“East Africa is a key market for South Africa” The South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) will be leading a delegation of 25 companies to the East African Power Industry Convention (EAPIC) in Nairobi this week. This is more than double the number of companies that the SAEEC led to EAPIC last year and was made possible by the Department of Trade and Industry (thedti) and supported by the South African High Commission in Kenya. Says SAEEC CEO Chiboni Evans: “our increased participation is also an indication of the importance South Africa ascribes to not only the power sector in Africa but to the East African region.” The 17th edition of the EAPIC conference and expo, taking place at the KICC in the Kenyan capital from 27-28 August, is expected to gather some 1200 visitors this year, including from the region’s leading power utilities, large industries and investors as well as technology and service providers who will showcase their products on the exhibition. Some of the high-level speakers include the Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, Minister of Electricity, Dams, Irrigation & Water Resources for South Sudan, HE Ali Yacoub Mahamoud, Minister of Energy & Natural Resources for Djibouti and Mr Ben Chumo, MD of Kenya Power. South African companies highly regarded The South African delegation that will exhibit at EAPIC includes Allbro, Conlog, Syntell, Lucy Electric, Powertech, Siemens, Landis+Gyr, Osisoft and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories. Says SAEEC’s Chiboni Evans: “these are larger and more established South African companies that have proven track records of providing a wide range of electricity infrastructure products and services across Africa - from generation and transmission to distribution.” She adds: “the competencies and abilities of South African companies in the power and electrical engineering sub sector are well known. In the power sector, in particular, South African companies are highly regarded as solution providers for …
Spintelligent on the move with strong growth during first half of the year
Up to 66% more visitors at events so far “Spintelligent has had a phenomenal year thus far with events that keep growing in content and visitor numbers, we are launching four new events later this year and our move to modern and larger offices is a sign that we are ready for even greater things to come”, says David Ashdown, Managing Director of Spintelligent (Pty) Ltd, the leading Cape Town-based publisher, trade exhibition and conference organizer in the power, mining, agriculture, defence and education sectors. The first seven months of 2015 was a very busy period for Spintelligent with the successful return of six of its leading events. Changing the face of education Most recently the ninth edition of the SABC Education African EduWeek attracted 3309 visitors at the new venue at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg in July, a 15% increase on last year. The number of exhibitor stands was up 42%. The education portfolio director Nicole Muller says: “a definite highlight at African EduWeek was a presentation from educator and technologist Graham Brown-Martin, who introduced humanoid robot NAO during the E-tech Africa sessions.” During the same month, Land Forces Africa took place at the Heartfelt Arena in Pretoria and welcomed over 1000 attendees, a growth of 25% from the last time the show was held in SA in 2013. “The discussion of interoperability in African Union peacekeeping and disaster management operations was advanced at Land Forces Africa 2015” says event director Richard Stubbs, “we were honoured to welcome delegations from Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda at the event, and enjoyed the support of local defence industry partners”. Presidential attendance at Agritech In Zambia, the second Agritech Expo in Chisamba in April was attended by the Zambian President Edgar Lungu and the Vice-President Mrs Inonge Wina and drew more than 11 700 visitors, up from 8000 last year, with over 100 exhibitors and …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Ambit Technology’s solar powered classrooms to ensure clean, connected and sustainable e-learning for the future
3500+ teaching professionals to gather at African EduWeek in July The South African technology company Ambit’s innovative solar powered classroom is poised to provide “off-grid” electricity and connectivity to rural classrooms and help teachers overcome the pitfalls of load shedding. It not only harnesses the continent’s most abundant resource, the sun, but can also provide power for the rest of the school. The so-called EDI classroom (EDI=Education Delivered Intelligently) is a standard, modular container-sized, fully operational classroom and ICT hub in one. It is already used with great success at the TlamaTlama Primary School in Tembisa on the East Rand. Visitors to the upcoming SABC Education African EduWeek in Johannesburg from 1-2 July will be able to see an example of the EDI solar powered classroom on the Ambit Technology stand on the expo floor. Ambit Technology is a returning gold sponsor at African EduWeek which is expected to gather more than 3500 teachers and education professionals and some 120 local and international exhibitors at the Gallagher Convention Centre. Conquering the digital divide “The EDI solar powered classrooms are designed to be used in rural, remote or even urban areas”, says Louise van Loggerenberg, director of Ambit. She adds: “standard systems seamlessly integrate with solar PV, wind turbines and a range of other renewable sources. The classroom is fully insulated and can be supplied with electric lighting, heating/cooling and internet connectivity.” The project was launched in July 2013 and seven official POCs have since been done across Africa. Thirty-two 32 solar classroom solutions will be delivered and implemented by Q3 of 2015. Says the Ambit director: “conquering the digital divide, all communities in Africa, rural and urban will have access to fundamental technologies configured in a fully “off-grid” configuration.” Classroom quick and easy to install An EDI classroom is easy and quick to install and to …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
African EduWeek to inspire teachers and educators in July: from sex education to school finance to e-learning and maths
“Bringing new energy into schools” “Teachers and educators inspire and motivate learners and students on a daily basis. At African EduWeek we give teachers the opportunity to be inspired and gain new knowledge with free-to-attend educational training and development, with topics ranging from sex education, to school finance to e-learning and the challenge of teaching maths in schools”. So says Tanya Jackman, event director of the ninth annual SABC Education African EduWeek, which is expected to gather more than 3500 teaching professionals and more than 120 local and international exhibitors from 1-2 July at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. “This year the theme of African EduWeek is ‘Enter a world of educational knowledge’” adds Tanya, “and we invite all teachers to join us for more than a hundred hours of free-to-attend EduTheatre sessions and teacher training workshops – focused on the daily challenges and topical developments that they face in their basic and higher education classrooms.” Visitors at the event will also be able to view the latest products and services for the education sector in areas that include basic education, IT, higher education, publishing, inclusive education, science and maths, safety and security, sustainability and energy efficiency and school supplies and stationery. “Bringing new energy into schools” The South African Principals’ Association (SAPA) has joined the event as an official supporting body this year. “At this year’s EduWeek we will focus on innovation for principals where we will share new ideas” says Marius Ehrenreich, President of SAPA. He adds: “we will have an opportunity to have many, many teachers together and so this presents us with a wonderful opportunity to network, to share and what better place to share best practice than with such a large audience of teachers.” EduTheatre session highlights at African EduWeek include: • The birds and the bees Getting sex education …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
New African EduWeek Awards to honour most inspiring teachers and educational suppliers
“We regard the launch of these awards as long overdue” The country’s leading teachers, suppliers, institutions and education professionals will be recognised and celebrated at the inaugural African EduWeek Awards that will take place at Gallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg on 1 July. It forms part of the ninth annual SABC Education African EduWeek, which is expected to gather more than 4000 teaching professionals and more than 120 local and international exhibitors at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. “We regard the launch of the African EduWeek Awards as long overdue”, says event director Tanya Jackman. “The awards aim to recognise excellence across the education ecosystem. From the inception of the most innovative and life-changing products and/or services to our local heroes who go above and beyond to assist their communities and the lives of our precious learners.” She adds: “it is gratifying to see how much excitement these awards have already created in the sector. We plan a beautiful, glamorous, sold-out evening, fit to honour and celebrate those organisations, companies, teachers and education professionals who have been responsible for pioneering new frontiers, pushing boundaries, for inspiring others and for achieving growth in education in Africa.” “We remain an event for the education sector and by the education sector”, she continues, “and invite all teaching professionals on the continent to send us their nominations and we look forward to sharing their triumphs with their peers.” Global education and publishing giant Pearson is the leading sponsor for the awards. “As an education company, contributing towards uplifting and recognizing the great success of some of the great work that the nominees have put towards making a difference in education is an honour to us.”, says Riaan Jonck, CEO of Pearson Education. “We hope to not only acknowledge the great work that has been done, but to further inspire them and others to keep …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
African EduWeek returns to Johannesburg in July with more of the latest classroom technology and teacher development
“Our core focus will always be the teacher in the classroom” SABC Education African EduWeek is back from 1-2 July in a new venue, with more free-to-attend educational training and development for teachers, a futuristic look at teaching and even more suppliers with the latest classroom technology and services. “Last year the event underwent a huge transformation to a more expo-focused gathering”, Tanya Jackman, event director of the annual SABC Education African EduWeek. “But we want continue to challenge ourselves and our teachers, making sure we bring them content that is relevant for today’s educators, including the latest classroom technology, free edu-theatre talks and workshops and the opportunity to engage with educational peers and experts from across the globe.” The conference and exhibition is taking place from 1-2 July this year at the new and larger venue of Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. “The move to Gallagher enables us to offer our teachers, experts and exhibitors so many more opportunities”, says Tanya. “The 165% increase in visitors last year with 2436 teachers and education experts attending the expo and conference, gave us the stamp of approval that we are meeting the needs of the education sector. This year we are expecting in excess of 4000 education professionals and more than 150 local and international exhibitors will showcase their products and solutions, compared to last year’s 90.” The African EduWeek exhibition will feature products and services for the education sector in areas that include basic education, IT, higher education, inclusive education, science and maths, safety and security, sustainability and energy efficiency and school supplies and stationery. “We want to continue to empower our educators” “Our core focus will always be the teacher in the classroom”, says African EduWeek’s Tanya Jackman, “wherever this is or whatever form this classroom may take. Our conference and workshops will therefore be …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
SAAMA to increase asset management awareness at African Utility Week in Cape Town in May
Conference and expo to offer practical solutions The Southern African Asset Management Association (SAAMA) “hopes to reach the decision makers in the utilities serving Africa to increase their awareness of the benefits of using solid, proven asset management principles”, says Anton Booyzen, President of SAAMA. Booyzen will be an expert panellist during a discussion on the asset management of power stations at African Utility Week in Cape Town in May. “The obvious challenge in most developing countries is the lack of skills to ensure that assets reach their expected life span”, says Anton Booyzen. He adds: “This is exacerbated by the lack of understanding of many professionals of the impact of their decisions on the life cycle cost of assets and functions. One of the best examples of this lack of understanding is the reduction in maintenance expenditures by many utilities in order to meet budget.” Practical solutions to maintenance challenges This year’s African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa offers practical solutions for energy efficiency and maintenance for utilities and large power users and also brings many international experts and speakers to share their experience with the continent’s power and water industries. The 15th edition of the annual conference and exhibition at the CTICC from 12-14 May is set to turn Cape Town into the country’s “energy capital” again with more than 5000 attendees, an expo with 250+ exhibitors with the latest technology, solutions and services. SAAMA is also contributing to the 60 free, CPD-accredited technical workshops on the expo floor presented by several industry organisations: • SAAMA: Maintenance (incl. new inspection tools, asset management strategies, operational maintenance solutions, effective fault identification) • SARETEC: Renewables (incl. energy storage, solar maps, small scale energy) • SAIEE: Electrical Engineering/Metering (incl. consumption data into Swift, smart metering …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Load shedding does not have to spoil your holiday
Top tips for saving and celebrating a greener Christmas Load shedding is a fact of life for the foreseeable future in South Africa and a little planning and creativity can alleviate a lot of the unpleasantness during the holidays. This is according to Evan Schiff, event director of the annual African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa conference and expo in Cape Town. He says furthermore that higher electricity prices in South Africa have become an increasing strain on consumers’ monthly expenses and that “Christmas is a great time to introduce energy saving habits into a household as many easy and simple changes in the way we live can end up putting extra money into your pocket.” Practical tips to plan for and cope with load shedding this holiday: • Be prepared, keep a regular eye on websites with information on load shedding schedules and print these out. https://www.loadshedding.eskom.co.za/ • Create a Whatsapp group for your neighbourhood and keep each other informed. • Make sure that there are enough candles, matches, torches, batteries and so forth for load shedding periods after dark. • Be ready for it! Make sure all cellphones, tablets, laptops and toys are fully charged before the lights go out. This way you can keep the kids entertained with a movie, or at least be able to use the phone. • Have fun activities ready for when the lights are off such as board games and family time around the barbeque. • Keep a gas burner as a back-up in the kitchen to be able to heat water and do essential cooking. An energy efficient holiday season “There are a variety of ways we can use a lot less electricity this holiday season”, says Schiff, “such as using LED* Christmas lights which use 90% less electricity than regular Christmas lights. Consider investing in solar powered outdoor lights which can also be used on the Christmas tree and only come on at night.” He continues: “up to 40% of all batteries are purchased during the holiday season so try to …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Cape Town events company Spintelligent awarded Level 2 BBBEE contributor rating
“Rating will influence and shape the future of the business as we continue to evolve” Spintelligent Pty, the leading Cape Town-based publisher, trade exhibition and conference organiser, has been awarded a Level 2 BBBEE Contributor rating. “We are absolutely thrilled with reaching this important milestone”, says David Ashdown, Spintelligent Managing Director, adding: “it has been a strategic goal of the business and we achieved it following six months of diligent work”. Ashdown says the BBBEE rating allows the company to “secure and strengthen current institutional business with influential government organisations, parastatals and NGOs, whilst also positively influencing spending by South African corporates who need to engage with BBBEE rated businesses to improve their own contributors score. This in turn will open the door for many new companies to do business with us, therefore increasing our reach to relevant markets within which our sponsors, exhibitors and delegates operate, which will also provide them with more opportunities to conduct business.” He continues: “a BBBEE rating allows us to open new revenue streams and drive greater revenues from existing relationships. More importantly it ensures that we have a cultural and moral commitment to our employees and the operational nature of our business. A BBBEE rating will influence and shape the future of the business as we continue to evolve.” Spintelligent is the African office of Clarion Events Ltd which is based in the UK. It has become recognised as a highly successful African event organiser and publisher, with flagship projects in the power, mining, agriculture, defence and education sectors such as African Utility Week, African EduWeek, Agritech-Expo, Land Forces Africa and the iPAD franchise. Upcoming Spintelligent events: - iPAD DRC Mining & Infrastructure Indaba, Kinshasa, DRC: 22-23 October 2014 - Katanga Mining Week, Lubumbashi, Katanga, DRC: 28-29 October 2014 - iPAD Rwanda …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
African EduWeek firmly establishes the place of technology in the classroom
“It is so worthwhile to come and see what is available in e-learning and classroom technology, it is the only way to move forward,” said Kennia Plaskitt, principal of the Willowmoore High School in Benoni during the SABC Education African EduWeek that took place in Johannesburg last week. She added: “one never has time during term and having the event at the start of the holiday enabled us to send 14 teachers from our school. We are excited about what we saw.” At an event that can only be described as lively, interactive and inspiring, more than 2436 teachers and education experts, including the Deputy Minister of Basic Education Enver Surty, attended the eighth conference and exhibition at the Sandton Convention Centre from 10-11 July. This is a 165% increase in visitors compared to last year. Some 93 leading suppliers of technology, stationery and content to the education sector created an exciting and colourful expo where visitors were encouraged to touch and try the latest classroom gadgets. International education platform Says African EduWeek event director Tanya Jackman: “this event is all about the teachers and how we can empower them to go back to their classrooms with new ideas, insight and confidence to face the daily challenges at school, whether it is about teaching skills or using e-learning tools and educational technology. As an event, African EduWeek has truly come of age - our partnership with SABC Education has taken us to the next level, reaching our target audience in the farthest corners of the country, through its radio, TV and online outreach. We are also becoming an international education platform, where various stakeholders in the industry get together to brainstorm and network.” Platinum sponsor Pearson Education’s CEO Riaan Jonck said in a radio interview that African EduWeek was: “a wonderful event attended by an enormous amount of people – it’s quite exciting to see how people are looking at education today versus the way …