SPRING EDITION 2023
LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO STOP CRIME
Introducing the
Robotic
NightWatcher Moving head security camera with PIR motion sensor
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LIGHT FOLLOWS MOTION
DAY OR NIGHT USE
2 WAY COMM
WIFI
CONNECTIVITY
24W
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POWER WATTAGE
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NightWatcherPROLED
Robotic led security lighting
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The Ring home security kit has exceeded expectations The Ring Alarm is an excellent option for anyone who wants an affordable and easy way to arm, disarm and monitor their homes or office through their smartphone. Thanks to its modular design, you can also purchase additional sensors to cover your property in a way that suits you – and these extra sensors and extenders only cost a few hundred rands each. PRODUCT BREAKDOWN Available for purchase from MiRO’s online store, the Ring Alarm Kit is composed of the following: 1. Base Station: The primary station keeping your alarm kit online and connected to your devices. It has a convenient battery capable of delivering 24-hour uptime, ensuring you remain protected during power outages 2. Keypad: This is your control component. It allows you to control your alarm system from within your house, accessible by you and your family. This keypad can arm, disarm, and trigger a panic response. 3. Contact Sensor: Mountable on the door and window frames, the contact sensor triggers an alarm when the door or window is open. With this alarm kit component, you can easily keep track of any open and closed doors or windows around your house. 4. Motion Detector: The power of intelligent motion detection in the palm of your hand. The motion detector allows you to receive instant notifications on your Ring App when movement is detected around the house. It is also pet-friendly. The built-in smart features can ignore harmless activity from your pets but not intruders. 5. Range Extender: To ensure that your whole house is covered with a Ring of protection, the extender broadens the coverage of the signal emitted by the base station. For example, when one or two of your sensors are mounted in the garage or toolshed, the extender will pass on the signal transmitted by the station to them. To complete your home security, this innovative kit is compatible with Ring’s security cameras including video doorbell and floodlight cameras. Keep your family safe with Ring, order your home security kit today or speak to one of our experienced security consultants at sales@miro.co.za or +27 12 657 0960
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Inside
this issue
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Youth employment
Page 10
How long do inverters last?
Page 12
Do you need Cyber Insurance?
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Final Watch
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MEDIA RELEASE
NEDBANK WELCOMES 3000 UNEMPLOYED YOUTH TO THE JOB MARKET, AS THE 2023 YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SERVICE PROGRAMME COMMENCES JOHANNESBURG, 1 August 2023 – Over 2,800 unemployed young people entered the world of work as Nedbank inducted its 2023 cohort into the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme at the bank. The launch brings the number of work experience opportunities created by Nedbank since 2019 to almost 10,000. “Each of the 2,818 young people who join the 2023 Nedbank YES programme this morning will access the very best on-the-job training, development and mentorship available. This is an opportunity to hone their skills and gain valuable work experience,” said Deb Fuller, Group Executive for Human Resources at Nedbank. This year’s cohort has been assigned to roles both in Nedbank and our implementation partners. They will obtain experience in the jobs of the future, including working in renewable energy (solar installation), wildlife conservation, agriculture and education, as well as in corporate roles within the bank itself. “Given technological advancements and South Africa’s pressing need for people skilled in renewable energy, agro-processing, and other high-growth sectors, we are pleased to place our YES-youths with partners working in strategic focus areas for us,” added Fuller. “These implementation partners support both the country’s priorities as well as Nedbank’s strategic focus areas, helping us to reach sustainability targets and meet the needs brought about by digital disruption and changes to the world of work.” The YES initiative resonates with Nedbank’s purpose, which is to use our financial expertise to do good for individuals, families, businesses and society, and provides the perfect platform to do our bit to reduce devastatingly highlevels of youth unemployment, Fuller adds. This year’s implementation partners include Afrika Tikkun, the Africa Foundation, GWK, KP Cares and WILDTRUST, and are based in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Northwest and Mpumalanga. Nedbank is the largest YES-participant in the financial services sector, having created over 7000 work experience opportunities before this year’s intake. YES-youths not only receive work experience, but are provided with hard skills, and supported with mentoring to obtain the ‘soft’ skills that equip them to thrive once the year is over. Nedbank’s YES programme is also exceptional for its absorption rate, with over 1,140 YES-youths having been absorbed by Nedbank and partner organisations since 2019. “We continue to see great value in the YES-programme’s ability to uncover extraordinary young talent, with many of this young talent finding roles on Nedbank’s permanent payroll after completing their YES learnership,” she said. More than two-thirds of the work opportunities created through the Nedbank-YES partnership have been taken up by women and several were placed in provinces where the unemployment rate is higher than the official national average of 33,9%, including Mpumalanga (where unemployment sits at 36,1%), Limpopo (36,3%) and the Eastern Cape (42,8%). “Through our programme, our youth not only obtain skills and job experience, but we also uplift the communities and households from which they come, with a massive multiplier effect.” YES Chief Executive Officer Ravi Naidoo commended Nedbank saying YES was excited to continue its long-standing partnership with Nedbank and to see the youth in this programme flourish and create a better tomorrow, today. Adds Naidoo, “The Youth Employment Service (YES) is the highest impact private sector youth employment programme in South Africa, working with over 1,500 businesses to tackle the country’s youth unemployment crisis. “Nedbank, as one of pioneering partners of the programme, has been with us from the start, empowering young people to become future leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs – the game-changers of tomorrow. Through partnership with businesses like Nedbank, that are integrating YES into their ESG agenda by placing youth in roles ranging from IT, HR and Marketing to waste management, solar PV installation and eco-tourism, an economic ripple effect is triggered, which helps reignite communities and our economy. Page 6
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The Youth Employment Service (YES), South Africa’s largest private sector jobs creation initiative, held its inaugural ESG Awards, at the ESG Africa Conference on 4 October 2023. The awards recognise social impact through job creation by private companies. These companies have made a significant contribution to the ‘S’ in ESG through job creation, fostering economic growth, and driving social development. By partnering with YES, their social impact is helping to empower a whole generation to become the architects of their own success stories and agents of change in our society. Signed certificates by President Cyril Ramaphosa were presented to The Top 10 YES jobs contributors: Nedbank Limited, Shoprite Checkers, Toyota, Anglo American Platinum Ltd, Foschini Retail Group, Ford, Investec, Bidvest Protea Coin, Volkswagen, and BMW. Special awards were also presented to Famous Brand, Pizza Hut and Microsoft for sector contributions. Presenting the awards YES CEO Ravi Naidoo said that, providing youth with quality work experience is the most critical endowment that business leaders can make towards building a sustainable and inclusive economic future for South Africa. If more corporates include initiatives like YES in their ESG strategies a broader socio-economic change can be made.
ESG AWARDS:
PRIVATE COMPANIES AWARDED FOR JOB CREATION
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he Youth Employment Service (YES), South Africa’s largest private sector jobs creation initiative, held its inaugural ESG Awards, at the ESG Africa Conference on 4 October 2023. The awards recognise social impact through job creation by private companies.
These companies have made a significant contribution to the ‘S’ in ESG through job creation, fostering economic growth, and driving social development. By partnering with YES, their social impact is helping to empower a whole generation to become the architects of their own success stories and agents of change in our society. Signed certificates by President Cyril Ramaphosa were presented to The Top 10 YES jobs contributors: Nedbank Limited, Shoprite Checkers, Toyota, Anglo American Platinum Ltd, Foschini Retail Group, Ford, Investec, Bidvest Protea Coin, Volkswagen, and BMW. Special awards were also presented to Famous Brand, Pizza Hut and Microsoft for sector contributions. Presenting the awards YES CEO Ravi Naidoo said that, providing youth with quality work experience is the most critical endowment that business leaders can make towards building a sustainable and inclusive economic future for South Africa. If more corporates include initiatives like YES in their ESG strategies a broader socioeconomic change can be
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I
HOW LONG DO RESIDENTIAL SOLAR INVERTERS LAST?
pv magazine
n the first part of this series, pv magazine reviewed the productive lifespan of solar panels, which are quite resilient. In this part, we look at residential solar inverters in their various forms, how long they last, and how resilient they are. Inverters, which convert the DC power produced by solar panels into usable AC power, come in a few different configurations. The two main types of inverters in residential applications are string inverters and microinverters. In some applications, string inverters are equipped with module-level power electronics (MLPE) called DC optimizers. Microinverters and DC optimizers are generally used for roofs with shading conditions or sub-optimal orientation (not south-facing). applications where the rooftop has a preferable azimuth (orientation to the sun) and little no shading issues, a string inverter can be a good solution. String inverters generally come with simplified wiring and a centralized location for easier repairs by solar technicians. Typically they are less expensive, according to Solar Reviews. Inverters can typically cost 10% to 20% of a total solar panel installation, so choosing the right one is important. While solar panels can last 25 to 30 years or more, inverters generally have a shorter life, due to more rapidly aging components. A common source of failure in inverters is the electro-mechanical wear on the capacitor in the inverter. The electrolyte capacitors have a shorter lifetime and age faster than dry components, said Solar Harmonics. EnergySage said that a typical centralized residential string inverter will last about 10 to 15 years, and thus will need to be replaced at some point during the panels’ life. String inverters generally have standard warranties ranging from 5-10 years, Page 10
many with the option to extend to 20 years. Some solar contracts include free maintenance and monitoring through the term of the contract, so it is wise to evaluate this when selecting inverters. Microinverters have a longer life, EnergySage said they can often last 25 years, nearly as long as their panel counterparts. Roth Capital Partners said its industry contacts generally report microinverter failures at a substantially lower rate than string inverters, though the upfront cost is generally a bit higher in microinverters.
Microinverters typically have a 20 to 25year standard warranty included. It should be noted that while microinverters have a long warranty, they are still a relatively new technology from the past ten years or so, and it remains to be seen if the equipment will fulfill its 20+ year promise. The same goes for DC optimizers, which are typically paired with a centralized string inverter. These components are designed to last for 20 to 25 years and have a warranty to match that time period.
String inverter outfitted with DC optimizers Image: Solar Reviews
12V 100A/h Lithium Batteries @ R7500 incl.Vat 12V 7a/h @ R600 incl.Vat
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IF YOU OWN A BUSINESS, YOU NEED CYBER INSURANCE
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hose in the information security sector have long held the opinion that it’s not a matter of whether a company is going to experience a cybersecurity incident, but when. Cybercrime has become one of the biggest risks to business survival for South Africa’s SMME sector – Interpol estimates that 90% of African businesses are operating without the necessary cybersecurity protocols in place, putting themselves and their clients at risk of massive financial and reputational losses. To get a better understanding of the current IT network vulnerabilities and whether South African firms are battening down the hatches, commercial partner at King Price Insurance George Parrott unpacks the risks. “Businesses, especially in the SME sector, are more prone to attacks as what they spend on firewalls and security solutions just can’t match the tools that cybercriminals have at their disposal. Some business owners may mistakenly think that, because they store their sensitive data in the cloud, the cloud platform operator is responsible for that data, but that isn’t the case,” says Parrott. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Parrott shares four tips and highlights the importance of being proactive to ensure that the correct processes and protection are in place. EDUCATE YOUR PEOPLE In the world of cybersecurity, people are the weakest link. You can have all the security and firewalls in the world, but they count for nothing if one employee clicks on a dodgy link in an SMS or an email. “I can’t stress how important it is to not only have a strong remote working security policy, but also to constantly keep security top of mind with every single employee,” says Parrott. It’s important to constantly create cybersecurity awareness among ýour employees and also to do training around what to look out for. KEEP THE CROWN JEWELS SAFE It’s important to get the security basics in place: A firewall, enterpriselevel anti-virus software, and regular data back-ups. Businesses must also be able to control who can access their information. This means ensuring robust verification of everyone who wants to access company systems and networks, and keeping a log of who accesses
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the system and when. Something else to consider is having some form of cyber insurance in place, to help cover your business in case it becomes a victim of cybercrime despite all efforts to prevent this from happening. USE A VPN If your people work remotely or use their personal devices for work, virtual private networks (VPNs) are a critical tool. A VPN provides a secure, reliable connection to your company’s computer systems, even if your people are logging on from public Wi-Fi, says Parrott. All your internet traffic is then routed through an encrypted virtual ‘tunnel’ that is secure and private. GET THOSE UPDATES DONE When your device is in the office and connected to the company network, security updates are installed automatically. Away from the office, it’s the ‘Wild West, with many remote employees either postponing or altogether avoiding installing updates. “You’ve got to make it as easy as possible for your people to stay updated, otherwise you’re putting yourself at risk,” says Parrott. The risks are immense: A cyberattack can literally put a small- to mid-sized company out of business. The IBM annual Cost of a Data Breach Report shows that breaches have cost local companies an average of over R49 million each, yet many businesses still ignore the threat. “This highlights the need for continuous training of employees but, even here, training can only go so far. The fact is that cybercriminals are constantly improving their methods of attack and compromise through the use of emerging and ever-evolving technologies,” says Parrott. Good password hygiene, multi-factor authentication, training, backups, awareness, and cyber insurance can all help to mitigate the impact of a cyberattack and these days it’s best to make use of as many of these tools as possible. “Don’t wait for an attack to happen before you take action because, for all you know, that attack is happening right now,” says Parrott.
Drinkerbell & Embocraft After Peach's daughters drink was spiked, her mission has been to protect as many people as possible from drink spiking and at the same time, empower women. And so around her dining room table, the patented Drinkerbell was born. The easy to use Drinkerbell is inside a scrunchie that can be worn around your wrist, popped into your handbag or used to tie your hair up. The waterproof cover and silicone, reusable straw stops any liquid, pill or powder from being dropped into the drink. Every Drinkerbell is loving created by the women from the community at Embocraft Training Centre Trust in order for them to generate an income for themselves and their families. Our vision for Drinkerbell is to be in more brick and mortar establishments and onboard as many corporates as possible to build their brand as the business that cares!
+27 67 321 8213 www.drinkerbell.co.za www.embocraft.co.za Page 13
FINAL Watch I have been thinking about things that happen in South Africa. Crime is rapidly getting out of hand. 3 Articles came across my desk within the past few days. This is the tip of the iceberg NUMBER 1 In the past few days we have had a lady getting robbed of her handbag at a service station. The police we watching and did nothing. The lady decided to do something about it and so she decides to chase the thief with her car! She caught him and ran over him. She got her bag back. The thief - he wasn’t badly injured. There has been no arrest and so far no case has been opened. Whilst we don’t recommend you doing this we understand her actions. NUMBER 2 Hoedspruit Farmwatch take down CIT robbery gang -
robbed G4S armoured vehicle near Hoedspruit on 20 September 2023. It is alleged that on the date (20 September 2023) at about 16:00 the G4S armoured vehicle together with its escort vehicle were driving near Hoedspruit towards Tzaneen when they were suddenly ambushed by the suspected armed robbers who were driving in three vehicles (white Toyota Fortuner, white Ford Focus and white Toyota Hilux). The suspected robbers allegedly started shooting at the escort vehicle until it came to a standstill and they disarmed the guards (driver and crew) of their official rifles and pistols. Unfortunately, the two guards were shot at and sustained injuries that resulted in the death of the driver. It is further alleged that the armed robbers pursued the armoured vehicle while shooting at it until it stopped. The driver of the armoured vehicle and his crew were allegedly ordered to disembark the vehicle, disarmed of two firearms and chased into the nearby bushes. The suspects allegedly used the explosives to blast the armoured vehicle and made off with an undisclosed amount of money. The Hoedspruit Farmwatch was activated and spotted the suspects’ vehicles driving towards Hoedspruit.
Hawks Three suspected cash in transit robbers arrested and four killed during shootout - 21 September 2023 LIMPOPO – The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation members have arrested three suspects aged between 28 and 52 who allegedly ambushed and Page 14
In an attempt to stop the suspects’ vehicles, they put the obstacles on the road that forced their vehicles to stop. It is further reported that the suspects started shooting at members of Hoedspruit Farmwatch who in self-defence returned fire. During the shootout, four suspects were killed and one (28) was injured and arrested on the spot. The other suspects ran into the nearby bushes and vanished. In the early hours of Thursday, 21 September 2023, suspects who fled were traced with the assistance of the Hoedspruit Farmwatch dogs and chopper until they were caught in a taxi that was travelling to Acornhoek and arrested. The two injured suspects were
FINAL Watch found in possession of suspected stolen money. The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation members were summoned to the scene. While processing the scene, an undisclosed amount of cash, one assault rifle and other firearms were seized. The three (3) injured suspects are under police guard in hospital and they will make their first court appearance soon. The Hawks are still searching for the outstanding suspects. Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects can contact Colonel Motle on 079 886 6618 or contact the nearest police station. Members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation are determined to vigorously fight the scourge of cash in transit robberies in the Limpopo Province and in the entirely country. The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Major General Gopz Govender has since issued a stern warning against the cash in transit robbers that from today onwards, no one is going to die in their hands. “ If this is a fight, we are ready to utilise the available resources to protect the inhabitants of the Republic of South Africa and their properties, but in this fight, we are going to come out victorious”, Major General Govender concluded NUMBER 3 An Anglican minister’s mother was robbed, beaten up and left naked. She crawled to the next door neibour for help and they called the police. So far So good. The police came took statements and indicated they would investigate. A few days later the Warrant Officer came to the victim’s
house with documents for her to sign. The son visited her later in the day to discover that the documents were instructions to close the case. The son went to the station commander with no luck. So he reached out to the Mayor of Zululand regarding his mother’s assault case, and the Mayor then escalated the matter to SAPS Cluster Commander who acted swiftly by sending investigators to meet with his mother, collect evidence and interview the community members. The Warrant Officer from Ulundi Detectives who asked the victim to sign off the case has done this over 200 times. We believe he has been suspended for doing the same thing before. Apparently this is a common practice to bring down the crime rate and to get the case off the books. My question here is how many other senior police officials are doing the same thing? Is this how the ANC are fixing the crime rate statistics? The government because of their corruption won’t solve this issue, and remember when minster Cele was challenged about crime he shouted at the person who questioned him told him to shut up and has his body guards remove the questioner. And then we have the case of the bodyguards of the Deputy Prime minister threatening, beating up and kicking off duty soldiers. I think both the young lady and the farmwatch organization the minister and the cluster commander all deserve medals. Unless we stand up to crime the situation will get worse and Good South Africans will become good British, Australians, New Zealanders, Canadian and American citizens. Sobering thoughts MARTYN SMITHERS Page 15
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