Author: Editor
Construction remains a male-dominated industry across the globe, and South Africa is certainly no exception. The fact that women comprise only 11 per cent of the country’s total construction workforce is largely driven by stereotypes which stigmatise the employment of women in the industry. This needs to change, according to Databuild CEO Morag Evans. “While it is true that a large portion of construction work is physically challenging, this does not mean that women can’t or don’t want to work in construction,” she says. “There is so much more to the industry than the loading and unloading of heavy building…
The line between employee rights and workplace safety is becoming increasingly blurred in a world where vax meets anti-vax The COVID-19 vaccine debate has never been hotter. Take it, say the medical professionals and the vaccine believers. No, say the vaccine debaters and naysayers, influenced by social media and complex healthcare concerns. It’s a debate that has broken up families and friendships, and is now posing a very real threat to the stability of the workplace. It’s also one that has slipped into a grey area where organisation and individual stand at an impasse as work from home becomes work…
By Howard Feldman, Head of Marketing & People at Synthesis I am certain I am not alone in wishing Jacob Zuma a full and speedy recovery. I am certain that many in the country do not wish to see him ill and suffering if it means not having the satisfaction of seeing him back in court on trial for corruption. In fact, I know that I would feel particularly disappointed if he were to see the end of his days before a judgement is delivered. This is on the assumption that Zuma’s illness is actually real. Which seems unlikely, given…
SilverBridge Holdings has replaced the manual- and-paper based process of onboarding new customers at Hollard Namibia with a digital environment across its intermediary and call centre channels to improve new business turnaround times and conversion rates at the largest privately-owned insurance group in the country. Its intermediary channel was reliant on a manual process of completing policy application forms. From a call centre perspective, Hollard agents used spreadsheets to complete new applications and then subsequently captured those on the Exergy policy administration system. “Having had a long-standing relationship with Hollard, we proposed digitally enabling both these critical channels to link…
The Covid-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed the way buildings are being designed, constructed and managed. Architects and building owners are turning to technology to deliver an enhanced user experience as occupants increasingly demand buildings that are not only intelligent and more energy efficient but also hygienically safe, especially in high-traffic commercial environments such as offices, hotels, shopping malls, airports and hospitals. “The creation of smart buildings can yield considerable value when it comes to monitoring occupancy rates and supporting a safe and healthy environment, but it must be remembered that digitally engineered buildings generate a substantially large quantity of data,”…
Leading provider of end-to-end digital services and solutions Obsidian Systems, a specialist in Open Source technology and cloud adoption, is perfectly positioned to leverage its partnership with IBM and the enterprise group’s recently acquired subsidiary Red Hat, to redefine service delivery to the market. Open Source technology has evolved and today, the focus for businesses in South Africa is on cloud service adoption. In 2018, IBM identified hybrid cloud as the dominant force in the industry and has since introduced new technologies and in 2019, acquired Red Hat in a landmark US$34-billion deal. Red Hat OpenShift supercharged the company’s open…
The recently launched Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum (IBACF) by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Patricia de Lille, in partnership with various private sector bodies, public entities and civil society, marks a significant step in the fight against corruption in the construction industry. But, says Databuild CEO Morag Evans, unless a culture of zero tolerance is instilled across the construction value chain, the newly established forum has little chance of succeeding. “All too often the blame is laid at government’s door when it comes to corrupt activities, especially where tender manipulation and the solicitation of bribes by public officials are…
By Kim Furman, Synthesis Marketing Manager The Olympics are the coalescence of excellence across countries and cultures – a showcase of the best doing their best. However, this year is tinged with something different – a world shaken by a pandemic, a fervent longing to see human triumph and athletes without their fanbase to cheer them on. It has been a place of massive learnings. These learnings hold true for life and particularly for working life: Together we go further This Olympic game was so different that it led to the change of the Olympic motto which has been the…
By Frikkie Malan, head of sustainability at Remote Metering Solutions Understand which buildings need certificates According to legislation enacted in December 2020, only certain buildings need to have EPCs by December 2022. These are buildings classified as offices, places of entertainment and public assembly, theatrical and indoor sport, and places of instruction. Within these categories, it is noteworthy that buildings owned, operated, or occupied by an organ of state greater than 1 000m² require a certificate where other buildings only require a certificate where the floor area is greater than 2 000m². For now, the likes of retail properties, factories, hospitals, private…
Make sure that your side hustle is legit before you lose your job over it The side hustle has become, for many people, an essential revenue stream at a time when salary cuts and the cost of living are going hand in hand. People are struggling to make ends meet, so the entrepreneurially minded are creating side hustles to bring those ends together. According to Nicol Myburgh, Head: CRS Technologies HCM Business Unit, the side hustle is, 99% of the time, not a fireable offence, but there are some things to look out for. “The most important consideration for your…