from the editor New beginnings and time for change With the latest easing of coronavirus restrictions in mind, it is wonderful to announce that at time of publication an African delegation of 48 booked to make their way to the world’s leading exhibition for the cleaning industry, Interclean Amsterdam. Due to the pandemic, this will be the first Interclean show to be held since 2018 and therefore the perfect event to be updated on global trends and developments. This issue takes a closer look at the advantages of high-pressure cleaning, the launch of an e-waste system as well as digital and smart cleaning solutions. The global pandemic changed the professional cleaning landscape which has made us more willing to embrace novel solutions. I also want to draw your attention to our brand new website, now hosting this completely digital magazine. It has been designed and built for an improved userexperience (UX), with more features and a cleaner layout. The new African Cleaning Review website and digital magazine is a result of many months of research, sifting through datasets, canvassing input from team members, conducting audience surveys, consulting all levels of our business and employing the services of UX specialists, which culminated in this moment. The digital magazine is now available immediately upon publication, features sharing, full screen display and download options as well as article stories featuring the most prominent issues. Also, the new website allows for instant access to the annual ACR Buyer’s Guide, a valuable reference tool, with active hyperlinks to the websites and e-mail addresses of leading companies that make up this industry. Enjoy the read #StaySafe and #VaccinateToSaveSouthAfrica
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opinion
Levelling the playing field in the contract cleaning industry With the start of a new membership year for the National Contract Cleaners Association (NCCA) commencing on 1 April 2022, a decision was taken by the National Executive Council (NEC) that all members with cleaners will require a compliance audit in order to qualify for a membership certificate. NCCA President Patrick Makhubela elaborates on this resolution aimed at further professionalising the industry.
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his is not just any membership certificate, it now has a special connotation in that no other certificate will be issued unless the member is an Associate member in which case their membership certificate will state that they are “Suppliers” to the industry. Members with no cleaners who do not qualify for a compliance audit will receive a letter confirming their membership of the NCCA. Once they have had cleaners on their books for at least three months, then they too can apply for a compliance audit so as to qualify for a membership certificate if found compliant. Following an NEC meeting held at the Marriott Hotel in Century City, Cape Town on 17 February, Western Cape NCCA branch members were treated to a cocktail party where they met some of the NEC members and the benefits of compliance audits were highlighted. The Gauteng branch launched compliance audits eight years ago that led to most companies and Government departments that put out tenders and contracts now requiring a membership certificate from the NCCA when members tender or apply for contracts. It must be borne in mind that this meant that members of the NCCA in the Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Free State and Northern Cape provinces have been audited for
the past eight years to qualify for a membership certificate which declares they are compliant members of the industry. Eastern Cape NCCA members started their audit process during 2021 and Western Cape and Border-Kei members will start having compliance audits during March of this year. KZN members, whilst being members of the KZN Bargaining Council, are welcome to have compliance audits done through the NCCA, especially if they are also doing work in provinces other than KZN. The Association has three competent and knowledgeable compliance auditors who conduct the audits (mainly through emails as a result of COVID-19). Many in the industry will know Richard Gordon-Brown who has been in the industry for over 40 years. Another well-known personality is Paul Roux who has over 23 years’ experience in the cleaning industry, especially on the labour side. Finally, our third auditor, Kevin McIlroy is a retired Group Industrial Relations/Site Facilities Manager who worked for a multi-national Chemical/Pharmaceutical Company dealing with compliance. These gentlemen not only perform the compliance audits but also play a very important role in mentoring newcomers to the industry. It must be clarified that it is not the NCCA’s intention to exclude any contract
