Of challenges and doing things differently in 2020

“The same procedure as every year, James!”

Acatchphrase from Dinner for One, the black and white comedy classic synonymous with New Year’s Eve celebrations all over the world, has worked its way into everyday vocabulary since first being aired in the early 1960s. Funny and often quoted though it is, it’s a line that portends disaster in real-life South Africa if we continue doing things the same way as we’ve been doing them. 2020, anticipated by the optimistic and dreaded by the cynical, has the potential to be the year that is remembered as a new dawn, a turning point, an example to the rest of the world of what courage, accountability and vision can do.

Certainly, there’s no shortage of naysayers who believe that not much is going to change for the good in our beautiful but crime-wracked country with its struggling economy and unreliable power supply. Popular sentiment is running the gamut from hardened cynicism to hopeful optimism, and the facts of the matter are underpinned by, among other things, a steady stream of people who are selling up and emigrating to other, safer lands.

February 2020 will mark two years since South Africa elected Cyril Ramaphosa as its president. His promise of a new dawn resonated with a public desperate for honourable, accountable leadership and he quickly established a number of commissions of inquiry to investigate “the rot that had engulfed South Africa for many years” to quote Bonang Mohale, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), as reported by SABC.com.

A year later, in February 2019, career advocate Shamila Batohi was appointed as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), another critically important position

EDITORIAL POLICY

in terms of getting South Africa out of its criminal mire.

Cause for hope Pieter du Toit of News24 reported in November 2019 that the head of the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigative Directorate, Hermione Cronje, had told journalists that “an enormous amount of work dividing cases into priority areas and work streams had been done over the last couple of months and that the public would soon see it come to fruition.” Aware of South Africa’s growing impatience around an apparent lack of headway regarding high level state capture prosecutions, Batohi promised in an IOL article by Shaun Smillie that “heads were going to roll” in 2020. Smillie wrote of “developments that give cause for hope” including the appearance in court on bribery charges of former State Security Minister Bongani Bongo, the arrest of four men (“including a former Eskom group executive”) on charges of fraud and corruption, and 10 arrests in the Eastern Cape on charges of toilet tender fraud.

Columnist and author Mandy Wiener, in a January 2020 article on News 24, says Batohi and Cronje are aware of the public’s mounting expectations but that getting “the crooks and cronies behind state capture into the dock and into orange overalls through convictions” is not a simple process. “Prosecutors need cast iron evidence that will hold up in court,” she wrote, adding: “Yet despite apparently insurmountable challenges, action appears to be happening.” In his 2020 New Year message, President Ramaphosa gave the assurance that public institutions and law enforcement agencies were being rebuilt and the fight against state capture and corruption was advancing.

Statements made or opinions expressed in articles in Security Focus Africa do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Security Association of South Africa (SASA) nor those of any of the other security associations listed in Security Focus Africa. Similarly, advertising in this publication does not imply in any way endorsement or approval by these security associations of any products or services.

It is the policy of the Security Association of South Africa that any office-bearer who has an executive position in a company, or companies, which supply security products or services should on no account allow his position to be used to promote his company or its objectives in the editorial content of Security Focus Africa, the official journal of the Association. If, at any time, an office-bearer’s position has been quoted in relation to his company or product, this does not imply the Association’s approval or involvement.

4 SECURITY FOCUS AFRICA JANUARY 2020 Perhaps the challenge to end all challenges is Eskom with its R450 billion (and mounting) debt and never-ending pleas for permission to increase electricity tariffs. How its newly- elected CEO Andre de Ruyter is going to fix the nightmare that is Eskom is anyone’s guess but he’s up for the challenge, which is hopeful. I’m no economist, but I suggest that the country’s fortunes – or current lack thereof – will improve to some degree once the process to repair Eskom is visibly underway.

From a security industry perspective, 2020 is also going to bring with it a number of challenges, some new, others legacy. This month’s personality profile Nhlanhla Khuzwayo, MD of Security Services at Servest, sees load shedding and the economy as key issues; Danny Pringle of Secutel is concerned about unstable communication infrastructures, and Tony Botes, national administrator of SASA (Security Association of SA) highlights the hardy annual that is non-compliance along with the hope that the (relatively) new National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS) will kick up a few gears with regard to curtailing criminality within the industry.

Something else to consider: as one of the country’s major employers, the private security sector is likely to be besieged by post matriculants in 2020. Of the roughly 500 000 learners who completed school last year and with unemployment sitting at around 29 per cent, many of them are going to be looking for jobs wherever they can find them. Additional challenges for 2020 include bolstering numbers in our police force, clamping down on gang warfare and violent crime and resolving the land restitution issue. “We know only too well the enormity of the challenges that confront us, but we are united in the knowledge that we have the means and the determination to overcome them,” concluded President Ramaphosa in his 2020 New Year message. I hope so.

Ingrid Olivier

Hot topics for the security industry in 2020

One of the key role players during last year’s fraught security industry wage negotiations, which finally ended with a majority agreement in December, SASA (Security Association of South Africa) is gearing up for an equally challenging 2020.

That’s according to SASA national administrator Tony Botes, who says his office is fielding record numbers of membership applications, along with requests for information and complaints regarding non-compliance in the industry. On this year’s agenda:

The wage agreement Organised employers SASA and South African National Security Employers’ Association (SANSEA) along with organised labour (23 trade unions) concluded a wage agreement in mid-December 2019, after a very difficult and drawn-out negotiation process under the auspices of the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS), says Mr Botes.

The resulting collective agreement, which includes an 8.75 per cent increase for entry level (Grade C) security officers and fixed figure increases, were determined for all three years, along with a hospital plan for employees (as from the second year only as the sourcing and procurement of a suitable service provider could take most of the first year to finalise).

The collective agreement, he adds, will still have to be published for comment by the Minister of Employment and Labour before being promulgated and gazetted. The parties, at this stage, therefore, have no idea when the new rates and employment conditions will become effective. DoEL (Department of Education and Labour) processes are extensive and include a representivity audit to confirm that the parties are truly representative of the private security sector, he explains.

The National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector Registered with the now-renamed Department of Education and Labour (DoEL) in June 2018, the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS) will hopefully be kicking into action this year. Mandated to handle many of the complaints traditionally referred to the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Meditation and Arbitration), it will also deal with collective agreements, labour disputes, and industryrelated schemes, policies and legislation once it’s up and running properly. To this end, Botes says he understands that the Council is looking to appoint a permanent CEO and employ suitably trained and experienced staff members. Further, he’s expecting the Minister of Labour to promulgate both the Levies Agreement and the Collective Agreement shortly. Peace clause What’s critical for people to know is that the agreement between the NBCPSS, organised employers (of which SASA is the largest) and organised labour comes with a “peace clause” for SASA members. Botes clarifies: “The peace clause essentially means that no parties to the agreement are allowed to enter into “shop-floor” negotiations or demands relating to those previously tabled, negotiated and traded off. Without this protection, non-members will be out in the cold, having to deal with issues such as wages and conditions of employment on their own and without any of the other benefits offered by SASA. Compliance Botes says non-compliance is a huge and growing problem in the industry to the point that consumers are increasingly insisting on seeing credentials prior to them entering into contracts with security service providers. Across the board, entities ranging from educational and manufacturing facilities to retail, offices and home owners are insisting that their service providers are members of SASA (and preferably Gold Members), which is widely known and respected for its zerotolerance stance around compliance. “SASA, which is recognised by the government, South African Police Service (SAPS) and municipalities throughout the country will, without fear or favour, report illegal activities and the exploitation of employees within the private security

industry,” he says, adding: “SASA demands proof of total compliance from its members, not only when they join but every year thereafter. That way, consumers can be assured that their service providers are not only legally compliant but can also deliver the highest levels of professionalism.” Benefits of SASA membership: • A strictly applied Code of Ethics. • Representation at national and local government level. • Industry exposure in the media as well as at major shows and exhibitions. • Contacts and networking opportunities. • Discounted training courses, events and seminars. • Access to a security library managed by UNISA. • Updates on new legislation and other industry-relevant information. • Access to security-related and affiliated associations in South Africa and overseas. • The SASA national website. • A central administration office. • Free subscription to Security Focus Africa magazine, the official journal of SASA. • A mentorship programme which is designed to guide and assist start-up security companies with attaining the compliance standards required to qualify for Gold Membership. IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT SASA: Office: 0861 100 680 National Administrator: Tony Botes: 083 650 4981 Email: info@sasecurity.co.za The full SASA membership list is available at www.sasecurity.co.za

Getting into the right gear

Sparks and Ellis believes that a uniform says a lot about your organisation, and it can also instil a sense of pride in the wearer while promoting respect and confidence.

This is according to Sparks & Ellis CEO, Sue de Wet, who says that balancing budget and quality is a delicate balance when looking for a uniform that not only offers great value for money, but is also great in every other way.

"A security officer's uniform is of critical importance because it is the element that sets the security officer apart," says Ms de Wet.

"While aesthetics do of course play an important role, there are other factors that are critical to a company's choice of uniform for its security officers. In fact, the appearance of the uniform plays a critical role when it comes to how the guarding company is perceived by the public."

Providing peace of mind Uniforms should provide instant recognition so that, in an emergency situation, and particularly in a crowded area, members of the public can spot security staff and will immediately know who to turn to for help. Ms De Wet says that it has also been shown that the presence of a uniformed security officer provides reassurance for other staff and visitors at the premises. A well-presented security officer not only promotes peace of mind but their presence is also a major deterrent for criminal activity.

Pride and belonging Security officers who are well-presented feel a sense of pride and a strong affiliation

to the company they work for. Being identifiable as part of the team creates a feeling of professionalism and belonging. In addition, a uniformed security officer is often the very first impression that visitors will have when visiting an organisation.

Combining quality and budget requirements When it comes to quoting competitively in an industry that is largely driven by cost, at a time when operating costs are also increasing, Ms De Wet says that uniform manufacturers face a major challenge. “While we have access to world-class technology, client budgets can often prohibit the introduction of new fabrics and uniform technology,” she says.

“While some companies do also believe that uniforms should be replaced on an annual basis, others believe that they should be adapted with the changing seasons. Sparks and Ellis try to encourage companies to invest in seasonal uniforms, and help to extend the life of the uniform in this way.”

Safety first “Uniforms should always comply with safety standards, and this is a non-negotiable factor,” says Ms De Wet.

Depending on the environment in which the security officer is working, there are a couple of critical factors for consideration. Is the uniform breathable? Is it water and fireresistant? Does the environment in which

the security officer works call for the use of safety shoes with steel-capped toes?

Quality materials Sparks and Ellis says that when considering uniform budgets, companies should never underestimate the importance of quality materials, which impact on life span and durability. Important factors for consideration include: colour, washable materials, and ease of replacement.

“Ensure that the uniform you choose is made of good quality material. Look at the fabric used, as well as zips and buttons, because this will determine how durable the uniform will be.

“In the long run, good quality uniforms could save the company from unnecessary replacement uniform costs,” concludes Ms De Wet.

ABOUT SPARKS AND ELLIS Sparks & Ellis is one of South Africa’s leading uniform suppliers and manufacturers. It specialises in complete uniform solutions and offers clients a head-to-toe service. Developing technologically advanced products, Sparks & Ellis offers uniforms and equipment for security, traffic, fire and rescue, ambulance, law enforcement, and corporate clients. Sparks & Ellis is a Level 1 BBEEE company, 70% owned by The Cape Union Mart Group and 30% owned by Thebe Investment Corporation.

Technology brings a unique and personalised touch to uniforms

Specialist uniform manufacturer, Sparks & Ellis, is able to offer a full quartermastering service whereby they pack each employee’s uniform individually and delivers it to their specific office. This unique service eliminates the need for the client to get involved in packing and distributing uniforms themselves, which in turn saves both time and money.

The ordering system is designed for customers who either want to order in bulk or who want to order per staff member. Via the online programme on Sparks & Ellis website, the client is able to order the correct size uniform for each employee.

This is made possible by using the staff member unique employee number and the system allows the user to access history of what has been supplied.

This system has been rolled out successfully to many private companies such as security, cleaning, petro-chemical and also for a chain of restaurants. It is proving popular with government departments such as traffic, fire and rescue and ambulance / emergency medical services (EMS).

One of the group’s philosophies is “the quality of the company is equal to the quality of its people”.

Sparks & Ellis have a dedicated group of long-serving staff members who take their responsibility to their customers very seriously, and they are often commended on their high levels of service excellence.

MISSION STATEMENT

We are a leading supplier of a complete uniform solution to clients who value quality and service at a competitive price. Developing technologically advanced products, Sparks & Ellis offers uniforms and equipment for security, traffic, fire and rescue, ambulance, law enforcement, and corporate clients.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO VIEW THE SPARKS & ELLIS CATALOGUE OF UNIFORMS AVAILABLE, PLEASE VISIT www.sparks.co.za. 021 404 1240