The people of Sandton are set to reap the yummy goodness of a 24-hour Woolworths Foodstop and a diverse range of convenience services at the brand-new Engen MyCiti Convenience Centre, which officially launched on 30 May 2019. Engen MyCiti is located on the corner of South Road and Rivonia Road in Sandton. Customers can indulge their sweet cravings with freshly baked Krispy Kreme donuts as well as a bouquet of convenience offerings, including Woolies food, an Engen Quickshop, a trendy coffee shop and an upmarket bakery. ATM machines covering major banking brands are also available. The Engen site, arguably the biggest fuel station in the area, is ideally located in the exclusive MyCiti complex. On completion, MyCiti is set to offer a wide variety of retail components, including six upmarket restaurants, doctor’s rooms, a pharmacy, a liquor store, a full SPA and various fast food outlets. The MyCiti complex is monitored 24/7 with security cameras and is equipped with ample parking. The new Engen site also offers customer’s quality fuels such as Engen Primax Unleaded and Engen Dynamic Diesel 50ppm. The owner of Engen MyCiti, Danny Zhang is extremely excited to launch the site and to partner with Woolworths Foodstop. “Our customers are really looking forward to this offering as it enables them access to Woolworths Foodstop at any time of the day or night,” says Zhang, adding that the site is well positioned and serves both commuter traffic and local residents. “The Engen brand has a substantial footprint and is well known amongst our customers who have come to associate themselves with Engen’s brand promise of With us you are Number One.” Says Engen’s Head of Retail, Seelan Naidoo: “Engen is very excited to see our network flourishing. Convenience and customer service remain key determinants of success in our industry." “We wish our new dealer Danny Zhang and his team every success.” CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
“Fire in the Hold” a Relic of the Past with Maritime Thermal Event Monitoring
The phrase ‘fire in the hold’ could be consigned to the dustbin of maritime history if the shipping industry was obliged to install thermal imaging systems on all new cargo vessels. Critical thermal event alarm notification and monitoring solutions have received renewed attention from the global maritime sector following a series of devastating fire-related incidents involving cargo ships. “Thermal-based events have a long and unfortunate history in shipping,” says Philip Smerkovitz, Managing Director of thermal imaging specialist, GoThermal.co.za. “And they don’t always involve raging infernos.” Mr Smerkovitz points to the fact that the Titanic, for example, was on fire for days before it sank. “We know now that an out-of-control coal fire played a part in the sinking of the world’s most famous vessel,” he says. Just last month, a major fire in the coal repository of a bulk carrier was reported in the Indian port of Haldia. The fire was reported to be ‘major’ and needing the attention of all firefighting vehicles in the area. “The problem with coal fires is that the nature of the product means smoldering embers can often be inadvertently brought aboard. This is where thermal imaging really comes into its own,” Mr Smerkovitz says. Thermal imaging solutions installed at coal plants can help ensure that contaminated product can be scanned for thermal signatures before coal is then transported to the vanning area where it is further scanned and monitored before being taken aboard. Aboard ship, handheld equipment can further complete the thermal safety loop. GoThermal.co.za has collaborated with world leaders in thermal imaging, FLIR Systems, to develop, sell and support critical thermal temperature notification and monitoring solutions ideally-suited for the local and overseas maritime industry. Remotely monitoring equipment and facilities with thermal cameras can detect potential issues unseen to the human eye. This means a rise in temperature …
Port of Cape Town to Introduce Helicopter Marine Pilotage Service
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has taken the decision to introduce a helicopter service at its Port of Cape Town to transfer marine pilots onto and off visiting vessels. This would make the port one of three within the South African port landlord’s complementary port system that offer the service, the others being Durban and Richards Bay. TNPA expects to commission the helicopter in Cape Town in 2021, according to GM: Infrastructure and Port Planning, Hamilton Nxumalo. In 2018 TNPA began exploring options to introduce a helicopter service after ongoing weather-related disruptions and high swell conditions negatively impacted on port operations and service in Cape Town. The port has traditionally used pilot boats to transfer marine pilots between vessels. Port of Cape Town Harbour Master, Captain Alex Miya, said: “We are extremely pleased to moving forward with a helicopter marine pilotage service at our Port of Cape Town after our recent successful test exercise in 2018 indicated that this is a viable service to offer here. This was coupled with a fully-fledged feasibility study and engagements with customers to determine the best approach.” TNPA has an existing fleet of three ageing AgustaWestland (AW 109) helicopters to service the Ports of Durban and Richards Bay but through its Fleet Replacement Programme has procured two new helicopters with an estimated valued of R250 million in total. South Africa pioneered the concept of transferring marine pilots to and from vessels by helicopter when conditions require the service to preserve marine turnaround times and it is understood to be one of only three countries in the world that offer the service. The Port of Cape Town is also striving to replace two of its workboats by 2019/20 and a request has been made to bring forward the replacement of two tugs and two launches to 2019/20 instead of 2020/21 in order to meet industry needs. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
Project to Restore Durban Dry Dock in Full Swing
The rehabilitation of the inner caisson, which divides the Port of Durban’s Prince Edward Graving Dock into two compartments, enabling two smaller vessels to be docked simultaneously, is in full swing. It is among 11 large-scale projects earmarked for the Durban Dry Dock complex, of which the R48 million refurbishment of the dry dock’s 35-metre-long, 900ton outer caisson which closes off the dry dock from the rest of the harbour, was the first to be completed in 2016. “The R 61 500 700 project to repair the inner caisson and upgrade the drive system has been undertaken to ensure the safety of the dry dock and the sustainability of the ship repair business in Durban,” said Dumisani Mkhize, Deputy Port Engineer at the Port of Durban, who is managing the project. Erwin Skeepers, Business Unit Manager: Ship Repair and Workshops in the Port of Durban, added: “Rehabilitation of the inner caisson will improve the operational efficiency, reinstate the dry dock to its full capacity and improve operational safety. It will equip ship repairers who use our facility to be more competitive, helping to attract more business to South Africa.” The rehabilitation follows extensive technical studies which identified parts of the caisson that had aged and deteriorated and were in need of attention. Various options were explored with professional inputs and ultimately it was decided to repair the inner caisson to the original design. The rehabilitation includes major structural design improvements on re-built decks and compartments, which are being built in a controlled environment in an off-site engineering workshop. These will be pre-trial fitted before being sent to site, greatly improving fabrication quality and ease of fitment on site. Design and fabrication of the new steel sections has already been completed. “The caisson has been taken apart at C and D deck levels and the A and B deck steel structures have been cut up for scrap. The next big milestone will be …
Husband and wife team fuel Cape Town
Phumla and Songezo Nayo are a testament to hard work paying off. The married couple, who entered the fuel industry, with no prior experience were committed and absolutely determined to make their new business work. Today the Nayo’s are the proud owners of not one, but two Engen petrol stations, with their eye on future growth. They first opened Engen Vredehoek Service Station in Oranjezicht in 2011 and in 2015 they opened Engen Eastlake Convenience Centre in Muizenberg. “Owning two Engen service stations gave us, as a black family, an opportunity to contemplate creating intergenerational wealth, something that is still elusive for Black South Africans,” says Phumla With a BAdmin (Hons) in Industrial Psychology and having worked for a number of years as a human resources specialist and independent consultant at some of South Africa’s top corporate companies, Phumla’s HR background has played an important role in building her team of employees and ensuring that her customers get great service. “I am passionate about people development, empowerment and service excellence,” she says. The couple’s cross-section of skills complement each other. Songezo has an MBA from UCT and strong management skills, having gained solid business experience as the previous MD of SA Rugby and having run his own sports management business. “Our first break came when Engen gave us an opportunity to be caretakers of Engen Vredehoek, which was a good platform for us to gain industry experience. Breaking into the industry was initially tough as we had to overcome perceptions of black run businesses, which meant having to prove ourselves over and over again,” says Songezo. Today, success for the couple is having had the opportunity to create jobs at their service stations and invest in the development and empowerment of their employees. “We work very well together because we have mutual goals and interests. We implicitly trust each other’s skills and each one allows the …
Logistics Runs On Like-Minded, Time-Focused Partnerships
Like-minded partnerships with people who share the logistics industry’s total commitment to on-time delivery are the best way to grow the sector in challenging times. That’s the word from Brent Cramer, Director of TruSeal (Pty) Ltd, who says tamper-evident security seals help secure moveable goods in a way that meets time-based targets. Although resilient, this pivotal sector that channels trade throughout South Africa and the world is currently being hit by an increasing reliance on road transport which comes with greater costs and the threat posed by criminals and the ever-present danger of protests. “Tamper evident security seals can reduce the turnaround time in moving goods from A to B and thereby prove to be a valuable time saver in an industry that runs on efficiently managing the precious resources that are hours, minutes and seconds,” says Mr Cramer. Mr Cramer outlined five ways the security seal industry contributes to saving those valuable minutes: TruSeal security seals are highly tamper evident, so quick inspection will alert if theft or tampering has occurred. Barcoded security seal numbers are easily scanned into a database system rather than manual recording saving time and eliminating human error. TruSeal security seals can be customized according to a range of colours and print options to fit client branding requirements. Barcodes can also be added for electronic capturing. Local printing facilities ensure TruSeal products can be customised for our unique commercial and industrial environment while also always being available to the logistics industry at short notice. Security seals from TruSeal create an entire accountability system. This enhances efficiency and timesaving throughout the entire process of transporting goods. Finally, the advantages of being able to identify theft and tampering quickly by using numbered security seals is obvious for any driver, warehouse worker or business owner who have ever had to …
SA Taxi Foundation delivers broad impact with focused CSI initiative
South Africa faces numerous challenges. Two of the most prolific issues that require urgent and immediate attention are rampant unemployment and a failing public education system, as both exacerbate poverty and inequality in the country. While national government continues to address these issues through structural reforms, increased spending on education, student funding and broader access to schools, more is required to accelerate change within the system. This is where the private sector must play a more significant role. As part of its comprehensive corporate social investment (CSI) programme, the SA Taxi Foundation adopted the JB Matabane High School in Ivory Park, Midrand. The company's aim is to establish a grassroots project that will increase access to educational opportunities and benefit learners within the company's local community. “The foundation funds projects and invests in initiatives that aim to make a meaningful contribution to and deliver a lasting social and economic impact on more South Africans,” explains Maroba Maduma, director at the SA Taxi Foundation. But rather than apply the conventional hands-off CSI approach of donating funds and walking away, the foundation developed a programme to promote sustainability and leave a legacy at the school. “Our initiatives span counselling and career development for grade 11 and 12 students, bursaries, and extra lessons, including a winter school, mentoring, goal setting sessions and tutoring.” elaborated Maduma. In 2018, the career empowerment programme helped 243 grade 11 students and 173 grade 12 learners find their ideal career fit. “This process included psychometric testing, career consultation, career talks and workplace readiness programmes,” he adds. As a follow up to this process, SA Taxi's sister company, Transaction Capital Risk Service this year invited 50 JB Matabane learners on a workplace orientation trip and conducted aptitude testing as a means to identify suitable …
New major road rules proposed for SA
According to the latest reports by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), South Africa could soon have new harsher road rules, all of which are aimed at curbing the high incidents of road accidents in our country. Unfortunately, 2018 saw tremendous challenges for road users, given that the number of fatalities reported increased by 16% compared to the previous years. Transport Minister, Blade Nzimande, also recently revealed that the Festive season - which is infamously known to be a period of high fatality numbers on the country’s roads - saw over 767 people lose their lives during December alone. And, this was despite increased traffic policing during this period. With 86% of all road fatalities as a result of human error, the proposed changes to road rules are certainly needed to improve road safety. The RTMC has proposed five new changes, ultimately aimed at promoting improved safety for all road users. Some key things all motorists should note about these changes include: • Those planning to renew their driver’s licence, will need to undertake a retest every five years. If accepted, this proposed new structure, will mean a full driver’s licence renewal process, whereas currently road users merely need to undertake an eye-test to renew their existing licence. • Newly qualified drivers will not be allowed to make long trips for the first year, which will be defined as 150 kilometres and more. • During the first 6-months after receiving a driver’s licence, newly qualified drivers, will need to be accompanied and supervised by an experienced driver. • The RTMC also noted that most collisions have in fact been caused by trucks, in comparison to taxis. As a result, it has proposed that additional testing regulations be put in place for all commercial drivers (including truck, bus and taxi drivers). With this, stricter conditions are expected to be introduced to ensure the safety of passengers who use public transport. • A driver that requires …
Exciting Milestone Reached for 2018/2019 CILTSA Candidacy Programme for Women
The 14 women selected to participate in the 2018/2019 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILTSA) Candidacy Programme are making excellent strides towards completing their CILT International Certificate in Logistics and Transport, having reached the Programme’s half-way mark. Once completed, the Candidates will qualify for “Member” MILT status, a designation that is internationally recognised and portable around the globe. “The grade of ‘MILT’ reflects Candidates’ proven expertise and experience in Logistics and Transport,” explains CILTSA President Elvin Harris CMILT. “The Candidacy Programme is very intense and practically oriented – we are excited about the contribution our Candidacy ladies will be able to make to the industry on completion of their studies.” We are grateful to be in partnership with the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA), who is funding the Programme. Their support to upskill women in the transport and logistics industry, and to prepare them for management roles in the industry is highly commendable. CILTSA, and our delivery partners Commerce Edge and Alto Training are proud to be associated with this very important initiative. Successful Candidates - The following women are participating in the Candidacy programme: Molly Baloyi - Export Controller: Famous Brands Abigail Graaff - Export Controller: Imperial Sasfin Logistics Sekao Magodiele - Key Accounts Senior Advisor: DHL Express Mpho Molalaolwe - Order Desk Administrator: Samsung Electronics Mpho Mbuli - Ocean Imports Controller: Imperial Sasfin Logistics Martina Mothapo Lerato Mudzielwana - Supply Chain Co-ordinator: Ford Motor Company Khothatso Ngwenya - Regional Key Accounts Executive: DHL Busisiwe Nkosi - Outbound Controller: Samsung SDS Lerato Nonyane - Assistant DC Manager: Imperial Managed Solutions Valerie Packree - Ocean/Air Supervisor (Book Groupage): Imperial Sasfin Logistics Pumeza Rhayi – Operations Manager: …
Engen celebrates women truck drivers this International Women Day
Phindile Sithole, one of 16 female bulk truck operators employed by Engen says that while she fully supports Engen’s drive to secure a more gender-balanced world, she always knew that she wanted to be a truck driver and nothing was going to stand in the way of her achieving her dream. As a professional driver who often has to work long hours, Phindile says she feels honoured to have received the opportunity to work for Engen and enjoys every one of her shifts. “Believe it or not, I love the sound that trucks make and their size,” she says. Engen’s Head of Transformation and Stakeholder Engagement, Unathi Njokweni-Magida believes it is incumbent upon large corporations to address the ‘barrier’ that continues to exclude emerging black, and especially black female talent. “Gender balance is essential for economies and communities to thrive. It’s not only a gender issue but a business issue which is why women empowerment and transformation is at the core of every part of our operations and forms a critical part of our business plan,” she says. Phindile’s journey is just one of many inspirational Engen stories that will be shared as part of a new TV series which aims to create a positive narrative around South Africa’s success stories. The SA INC. TV series which launches on 7 April is a partnership between Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), Brand South Africa and producers, Regency Global. "The future is definitely exciting for our industry and the theme for this year's International Women's Day, #BalanceforBetter, resonates particularly with Engen as a company, since we make an effort to strive towards balance across the entire value chain of our business, " adds Njokweni-Magida. Engen salutes all the women and men who are helping to close gender gaps in the world by empowering women in the economy. Post your #IWD2019 message on social media with your "hands out" balance pose for a strong call-to-action for others to also help forge a …