates innovation, life-cycle cost effectiveness, substitution, and growth potential.

Austenitic Stainless Steel in a project or product with an application in this grade of material that shows innovation, life-cycle cost effectiveness, substitution, and growth potential.

Export Achievement recognition of significant growth in export sales through innovation, quality and effectiveness (volume, value or both)

Business Excellence will recognise businesses for building a sustainable, long-term, thriving business that has demonstrated innovative use of stainless steel in the design and development of products, to become a leader in the field of excellence.

Lifetime Achievement awards a person or persons that have made an outstanding contribution to Sassda and the stainless steel industry.

Overall Winner the most successful and outstanding winner from all the categories.

In terms of entry criteria, the awards are open to individuals and companies (locally and abroad) that participate in the design, production, conversion, distribution and use or specification of stainless steel. Entrants do not need to be a member of Sassda.

Entries for the awards close on 8^th July 2024 and will be adjudicated by an independent panel of judges drawn from recognised professionals, representing all sectors of industry. The winners will be announced at a banquet dinner to be held on the 19th of September 2024 at The Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg.

For more information go to www.sassda.co.za/sassda-Columbus-stainless-awards-2024 or email awards@sassda.co.za

Wednesday 24 January, 2024 was a usual busy day at Rand Air with machine hires going in and out of the yard in Jet Park, Johannesburg, when a frantic call came in from a prominent platinum mine near Rustenburg in the North West Province, urgently requesting 12 000cfm (cubic feet per minute) of compressed air to keep their underground mining operations going. 

The mine, which shares a proud long-standing business relationship with Rand Air, had experienced a breakdown of their air compressor, subsequently halting production. The compressor supplies critical air to power pneumatic equipment underground.

Understanding that every hour of down time incurs significant losses for the mine, the proficient Rand Air team, coordinated by Yolande Schmidt, Internal Sales, immediately flew into action. Sixteen high pressure oil-injected diesel compressors of varying sizes allocated to the project, were inspected by the service team and transported to site where they were connected to the mine’s main air supply line by a Rand Air service technician. Within 24 hours the units were fully operational, constricting the amount of downtime.

Tshepo Mashaba, External Sales at Rand Air, points out that the air has to travel a great distance from the surface to reach the underground equipment so it is absolutely critical to correctly spec the compressors to eliminate potential pressure drops and loss in air flow. “Hence we provided a combination of 800cfm, 1 000cfm and 1 200cfm machines to meet these requirements. Our service technician also visited the mine site daily to ensure that all sixteen compressors were running smoothly.”

Four days later, on 28 January, having suffered yet another breakdown, the mine reached out to Rand Air, requesting a further 14 000 cfm in order to maintain production.

“Undeterred by the fact that it was a Sunday, the well-oiled Rand Air team did not miss a beat,” says Yolande. “It so happened that we had just recently received a consignment of brand new PTS916 air compressors. We got nine of these fresh-off-the-container 1600cfm units to site and operational for our mine customer within a 24 hour turnaround time. Furthermore, our team educated customers on correct machine operation to boost uptime.”

The 25 hire compressors operated seamlessly on the mine site for 17 days with only one unit requiring some attention from Rand Air’s technician who was stationed nearby for the full duration of the hire. Once the mine’s air compressors were repaired, the hire machines were returned to Rand Air.

According to Yolande, these types of large-scale emergency hire projects, coupled with a demand for high air volumes, which she says happen more often than not, are testament to Rand Air’s ability to provide the right solution fast. “The fact that we have doubled our rental fleet over the past year has really paid dividends. It meant that, in addition to taking care of our normal day to day, medium and long-term hire commitments, we had the necessary machines available in our yard to meet our mine customer’s emergency high volume air requirements with minimum delay.”

 “Air is the life blood of pneumatic equipment and this experience once again illustrates how important it is to always be on point and to push hard to keep our customers’ downtime to the absolute bare minimum,” notes Tshepo. “Harnessing our strengths and capabilities, we restored air flow to underground mining equipment by ensuring that all 25 air compressors reached site, were connected and operational in no time.”

On a personal note, Yolande says that projects such as these make her job interesting. “This is what keeps us on our toes and drives our passion to help our customers by always striving to deliver our best product and service hire solutions. There is no greater reward than a successfully completed hire project and a satisfied customer.”

The old cliché – time is money – rings even more true today in a lethargic economy that is under constant pressure from local and global events. The team at Rand Air understands all too well that delivering the right hire solutions fast and efficiently to minimise production losses is what customers expect. Equally important to the quality of the equipment, is the quality of the service from Rand Air to supports their machines.

“Rand Air is known as a hire company that is reliable, consistent and efficient, earning our customers’ trust who come to us for emergency support,” states Yolande. “Many of our customers know what volumes they need and to accurately meet their air requirements we have the necessary experience to spec and match the right machines. Often something small, like an incorrect fitting, can lead to hours of delay. With fifty years of experience in providing industrial equipment hire solutions, we know what accessories are needed, avoiding unnecessary time wasting that costs our customers’ money. Our on-their-feet thinking technicians are always on standby to quickly take care of breakdowns.” “The successful execution of this high volume emergency hire for our mine customer once again shows our agility in handling any size project with ease, cementing our reputation of being the home of specialised rental solutions and the go-to equipment rental partner,” conclude Yolande and Tshepo.

Introducing Pioneer, the revolutionary new composite decking range from Eva-Last, engineered with state-of-the-art materials and manufacturing techniques for unparalleled aesthetics, durability, and performance.

Thanks to the latest in research and development, Pioneer delivers advanced performance properties with a glass-fibre reinforced (GFR) core and photorealistic print surface technology giving you a deck range that has stunning good looks and superior strength and span capabilities.

Ideal for upmarket residential and commercial applications where a natural wood aesthetic is desired for expansive outdoor areas, Pioneer is well suited to exclusive outdoor restaurants, skyrise cocktail bars, safari or ski decks, conference centres or exotic wedding venues, to name only a few.

Pioneer’s innovative high resolution digital print technology replicates the unrepeated woodgrains of rare, and highly sought after, timber species, producing the most natural looking composite decking yet. A protective clear wear layer covers the textured print surface to prevent stains, scratches, fading and discolouration for a beautiful, luxurious and long-lasting deck for decades to come. 

The glass-fibre reinforced (GFR) core ensures outstanding structural stability and tensile strength. The glass-fiber sheets act as a stabiliser within the core, that drastically reduce normal PVC expansion and contraction, ensuring less movement of the deck while also requiring fewer supportive joists, struts and breaker boards for a cleaner, more cost-effective construction.

The sleek sophistication of Pioneer composite decking provides the beauty and character of rare and expensive timber without the worries of deforestation or otherwise negatively affecting the natural environment. Simply enjoy the low maintenance advantages of this beautiful composite decking product, backed by class leading warranties. 

‘’Eva-Last have outdone themselves, yet again, with their advanced composite material technology. Their products not only enhance our environment, making designing and installation a dream, but deliver outstanding performance too,” says Thomas Kriel, design lead at Theunissen Jankowitz Architects.

Pioneer’s decking boards come in grooved profiles that can be installed using Chain-Collated Clips for a fastener-free appearance. Furthermore, Pioneer’s square-edged profiles and fascia boards are equipped with colour-matched Hulk top-fixing composite screws, seamlessly blending with the boards.

Experience the perfect blend of timeless beauty and modern technology, knowing that your deck is not only great to look at but also sustainable. With Pioneer, you can create unforgettable moments in a space that reflects your style and values, all while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with Eva-Last’s industry-leading quality and durability. Explore the possibilities with Pioneer and redefine outdoor living today.

Leading construction materials company, AfriSam, has collaborated with the Northern Cape Department of Education to complete a community development initiative aimed at improving educational infrastructure in the region. As part of this initiative, AfriSam constructed two Grade R classrooms at the GN Pressley Intermediate School, providing a conducive learning environment for 60 young learners.

The newly built classrooms go a long way in ensuring the students have access to quality education. Each classroom can accommodate up to 30 learners, allowing for smaller class sizes and personalised attention.

The collaboration between AfriSam and the Northern Cape Department of Education underscores their shared commitment to investing in the future of South Africa’s youth. By providing enhanced educational facilities, the initiative aims to empower learners and contribute to their overall development.

“We are proud to partner with the Northern Cape Department of Education in this community development project,” Lerato Masiu, AfriSam Community Development Specialist, says. “Education is the cornerstone of a prosperous society, and we believe that by investing in quality infrastructure, we can create a positive impact on the lives of young learners.”

The Grade R classrooms at GN Pressley Intermediate School are designed to foster a stimulating and inclusive learning environment. The spacious and well-lit classrooms are equipped with age-appropriate furniture and educational materials provided by the Northern Cape Education Department.

Mr Ralph Langeveldt the Principal of GN Pressley Intermediate School, expressed his gratitude for the new classrooms, stating, “This initiative has significantly improved the learning experience for our Grade R learners. The modern facilities and resources have created an environment that inspires curiosity and supports their holistic development.”

The community development initiative by AfriSam and the Northern Cape Department of Education aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4: Quality Education. By investing in education infrastructure, the partners aim to contribute to the achievement of equitable and inclusive education for all.

“Nelson Mandela once said , the true character of society is revealed by how it treats its children, as AfriSam we are  extremely proud and grateful to make a contribution towards the development put our children”, concluded Mr. Nathi Shoba, General Manager of AfriSam’s Ulco Operation.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a curious consumer, or someone keen on the future of energy storage, understanding key concepts relating to lithium-ion batteries is invaluable. SafeQuip, a leading distributor of fire-related equipment, sheds more light on common terms associated with these powerful energy sources.

Lithium-Ion Battery

A lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery is a rechargeable battery known for its high energy density, making it lightweight and capable of storing a substantial amount of energy.  It has a few key parts:

Cathode: This is one of the battery’s electrodes, its positive side. It’s made of special materials that store lithium-ions.
Anode: The other electrode, the negative side. It’s usually made of carbon-based stuff, like graphite.
Electrolyte: This is like the battery’s bloodstream. It’s a liquid or gel that helps lithium-ions move around between the cathode and anode. It’s important to note that the liquid or gel is flammable.
Separator: Think of this as the battery’s security guard. It keeps the cathode and anode apart to prevent short-circuits. It also allows the movement of ions which generate the electrical potential but blocks the electrons.
Current Collectors: These are like the wires in the battery, helping the electricity flow in and out.
SOC (State of Charge) : This indicates  the  percentage the battery is charged at. The higher the charge, the bigger the potential fire risk.

Battery Management System (BMS)

A Battery Management System is an electronic system that monitors and manages various aspects of a lithium-ion battery’s performance and safety. It is crucial in protecting batteries from overcharging, over-discharging, and other potentially harmful conditions. BMS is commonly used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.

Cycle Life

Cycle life refers to the number of charge and discharge cycles a lithium-ion battery can undergo before its capacity and performance start to degrade significantly. It is essential to consider cycle life when evaluating a battery’s long-term durability and cost-effectiveness, particularly in applications with frequent charging and discharging.

Thermal Runaway

One of the most significant concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries is a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when a lithium-ion cell enters a state of uncontrollable self-heating.

This situation can lead to exceptionally high temperatures, the forceful release of gases from the cell, and the potential for smoke and fire to erupt. If a cell goes into a thermal runaway, it runs the risk of setting the other cells into a thermal runaway.

AVD (Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion)

AVD is a fire suppression technology used in lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers. It consists of a water-based solution containing vermiculite, a naturally occurring mineral. AVD is designed to rapidly cool and suppress lithium-ion battery fires, making it an effective tool for mitigating fire hazards associated with batteries.

Fire Suppression

Fire suppression refers to the techniques and technologies used to control and extinguish fires. In the context of lithium-ion batteries, Lith-Ex Fire Extinguishers are here to give you peace of mind. Compact and powerful, Lith-Ex Fire Extinguishers are a must-have for every space. With their state-of-the-art technology, you can be confident that you’re prepared for any Lithium-ion battery fire emergency. 

SafeQuip remains dedicated to elevating fire safety standards in South Africa and worldwide, ensuring the effective mitigation of lithium-ion battery fire risks. 

SafeQuip’s lithium-ion fire extinguisher range will soon be accessible through retailers like Makro, Game, MIDAS, Matus, select Buco and Buildit outlets, Takealot, and your local fire extinguishing service agents.

For more information about SafeQuip, visit the website: www.safequip.co.za and join the conversations on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Building and renovating should be fun and exciting as you work towards realising your dream home. But it is often stressful, costly and time consuming, especially if you end up working with the wrong people or products. Often a seemingly simple installation – such as a deck or stairs, or a shady pergola for your outdoor patio – can turn your dream into a nightmare.

An experienced contractor can save you a lot of hassles and unnecessary expense, helping to finish your project on time and on budget. A professional contractor will be able to recommend suitable products that will meet your expectations, as well as satisfy local building regulations and safety standards that you may not be aware of.

Fortunately, Eva-Last’s extensive range of composite decking, railing, architectural beams, cladding, fencing and flooring are designed to give you all the looks without the worries, increasing your contractor’s productivity and saving you time due to their low-maintenance convenience.

Guaranteed to enhance your environment, Eva-Last’s gorgeous wood-look composite building products feature the latest material advancements coupled with thoughtfully engineered components to ensure complete satisfaction.

Here are a few important tips to consider when selecting a professional contractor and suitable products for your next project to ensure maximum productivity and peace of mind:

1. Expertise

Since time is money, and if DIY may not be your thing, your efforts could be better spent on other activities. Hire a professional with the relevant expertise and qualifications to do the job. Various contractors specialise in specific areas of work so be sure yours is relevant to the task at hand. Ensure he is registered or licensed with the local authorities and conforms to important state standards and obtains the necessary permits to complete work on your project. Check whether they have insurance to protect you against defaults, poor workmanship, liability to suppliers for materials, labour, and sub-contractors, as well as for injury during installation.

2. Experience

Recommendations or reviews from satisfied customers or a portfolio of past projects will go a long way in helping you select which professional to engage. Not only will the portfolio provide additional inspiration, but an experienced contractor will also advise you accurately on the scope of work and realistic time and cost implications of your proposed project based on their experience. Check their references and understand the restrictions or risks involved with your job and consider the different recommendations of various consultants carefully before you make a decision.

3. Estimates

Obtain a written quote or cost estimate with detailed material quantities and a delivery schedule for you to budget and plan accordingly. Understand exactly how and where costs are to be incurred with a realistic timeline for completion. The terms of payment, detailing whether they or you will pay suppliers directly, as well as any guarantees on workmanship and materials, and any waivers in the event of defaults or warranty claims should be clearly spelled out. Don’t necessarily opt for the cheapest quotation without understanding the differences between the products proposed, and service delivery levels.

4. Evaluate Materials

A reputable contractor will be able to make professional recommendations on suitable products and materials that match your project’s specifications – and meet all the necessary safety requirements. They should be informed and knowledgeable on the latest developments and municipal by-laws in construction and construction materials and be able to explain the pros and cons of the proposed materials for you to evaluate their estimates. Factors to consider include cost, appearance and performance characteristics or limitations (such as weight or load-bearing capabilities and joist spans), ease of installation, eco-friendliness and environmental credentials, durability and warranties as well as long-term cleaning and maintenance.

Composite materials from Eva-Last are specifically engineered to outperform natural wood, offering all the natural beauty and texture of timber without the constant upkeep.

Made from easily replenishable raw materials such as bamboo fibres and recycled plastics combined, Eva-Last’s authentic wood-look composites offer beautiful textured finishes coupled with supreme low-maintenance. The inorganic nature of the plastic content provides pest-, weather- and UV-resistance, while their advanced products and designs add versatility and convenience for easy installation and maintenance.

Across various regions, Eva-Last consults its contractors and builders to continually improve its product ranges to help increase productivity, user-friendliness, and durability.

Eva-Last’s expansive array of building product innovations extends beyond traditional offerings, continually evolving to enhance offerings such as decking, fasteners, railing, screening, fencing and cladding. The most recent advancement in the decking product line-up includes:

Pioneer: A reinforced bamboo foamed-PVC composite which employs photorealistic print technology to create the most natural looking composite finish available in the Eva-Last range. Together with its glass fiber-reinforced core, Pioneer accommodates extended span requirements, requiring fewer sub-structural supports. What’s more, the advanced board composition equates to a reduction in the board’s expansion and contraction, resulting in a flawless finish, while the sophisticated wear layer protects against fading, scratches, moisture and stains offering uncompromised long-term performance.

Be sure to ask your contractor to include Eva-Last’s advanced alternatives for your next building project.

There is no understating the value of a stable and dynamic building labour force.

A steady sector gives rise to new employment opportunities, business owners do not have to waste time and money redoing work, and the improved skills profile of individuals who benefitted from training and development results in high-quality building projects, on time and within budget.

This naturally has a positive impact on the economy.

In the construction industry, of which the building industry is a significant part, formal employment accounts for 62% of all jobs in the sector. According to Quarterly Employment Statistics data, the industry currently contributes around 3% to South Africa’s gross domestic product.

The formal sector also employs more than 250,000 people in the Western Cape. 

Council Spokesperson (Business) – Danie Hattingh, the Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC), describes a stable workforce as one in which teams grow together and career mobility is enhanced to continuously make space for newer entrants to the sector.

“A stable labour force is characterised by low employee turnover rates. Workers tend to stay with their employers for extended periods, fostering a sense of continuity and reliability,” he says.

“Stability implies a consistent level of employment without frequent fluctuations in workforce size. This consistency provides employees with a sense of security and predictability in their jobs.”

Collective bargaining is an excellent way to foster a healthy and cooperative relationship between workers and employers.

At its core, Hattingh says, collective bargaining ensures that profitability is not “at all costs”.

“By levelling the playing field on fair terms and conditions of employment, all employers in the industry are competing on Unique Selling Points (USPs) like quality or quick turnaround times rather than on labour costs.

“Value-added services that come with negotiated agreements serve both industry employers and employees who can access dispute prevention and resolution services that are designed to maintain peace in the industry. Large-scale, disruptive strikes are therefore avoided.”

While collective bargaining may not directly control market fluctuations, it can help mitigate the impact of volatility on workers and create a more stable and predictable work environment.

Council Spokesperson (Labour) – Luyanda Mgqamqo, BIBC, explains that parties to a bargaining council represent both labour (trade unions) or business (employer organisations). While the establishment of a bargaining council requires a minimum of 1 representative trade union and 1 employer organisation, bargaining councils all have different combinations and number of parties.

“The BIBC, for example, currently has 6 parties represented at the Council. Three of the parties are trade unions and 3 of the parties are employer organisations,” Mgqamqo says.

These 6 parties come together every 3 years to negotiate on new terms and conditions of employment, which are captured in a Collective Agreement. This is then submitted to the Minister of Employment and Labour for consideration. Collective Agreements may be negotiated annually.

Mgqamqo adds that since there are other industry participants who are not signatories to the agreement, the bargaining council then requests the Minister of Employment and Labour to extend the negotiated agreement to non-parties. This creates the level playing field that is needed for the industry to compete on unique selling points and not on reduced, exploitative labour costs.

One of the major benefits that can arise from these negotiations is participation in a retirement fund. This releases the burden to provide care to destitute retirees from the State and from equally destitute families.

“Responsible employers and their employees will have contributed to future retirement income, disability and funeral costs throughout the employment of employees,” Mgqamqo says.

“Then, a holiday provision and bonus, that are included in the daily rate, ensures that employers do not have to find income at the end of the year. The BIBC, in its role as Employee Benefits Administrator, collects and holds these daily contributions in provision and pays it out on behalf of the employer at the start of the industry closure period in December.”

The same provision applies to annual leave.

Hattingh points out that macroeconomic factors like power, transport and communication infrastructure are examples of issues that the industry needs to work together on, regardless of whether they are competitors or not.

“Both employers and employees can work together to find innovative solutions to challenges, leveraging the diverse perspectives and expertise within the workforce.”