N$ www.theengineer.com.na
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VOL.2/NO. 10 • APRIL-MAY 2017
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NAMIBIA’S PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Industrialising Namibian manufacturing
How the Airbus/NUST deal will keep us competitive in the ever-changing aviation marketplace Engineer of the Month Mariura Muhenje
10 Waste water treatment in mining industries: Mining wastewater treatment is carried out by many companies. They help in assisting the mining companies to meet these challenges with an innovative, cost-effective manner.
August 26: Time to “manufacture “ skills
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The world is becoming a place in which the human population is becoming more crowded, more consuming and more connected.
Editor Donald Matthys editor@theengineer.com.na
his means that the engineering profession must revisit its mindset and adopt a mission; to contribute to the building of a more sustainable, stable, and equitable world.
Developing countries, like Namibia have an enormous diversity. While some economies have rapidly-industrialising emerging economies, Namibia, like many developing countries are struggling to develop its economy beyond basic manufacturing.
Industrialising Namibian manufacturing
Towards smarter aviation: Inside the NUST/Airbus deal
Shafa Engineering: Thriving on variety
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CONTENTS PAGE
EDITORIAL
Focus on industrialisation
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The Engineer touches on the challenges and provides tangible solutions that can be used to boost industrialisation through means of innovation and making use of available resources. That said, it is important for innovators to look for opportunities to develop their products so that it addresses the needs of consumers in the country and beyond, using cheaper forms of technology, available locally.
FNB Nam: Helping Manufacturers flourish
How locals are surviving the construction industry
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Waiting for Windhoek’s solar powered taxi
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Graphic Designer Keith M. Tuwelo Distribution distribution@targetnam.com 081 368 2352 Marketing Etty-Doria Kilembe marketing@theengineer.com.na
The Engineer is a magazine published once a month and circulated to 10 000 senior engineering decision makers in Namibia. Subscription Rate: N$20 per copy. In each issue, The Engineer offers advertisers the opportunity to get to the front of the line by placing a company, product or service on the front cover of the journal. Buying this position will afford the advertiser the cover story on pages and maximum exposure. For more information on cover bookings contact us on Tel: +264 61 254 005/081 122 6850
Production Manager Wesley Urassa Executive Editor Confidence Musariri 081 122 6850
InnoSun: The pioneer of renewable energy in Namibia
3 Ways to manage generation gaps on your construction site
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Mariura Muhenje: The Half Life of an Engineer
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Admin & Accounts Marizaan Bock admin@targetnam.com General Manager: Marketing Kenneth Karamata business@municipalpillars.com Printer: Solitaire Press
Lifelong Learning for Engineers: Riding the Whirlwind
Wastewater treatment methods, looking at the top 3
The waste water treatment in mining industries
August 26: Manufacturing Skills. Many manufacturing firms are doing what they can to inspire a new generation of manufacturing employees and experts; however, there is still a considerable emptiness when it comes to skills and experience. P.22
Engineer Engineer Engineer The
The
The N$20.00
VOL.2/NO. 7 • NOVEMBER 2016
VOL.2/NO. 6 • OCTOBER 2016
Bulk Materials Handling & Logistics go hand-in hand
NAMIBIA’S PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
NAMIBIA’S PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
D&M
Vol.2/No. 5 • September 2016
N$20.00
N$20.00
LOGISTICS
explains Continuous Welded Rail
NAMIBIA’S PULSE OF TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
NUST DRA growsInnovations revolutionises its ports and Namibian women harbour power in Computing &Scaling up solar experience to meet Namibia’s Informatics energy needs
NSFAF aids ABB’s upcoming electrical engineer
Pipe relining solutions making inroads into Africa
FNB Namibia financing commercial property Northern and purchase
Harvesting the sun
Time to Regulate Rigging; says Precision
Engineer of the Month
How Namibian contractors can survive Chinese competition
Kavango road rehabilitation to cost US$39mil
Drilling Windhoek
N$300 million & 12 large diameter boreholes:
Inside the City’s new water plan NUST hosts International computer science conference
The next dimension in project design
Cover opportunity Find out how City of Windhoek civil engineer Reinhard Boehmer overseesWorley the Parsons RSA is propelling its integrated project design tools into the next dimension of project engineering and construction management, providing tangible and pre-emptive design solutions to project delivery. Capital’s contract management. His troubles with contractors most specifi cally. The Engineer | November 2016
Transition: Bicon Namibia Changes Guard
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PROFILE
Shafa Engineering: Thriving on variety
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hafa Engineering cc is a newly established closed corporation specializing in carrying out feasibility studies, designs, and civil, mechanical and electrical services. Shafa Engineering also does project supervision of electrical, mechanical and civil engineering construction projects.
The following services are offered: Civil Engineering Department • Storm water reticulation • Paving • Construction & Property development • General Renovations • Plumbing Works Electrical Engineering Department • Building Electrical Reticulations • Solar system installations • Distribution boards Wiring and installations • Electrical MV & LV reticulations • General Electrical Installations & Troubleshooting • Generator Overhauling and Control systems Mechanical Engineering Department • Plumbing Works • Air-conditioning installations • Fire protection systems installations (recently incorporated in company) Architectural Department • Concept Designs • Architectural complete designs • 3D designs complete
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The Engineer | April-May 2017
Shafa Engineering founders, as previously disadvantaged Namibians recognize the lack of empowerment amongst young Namibians.
3. Salute Warehouses
Thus the firm intents to empower and motivate young Namibian Engineers, especially from previously disadvantage backgrounds to take ownership of the construction and engineering industry, with the aim to eradicate poverty and unemployment through job creation and ultimately contributing to the economy and development of the country.
Client: Salute Trading cc (Mr K. Kemanya)
Some of major completed projects
Site location: Windhoek, Namibia
1. NCRST New offices
Year: 2016 Site location: Windhoek, Namibia Project features: Architectural Drawings Cost estimate: N$ 63 100.00
Current Projects: 1. Salute Manufacturing Plant Year: 2016 Client: Mr. K Kemanaya
• Year: 2016
Project features: Complete architectural & engineering drawings
• Site location: Prosperita Windhoek
Cost estimate: N$ 154 200.00
• Client: NCRST (Jeremia Ntinda) • Project features: Architectural & Engineering drawings, & Costings • Cost estimate: N$ 215 500.00 2. UM Electrical Works & Aircon Servicing • Year: 2016
“We believe that through our company profile we have shown that we have the necessary expertise and relevant project experience within Shafa Engineering cc to successfully and timely execute any project handed to us by the client,” Shafa BH, Owner of the firm said.
• Site location: Town Campus, Namibia
Contact Details:
• Client: IUM (Mr. Kalondo)
T: +264 (0) 811295193 F: 086 588 9703 P.O.Box 8432, Bachbrecht, Windhoek E-mail: info@shafaengineering.com
• Project features: Aircons and Electrical Works • Cost estimate: N$ 14 500.00
AVIATION
Towards smarter aviation: Inside the NUST-Airbus deal As part of its strategic plan for developing the country’s aerospace, geo-information, earth observation and spatial science capabilities, the Namibian government has delegated the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) to host the Institute for Space Technology and has thus mandated it to implement a Virtual Space Data Centre. Recently, NUST and Airbus Defence and Space (ADS) signed a Letter of Intent in this regard. The signature of the Letter of Intent by NUST’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tjama Tjivikua, and by ADS’ Managing Director, M. Jean-Marc Nasr, took place in the presence of Her Excellency, Jacqueline BassaMazzoni, Ambassador of France to Namibia, and her Spanish and German counterparts, respectively H.E. Concepción Figuerola Santos and H.E. Christian Matthias Schlaga, representing the three main shareholding countries of the Airbus Group. They emphasised the European dimension of this partnership, which also embodies the co-operation between the private sector and Namibian universities.
From left: HE Christian Schlaga: German Ambassador; HE Concepción Figuerola Sanchez: Spanish Ambassador; Dr Jean Marc-Nasr, Head: Airbus Defence and Space for Africa, Middle East, France and the UK; Dr Tjama Tjivikua, Vice-Chancellor: NUST; and HE Jacqueline Bassa-Mazzoni after the Signing Ceremony.
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peaking exclusively to The Engineer, Tjivikua said that the deal is one of the best engineering initiatives the country has entered into so far. “Especially, since the Namibian Space Data Centre is the first of its kind and the only one in Namibia, it will also enable various stakeholders and other interested international parties to tap into the space data and enrich science, technology and the general economy, said Tjivikua. Furthermore, through this partnership, both parties intend to collaborate on developing academic postgraduate programmes in various fields of
Aerospace Technology, e.g. Satellite Ground Element Technology, Space Technology, Aerospace Dynamics research and industry, and thereby push the boundaries of technology in Namibia. Through the collaboration, NUST will link to the Airbus Academy and French universities. Adds Tjivikua, “Basically, the focus of this deal entails geo-intelligence services and the establishment of a virtual space data centre which will provide intelligence that can be analysed for a number of purposes, including agriculture and food security, infrastructure surveillance, border and coastal monitoring, environmental impact studies, etc.”
“Especially, since the Namibian Space Data Centre is the first of its kind and the only one in Namibia, it will also enable various stakeholders and other interested international parties to tap into the space data and enrich science, technology and the general economy,” The Engineer | April-May 2017
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AVIATION
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The collaboration will facilitate the establishment of joint research projects, exchange programmes for staff and students, and create homegrown solutions.
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What makes the deal stand out? The Virtual Receiving Station (VRS) solution in the Centre will provide a multi-sensors access through a single agreement framework. Airbus is offering Namibia a privileged access of up to six satellites to answer any type of questions requiring earth observation data. The complementarity of these missions offers a wide coverage and fine details (up to 0.5m). Radar capacity (unaffected by clouds unlike the optical system) also makes the VRS the optimal solution to develop earth observation for marine and geospatial applications.
Benefits for Namibia The establishment of a Namibian Space Data Centre in Windhoek which provides access to high-resolution spatial satellite imagery makes way for: • Capacity building of aerospace engineers, technologists and end-users. • Mutualised use of the data shared by different ministries, avoiding duplication of budgets and work. • Greater capacity for large area coverage (for example, country-wide coverage for national map updates), as well as capacity for regular and frequent updates. • Focus on priority areas for mapping and monitoring purposes (for example: fishing vessels movements, mining development, water body evolution, nature conservation
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The Engineer | April-May 2017
and ecosystem resilience, urban planning and informal settlements management, border surveillance, detection of climate change impact, etc.). • Promotion of SMEs in the field of satellite technology and imagery. • Promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines in Namibia. “Interactions and collaborations with leading universities and companies add value to academic programmes and research conducted by the Institution. The new partnership with Airbus will boost our capacity to improve and broaden our engagement with partner institutions, and other international partners, and thereby adding value to society” Tjivikua noted.
Impact on developing academic postgraduate programmes for NUST The University already offers under- and postgraduate programmes in Remote Sensing and Geo-Spatial Sciences. The Centre will soon see NUST offering programmes in Aerospace Technology including, but not restricted to, Space Systems Technology, Satellite Technology and Communication and Avionics. “The collaboration will facilitate the establishment of joint research projects, foster exchange programmes for staff and students, and create home-grown solutions” Tjivikua added.
The Centre will house the Virtual Reception Service from ADS. This will enable: • Access to Pleiades, SPOT and TerraSAR-X acquisitions over the Namibian territory.
Airbus is Europe’s number one space enterprise and the world’s second largest space business. It is also a European leader in providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft.
• The tasking of Airbus satellites using dedicated programming tools.
In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide (Arial 9).
• Access to a web portal to access directly the Namibia national archive and order images through the Centre.
NUST on Revitalising Global Partnerships
Timeline
NUST is involved in a number of regional and global projects and in the following:
According to Tjivikua, consultations and the creation of the Centre and the collaboration will endure for many years to come.
Airbus Perspective “Namibia is a key market for Airbus in Sub-Sahara Africa and we see this initial project as the starting point for a broader relationship with our partners at NUST and the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, which will include other aerospace themes,” explained Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Airbus Defence and Space for Africa, Middle East, France and UK. Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2015, it generated revenues of €64.5 billion and employed a workforce of around 136,600. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners, with capacity ranging from 100 to more than 600 seats.
• Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa project (MESA project), whereby utilizing Remote Sensing technology helps build stakeholder capacity in the SADC region to enable them to forecast, manage and monitor fires, drought, floods and crop productions in their countries. • The ORACLES and AERONET projects, which contribute to improving regional and global climate models and improve atmospheric correction and validation of remote sensing, which are about remote investigation of aerosols over Namibia and over the Southern Atlantic Ocean. • Research on Namibian Space and Weather with the South African Space Agency.
Other initiatives on ‘Reimagining University Engagement’ Tjivikua noted that the University is currently working on establishing a Nano-satellite Ground Station for imaging data-collection purposes.
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MANUFACTURING
Can Namibian Manufacturing Really In 1993 Namibia introduced tax incentives for manufacturers that make provision for infant industry protection. However, new manufacturing startups struggle a lot as local skills are sometimes not available. Namibia has for a very long time missed out on the formulation of a coherent industrialization strategy. Only in more recent years more systematic efforts started to discuss again a proper strategy, which would foster local industries.
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conomic Commentator, Professor Henning Melber says the lack of a clear strategy has limited the initial efforts to strengthen a locally adjusted industrial production, including manufacturing in line with an initial focus on production for domestic consumption according to the needs in the country to replace some of those basic imposts which could be locally produced. Melber notes that it seems that of lately, not least with the current Finance Minister (while being the former Trade Minister,) a stronger awareness of such needs is growing.
The Real Problem The problem starts with bad policies and lack of proper oversight of the sector which is the driver behind the failure to grow Namibia’s manufacturing industry. Danny Meyer, Director of SME Compete says not enough is being done to migrate informal
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businesses to formal settings. Meyer noted that there are township welders today who could graduate to become the light engineering service providers of tomorrow as manufacturers of security gates and screens, burglar bars, door and window frames, among others.
“Those foreign products we find in building material and hardware supply stores around Namibia. Same applies to the apparel and textile (A&T) sector. Traditional dress makers of today are the school uniform, overalls and protective clothing manufacturers of tomorrow,� Meyer says. For Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Manufacturing Association, Ronnie Varkevisser the slow implementation on the Growth at Home strategy, saying that efforts are not necessarily well-aligned with the activities of State-Owned Enterprises and their Line Ministries.
There are few sectors of course, where a regional and even global approach might be possible at the same time, e.g. the herbal products or leather industry. But going global, it would require a careful marketing strategy, high quality products and long-term investments,” Melber states. Meyer also weighs in, adding that access to markets, access to funding, curbing of unfavourable or hostile environments in which business is conducted, amongst others.
Industrialise? The Missing Link Analysts say that market failure is preventing industrialization and that so some form of government intervention, such as a subsidy, is necessary to correct that failure.
“Let’s face facts. Entrepreneurs find it near impossible to access markets (get products onto supermarket shelves or into chain stores), access funding (in a security or collateral based lending environment), for working capital needs or to buy machinery to upscale production and thereby grow business, access affordable workspace (so continue operating from home or the back yard of parents or relatives residence in the township), and access to entities that provide industrial know-how, mentorship and business skills development for self and staff (great need, but few service providers). Add to this bureaucracy, red-tape and an unfriendly business environment,” Meyer adds.
+264 81 148 6011
According to Varkevisser, some of the key issues that needs to be addressed, include the simplification and streamlining of border procedures, faster and more focused implementation of the Retail Charter, and the implementation of the Public Procurement Act, which provides for, among others, the preferential procurement of locally manufactured goods.
MANUFACTURING
Melber says that there is no need for grand schemes, but a step-by-step approach is needed. He added this will also target the better promotion of SMEs for local production, which includes service delivery. “Only once a local manufacturing for the domestic market is well anchored, a strategy for competitive regional market orientation might be feasible. Manufacturing in Namibia should concentrate first on becoming sustainable through serving local needs.
The Manufacturer Developing countries across the world, including Namibia struggle to implement their own industrial policies. These challenges arise mainly because the world is largely consumer driven and as such product development and innovation moving at a lightning pace – to stay relevant, manufacturers need to be able to keep up with the pace. As companies vie to be first to market with a new concept, the temptation to compromise on quality can be huge, however manufacturers need to be stringent and avoid cutting corners. Sometimes manufacturers are tempted to postpone or delay preventive maintenance or they replace factory components with lowerquality items. This then creates unsafe conditions in harsh manufacturing environments if these smaller components can’t stand up to operating conditions. Poor maintenance can cause health and safety issues, as well as cause unplanned or excessive downtime. Manufacturers need to perform preventive maintenance on recommended schedules to keep operating costs low and throughput high while helping to ensure worker safety.
P.O. Box 786, Windhoek, Namibia
Office 109, BRB Building, Dr bernard may street, Ausspanplatz
Alugodhi Construction & Renovations offers services ranging from Renovations, Plumbing, Electrical, Carpentry, Import and Export, Cleaning Services, Transportation & Engineering.
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MANUFACTURING
How FNB Namibia can help Manufacturers flourish Van Der Westhuizen stressed that adding value to Namibia’s resources is a key element of the current Government’s growth strategy – due to the close relationship between manufacturing and engineering, this sector will continue to play an important role in the Namibian economy.
Executive Officer of First National Bank (FNB’s) Business Department, Johan van der Westhuizen, says the bank understands the significant role that logistics plays within the retail and manufacturing supply chain. It is for this reason that the bank is committed to providing players in the manufacturing industry with the best in financial services and innovative banking solutions. With many factors such as exchange rate volatility, energy costs, security and inflation influencing the logistics sector, financial services should be the least of concerns of FNB’s clients, Van Der Westhuizen says. “Our understanding of this dynamic industry gives us unparalleled insight into the risks and opportunities facing logistics businesses. This industry is a traditional capital intensive industry, making a reliable banking partner a key success factor,” Van Der Westhuizen explains. He further reiterated that the manufacturing sector has become Namibia’s hope to achieve and maintain a sustained economy, adding that ‘Growth at Home’ is a relevant approach to reduce unemployment in Namibia.
Local Manufacturing Van Der Westhuizen added that the country cannot only be a ‘trader’ by just importing and re-selling goods.
“Innovation is also driven by evolving customer requirements and expectations which result in increased demand for new and improved products.
According to him, manufacturers should look more into how local raw materials and imported raw materials can be used to produce products to satisfy local demand. He adds that an extensive value chain analysis of the goods produced in Namibia should be carried out to determine where further value addition can be viably undertaken.
This demand for innovation urges manufacturers to continuously seek methods to improve their products, processes and services. In our eyes, we view manufacturers as innovators for the way they run their businesses, amidst these many challenges,” Van Der Westhuizen says.
“We have a long history in banking businesses. At FNB, we believe in helping businesses that operate in our local communities, which helps to improve the community’s local economy.
To find a suitable banking service for your business, visit: www.fnbbusiness.com.na
Our specialists are knowledgeable on trends and regulation changes affecting the industry, enabling us to offer you the expertise and knowledge coupled with customised solutions to ensure that you keep the goods moving,” Van Der Westhuizen states.
Innovation Is Key Innovation is a crucial aspect for a business due to rapid technological advances, the continuously changing business environment, and the ongoing development of industrial structures, policies and strategies. Company Profile
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CONSTRUCTION
Alugodhi Construction: Surviving in a competitive industry Namibia’s construction sector continues to be a tug-of-war between local and foreign contractors. The mentality which suggests that foreign contractors are more experienced than local contractors is causing holes in the pockets of local construction businesses.
D
espite the revelation made by Minister of Works and Transport Alpheus !Naruseb recently made in Parliament stating that about 80% of government’s building construction contracts are awarded to local firms, a significant number of such tenders end up being wholly subcontracted to foreign companies without the approval, and sometimes knowledge, of government. According to locally owned contractor, Alugodhi Construction & Renovations’ Managing Member, Johannes Alugodhi, local contractors are being undermined as they too can give exceptional services in the industry and perform to set standards. Alugodhi CR offers services ranging from renovations, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, import and export, cleaning, transportation and engineering.
Confronting the elephant in the room Often at times, the competition is too much for the number of projects available as there are now too many contractors and building construction keep decreasing by the day. At most, same contractors are awarded tender projects sometimes up to five times.
“For big projects, we need financial loans and it is a long process to finally get accepted for a loan and after that the loan interests are too high for us,” Alugodhi said. Laborers’ being paid late is one of the issues that are often reported in the industry, and Alugodhi stressed that it is not only the fault of the contracting company, but it mainly derives from cash flow challenges. “The clients take long to evaluate and pay us, at the end of the month whilst they are still evaluating cost, the laborers will already be in need of payments,” he added. Their current project which entails the mowing of grass in the road Resources and related works, his company is busy with is challenging as fuel prices have been increasing and they face a challenge with the wild animals as they are a danger to the workers and they damage machinery, in turn affecting the efficiency of their work. However, continuously speaking about challenges is not going to solve issues, Alugodhi said, adding that inventing ways to survive in the industry is the way forward.
For his company, Alugodhi said they are looking at building their reputation and networking & building their skills base. “We work hard to create a good name for us, every project is undertaken professionally and skillfully performed to please the client, that way we can be called for other projects and through word of mouth we get recommendations. We know what we can do and concentrate on learning and building up on our capacity. In Networking with other contractors and construction professionals we become informed and are always aware of new construction trends, and better solutions to the above mentioned projects, for we believe in the power of knowledge,” he said.
Current Projects for Alugodhi CR Construction of new staff Accommodation Place: Klein Manasse Contract Amount: 2,247,790.00 Principal Agent: Prinsloo Loubser Architects Contact Person: Mr. Boris Bottcher Contact No.: Tel.: +264 (0) 61-433305 Construction & Cleaning Services Place: Oshakati region Contract Amount: 2,347,079.74 Principal Agent: Road Authority Contact Person: Regional Engineering manager - Oshakati
The Engineer | April-May 2017
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MOTORING
Waiting for Windhoek’s solar powered taxi By Ngurimuje Humavindu
• Energy storage with lithium-ion • Maximum velocity of 50 km/h and a full range up to 100 km • Ability to cover up to 100 km per battery charge cycle During the hellish rush hour, taxis are the fastest way to get around Windhoek and head home. Somehow Simon Annanias has mastered the routes that negotiate deep into Khomasdal avoiding the crammed Rocky Crest highway, to emerge in Otjomuise. “I take about 20 minutes and those other guys take 90 minutes or at times two hours to get to Otjomuise. It’s about patience,” he says one passengers alights.
“I hear NUST is busy inventing a solar powered taxi,” I interject him. Oblivious of my statement, he continues hooting at the slow traffic in front of us. I had to repeat myself. “What is that?” he asks, and immediately goes haywire, before I could finish my response, “No, no no, those people must not try to be smart with us. I have been doing this job for two years now. What solar taxi? No. They just want to take our bread. Already they chased us from the best loading station at NUST, now this. No.” Taxis offer an easy earner for young men with no qualifications like Simon. But frequent accidents, lax regulation mean the industry needs a different kind of attention. Taxis are no doubt an important source of employment for many youths. In Simon’s case, he arrived from Wamboland (Northern Namibia) with nothing but a driver’s license. He wanted to drive a truck to South Africa and a piece-job driving a taxi for a week to raise money for a passport, became a two-year career. And while other professions may require years of training with no guarantee of a job for graduates, the low-level skills of taxi riding are matched by a high demand for their vital service in countries with rising infrastructure.
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The Engineer | April-May 2017
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No, no no, those people must not try to be smart with us. I have been doing this job for two years now. What solar taxi? No. They just want to take our bread. Already they chased us from the best loading station at NUST, now this. No.
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‘Those other guys’ referring to ordinary motorists. ‘Patience’ referring to cutting other motorists, evading traffic officers when he miscalculates the amber robot, abrupt stops which congest traffic just to load a passenger and breaking the four-way traffic rule. Such is the life of being a taxi driver in Windhoek.
But, as Simon points out, taxis are also a bona fide form of investment: a worker who buys a taxi and finds a driver to operate it is no different from another who opens a small shop for extra income. “In our case, we have contracts. After driving it for some time and meeting a certain target, this car becomes mine. The owner will have enough to buy a new one. This one becomes mine. So, NUST should not be fighting to get rid of the taxis” says Simon. It takes another whole trip back to town for us to go through the pains of explaining that Namibia through students from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre (WVTC) are building the first solar taxi vehicle which is actually good for the industry. The vehicle aims to rescue air pollution in Namibia, especially with the country’s increased traffic which leads to air pollution. We give an example of the gas emissions of his 2008 Toyota Corolla which he is likely going to drive for another five years once the car is in his ownership.
In 2016 NUST and WVTC have started a threeyear multidisciplinary applied research project to design and build the first Namibian Solar Electric Utility Vehicle (NSSEUV), in order to enhance a new generation of researchers, technologist and entrepreneurs while seeking solutions to problems with large socio-economic impact. The project which is run at the Innovation Design lab at NUST is in the hands of the students, lecturers and Professors.
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The participants aim at opening doors to many Namibian institutions to showcase great innovation projects they can come up with if they put heads together. This vehicle will contribute highly to Vision 2030.
It is a sustainable vehicle that seamlessly integrates state of the art technologies, for example, mechatronics, software, solar caption efficiency, energy storage in swap batteries, and vehicles’ intelligence, etc. “We are aiming to develop a light weight vehicle, able to transport a payload of 320 kg bigger than its own deadweight, 250kg, the opposite of a traditional vehicle,” Lumaga had told The Engineer, prompting us to crosss-check with taxi drivers like Simon.
The first prototypes of the vehicle was successfully designed and build in 2016, they are currently busy with the design of the second prototype, which they will start building it within next six months. The third prototype will be built in 2018. The professor said that by that time of the third prototype they will be able to add more layers of intelligence aiming for a lighter, more user friendly, more efficient, sustainable solar taxi that operates with zero carbon footprints.
Vehicle Description
Location
The project’s aim is to offer an environmentally friendly solution. With three real size working prototypes students test the feasibility of a regional industrial production of a low-cost solar electric taxi propelled by renewable energy while operating with zero carbon footprints.
An electric motor is able to convert most of its fuel energy into usable power. It is much more energy efficient, up to 85%, than a traditional Internal Combustion Engine –ICE, that for every 100 units of fuel can convert only 16 units in propulsion.
Due to the highly increase petrol price this vehicle will be the solution to cost cutting people have been dreaming about.
The solar electric taxi, based on African user needs, is designed, rapidly prototyped and possibly industrialized in the SADC region, which offers one of the highest solar radiance in the world. Even though some of the items are purchased from overseas suppliers, modular components-as much as possible are off-theshelf.
The vehicle offers three primary benefits
“You were supposed to talk about petrol not solar. I spend about N$1500 a week on petrol. If your solar is going to cut that then NUST is talking sense now,” his tone changes. According to Professor Pio Barone Lumaga from NUST, the vehicle will use solar energy to move; therefore, it will save a lot of the country’s spending and might cause the transport fee to decrease. Simon reduces the volume of his radio, getting more attentive now.
• Reduction of use of imported gasoline; • Zero emission of poisonous gases that induce climate changes; • Positive impact on population’s health. The simple and modular design of the vehicle is intended for an assembly in local ‘micro’ factories, with annual production capacity up to 1 500 cars that do not require intensive capital expenditure. The vehicle achieves a maximum velocity of 50 km/hr taking into consideration that of a metropolitan taxi’s average speed of 16 km/hr. What prompted the invention of solar vehicle is the repeatedly growing population of the world, putting a strain on the environment, the Professor stated. “According to the United Nation Population Research’s Division, 60% of Africa’s population, approximately 1 200 million people, will be urbanized in the next three decades. This will eventually result in higher vulnerability to the effects of climate change,” said Prof. Lumaga. “With challenges that we face with highly increasing taxi business in Namibia adds a heavy burden to the environment with carbon dioxide emissions, poisonous gasses and pollution,” he added. However, with the introduction of the solar taxi the team feels that it will correct the problem. The vehicle has low maintenance and user friendly.
MOTORING
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You were supposed to talk about petrol not solar. I spend about N$1500 a week on petrol. If your solar is going to cut that then NUST is talking sense now
The reliability of the vehicle By this time, the car radio is switched off. The vehicle is reliable; it captures solar energy and stores it in swappable lithium ion batteries. The team is prototyping a lightweight aluminum frame that is performing well in the crush and rollover tests. In parallel they carefully design and monitor the solar car’s intelligence components such as the security components (camera, sensors, regenerative braking etc.) to further enhance reliability.
The engineering process This project adopts mixed methods research methodologies whilst rapid prototyping allows for experimentation and testing of hypothesis, quantitative analysis of subsystems and systems gives feedback on how to improve hardware and software. The design of the frame, skin, suspension, brakes and other mechanical components is done by Solid Works and CAD software. The resiliency of the car’s frame and structural components is investigated through dynamic and static Finite Element Analysis. The skin of the vehicle will be built in composite, with extensive use of 3-D scanner, 3-D printer, Plasma laser cutting and CMC milling. They assemble and prototype the solar the solar taxi in collaboration with FABLAB at NUST. As we get off the taxi at Shoprite in the CBD, Simon waves to a fellow taxi driver. “Come listen to these people from NUST, they are talking good things. Kamma, they will give us taxis that do not use fuel.”
The Engineer | April-May 2017
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ENERGY
InnoSun: The pioneer of renewable energy in Namibia Being the first Independent Power Producer (IPP) to have successfully developed, financed and constructed a solar power plant in Namibia, Innosun Energy has been developing a portfolio for utilityscale renewable energy (wind and solar) to be connected to the Namibian electricity grid. The company commissioned the 4.5 MW Omburu Solar Power plant in May 2015. Major projects for 2017: • Producing the first kWh from the 5MW Ombepo wind farm beginning of July. • Starting the construction of the Aussenkehr 5MW solar park, on the banks of the Orange River. • Building of the Grootfontein 3.5MW solar plant and the Otavi 0.5MW solar plant, which will sell electricity to Cenored. • Construction of the 8MW #Oab wind farm, at Namdeb’s Elizabeth Bay diamond mine. It will directly sell electricity to Namdeb.
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he Aussenkehr project, together with the Osona solar plant, the Ombepo wind farm and 12 other solar projects of 5MW is part of the Interim Refit program, led by NamPower and the Electricity Control Board and will be commissioned in August later this year. “The above mentioned projects render national security in the form of employment, selfproduction and independence because the energy is produced in Namibia. It also grows the Namibian economy by cutting import costs (60% of the power consumed in Namibia is imported).
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The Engineer | April-May 2017
When you look at the big picture, producing electricity locally avoid money being sent in South Africa or Zambia for imports. The money stays in Namibia, is reinvested in other projects which will further increase energy independence,” Tom Torne, project Developer at InnoSun said. Moreover, Torne added that the renewable energy generation can cater for electricity decentralization as the solar power plants can be built nearby the area where consumption of electricity happens, saving Namibia from huge energy losses over power lines. On Past Projects InnoSun was responsible for opening the door on the utility scale renewable energy sector in Namibia with the commissioning of the Omburu Solar PV Park in May 2015. A 4.5MW power plant using the latest thin film solar modules mounted on single-axis trackers which follow the sun throughout the day. In 2016, InnoSun completed its second Solar PV Park – Osona – outside Okahandja. The Osona PV park capacity is 5 MW, and it was commissioned in August 2016. This currently stands as Namibia’s largest solar PV plant.
By the end of 2016, InnoSun started with the construction of Namibia’s first utility scale wind park. Ombepo is the name of this exciting 5MW power project. Three massive turbines are to be erected on the granite hills to the North East of Lüderitz. “At over 120m high (highest blade tip), these will comfortably be some of the highest structures in Southern Namibia. Access roads and platforms are already built, and concrete foundations are being prepared,” Torne said. Working on the 5MW Ombepo Wind Farm The 5MW Ombepo wind farm is being built into the rough granite hills, east of the port town. Three massive turbines will stand here for the entire duration of the 25 year PPA with NamPower. According to Torne, Each blade is 45m long, and over 9 tons in weight, which need to be delicately and safely be brought up the mountain and stored on the 80 x 60m platform surrounding the turbine’s foot. There are also 3 Generators close to 70 tons each in weight, which must be trucked up and finally a 700 ton crane to actually do all the lifting of these components. Torne noted that in order to ensure no tricky corners or possible points where blades can scrape against the rock, great effort has been employed to make a rough and jagged route into a nice smooth and stable road.
If the weather permits, an entire tower could be completely assembled in a 24 hour period.
Now that the roads and platforms are complete, massive concrete foundations will be built. Then it will be time to bring all the components up, store and wait for a windless day to assemble each tower with the massive crane,” Torne added.
ENERGY
“Anyone who was in Lüderitz this December was quite aware of the significant blasting which had to commence as the first step in making this road a reality.
Torne added that if a windless window of 24 hours will present itself in Lüderitz is an entirely separate matter. In the end it is likely going to happen over several 2 to 5 hour slots over several days.
About InnoSun Since 2010, InnoSun Energy Holding (Pty) Ltd, a Namibian registered company has 9.5MW of power plants in operation, 10MW in construction and another 12MW to be built this year. InnoSun is the leader of the renewable energy sector in the country, producing electricity in Namibia, for Namibians, at a competitive and stable tariff. Today, the company’s only consumer is Nampower, but before the end of the year, the company will also be producing electricity for both Cenored and Namdeb. Having achieved this historic position and with over a dozen renewable energy projects currently being developed, InnoSun clearly illustrates its vision for Namibia’s energy independence. With tailored solutions for the REDs, Municipalities, Mines and Industries, InnoSun is set to know an exponential growth in the years to come.
+264 61 254 700
ttorne@innosun.org.
No. 2 schutzen street, Windhoek, Namibia
Established in 2008, InnoSun has worked hard to become Namibia’s leading Independent Power Producer. Our faith in Namibia’s abundant solar potential culminated in Omburu Solar Park, a Namibian first. Having achieved this historic position: 28.5MW of renewable energy power plants built before the end of 2017 and over a dozen renewable energy projects currently being developed, InnoSun clearly illustrates its vision for Namibia’s energy independence.
CONSTRUCTION
3 Ways to manage generation gaps on your construction site We are in 2017 and there is no doubt that the generation we are living in is quite different from the generation our grandfathers used to, therefore the working style has to change due to evolution and technology.
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owever, it’s no secret that what generation an employee is from dictates their work style and ethic. “Baby Boomers” – born 1945 -1963 – prefer detailed directions and guidance, striving to complete the task as quickly and efficiently as possible as dictated at the outset. They work well in teams, value meetings and look for guidance when necessary.
1. Develop a Mentorship program
In contrast, many millennials – born since 1991 – believe that a task naturally evolves and changes along the working timeline and focus more on positive customer interaction and experience rather than expediency of completion. They tend to be more independent, working alone but collaborating on tasks where necessary.
2. Utilise Appropriate Leadership Styles
Therefore, as a manager you have to know how to deal with each of the age group if you have them at your construction site.Here are some actionable tips that can help you create a healthy work environment by eliminating generation gaps:
At your work place ensure that you should ensure that you have a mentorship programme in that the different generations can learn a lot from each other. Older generations have been working at their jobs for some time, and there’s something that real-world experience in any industry teaches you that no amount of time in a classroom will impart.
Different generations have different ideas of what a leader should be. For anyone managing a multigenerational team, a one-size-fits-all approach to leadership will not work. Tailor your management style as appropriate for each staff member’s individual skills, personality and work ethic. 3. Communication is Key
This is applicable both in the abstract and the physical. Cubicles and solo offices are great for when someone needs no distractions, but they hinder communication and co-operation.
Communication is important no matter what, but in a multi-generation team this goes double. Open and clear communication prevents details getting lost in translation, avoiding potential conflict between staff members.
Moving to an open plan layout opens up lines of communications, as well as allowing every staff member to see that every other staff member is pulling their own weight, avoiding potential resentment building up.
Mariura Muhenje: The Half Life of an Engineer
“Having being exposed engineering industries abroad noted that there is still room for improvement in terms of the kinds of infrastructure we are setting up in our country, but then again, it is also partly down to the special needs of our nation,” he says.
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You must be able to move from one discipline to another discipline, and you must be able to do it quickly. To be this versatile, you need to be well knowledgeable. It is key that we keep ourselves well informed about the industry we operate in. says engineer Mariura Muhenje.
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n expert in design, tender documentation and administration, construction supervision, amongst others, Mariura Muhenje is optimistic the industry can sustain itself, having worked on various Civil and Structural engineering projects, the most recent one being the designs for the proposed new Ondangwa prison.
Working for Conselect Muhenje joined Conselect in 2013, in Ongwediva, before relocating to Windhoek by 2015. “That I am constantly attending skills upgrading courses to keep myself up to date with the latest accepted industry standards and practices, is a key ingredient of my stay at Conselect as the company provides this platform to most of its employees.” He says Conselect is open to engineers upgrading themselves because the company believes that changing the attitudes of individual engineers toward continuous education is vitally important, both for the engineers themselves and for the continued economic health of the country.
Mariura Muhenje • Civil/Structural Engineer at Conselect Engineering • BSc. (hons) degree in Civil Engineering • Doing masters in Civil Engineering with the University of Cape Town
A typical day in the office involves doing some design calculations, research and preparation of drawings and documents (minutes, agendas, etc.), in addition to any arising administrative matters. On other days, Muhenje is required to visit construction sites, for inspections and give instructions to contractors, attend or facilitate site progress meetings. “For this purpose, I am often required to travel out of town, sometimes for several days. So, in summary, I spend 70% of my working time in the office and 30% on site.”
When the half-life of an engineer is five years, it's quite clear that the days when an engineer could spend his or her career shepherding a specific computer program or project are long gone.
ENGINEER OF THE MONTH
A specialist in Civil Infrastructure Management and Maintenance, with a knack for condition assessment of existing infrastructure.
About Conselect Engineering Conselect Engineering was established in 2003 as a CC, converted into (Pty) Ltd in 2016 Conselect Engineering is 100% Namibian owned and controlled/ managed. The firm’s shareholders are 100% from Previously Disadvantaged groups. The Company is equipped with additional professionals; these being: Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Civil/ Structural Engineers, Surveyors and administrative staff respectively. These Engineers are highly qualified, experienced and have vast exposure in the various engineering industries. The quality policy of Conselect Engineering is a commitment to acquire and execute consulting services related to electrical and mechanical, civil and structural engineering projects in accordance with accepted standards of engineering practice. Services offered The company specializes in consulting and project management services in all the various multidisciplinary consulting engineering fields, as well as surveying. These services include: Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and Structural Consulting Engineering and Surveying. The company is equipped with expertise that has been involved in all the multi-disciplinary consulting engineering industries/fields for more than a decade. The experience within this Company includes among others that of electricity generation, transmission, distribution & supply; building services; roads; bridges; storm water; sewer & water reticulation. All the equipment, software and hardware that is utilised in their day to day operation/service delivery adheres to and are fully in compliance with the various, applicable and relevant requirements and standards such as SABS, SANS, NRS, IEC, ISO, etc.
The Engineer | April-May 2017
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ENGINEER OF THE MONTH
Lifelong Learning for Engineers: Riding the Whirlwind By Ernest T. Smerdon
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decade ago, a group of experts estimated the half-life of an engineer’s technical skills--how long it would take for half of everything an engineer knew about his or her field to become obsolete. For mechanical engineers, it was 7.5 years. For electrical engineers it was five. And for software engineers, it was a mere 2.5 years, less time than it takes to get an undergraduate degree. Today, those numbers are surely even smaller. Technology is rushing headlong into the future at a pace that takes one’s breath away. Personal computers, the Internet, genetic engineering, advanced materials, new forms of chemical synthesis--all these things and more are changing our world swiftly, profoundly, and, in most cases, for the better. But the excitement and the progress come at a cost. Rapid change is not always comfortable, and no one knows this better than the people whose job it is to stoke the technological juggernaut. Think about it. In some specialties, engineers must update half of everything they know every couple of years, all the while working full-time to design products according to the best standards of the moment--which might change next month. In even the slower-paced fields, engineers must reinvent themselves at least once a decade. There’s more. A generation ago, an engineer could expect to carve out a niche in one welldefined area-- automotive steering systems, say, or chemical plant instrumentation--and remain there for a lifetime. No longer.
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s technological change accelerates and product lines rise and fall in everdiminishing life cycles, engineers find themselves switching jobs more often, to the point that those starting out today may hold half a dozen jobs over their careers, even if they manage to remain with the same company throughout. So besides staying abreast of developments in their own specialties, engineers must be prepared to switch nimbly to a new field when the old one peters out. And, to complicate things further, these professional demands come at a time of upheaval in the employment landscape. Global competition has sparked a wave of downsizings in technology firms, destroying much of the job security that engineers used to take for granted and pushing companies to contract out more and more of their design work. Today, service firms such as Andersen Consulting are the largest recruiters of engineering graduates on some college campuses, eclipsing the big manufacturing companies in the number of hires.
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The Engineer | April-May 2017
The bottom line: A large and growing
percentage of engineers now work as contract technical experts, hiring out for a particular job at a particular company, then moving on when it is finished. They may be independent consultants or they may work for consulting firms, but either way they don’t have the long-term stability that joining a traditional manufacturing firm used to provide. In short, engineers are facing a whirlwind of change, and the fact that it is a whirlwind they themselves have sown does not make the buffeting any less. How well engineers can ride this whirlwind should be of concern not only to the engineers themselves and to their employers but to society as a whole. For to an extent unprecedented in history, a country’s economic health and vitality depend not so much on its natural resources, its military might or its political strength as on its intellectual capital, and engineers are the keepers of the most important part of that intellectual capital--the knowledge needed to create and advance the technology that runs our world.
What is important is that engineers treat their careers as dynamic things which need continuous upkeep and upgrading. And this demands a new way of thinking from engineers and their employers--a culture shift to match the changing technological environment.
Fortunately, even without the active support of enlightened employers, there are plenty of ways that engineers can enhance their own intellectual capital. Some of them demand only time and commitment: Read books and journals.
Ultimately, however, it won’t matter so much which of these options an engineer chooses. What will matter will be developing a culture and a set of attitudes suitable for engineering in the 21st century.
Talk to other people at work. Go to professional meetings and listen to the presentations. Seek out the leaders of your field and learn what they’re doing.
The precise details of that culture must still be worked out, but one thing is clear: Engineers must stop thinking of education as what they did for four years in college and come to see it as a lifetime project.
ENGINEER OF THE MONTH
How, then, can that capital be preserved and increased? The key, the experts say, is having engineers who are constantly learning, constantly upgrading their skills, constantly adapting to new situations. Some refer to this as “technical vitality,” others prefer to speak of “career-long education,” but the terminology is not important.
Some forward-looking firms are already trying to create such a new engineering culture. These companies recognize that the effort and expense of turning their engineers into perpetual learners will be paid back many times in productivity and quality.
Civil Engineering
Boeing, for example, offers a variety of in-house graduate programs in such areas as technical management and engineering design and analysis. Employees can take the televised courses singly or combine them for an advanced degree. But few companies do so much, particularly when it comes to education that will prepare an engineer to move into new areas. Management may talk about the importance of “professional enhancement” or “continuous learning,” but too often it’s just talk. Unfortunately, many firms offer few or no courses themselves and provide little guidance about which studies an engineer should pursue outside the company. Firms frequently have a limited education budget, which too often shrinks even more with each new wave of streamlining and cost cutting.
Structural Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Transportation Engineering
Supervisors, with looming deadlines and fewer employees to meet them, are reluctant to have their engineers go to even a 3-day mini-course. And when it comes time for deciding on promotions or on who survives the next downsizing, the management often pays little attention to anything past the short-term bottom line of which projects came in on time and under budget. The message that engineers get from such companies is: You’re on your own, my friend. And for now, for most engineers, that’s the unfortunate reality. Preparing themselves for the brave new blustery world will be mostly their responsibility. They can expect little help from above.
Mechanical Engineering
Water Engineering
Tel. +264 65 230 140 | Fax. +264 886 30361 | PO Box 184, Oshakati, Namibia Email: wiseman@conselectgroup.com | www.conselectgroup.com
The Engineer | April-May 2017
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WATER
Wastewater treatment methods, looking at the top 3
Sedimentation for solids separation is a very common process operation and is normally engaged at the beginning and end of wastewater treatment operations.
The advancement of self-purification of a stream can be measured by proper physical, chemical and biological laboratory tests. Proper wastewater treatment methods have become crucial due to population increase in urban communities which has led to the proportional increase in the volume of wastewater and in the amount of organic waste. All disposal methods result in such unsatisfactory outcomes that remedial measures become paramount hence the development of wastewater treatment methods prior to when eventual disposal has to be commenced. Wastewater treatment methods are designed to remove enough organic and inorganic solids from the wastewater so that it can be disposed off without infringing on the set objectives. The advancement of self-purification of a stream can be measured by proper physical, chemical and biological laboratory tests. Similar tests are used to measure and control the progress of wastewater treatment methods. We look at 3 of the top water treatment methods available today.
1. Chemical Treatment Methods Chemical treatment involves using some chemical reaction or reactions to improve the water quality. Probably, chlorination is the most commonly used chemical process. Chlorine, a strong oxidizing chemical, it is used to kill bacteria and slow down the rate of wastewater decomposition. Bacterial death is achieved when key biological processes are affected by the chlorine. Ozone is another strong oxidizing agent that has also been used as an oxidizing disinfectant. A chemical process commonly applied in most industrial wastewater treatment processes is neutralization.
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The Engineer | April-May 2017
Neutralization involves the addition of acid or base to adjust the pH levels back to neutrality. For instance since lime is a base it is sometimes utilized in the neutralization of acid wastes. Coagulation involves the addition of a chemical that forms an insoluble end product through a chemical reaction, which serves to remove substances from the wastewater. Polyvalent metals are normally used as coagulating chemicals in wastewater treatment and model coagulants would include lime, some iron containing compounds like ferric chloride and alum (aluminum sulfate). Some processes may actually be physical and chemical in nature. The use of activated carbon to ‘adsorb’ organics, for instance, involves both chemical and physical processes. Processes such as ion exchange, which involves exchanging some ions for others, are not widely used in wastewater treatment.
2. Physical Treatment Methods Physical methods involve techniques where no gross chemical or biological changes are involved and physical phenomena are strictly used to treat the wastewater. These techniques may include: coarse screening to get rid of larger entrained objects and sedimentation. In the case of sedimentation, physical phenomena involving settling of solids by gravity are permitted to operate. Normally this consists of simply holding a wastewater in a tank under dormant conditions for a short period of time, enabling the heavier solids to settle at the bottom of the tank; and removing the ‘clarified’ effluent.
While sedimentation is one of the most usual physical treatment processes that are applied to achieve wastewater treatment, another physical treatment process consists of aeration. This process involves, physically adding air ordinarily to provide oxygen to the wastewater. Other physical phenomena used in treatment still consist of filtration. This involves the passage of wastewater through a filter medium to separate solids. An example would be the utilization of sand filters to further get rid of entrained solids from a treated wastewater. Certain phenomena will happen during the sedimentation process and can be advantageously used to improve the water quality further. Allowing greases or oils, for instance, to float to the surface and skimming or physically removing them from the wastewater is normally carried out as part of the general treatment process.
3. Biological Treatment Methods Micro-organisms, mostly bacteria, are used in the biochemical decomposition of wastewater to stable end products. More micro-organisms are formed and a portion of the waste is converted to carbon dioxide, water and other end products. Usually, biological wastewater treatment methods can be divided into aerobic and anaerobic methods, based on availability of dissolved oxygen. The purpose of wastewater treatment is generally to remove enough solids from the wastewater to allow the remainder to be discharged to receiving water without interfering with its proper use. The removed solids are primarily organic but may also include inorganic solids. Treatment must also be provided for the solids and liquids which are removed as sludge. Lastly, treatment to regulate odors, to decelerate biological activity; or eliminate pathogenic organisms may also be required.
Takreer Envirotech is one of the leading suppliers of wastewater treatment systems which include: Grey Water systems, Car Wash Reclaim system, STP, MBR, MBBR, Dissolved Air Flotation, Multi Media Filtration, Micro filtration, and
The waste water treatment in mining industries Waste water treatment is one of the most amazing and profitable work to preserve the water supply. Water is a very necessary part of every individual’s life. Due to pollution and harsh effects of industries the preserved water on earth is decreasing day by day. So it is better to preserve water by recycling them or work on water treatments. Mostly, all the mining companies have to face with a large number of wastewater treatment challenges because these industries usually waste water. Mining wastewater treatment is carried out by many companies. There are many such companies which help in assisting the mining
the water tested to establish the kinds of wastes present. This will ensure your water is treated efficiently. You should also consider the use your treated wastewater will be put into.
We can provide systems that can be completely automated that can be remotely controlled to systems that can be controlled using conventional methods,” said Mr. Dennis.
Water meant for drinking or cooking goes through a more thorough treatment process than one meant for irrigation, for example. The size of the project also determines the method to be used. A wastewater treatment plant for a residential house is less complicated as compared to that serving an entire city,” explains Mr. Rebo
“One significant challenge in the industry is to find sustainable ways of wastewater treatment with complete understanding on the after effect on environment. Having a larger view towards the environment is critical while designing a wastewater treatment system to ensure it has a positive effect on the Ecosystem,” he asserted. According to CEO of Keneco Environmental Company, Mr. Kimani Rebo, all water nowadays is waste water and there is therefore a need for thorough treatment of all water to ensure safety of the users. Rebo says that most ‘strange’ skin diseases, cholera, typhoid, dysentery and cancers affecting children are due to consumption of untreated water. “There are a few factors that should be put into consideration when deciding on how to treat your wastewater. You need to get
companies to meet these challenges with an innovative, cost-effective manner. There are many water treatment technologies. These technologies help in producing process water for mining activities, treat mine sludge and extract minerals from water streams. Some of the technologies used for the treatment of wastewater are: • Leach liquor filtration technology- This technology is used to recover metals and minerals from leaching process of the water streams. • Process mine water treatment technologyThis technology helps in removing the pollutants like the heavy metals, arsenic, cyanide, suspended solids, iron, chromium, selenium, manganese, and others. Also, helps in zero liquid discharge. • Complete ranges of water treatment technology- This technology include processes like biological processes desalination, evaporation, crystallization, disinfection and clarification, ion exchange, sludge treatment, etc. • Hydrocarbon treatment technology- This technology is used to treat the discharged oily water mixtures which are removed from mining workshops.
WATER
Mathew Dennis of Takreer Envirotech argues that, the method of wastewater treatment is universal; the key is to understand how the end result for the customer can be achieved in the most cost effective way. “The process used would generally be conventional methods of wastewater treatment in Africa,” he said.
Nanotechnology “Our Systems are State of the Art products that provide a unique way of Control and Operations.
Companies like Keneco are at the forefront championing for environmental preservation as one of the ways to restore clean water. This however, he admits comes with its own set of challenges. First, people are not keen on treating wastewater. “We are very quick to dirtify but not quick to clean,” he says. There are also no willing financiers for wastewater treatment systems. “People do not look at it as a revenue industry. So nobody is willing to finance. The more you dirtify, the more costly it is to rectify the mistake. The waste that we put in the water accumulates and to remove it costs ten times more. In Africa, we are not quick to resolve that mistake.” Mr. Rebo adds. Policing of industries and the waste they channel into rivers, or reuse is another shortfall. “The water standards have already been set. It is just that we don’t follow them,” he asserts.
Why Is Water Treatment Done In The Mining Industry? The mining wastewater treatment includes the reusable of the wastewater for major oil and gas exploration and also helps in the energy industry for production companies. • In mining industries, the usable water is critical to use and difficult to maintain the profitable operations. Thus the with the help of advanced oxidation process the water gets chemical free and helps the mining companies for their production. • The water treatment can be done to refine the materials and to limit pollution. • The water treatment is done to minimize environmental impact and the cost of disposal and extract maximum economic value. Mining wastewater treatment can be done to reduce the pressure on high-quality water and also used for significant savings on energy and money. Water treatment and recycling solutions of water should be done to save up to 80% of water consumption.
The Engineer | April-May 2017
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MANUFACTURING
August 26 - Time to manufacture skills If manufacturing in Namibia were its own country, every dollar spent in the manufacturing sector would add almost N$2 to the economy and each manufacturing job creates another 2.5 jobs in local goods and services.
N
o wonder many Namibians believe manufacturing is important for a strong economy. Yet, only a small percentage of parents encourage their kids to pursue manufacturing careers, and only a small fraction see it as a top career choice. That discrepancy should alarm all of us. The Chief Executive Officer of August 26 Holding Company (PTY) Ltd, Namibia’s biggest manufacturer, Retired General James Auala, is worried. “Skilled workers are in high demand at manufacturing companies large and small, but not enough young people are developing the skills needed to fill those jobs,” he says. Too many people view manufacturers as outdated factories filled with line jobs – not as innovative, inventive businesses, where workers develop and use the latest technology and build lasting, middle class careers. To remain globally competitive, General Auala sees the need to encourage more young people to pursue educational tracks that can lead to a successful manufacturing career. August 26 Holdings is the holding company to some of Namibia’s key manufacturing companies which include; Sat-Com, Windhoeker Machinen Fabrik, August 26 Industries, August 26 Textile and Garment, August 26 Logistics, Ndilimani Pyrotechnics Industries, Namforce Life Insurance, Agrotour Dev Initiativ and August 26 Industries. Closing the skills gap in manufacturing is a serious challenge, but August 26 is taking it upon themselves to address this issue, advising for
partnerships with local education institutions to train students on-site, helping them earn valuable credentials. “Namibia has a long way to go. The industry was not able to meet its goals for 27 years, how about the remaining 13 years towards Vision 2030? However, we cannot be negative. We have to join forces and make this work. Namibian businesses have great potential; if we work together, we can achieve so much more.” General Auala says financially, the industry has suffered a huge blow due to the financial downturn Namibia has been experiencing. He states, “Impact was made, but not much has been happening, especially since budgets to construction companies were put on hold. We just hope this will improve.”
Joint Skills That Namibia is not able to manufacture small goods like needles is not because there is no potential to do so, “people just have to put ideas together and refrain from working in isolation.” Auala encourages stakeholders to come together and brainstorm ideas on how to best tackle challenges experienced in the sector. Since 1998, Windhoeker Maschinen Fabrik (WMF), a subsidiary of August 26, has been designing and manufacturing mine and ballistic protected vehicles and is currently in the process of forming a smart partnership with Kraatz Engineering, a member of the O & L Group to develop new business models. “We stand convinced that industrialization can be achieved through the funding and support of the Defence Industry as is the experience everywhere in the world,” Auala notes.
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The Engineer | April-May 2017
Skills Development Many manufacturing firms are doing what they can to inspire a new generation of manufacturing employees and experts; however, there is still a considerable emptiness when it comes to skills and experience. In addition, stakeholders in the manufacturing industry need to bridge the gap by encouraging their senior employees to gradually slow down to retirement, passing on valuable skills to younger employees during a transition phase.
About August 26 According to Auala, August 26 specifically kept its head above the water despite the conditions. Despite the fact that August 26, is a 100% government owned company incorporated, it does not get government funding as it was incorporated under the company act, (act 61 of 1973). The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is the shareholding ministry of August 26 on behalf of the Government of Namibia. The company is run on pure and sound business principles. Its subsidiaries are open for joint ventures with other companies or private individuals and it may buy and hold shares in any viable business for the benefit of the shareholder and the country’s economy in general.
MANUFACTURING
August 26 Holdings PTY (Ltd) and its subsidiary companies would like to wish Namibia ‘Happy 27 years’ of prosperity and continued growth!
th
Happy Independence
DAY
Our Subsidiaries: • • • • •
Sat-Com Windhoeker Maschinenfabrik August 26 Industries August 26 Textile and Garment Okahandja Shoe factory
• • • •
August 26 Logistics Namforce Life Insurance Agrotour Dev Initiative August 26 Industries
Tel: +264 61 230 408 | Fax: +264 61 230 503 | Web: www.august26.com.na P. O. Box 311, Windhoek, Namibia | 11 Bessemer Street, Southern Industrial Area
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