Did you know that zinc has major health benefits? “Calamine lotion is a superb, safe lotion containing zinc oxide and zinc carbonate that has valuable anti-bacterial and anti-irritant properties,” says Simon Norton, Executive Director, International Zinc Association Africa. Calamine lotion is a topical over-the-counter medication in the form of a soothing pink lotion. Its main health benefit is to relieve mild itchiness and skin irritation, for example from contact with plants such as poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac that can cause itching and skin irritation. Calamine lotion relieves the itch, along with any pain or discomfort. It also assists to dry up any oozing or weeping that can develop on your skin due to such irritation. Other uses of calamine lotion include: • Bug bites: Apply calamine lotion to insect bites and stings to help with mild reactions. Apply the lotion several times a day until symptoms clear up or the bug bites are gone. • Chickenpox: Use calamine lotion to relieve the symptoms of this infectious condition. It can also prevent further skin infections. • Shingles: Along with antiviral medicines, calamine lotion can be used for shingles. Apply the lotion directly to the skin for some relief from the symptoms of this condition. • Swimmer’s itch: Calamine lotion can be used for rashes like swimmer’s itch, a skin condition that develops if you swim in water containing certain parasites. • Heat rash: Calamine lotion is ideal for heat rash as well. A heat rash is an area of the skin that becomes irritated when perspiration is trapped in the pores and ducts beneath the skin. • Scabies: A skin condition caused by small mites. To ease the itching from scabies, apply calamine lotion. Note that it can relieve the symptoms but will not get rid of the mites. • Chigger bites: Another type of mite that feeds off human skin. Their bites can cause skin irritation and itching. • Acne: While calamine lotion is not an acne treatment, it …
Latest Massey Ferguson, Fendt products and innovations from AGCO on display at NAMPO 2023
Leading AGCO's display at NAMPO 2023, one of the largest agricultural exhibitions in Southern Africa, will include a range of breakthrough products. The display by the leading global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment will be supported by international specialists from various AGCO factories across the globe, where all AGCO products for Africa are made. Visitors will have the opportunity to connect with local AGCO experts responsible for various AGCO products on the stand. AGCO has announced its state of readiness to connect with customers on more than a transactional level at NAMPO 2023, which takes place from 16 to 19 May 2023 at Bothaville in the Free State. It will see AGCO showcase its latest products and innovations to visitors from all over the region. Massey Ferguson products on display The focus at NAMPO 2023 will be the unveiling of MF equipment new to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, including an upgraded self-propelled sprayer, its established hay tools and a brand-new MF combine harvester. Both Low Horsepower (LHP) and High Horsepower (HHP) tractors will be on display, including a specialised orchard model. Under the LHP segment, the MF 4700, MF 5700, and the MF 6700 series will take centre stage. With this straightforward and dependable tractor range, Massey Ferguson has taken the concept of the sub-130 hp tractor and re-engineered it from the ground up to meet the needs of present and future farming. Fendt products on display “We will also have a full fleet of Fendt tractors and our most advanced Ideal combine harvester with significant upgrades to demonstrate the full benefits to the modern and technologically connected farmer who wants to get the best out of his equipment and add value to his farming operation,” says Dr. Dominik Reus, Managing Director, Africa at AGCO. AGCO’s Smart Farming AGCO's hi-tech Fuse® Smart Farming solution will also have a dedicated space within the AGCO …
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The Wiggills optimise their family farm with Massey Ferguson tractors and technology
The Wiggill family has come a long way with Massey Ferguson, from their first MF 135 used to transport tomatoes to now where it has several of the red power house machines on the farm between Vivo and Alldays in the far north of Limpopo province in South Africa. Cliffed Wiggill and father Clive farm with potatoes and butternuts, which they supply to two large chain stores. Keeping it in the family, Cliffed’s wife Theressa handles the farm's finances. Clive and his wife Marietjie bought the farm in 1992. What started out as a cattle operation slowly expanded into crops, as well as a wildlife section. There are three generations proudly living on the farm at the moment. Now in his 70s, Clive is contemplating retirement and handing the baton to his son. “Age has started to catch up with me now. I am just a helping hand, giving my son advice.” “I am privileged to have grown up on the farm and be close to nature,” says Cliffed. The Wiggill farm has about 300 ha of potatoes under irrigation three times a year. Butternuts are planted in summer from December to March. The potatoes are alternated with sorghum every four to five years. Such an intricate setup depends on reliable tractors, with the Wiggills mainly using its two MF 8737s for tilling. These 370 hp tractor have plenty of power and torque to prepare the fields with a ripper, while the other is fitted with a high-speed disc cultivator. A MF 7720 is optimised for seedbed formation for the potatoes while a MF 6711R plants the potatoes and butternuts. “The MF tractors have advanced telemetry technology like MF Connect to help me save money by doing preventive maintenance or notifying me of any problems,” notes Cliffed. MF Connect is an equipment-management solution that enables remote and real-time monitoring of the tractors to any device be it a computer or mobile device. It allows machine data to be used to make informed operational decisions about equipment performance, ensuring that preventative …
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Bridge replacement, rehabilitation an urgent focus in Joburg
Many of the City of Johannesburg’s bridges are in poor condition, according to the Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA’s) 2021/2022 Annual Report. The JRA highlights that 14 bridges have been flagged as ‘high priority’ and only 5.77% as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. More than 94% are classified as ‘fair’, ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. As a result, the city has embarked on various bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects. Fast-track, high-pressure bridge demolition projects, where timeous completion and safety performance is critical, is a specialised area of expertise for Jet Demolition. “Here the increased risk and high-pressure conditions lend themselves to our specific set of expertise,” comments Jet Demolition Contracts and Project Manager Kate Bester. Bridge-demolition projects are typically on a turnkey, rapid-demolition basis. The company’s innovative, state-of-the-art and technically advanced methods and machinery allow it to tackle the most demanding and complex bridge demolition projects. These range from all aspects of road safety – from temporary road closure design and implementation, to extensive communication and consultation with the general public, and liaison with all relevant authorities – to engineering suitable demolition methods, planning for unforeseen circumstances, and final road clearing. Emergency demolition is often required where bridge stability or safety is compromised by an unforeseen event, such as traffic accidents that have impacted on a bridge structure, or vandalism causing structural stability concerns. Emergency bridge projects invariably impact on the travelling public as these are, by nature, unplanned and unforeseen. “One of the biggest challenges on an emergency bridge project is to mobilise our plant and personnel to the works. If a bridge is suddenly compromised, all traffic in the immediate area is gridlocked, until such time that alternative routes are made available. Under these circumstances, we rely heavily on …
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Accelerating the Mission to Zero
By Graham Abrahams, Senior Vice President, Electrification Products Division, ABB South Africa: Achieving net zero emissions by 2050 will require a complete transformation of the energy landscape. The world wants an energy revolution. They want a quick transition to a smarter, brighter, more sustainable future. ABB understands the urgency of this need. However, we also know that the transition cannot happen overnight. Real progress will take a balanced approach with a journey mindset: Strategic investments scaled over time to reduce carbon emissions, waste and cost. The transition needs partners who enable the pathway with ROI, today and in the future. Partners who offer real solutions today and are willing to invest in needed innovation for our low carbon future. As your partner in a low carbon future, ABB can bring balance to this equation by enabling safe, smart and sustainable investment in our low carbon future. By combining the full power of our integrated automation, electrification and digitalisation solutions, we will help you meet your commitments and maximise the value of your operational investments, while reducing carbon emissions, waste and cost throughout the energy transition journey. Not only ABB as a company, but also our customers, want to contribute to a low carbon society. Yet this requires a willingness to relinquish our collective dependency on the forms of energy that result in the slow poisoning of the planet. There are five key steps to achieving carbon neutrality. Firstly, to deploy digital solutions for smart green buildings and energy management such as monitoring, control and optimisation, which is the core of the Mission to Zero offering. Next is to increase energy efficiency by utilising building management systems and installing new, highly efficient motors and drives, for example. Maximising electrification is also important. For example, heat pumps and having an EV charging infrastructure. The installation …
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Slew of top accolades for Zutari in 2022 as it celebrates its 90th anniversary
Celebrating its 90th anniversary, leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari has received accolades from some of the leading professional associations in South Africa throughout the year. “This recognition from the industry and our peers is important to us as it underpins our theme of ‘impact engineered’. There is no way Zutari would have won these accolades alone as such projects are always team efforts. These awards are also a testament to the hard work and collaborative spirit between our employees and our clients,” comments CEO Teddy Daka. At the 50th CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards, Zutari won in the category of Projects with a Value Between R250 million and R1 billion for the TASEZ Cluster 2 Ford Frame project. The Ford Frame hub is a 100 000 m² facility that consolidates offices and warehouse space for Ford and its suppliers, as well as a chassis E-coating, waxing facility and assembly line. Zutari was appointed Structural Engineer for the building. It also racked up the much coveted for Best International Project award for the Golomoti Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage project in Malawi. This the first utility-scale, grid-connected hybrid solar and battery energy storage system in sub-Saharan Africa. As Engineer, Zutari was extensively involved throughout site identification, concept development, tender development/procurement, preliminary design and detailed design through to project execution. Golomoti also received a Commendation in the Engineering Technology and Innovation category. In the category of Projects with a Value Between R50-Million and R250-Million, Zutari sealed another win for the RMB 8 Merchant Place project. Identifying the need to improve the quality of its employees’ work-life balance, private bank RMB consolidated various employee well-being offerings into one integrated lifestyle facility building within its existing Merchant Place Campus in Sandton. The building was awarded a 4 Star Green …
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Zutari’s 90-year journey of making an impact and building Africa
Leading consulting engineering and infrastructure advisory firm Zutari celebrated its 90th anniversary during special client and alumni events in Tshwane and Cape Town in November last year. These events also had displays of engineering technology used in the past, as well as new technology drastically transforming engineering design. It showcased artefacts going as far back as 1930s, which reflected technological advances over time. “The story of Zutari is in many ways also the story of the engineering industry in South Africa and beyond,” says CEO Teddy Daka. In addition to this, Zutari also held an internal event for employees to join in the celebrations and share their stories. “It is important for us to acknowledge our staff, both current and retired, for their role and contribution to our ongoing success. Thanks to their tireless efforts and accumulated expertise and experience, we can deliver on our value proposition to our clients.” Zutari is one of the oldest companies in the industry on the continent. It was formerly known as Aurecon, created by the merger of Africon, Connell Wagner and Ninham Shand in 2009. The latter can trace its history in Africa back to 1932 – operating for nine decades. In October 2019, the owners of Aurecon Africa took the bold step of demerging from the global business, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. The process subsequently culminated in Zutari, a portmanteau name derived from Swahili for ‘invent’ and ‘nectar’, namely mzulia and nectari. “Of course, back then no one could have predicted that the beginning of 2020 would see the back then no one could have predicted that the beginning of 2020 would see the emergence of a global pandemic, with Covid-19 having a devastating impact on both a macro-economic and a community level,” says Deputy Chief Executive Dr. Gustav Rohde. However, management already saw the winds of change push back against globalisation as early as September 2019. “We could see the market …
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AECOM notches up industry awards and accolades
Globally trusted infrastructure firm AECOM has received various awards and accolades from some of the leading professional associations in South Africa. This is testament to its multidisciplinary approach and capabilities. “I do not think anyone else has the breadth of services and expertise that we have, which stands us well in delivering sustainable legacies for our clients,” comments Africa MD Darrin Green. “We believe that infrastructure creates opportunities for everyone.” At the SANRAL SAICE 2022 National Awards on 1 September, Duard Erasmus was Highly Commended in the Young Technologist category. Erasmus is currently an Associate Technologist at AECOM in the structural engineering division and manages the Bloemfontein office. He has overseen many largescale and diverse projects, including Stadia Olympia Lepereng (SOLL) and Skyvest. At the 50th CESA Aon Engineering Excellence Awards on 28 September, Tim Ter Haar was recognised for his contribution to the development and promotion of the consulting engineering industry with the Lifetime Industry Achievement Award, presented to him posthumously. It was with great shock that last year the engineering industry tragically lost a well-respected member with the untimely passing of Tim on 18 May 2021 at the age of 52. The citation stated: “We do not just want to honour the memory of a dear colleague with this Lifetime Industry Achievement Award, but for it to showcase an incredibly dedicated engineering career and use it to inspire young engineers and how they can make a difference in this valuable and rewarding industry.” Green adds: “Tim was a leader, colleague, mentor and friend. He was a valued member of AECOM for almost 30 years and his contributions to the business, as well as to the industry, were vast and influential.” In the category of Projects with a Value Between R250 million and R1 billion, AECOM received a commendation for the Rehabilitation of 13.4 km of Trunk Road 31 2 from Ashton to …
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52 years – Stiglingh family becomes one of the oldest customers of Massey Ferguson in South Africa
The farm Spitskop in the Heidelberg district in the Western Cape represents pure Massey Ferguson tradition and achievement. Hendrik-Pieter and Hanro Stiglingh are the fourth generation on the farm, having grown up with the brand. Hendrik-Pieter learned to drive a MF 1105 when still in primary school. He and Hanro used the tractors to convey grain to the silos and till the soil for land preparation for planting. “My brother especially loved the tractors. When we were growing up and still in boarding school we could come home to the farm on weekends and during harvest time. I still remember Hanro had put a picture of himself in the licence disc holder of the MF 290 that my father owned. On Friday nights he went to bed with his overalls on so he could be ready to bring in the grain early on Saturday.” Their father Hendrik-Pieter (Snr.) was convinced it was his personal responsibility to drive the MF 36 windrow which allowed him to master the contours on the farm with ease when swathing wheat. He preferred the 14-foot belt-driven flat windrow all these years because it was narrow enough to handle the contours better. Just like Massey Ferguson itself, farming does not stagnate but rather advances with new technologies constantly. The brothers agree that MF’s good fuel consumption and innovations are an ideal combination to support their farming operation in the Western Cape. Wheat, barley, canola, oats and alfalfa are farmed at Spitskop with Merino sheep for livestock. Hendrik-Pieter is responsible for the animals and Hanro for the grain production. Hanro says the farming conditions are sometimes difficult due to little rain that they get. It is therefore important to plan thoroughly in advance so that the tractors and implements are utilised optimally. The MF 8737 S and MF 7724 S tractors are particularly well suited due to their precision technology, power and economical fuel consumption needed for the farm. The MF 8737 uses about 20 litres per hour to …
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ABB South Africa business areas celebrate two years of zero incidents
Milestone achievement for ELDS, ELSP and ELSB business areas: No Lost Time Incident (LTI) or Medical Treatment Incident (MTI) for two years as of 7 October 2022. The health and safety of our employees and contractors is a top priority for ABB. We have a duty of care in the realisation that a successful business depends on a robust health and safety performance. Given the diversity of our global operations across many locations, this represents a significant challenge. However, processes and best practices are in place to continuously improve our performance in health and safety, enhancing the safety and security of our employees and contractors. ABB South Africa is proud to announce a milestone achievement on 7 October 2022 in terms of its ELDS, ELSP and ELSB divisions. It has achieved two years without a single Lost Time Incident (LTI) or Medical Treatment Incident (MTI). This makes a significant contribution to ABB’s global goal of zero incidents. We are committed to putting HSE and Security at the heart of all our activities, including materials sourcing, product design, operations and services. In addition to fulfilling our compliance obligations to legal and other requirements, we commit to: • Provide safe and healthy working condition to prevent incidents and work-related illness. • As a learning organisation, promote a ‘Do not look the other way’ culture to raise awareness and ownership. • Report unsafe behaviour, engage employees and recognise good practices. Our policy aims for excellence through such programmes and initiatives. As part of these efforts, we deepen training, increase the monitoring of work conditions at customer sites and strengthen business responsibility and accountability for our performance. We aim to ensure safe work environments and create a culture of health and safety within the company that supports optimal business performance. Electrifying the world in a safe, smart, and sustainable way, ABB …