My Office - March 2023

WHYYOUSHOULDJOINSHOP-SA

SHOP-SAistheStationery,HomeandOfficeProductsAssociationofSouthern Africa.

Thisisanon-profitassociationwhichwasestablishedforthefollowingobjective:

TopromoteandprotecttheinterestsoftheIndustry,theAssociation,andour members.

Howcanwehelpyou?

1.Providinginformationthatmayhaveanimpactonyourbusiness.

2.Shareinformationfromtheindustrywithyou.

3.Creatediscussionforumsandnetworkingopportunitiestofosteraspiritof friendshipandtoencourageco-operation.

4.Wealsonetworkwithotherassociationsrelatedtotheindustrytostay informedandintouchwithlegislationandotherexternalmeasuresaffecting businessinourindustry.

5.Providebrandexposureviaourdigitalmagazine,websiteandweekly newsletters.

Informationiscollectedfromnewsletters,mediareleasesandstoriessharedby ourmembers–ifweknowaboutit,youwillknowaboutit.Thereforweextend aninvitationtomemberstosharestories,telluswhatyouwanttoknowabout andhelpusgiveyoutheinformationyouneedtogrowyourbusiness.

Joinustodayandbecomepartofa107-yearlegacy!

Findourmorebysendinganemailto info@shop-sa.co.za

MyOfficeonlinemagazineistheofficialmagazine oftheStationery,HomeandOfficeProducts AssociationofSouthernAfrica(SHOP-SA).Itwas firstpublishedin1916.Thestationeryandoffice supplyindustryisafast-changingenvironment. Weaimtowriteandselectarticlesthatwillboth informandbenefitreaders,keepingthemabreast ofcurrentandfuturemarkettrends.

FIRSTPUBLISHEDIN1916

PUBLISHER

SHOP-SA

EDITOR

BronwenJones-editor@shop-sa.co.za

ASSOCIATEEDITORANDMARKETING

HanlieDelport-hanlie@shop-sa.co.za

FINANCIALCONTROLLER

BillAndré-bill@shop-sa.co.za

NATIONALOFFICE

DesignandLayout:LeandraStrydom

NewMembership:HanlieDelport

JohannesburgOffice

21KrotonStreet,WeltevredenPark, Roodepoort,Gauteng

Tel:+27829082295

Email:info@shop-sa.co.za

Website:www.shop-sa.co.za

CONTRIBUTIONS

Lettersandeditorialcontributionsarewelcomed andshouldbeaddressedtotheeditorat editor@shop-sa.co.za.Publicationcannotbe guaranteedandissubjecttospaceandthe editor’sdiscretion.

THELEGALBIT

Whilsteveryeffortismadetoensureaccuracythe publisherandeditorcannotacceptresponsibility forsuppliedmaterial.Theopinionsofcontributors arenotnecessarilythoseof SHOP-SA.Copyrightis strictlyreservedandnopartofthismagazinemay bereproducedinwholeorinpartwithoutthe writtenpermissionofthepublisher.

2EDITORSLETTER

3GOVERNMENTESTABLISHES

INFORMALECONOMY-NATIONAL LABOURINSPECTIONTASKTEAM

4AFINEBUDGET–THANKSTO COMPANIES&INDIVIDUALS

6SMALLBUSINESSWITHBIG SUCCESS

7.LOCALINDUSTRYINFORMATION–6WRESEARCHRESULTS

6Wisaonestopmarketintelligenceand advisorycenter,knownforitsbusiness researchandconsultingactivity.We foundthisreportonourlocalindustry andwouldliketotesttheresults.

8GOINGGREENINYOUROFFICE

18WOODORWAX–BOTHCREATE BEAUTIFULIMAGES

Whatcanapencildoforallofus?

Amazingthings.Itcanwritetranscendent poetry,upliftingmusic,orlife-changing equations;itcansketchthefuture,give lifetountoldbeauty,andcommunicate thefull-forceofourloveandaspirationsAdamBraun

10GREENISGOOD–ISITPARTOF YOURCULTURE?

Companiesoftenboastabouthow environmentallyconscioustheyare–but whenyouaskthemiftheyhaveagreen policyandifitispartoftheircompany culturetore-use,reduceandrecycle theyoftenhavetoadmititismoretalk thanaction.

12HANDSANITISERS-REPURPOSING THEEXCESS

14WHENISITWORTHINSTALLINGA SOLARSYSTEM

20PAPERANDPOURING–CREATING ARTFORYOURSOUL

Arthasbeenpartofhumanlifefor centuries–fromrockartincavesto modernartonbuildings.Itisawayof expressionbutalsohashealthbenefits.

22HOWTOSELLPROTECTIVEGEAR

23NEWPROTECTIVEGEARFORTHE OFFICE

24LIFEINSURANCE–THELOWDOWN Itisbettertohaveitandnotneedit, thantoneeditandnothaveit!

26BUDGET2023GIVESRELIEFTO HARDPRESSEDSOUTHAFRICAN TAXPAYERS

28CONSUMERALERT:SALEAND INSTALLATIONOFSOLARSYSTEMS ANDGENERATORS

29FUNDTECH

30SOLARPOWER

Whenloadsheddingstartednearly15 yearsago,weallassumedthatthe situationwouldgetbetter.However,we gotitcompletelywrongandweare currentlyinastateofnationalemergency asregardsthepowersupplyinSouth Africa.

33FORTHELOVEOFTENDERS

35NICETOHAVE

36ENVIRONMENTALFRIENDLINESS: WHATAREGREENTRADEMARKS?

37GREENBOOKSTOREAD

38READSOUTTHERE

Affiliations

15SHIFTHAPPENS

Sharedriskmeansthattrustbetweenthe customerandtheproviderisbeing restored.

16WHENAFORMALDISCIPLINARY HEARINGISNECESSARY

40BUYERS’GUIDE

46CONTACTDETAILS

48CAPTIONTHIS!

Sendusyourfunniestcaption

Q1of2023almostdone

WelcometotheMarcheditionofMyOffice.Wearealreadyaquarteroftheway throughtheyeareventhoughitseemslikewewerecelebratingNewYearjustlast week!

Wehavetheusualsegmentsandsomenotsousual:inthiseditionwefocuson allthingsgreen,withparticularfocusonSola,whatitcoststogothisrouteas wellasadviceandafewpitfalls.Welookatcostsversusthereturnoninvestment foralternativepowersolutionsaswellasthetaxbenefitsnowonoffer.

Havingagreenpolicyforyourbusinessandwhatthisentails,withafocusonthe EPCcertificatethatmanybusinesseshavetodisplayfortheirbuilding.Thereare articlesonthecontentspageandgreentrademarksandwhattheyare.

Nowthatwebelievetobelivinganormallifeagain,manyofyoumaystillhave excessstockinhandsanitiserslurkinginyourstores–webringyousomenovel alternativeusesforthis.

Protectivegearisnolongerlimitedtohardhatsandgloves–weneedtolookat theofficeworkeraswellandwebringyousomeinformationon alternative protectivegear.

Ourartsandcraftssectionshineaspotlightonpaintpouringandpaperquilling, tworeallycreativeartformsallowingyoutocreateandexplorewhilstcreating uniqueandbeautifulworksforyourhomeorofficeorjustfortheloveofit!And wehaveasectiononpencilsandcrayons.

ThememberspotlightfocusesonFallerTradingthismonth,asmallbusiness makingadifferenceintheircommunity.

Goinggreenisanendeavourthatweallpursue,sothisissueisforyou!

Enjoytheread!

Bronwen

Governmentestablishesinformaleconomy NationalLabourInspectionTaskTeam

TheDepartmentofEmployment andLabour’sInspectionand EnforcementServices(IES) branchhasestablishedthe NationalLabourInspectionTask TeamtotargettheInformalEconomy sectorofSouthAfrica.

TheTaskTeam,whichisateamof inspectorsfromdifferentprovincesgiven themandatetocomeupwithdirectives thatwillbeutilisedtoconductresearched inspectionsintheinformaleconomy,was establishedlastyear(2022).

“ItisacknowledgedthatcurrentSouth Africanlabourlawsarenotadequately addressingemploymentconditionsfor workersintheInformalEconomysector.

ItisevidentthatworkersintheInformal EconomySectordonotenjoyallthe employmentconditionsorrightsasthose

employedintheformaleconomysector,” saidKope.

Inthenewfinancialyear,theTaskTeam willhaveasmallsettargettotest complianceintheinformaleconomy.The recommendedinspectionswillnotbe obligatory.

SouthAfricaishopingtobecomethefirst Africancountrythathavetried inspectionsintheinformaleconomy. Kopesaidtheterm“informaleconomy” referstoalleconomicactivitiesby workersandeconomicunitsthatare–in laworinpractice–notcoveredor insufficientlycoveredbyformal arrangements.

“Theiractivitiesarenotincludedinthe law,whichmeansthattheyareoperating outsidetheformalreachofthelaw;or theyarenotcoveredinpractice,which

meansthat–althoughtheyareoperating withintheformalreachofthelaw,the lawisnotappliedornotenforced;orthe lawdiscouragescompliancebecauseitis inappropriate,burdensome,orimposes excessivecoststothosewhooperatein theinformaleconomy,”saidKope.

Workersintheinformaleconomyinclude bothwageworkersandown-account workers(self-employedpersons).

Mostself-employedpeopleareas insecureandvulnerableaswageworkers andmovefromonesituationtotheother.

Theirlackofprotection,rightsand representation,oftenkeepself-employed peopletrappedinpoverty.�

Afinebudget–thanks tocompanies& individuals

SouthAfrica’s2023/24nationalbudget wasmetwithafavourableresponseby localemployerorganisationsand internationalcapitalmarketsalike.

Intheimmediateaftermathofthebudget speech,therandgainedsomelostground andthecountry’slong-termbondsshed 10basispoints–nothingspectacular,but certainlyamovementintheright direction.Unfortunately,SouthAfricawas finallygreylistedbytheFinancialAction TaskForce(FATF)twodaysafterthe budgetspeech,whichsenttherand reelingtoalevelofR18.43(at22:00on 24February).

Althoughgreylistingisanembarrassment fortheSouthAfricangovernment,the FATFhasatleastacknowledgedthe progressthathasbeenmadeinrecent monthstoaddressstrategicdeficiencies intheregimetocountermoney laundering,terroristfinancing,and proliferationfinancing.

Returningtothe2023nationalbudget,a glaringomissionwasnoticeableinthe media’sreportingonthedocument. Althoughmostcommentatorsmentioned thetaxrevenueoverrunofR93.7billion, noneofthememphasisedthefactthat thisbonanzawasmadepossiblebythe productivityofbusinessesand individuals,whichledtopositive economicgrowthin2022.

Incentivesforrenewableenergy

Themostimportantannouncementfrom abusinessperspectivewasthetax incentiveforrenewableenergy installations,includingsolarandwind. Businesseswillbeabletoreducetheir taxableincomeby125percentofthe costofaninvestmentinrenewables.It willbeavailablefortwoyearstostimulate investmentintheshortterm.Importantly, therewillbenothresholdonthesizeof theprojectsthatqualify.Thestrainonthe country’selectricitysupplywillalsobe

easedthroughanewtaxincentivefor individualstoinstallrooftopsolarpanels. Theschemewillkickinon1March 2023andwillallowindividual householdstoclaimarebateof25per centofthecostofthepanels,uptoa maximumofR15000.

Overthepasttwoyears,afundamental changehasoccurredintheabilityof NationalTreasuryandtheSARevenue Servicestopredicttheoutcomesof government’srevenuesandexpenditures, whichhasassistedthereturntoamore stablefiscalsituation.Combinedwitha largemeasureoffiscaldiscipline, especiallyregardingthepublicwagebill andtwosuccessiveyearsoflargetax revenueoverruns,theconsolidatedfiscal debtdeclinedto4.2%in2022/23,with afurtherdeclineto3.2%beingprojected overthenextthreefiscalyears.

TaxreliefofR13billion

Withanotherhugetaxrevenuebonusin thefiscalpurse,itwasnotsurprisingthat severalnoteworthymeasureswere announcedtoprovidesomereliefto taxpayers,includingthefollowing:

Thetransferdutytableistobeadjusted, allowingpropertiesbelowR1.1millionto avoidanytransferdutypayments.

Thepersonalincometaxbracketswillbe fullyadjustedforinflation,liftingthetaxfreethresholdfromR91250toR95750 Medicaltaxcreditswillalsobeincreased byinflation

Theretirementtaxtablesforlumpsums aretobeadjustedupwards,leadingtoa newtax-freeamountofR550,000that canbewithdrawnatretirement

Theresearchanddevelopmenttax incentivewillberefinedtomakeit simplerandmoreeffectiveandistobe extendedfor10years

Assistanceforcrimeprevention

Incommentingontheunacceptablelevel ofcriminalityinthecountry,particularly atconstructionsitesandinreferenceto theperpetratorsofstatecapture,Mr GodongwanaannouncedthattheSouth AfricanPoliceServicewouldreceiveR7.8 billiontoappoint5,000policetrainees peryear.

Government’scommitmenttofollowup onthestatecaptureproceedingsis reflectedintheannouncementthatthe NationalProsecutingAuthorityisto receiveR1.3billiontosupportthe implementationoftherecommendations oftheStateCaptureCommission.

Althoughgovernmenthasabsorbeda substantialportionofEskom’sdebt,this movehasalreadybeenincorporatedin theratingsreviewsofinternationalcredit ratingagencies,whicheffectivelymeans thatitisnotcreditratingnegative.

Theonusnowrestsongovernmentto moveswiftlywithfurthermacroeconomic reforms,especiallyregardingderegulation andfullorpartialprivatisationofthe country’slogisticsnetwork.Beyondthe taskofreducingandeliminating electricityrationingliesenormous challengestobuildmoreroads,repairthe existingroad,railnetwork,andimprove thefunctionalityofthecountry’s harbours.

DrRoelofBotha,EconomicAdvisorto theOptimumInvestmentGroup

Budget2023/24highlights

• TaxationrevenueoverrunofR94billion

• Governmentdebt/GDPratiosettostabiliseatbelow74%

• PrimarybudgetsurplustobeachievedinFY2024(excludinginterest)

• NPAtoreceiveR1.3bnforStateCaptureprosecutions

• Emphasisonenergytransitiontorenewables

• ExtensionoftheCovidreliefgrant

• Renewedemphasisonpublic/privatepartnerships

• Publicsectorwagegrowthlimitedto1%

• Taxincentivesforrooftopsolarpower&otherrenewables

• Planstorationaliseorclosecertainpublicagencies

• Inflation-linkedadjustmentstotaxbrackets

• Noincreaseinfueltaxes

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DrRoelofBotha,EconomicAdvisortotheOptimumInvestmentGroup

Smallbusinesswith bigsuccess

Includedintheofferingwasabroad Stationeryrangewhichwasafairly newareaofexpertiseandlearning. Theretailarenaisavery challenginganddemandingareato beinvolvedin,butagreatlearningarea todevelopone’sknowledgeand experience.

PriortobecominginvolvedintheStationery business,Ialwayshadafascinationforthe broadandvariedrangesavailableandall thedifferentprice-pointsonoffer.Stationery storesalwayshadanexcitingappealtome.

BeinginvolvedintheStationerybusiness presentsmanyrewardingchallengesstartingwithselectingfrommanydifferent sourcesandbrands,toscheduling purchasingtoensuresecuringtheright stocktomeetyourincomingorders,to packaginganddistributingtoyour customers.Togrowabusinesseachyear demandsalotofresourcepreparationand targetedmarketingefforts.

Afterfinishingmyretailcareer,Ilookedfor anotheravenuetopursue,andwithmy knowledgeofthestationerybusiness,I madecontactwithafewschoolsinmyarea withaviewtohelpingthemtosourcetheir

requirements.Thishasturnedouttobea veryrewardingchallenge.Ithasgrownfrom initiallysourcingandsupplyingafew productsatcompetitiveprices,toa substantialbusinesswhereInowsupplya fewschoolswiththeirbulkstationeryand textbookrequirements,aswellassupplying schoolandgradespecificpacksacross theirprimaryandhighschoolneeds.

Asmostofourschoolbusinessis concentratedaroundtheNovemberto JanuaryBacktoSchoolperiod,wewillsoon beofferinganonlinescholasticandbasic businessrangetokeepusbusythroughout theyear,andtocreateawiderpresencefor ourbusiness.

Ourmottohasalwaysbeentooffergreat qualityatgreatpricesandjudgingbythe annualincreaseswehaveachieved,Ithink wehaveliveduptoourpromise.The numberofrepeatcustomerswehavehad overtheyearsbearstestamenttothis.Our challengeistomaintainandgrowour promisegoingforward.

Wehaveovertheyearsbuiltupsolid relationshipswithoursupplierswhohave helpedwithmakingourtasksomuch easier.Wesalutethosesupplierswhohave

donesuchagreatjobunderextremely difficultcircumstancesoverthelastfew demandingyears.Weareextremely fortunatetohavesuchawidevarietyof producttochoosefrom.

Igivegreatcredittomywifeandchildren whohavebeeninvolvedindifferentways overtheyearsinhelpingtomakethe businesssucceedasithas.

Atcertaintimesoftheyearthebusiness becomesaverytaxingroundtheclock exercise,butwhentimeallowsIliketo indulgeinwatchingliveandtelevisedsport asaformofrelaxation.

Ifaskedforadviceastohowtomakeyour businesssuccessful,Iwouldvolunteerthat themainingredientsaretobepreparedfor thelonghaul,ensureyourpreparationis beyondexpectationandtrytocontinuously betteryourunderstandingofyourcustomer needs.Wethrivebyacceptingandwinning challenges.

KensingtonStationery –Stationeryforeveryone fallertrading@gmail.com • 40OrionStreet, Kensington,Johannesburg2094 �

PaddyspentmostofhiscareerintheWholesaleandRetailtrade,one dayanopportunitypresenteditselfwhichallowedhimtoownandrun hisownmulti-departmentretailstore.

LocalIndustryInformation –6WResearchResults

Fromthereportthereisahuge demandforqualityyet affordablestationeryproducts intheSouthAfricanmarket.

Keytrendsidentifiedarea growingdemandforeco-friendlyand sustainablestationeryproducts,and theincreasingpopularityofdigital andelectronicproducts,andthe increasinguseofsocialmedia.

Thechallengesincludeintense competition,lowprofitmargins,and thethreatofcounterfeitproducts.The goodnewsisthatgrowthisexpected intheindustryduetoremotework trends,changingconsumer preferences,andgovernmentinitiatives topromoteeducation.

TheSouthAfricanStationeryMarket hasseenanumberofdevelopmentsin recentyears.Thereisademandfor eco-friendlyandsustainablestationery products,andcompaniesare respondingbyintroducingproducts madefromrecycledandbiodegradable materials.Improvedtechnologyand digitisationhaveledtoashiftinthe waypeoplework,andthe stationery market adaptedaccordingtothe demandsofconsumers.Companies arenowofferingdigitalsolutionsand

serviceswhichincludeonline collaborationtoolsandcloud-based storagesolutions.

Thegrowingeducationsector,with increasingenrolmentsinschoolsand universities,drivesdemand.TheecommercemarketinSouthAfricais growingrapidly,andstationery companiesarenowofferingonline saleschannelsfortheirproducts. Companiesareinvestinginproduct designanddevelopmentto differentiatethemselvesfromtheir competitorsandtomeettheevolving needsofconsumers.Additionally, technologicaldevelopmentshave resultedinanincreaseddemandfor electronicstationeryproducts,suchas scannersandinkcartridges.

SouthAfricaStationeryMarket Synopsis

Themarketisexpectedtogrowon accountoftheincreasingadultliteracy rate,increasingdisposableincome, healthyeconomicgrowth,and changingconsumerpreference.The governmentofSouthAfricaisputting greateffortintoimprovingand developingthecurrenteducation systeminthecountry.

TheSouthAfricaStationery Marketsizeisexpectedtogrow during2020-2026.

Thepapersegmentisdominantinthe stationerymarketrevenuesharein SouthAfricaduetotherisingdemand forvariouspaperproductssuchas notebooks,printingpaperandalsodue todemandforqualitypackaging.

Duringthefirstquarterof2020,the StationeryMarketwitnessedadecline ineconomicgrowthowingtothe pandemic.

However,duringthesecondhalfof 2020-2026,theStationeryMarketin SouthAfricaisanticipatedtorecover.

Theofficesegmentisleadingthe stationerymarketrevenueshareowing tothegrowingurbanpopulationand increasingdemandforstationery productsinthecorporatesector.

Theeducationsegmentisexpectedto holdalargerevenueshareinthe stationerymarketovertheupcoming yearsinSouthAfricaonaccountofthe risingnumberofneweducational institutionsandUniversities.�

6Wisaonestopmarketintelligenceandadvisorycenter,knownforitsbusinessresearchand consultingactivity.Wefoundthisreportonourlocalindustryandwouldliketotesttheresults.

GoingGreeninyourOffice

Theenergyconsumptionandhowyoudrinkyourteacanbeanindicationofhowsensitiveyouare abouttheenvironmentalimpactofyourbusiness.

EnergyPerformanceCertificates Itiscompulsoryforbuildingsthatexceed 2000m2intheprivatesectortohavean energyperformancecertificateorEPC displayedattheirpremises.Atthe momenttisrequirementisonlyapplicable toofficebuildings,placesof entertainment(e.g.,restaurants),places ofinstruction(e.g.,schools,colleges,and universities)andplaceswheretheatrical orindoorsportsactivitiestakeplaceneed anEPC.

WhatisanEPC?

Atitsmostbasic,anEPCisameasureof theenergyperformanceofabuildingthat isexpressedonacertificateasarating. ThisratinguseslettersfromAtoG,with Abeingthebest,denotingverylow energyconsumptionpersquaremeter andGtheworstpossiblerating associatedwithveryhighenergy consumptionpersquaremeter.

Todeterminetheenergyperformance ratingofabuilding,allsourcesofenergy consumedinthebuildingmustbe considered.Thisincludesallformsof electricity,whetherfromthenationalgrid orfromasolarsystem,aswellasfuel consumedbyon-sitegenerators,gas,or evensolidfuellikecoalusedinthe building.

Let’slookatanexample.Iftwobuildings withthesamenetfloorareaboth consume1,200,000kWhperyear,but onebuildingacquires800,000kWhfrom thegridand400,000kWhfromasolar plant,whiletheotherbuildingacquires allitsenergyfromthegrid,theywillboth havethesameEPCrating.

Unfortunately,despitegettingone-thirdof itsenergyfromarenewablesourcedoes notaffecttheratingforthebuilding.

However,thecertificatewilldisplaythe ‘energymix’ofabuilding.Thecertificate willclearlyindicatethatthebuildingwith thesolarPVplantislessdependenton thegrid.TheEPC,therefore,provides transparencyandvisibilitytotenantswith

regardstopropertyowners’investments insolarupgradestotheirbuildings. OnlySANASaccreditedEPCInspection BodiescanissueEPCs.

ThevalueofanEPC

AnEPCmayberegardedbysomeasa grudgecompliancemeasure.Ontheflip side,itisaninvaluabledecision-making toolforimprovingtheenergyperformance ofbuildingsandpropertyportfolios.

Forexample,ifaportfolioof10buildings compriseseightbuildingswithreasonably goodratingsandtwobuildingswithbad ratings,itismorelikelythat improvementsthatreducetheenergy consumptionofthetwo‘bad’buildings willyieldbetterreturnsoninvestment thanspendingmoneyonthebuildings thatarealreadyperformingwell.

Althoughtheimpactofthedisplayofan EPContenantsandprospectivebuyersis difficulttoascertain,itisfairtoanticipate thatitcouldplayasignificantrole,ashas beendemonstratedincountrieswhere EPCsaremoreestablished;forexample, itisnotdifficulttoimaginethatabuilding withapoorenergyperformance,as expressedontheEPC,couldbemore challengingtosellthanabuildingwitha goodrating.

Makingyourbuildingmoreefficient

� Energy-efficientlighting:Install energy-efficientLEDlightbulbsand sensorsthatautomaticallyturnoff lightswhenaroomisnotinuse.

� HVACoptimization:Ensurethat heating,ventilation,andair conditioningsystemsareproperly maintainedanduseenergy-efficient equipmenttoregulatethetemperature ofthebuilding.

� Efficientinsulation:Properinsulation canhelptoreduceheatingand coolingneeds,andthustheenergy requiredforheatingorcoolingthe building.

� Energy-efficientwindows:Installing energy-efficientwindowscanhelpto keepthetemperatureofthebuilding stableandreducetheneedfor heatingorcooling.

� Userenewableenergy:Installsolar panelsorwindturbinestogenerate electricityandreducerelianceonthe grid.

� Usesmartthermostats:Installsmart thermostatsthatcanbeprogrammed toadjustthetemperaturebasedon occupancyandtimeofday.

� Water-savingfixtures:Installlow-flow toilets,urinals,andtapstosavewater andreducewaterbills.

� Greenlandscaping:Planttreesand othervegetationaroundthebuilding toprovideshadeandreducethe amountofheatabsorbedbythe building.

� Useenvironmentallyfriendly products:Chooseenvironmentally friendlyproductsforcleaningand othertasksinthebuilding.Using fewerchemicalsisalwaysagood practiceandoptingforthosethatare environmentallyfriendlyiseven better,allowingforwastewatertobe usedingardens.

� Promotesustainablepractices: Encourageemployeestoparticipatein sustainabilityeffortssuchas recycling,composting;thesecanbe implementedatyourofficesoroffice park.

Recyclingpapercanbringinextra revenueforyourcompany,butalso separatingrubbishintobinswhether togetadditionalrevenuefroma recyclingcompanyorallowing informalpickerstotaketherefuse awaywillbeasavingonlandfillsand potentiallyearnanincomeeitherfor thecompanyorinformalsector.

PaperCupsvs.CeramicCupsintheoffice

Ceramiccupsandpapercupsbothhavetheirownadvantagesanddisadvantageswhenitcomestousingtheminanofficesetting. Herearesomeprosandconsofeach:

CeramicCups:Pros:

Reusable: Ceramiccupscanbeusedmultipletimes,reducingthe amountofwastegeneratedbytheoffice.

Durable:

Ceramiccupsarelesslikelytospillorbreakthanpaper cups,reducingtheriskofspillsandaccidents.

Stylish:

Ceramiccupscomeinavarietyofcoloursanddesigns, makingthemamoreaestheticallypleasingchoicethan plainpapercups.

CeramicCups:Cons:

Washing:

Ceramiccupsneedtobewashedaftereachuse,which canbetime-consumingandrequireadditionalresources likewaterandsoap.

Fragile:

Whiletheyaremoredurablethanpapercups,ceramic cupscanstillbreakifdropped,leadingtotheneedfor replacementanddisposal.

Storage: Ceramiccupstakeupmorespacethanpapercups, requiringadditionalstorage

PaperCups:Pros:

Convenience: Papercupsarequickandeasytouse,reducingtheneed forwashingandmaintenance.

Recyclable: Manypapercupsarerecyclable,makingthemamore environmentallyfriendlyoptionthannon-recyclable ceramics.

Space-saving: Papercupscanbestackedandtakeuplessspacethan ceramiccups.

PaperCups:Cons:

Waste: Papercupsaredisposable,creatingmorewastethat needstobemanagedandpotentiallycontributingto environmentalproblems.

Spillage: Papercupsaremorelikelytospillandcreateaccidents duetotheirlightweightandflimsystructure.

LackofStyle:

Papercupsareoftenplainandhavelimiteddesign options,makingthemlessvisuallyappealingthan ceramiccups.Atadditionalcosttheycanbecustomised though.

Overall,choosingbetweenceramicandpapercupsinanofficesettingwilldependonthespecificneedsandprioritiesofthe office.Ifsustainabilityandreducingwasteareapriority,thenceramiccupsmaybethebetterchoice.However,ifconvenience andpracticalityaremoreimportant,thenpapercupsmaybethebetteroption.�

Keepitsimple. Yourgreenpolicyorenvironmentalpolicy doesnothavetobeathickdocument anditshouldbeeasytoexecute.As consumersbecomemoreawareoftheir responsibilityintermsoftheenvironment, andbasetheirdecisionsontheiropinions regardingthematter,theymayalsostart askingsuppliersforproofthatagreen policyisinplace.

Re-useandreduceisalsoaneasystep–eveninthecompany.Getwaterjugsand glassesforthenextteammeetinginstead ofhandingoutbottledwater.Servecoffee inceramicsratherthanpapercups.Use clothtowelsinsteadofpapertowelsinthe restrooms.Youmayarguethatwashing detergentsaddtopollution–ifyouuse waterforhandwashingandeco-friendly detergentsyouaresafe.

–ISITPARTOFYOURCULTURE?

Companiesoftenboastabouthowenvironmentallyconsciousthey

HavingaGreenPolicyforyourcompanyconfirmsthecompany’sstatementabout itscommitmenttodoingbusinessinasustainablewayandtotreatenvironmental issuesrelevanttoyourbusinessashighpriority.

Theeasiestwayformosttocontributeto theprotectionofournaturalresourcesis toencourageincreasedrecycling.By recyclingintheshoporofficeandby addingawordofencouragementtoall packaging–Pleaserecyclethispackaging –youshowthatyouareawareofthe impactyourbusinessmayhaveonthe environment.

Helpyourcustomers. Byofferingsolutionstoyourcustomersfor whenyourproductneedstoberecycled youarealsolettingthemknowthatyou areseriousabouttheenvironment.Say forinstancethatyousellpens–ifyou showyourcustomersideasofwhattodo withthepensoncetheyhaverundry theywillbekeentodonatetoanartistor project.

Pencilshavings,forinstancecanbeused ascompost,mulchorpestdeterrent.You canalsouseoldpencilstotagyour plantsinthevegetablegardenormakea nicefirenowthatwinterisapproaching. Pencilcoastersisalsoagreatideaand willmakenicegifts–youcanoffer workshopsinpartnershipwithacraft shopandinformyourcustomersaboutit. Ifaformalcollectionofolditems,likeewasteandpaperrecycling,isavailable youshouldhavetheircontactdetailson handsothatyoucanredirectcustomers totherecyclingcompaniesforyour products.

are–butwhenyouaskthemiftheyhaveagreenpolicyandifitis partoftheircompanyculturetore-use,reduceandrecyclethey oftenhavetoadmititismoretalkthanaction.

Createtheculture.

Itisimportantthatyourcompany’sgreen policyshouldalsocreateanawareness amongstyouremployeesaboutwaysthey canreducewaste.Itstartswitheducating thestaffabouthowtheycanhelpthe companyachieveitsgreengoals.Havea recyclingprogramandaddremindersto keyplacesintheofficetokeeppeople awareofthecampaign.

Youcanevenencouragestaffmembersto carpooltoworkororganiseaclean-upof theenvironmentaroundtheoffice.We havebecomesousedtotrashinthe streetsthatweoftendon’tseeitanymore, butyoucantakeadayamonthanddoa clean-up.

Notonlywillthearealookbetter,butyour teamwillhavefunoutsideandthe neighbouringbusinessesmaydecideto joinin.

Whatshouldyourpolicyinclude?

Firstly,youneedadeclarationofthe company’scommitmenttothe environment.Thengiveabrief descriptionofwhatyourobjectivesare andhowyouhopetoachievethis. Thedocumentshouldinspirepeopleto change.Thewebsite CommonObjective listedthefollowingpointsthatareusually includedinagreenpolicy:

� Ensuringcompliancewith environmentallegislationandother requirements

� Layingouttheimportanceof environmentalissuestothe company

� Assessingtheenvironmentalimpact ofoperationsandsupplychains

� Reducingpollution,emissionsand waste

� Reducingtheuseofallrawmaterials andenergy

� Raisingawareness,encouraging

participationandtrainingstaffin environmentalmatters

� Expectingsimilarenvironmental standardsfromallsuppliersand contractors

� Assistingcustomerstouseproducts andservicesinanenvironmentally sensitiveway.

� Consultingwiththelocalcommunity

� Communicatingenvironmentalaims andobjectivestoemployeesand externalstakeholders.

InthewordsofBillNye “Toleavethe worldbetterthanyoufoundit, sometimesyouhavetopickupother people’strash.”

Ifeachofusdosomethingtowards creatingagreenertomorrowwewillsee changeinthehealthandlivesofthose aroundus. �

Ifyouareplanningtodoaclean-upevent oranyotherenvironmentaleventyoucan registerifonthe EarthDaywebsite

HandSanitisers -Repurposingtheexcess

Notlongagosearchingforhandsantiserrankedhighonsearchenginesaswealltriedtoensureweusethebest possiblesanitiseravailabletoprotectourselvesagainstCOVID-19.Nowyouhardlyeverseepeoplesanitising beforeenteringastoreorrestaurant.

Manybusinessesmaybeleftan abundantstockofhandsanitiserthatthey areunabletoreturntothesupplier,so withthisinmind,hereareafew suggestionsonalternativeuses.Someof theusesaremorepersonalhygiene related,butmanycanbeincorporatedin theoffice.

Eitherway,itmaybeusefultoadvise staffofalternativeusesandallowthemto usetheremainingstock,ratherthan lettingitgotowaste.

Rememberthoughthathandsanitiseris primarilyintendedforuseasapersonal hygieneproducttocleanhandsand reducethespreadofgerms–buthereare afewalternativeideas:

Officeandhomeuse

� Cleaningsurfaces:Handsanitisercan beusedtocleansurfacessuchas doorknobs,keyboards,andother surfacesthatmayharbourgerms. Applyasmallamountofhand sanitisertoacleanclothandwipethe surfacethoroughly.

� Removingstickyresidue:Hand sanitisercanbeeffectiveinremoving stickyresidueleftbylabelsortape. Applyasmallamountofhand sanitisertotheareaandrubitgently untiltheresidueisremoved.

� Usetogetstainsoffofwallsor counters:handsanitiserisgreatfor gettingstainsoffofwallsand counters.Itisevenstrongenoughto getpermanentmarkeroffofhard surfaces.Justbesurethatyour countersareabletowithstandthe rubbingalcoholthatisinit.

� Cleaningjewellery:Handsanitisercan beusedtocleanjewellery,particularly ringsandotheritemsthatcomeinto closecontactwithyourskin.Applya smallamountofhandsanitisertoa cleanclothanduseittocleanyour jewellery.

� PolishingSilver:Sanitiserscanalso cutthroughthetarnishformedonthe surfaceofthesilver.Inadditionto

removingthetarnish,itpolishessilver objectsaswell.Forcleaningsilver withasanitiser,squirtafewdropson asoftfabricandgentlycleanthe silversurfacewithit.

� Usetogetstainsoffofclothesor othermaterial:Handsanitiserisat greatatgettingoutstainsonclothing orhouseholdmateriallikecouch cushionsandcurtains.It’simportant totestasmallareafirsttobesurethe colourisstayingputandnotbleeding orchanginginanyway.

� Canbeusedcautiouslytohelpstarta fire:Thealcoholinhandsanitiseris highlyflammablesoitcanbeusedto startafire.Itisimportanttouse cautionandonlyhaveadultsdothis.

� Usetocleanchromeandstainless steel:Anothergreatuseforhand sanitiseriscleaningandshining chrome.Italsodoesagreatjobon stainlesssteelappliancesaswell.

� Usetocleancellphones,books,or anyhardsurface:Nothingpicksup moregermsandfingerprintsthencell phonesorremotes.Handsanitiseris agreatwaytocleanthesesurfaces andkillthegerms.Itcanevenhelp cleanbookcoversandmakethem lookshinyandnewagain.

� Usetohelpcleanpublicrestroom toiletseat:Ifyou’reoutandusea publictoilet,aseatcoverisnot alwaysavailable.Ifyoudon’thavea seatcoveryoucancleantheseatwith tissuepaperandhandsanitiser.

� CleaningWhiteBoards:Thealcohol contentinhandsanitiserscanhelp youremovepermanentmarkersand otherstainsfromyourwhiteboards. So,nexttimeyouhaveameetingora class,makesureyoustartitwitha ‘cleanslate’!

� CleaningSpills:Foodspillsarethe worstastheycanleavebehinda greasyorstickyresidueonfloors. However,youcanwipeofftheresidue easilywithhandsanitisersand dusters.Dropasufficientamountof handsanitiseroverthespillandstart torubitwithamicrofibercloth.

� RemovingSettledDust:Removing settleddustfromstoredandforgotten stuffishard,especiallywax-based productslikecandles.Handsanitisers caneasilyremovedustfromthese surfacesandproducts.So,nexttime youcomeacrosssomethinginyour closetcoveredindust,youknow whattodo.

� RemovingPaint:Fromspoiled brushestostainedfloorsand surfaces,handsanitiserscaneasily helpyouscrapeoffpaintstains.First, scrapeoffthepaintwiththehelpofa spoon.Then.cleanofftheresidue withhandsanitiserandarag.

� CleaningGlass:Handsanitiserscan helpyoucleananyglasssurface, includingyoursunglasses,car mirrors,andyourglasses’lensas well.Justlikeyoucleanyourphone, cleanthemirrorsurfaceslikewise. Usingthisoncarmirrorsandglass willhelpreducefogging!

Personaluse

� Soothinginsectbites:Thealcoholin handsanitisercanhelptoreducethe itchinessandswellingcausedby insectbites.Applyasmallamountof handsanitisertotheaffectedareato relievethesymptoms.

� Usetokillstubbornfootodours:Most peoplehavestrongfootodours, especiallyafterahardday’swork. Evenafteryoushowerandwashyour feetitmaybehardtocleanallyour littlenooksandcrannies.Anyplace germscanhideandcausedifficulties foryoutheywill.Handsanitiserisa greatwaytohelpnotonlykillthe germsthatarehiding,butithelps keepyourfeetfreshandodourfree betweenshowers.

� Helpreduceinflammationinpimples: Usecautiously,soyoudonotgetitin youreyes,nose,ormouth,buthand sanitisercanbeusedtohelpreduce pimples.Thealcoholinitwillhelpkill thegermsandhelpittodryout.

� DeodorantSubstitute:Ashand sanitisercankillodour-causing

bacteriaandgerms,itcanbea perfectsubstitutefordeodorantinan emergency.

� Disinfectingmake-upbrushes:Dirty make-upbrushescanbeacauseof skininfectionsoracne.Therefore, cleaningthemregularlyisessential. Handsanitiserscaneffectivelyclean anddisinfectmake-upbrushes.Todo it,washyourbrushesthoroughly. Then,rubthebrusheswiththe sanitiserandletthemair-dry.

� AsaNailPolishRemover:Sanitisers, especiallyalcohol-basedones,can helpyouremovenailpaintaswell. Forthemethod,applysomesanitiser onthenailsandletitsitforaminute. Afterthat,cleanthenailwiththehelp ofacottonpad.Finally,applyhand creamorlotiontokeepyourhands andnailsnourished.

� AsaHairGelandDryShampoo:A smallsquirtofhandsanitisercanalso replaceyourhairgel.Inadditionto settingyourhair,handsanitisersact asdryshampooaswell.Theycan easilymakeyourhairlookfresherand cleaner.Rubasmallquantityinyour palmsandapplyitinyourhairbefore itdries.

� DisinfectingMinorWounds:Gota

papercutorasmallbruise,whileyou can’treachanantisepticliquid?Don’t worry,dabbingsomehandsanitiser onminorwoundscanhelpdisinfect thebruiseorwoundimmediately.So, carryabottleofahandsanitiser whereveryougo.

� Canbeusedonpetbasketsandlitter traystokillodours

Whilsthandsanitisermaybeeffectiveat removingcertaintypesofstains,suchas inkoroil-basedstains,duetothealcohol contentintheproduct.However,it's importanttonotethathandsanitiseris notspecificallydesignedforstainremoval andmaynotbeeffectiveforalltypesof stains.Additionally,usinghandsanitiser toremovestainsmaycausedamageto certainfabricsormaterials.Ifyouare attemptingtoremoveastain,it'salsoa goodideatotestanycleaningproducton asmall,inconspicuousareaofthefabric beforeusingitontheentirestaintomake surethatitwon'tcausediscolorationor otherdamage.

Tryacoupleofthetipsoutandseeifthey workforyou,asmanyofushavean abundanceofsanitiserleftover,findinga purposeforitwouldbefantastic!

However,it'simportanttonotethathand sanitiserisintendedforuseonskinand maycontainingredientsthatarenotsafe forothersurfacesorapplications.It's alwaysagoodideatoreadthelabel. �

Whenisitworthinstallingasolarsystem

Asolarsystemmayaddbetween4%8%toyourhome’svalue,soifyouhave ahomeworthlessthanR3M,youmay notseeareturnoninvestment,giventhat theaveragesolarinstallationwillcost betweenR180k–R250k.

Therearehoweverotherenergysolutions availablethatwillalsoaddanincrease andyoumayseeareturnoninvestment whenyousellastheinitialcostof implementationislower.

Ifyouareplanningonstayinginyour homefora5-10years,thesystemwill essentiallypayforitself.Thebenefits regardlesswillformanyoutweighthecost oftheinstallationorthepotentialreturn oninvestment.

ShiftHappens

Ourcustomersarenavigatinga plethoraofchallengesand opportunitiesinan increasinglycomplexand digitalmarketwiththethreat ofdisruptioneverpresent.Whocan theytrusttoguidethemthroughthis?

Trustisthefoundationoftheadaptive ecosystem.Thismightsoundlikea blindingflashofthepatentlyobvious,but wearrivedatthisbecauseinthe transactionalandindustrialeconomywe haveforalongtimebrokendowntrustby thedirectionandwaygoodsandservices flowedthroughthevaluechainandwere sold.

Inatransactionalworldwelargelyexpect thecustomertopayupfrontforthe productorservice.Whetherthecustomer implemented,usedorderivedvaluefrom theproductorservicebecamethe customerschallengebecausetheseller hadmovedontothenexttransaction.In otherwords,riskpassedtothecustomer themomentpaymentwasmade.

Technologyhasplacedvastamountsof informationwithinreachofthecustomer andalongwiththeubiquitousavailability ofproductshaveshiftedthepowerfrom themanufacturertothecustomer.They havedemandedthatthemanufacturer shareintheriskbyonlypayingforusage andgaverisetoawholenewas-a-service businessmodel.Technologyagainplayed aroleinmakingthemonitoringofusage possible.Sharedriskhasmeantthatthe trustisbeingrebuilt.

Whatisevolvingnowaremodelswhere customersareonlywillingtopayfor impactachievedandtheriskpendulum nowswingsallthewayintothesolution andserviceproviders’camp.Thisrestores trustandthefocusshiftstoevolvinga longer-termviewofderivingcustomer benefit.Thesalebecomesonlythe startingpointofbuildingamuchdeeper collaborationbetweentheproviderand customertoachieveimpact.

Thisshiftisnottrivialandisfraughtwith challenges,butthetechnologyisevolving

thatenablescustomerandproviderto worktogetherinamuchricher engagementtosolveforimpact.The wholeorganisationoftheprovidernow focusesondeliveringimpactandhasto worktogether–remembernoonegets paidifthereisnone.

Now,let’sconsidertheadaptive ecosystemagain.Weareaskingseveral companieswithintheecosystemtoshare theirintellectualpropertytojointlysolvea customerchallenge.

Wethenneedtofigureoutwhogetswhat oncethecustomerpaysfortheusagefor nowandlaterforimpact.Theadaptive ecosystemdoesnotbuildbespoke solutionsandsolutionsevolvearound changingcustomerneeds.

Mostofourcontractsarewrittenaround discreteproductsandservicesandwe havealottolearnaboutregulatingthe intellectualpropertyusedbythecustomer tosolvehisproblem.

Trustisthereforegoingtoplayacritical roleintheevolutionoftheadaptive ecosystem.

Trustbetweenproviders,trustbetween providersandcustomersandtrustwithin organisationswillneedtobenurtured andbuilt.

Buildingtrustwithinanorganisationisa vulnerableandfragileprocess–doingit acrossbusinessboundarieswillrequire verydifferentthinkingtowhatcurrentlyis thedefault. �

Sharedriskmeansthattrustbetweenthecustomerandtheproviderisbeingrestored.

Whenaformaldisciplinary hearingisnecessary

Complianceandthendisciplinary–ensuringyoudon’ttransgressanemployeesrightsandprotectingyourbusiness

Severalmonthsago,Iwrotean articleinwhichIcitedthecase ofAUSAoboMelvillevsSA AirwaysTechnical(Pty)Ltd (2002,6BALR573).Inthat casethearbitratorquotedthefollowing findingofBrassey:“……..TheCodeOf GoodPractice:DismissalinSchedule8 …..makesitclearthat,whilethe processcanbeinformal,theemployee shouldneverthelessbetoldwhatcase hehastomeetandbegivenaproper opportunitytoprepareandpresenthis response.”

Whileitisclearthattheabove-mentioned CodeofGoodPracticeprovidesthatthe disciplinaryhearingneednotbeformal section188(1)(b)oftheLabourRelations Act(LRA)requiresthattheemployerhas theonusofprovingthatadismissalwas procedurallyfair.Thekeyquestionis ‘Howcantheemployergoaboutproving thatthedismissalwasprocedurallyfair withoutusingformalprocessestoensure fairnessandtodemonstratethatthe procedurewasindeedfair?’forexample, TheCodeofGoodPracticedoesaccord theemployeethefollowingprocedural rights:

� Therighttobeinformedastowhat thechargesare–Proofwouldbea writtenchargesheet,receiptforwhich hasbeensignedbytheaccused employee

� Therighttoaproperopportunityto prepare-Proofwouldbeawritten noticeofhearing,giventothe employeewellinadvanceofthe hearing,receiptforwhichhasbeen signedbytheaccusedemployeewell inadvanceofthehearingdate

� Theemployee’srighttobeheardand topresentadefence–proofwouldbe minutesofthehearingshowingthat theemployeehadachancetostate hiscase,useaninterpreterand representative,bringwitnessesand cross-examineevidencebrought againsthim/her

Consequently,onceoneintroducesthe useofrecordssuchasminutes,hearing noticesandchargesheetsoneis convertingthedisciplinaryprocessintoa formalone.Inmyviewthisconversionis reinforcedbytheneedtoseparatethe complainantrolefromthepresiding officerroleinordertoeliminatebias.

However,itappearsthatmyviewisin conflictwiththatofoneLabourCourt Judge.InthecaseofAvrilElizabeth HomefortheMentallyHandicappedvs CCMAandothers(2006,9BLLR833) thefindingoftheCourtsuggeststhat avoidingofbiasatadisciplinaryhearing isnotarequirement.Otherfindingsthat cameoutofthiscaseareasfollows:

� Videocoveragedoesnothavetobe absolutelyconclusivetobeaccepted, itneedonlysatisfythebalanceof probabilitiesrequirement

� Theprocedurebringingabouta dismissaldoesnothavetobea formalenquiryunlessthepartieshave agreedthatitwillbeaformalhearing

Iaminagreementwiththehonourable Courtasregardstheprincipleofbalance ofprobabilitiesandastothefactthatThe CodeofGoodPracticedoesnotrequirea formalhearing.Ihave,however, explainedwhy,inpractice,itisvery difficultforanemployertocomplywith therequirementsofTheCodeOfGood Practicewithoutusingthemechanismsof aformalprocess.Thisisnecessary,not becausetheCodesaysso(whichitdoes not)butrathertomakesurethatthe employercansatisfyitsonusofproving thatithascompliedwiththecontentand spiritofthatCode.

Asregardstheapparentfindingthatan unbiasedchairpersonisnotnecessaryat adisciplinaryhearing,Irespectfully believethat,iftheCourtreallymeantto saythis,itsdecisioncannotbecorrect andwillbeoverturnedsoonerratherlater. IwouldprefertobelievethattheCourt

onlymeantthatthetestforbiasofthe chairpersonshouldnotbeasstringentas thatappliedincriminallaw.

MyviewisbasedonthefactthatThe CodeofGoodPracticerequiresthatthe employeeisaffordedtheopportunityto presenthis/hercase,andthecentralcore oflabourlawrequiresfairness.Isubmit thatnoemployeecanpresenthis/her casefairlybeforeabiasedchairperson.

Toallowbiasedchairpersonstochair internaldisciplinaryhearingsandthen dismissemployeeswouldmakea mockeryofsuchhearings.Theemployee wouldlosehisjobandlivelihoodunfairly andcouldthenlosehis/herhouse,car andotherassetswhilehe/sheiswaiting forthelabourlawprocessatCCMAand LabourCourttotakeitscourse.Allowing suchasituationwouldbeakinto allowingakangaroocourt.

Insummary,theemployer’sonusto provethatalltheemployee’srightshave beencompliedwithmakesaformaland expertlycontrolleddisciplinaryhearing essential.Thisholdstrueeveniftheonly proceduralrightsanemployeehasare thosefewspecificallyprovidedforinThe CodeofGoodPractice.

Whiletheofficialswhocarryoutthe correctiveproceduredonotneedtobe lawyers,theydoneedtobewellskilledin disciplinary.procedureinordertomake surethateachandeverylegalrightofthe employeeisstrictlyadheredto.

Therefore,managersmusteitherbe thoroughlytrainedindisciplinaryprocess ortheemployermusthireareputable labourlawexperttochairitshearings.

Tobookforourseminaron NEWCHANGESANDDANGERS INLABOURLAW pleasephoneLeeon (011)787-5445or082456247.�

Woodorwax –both createbeautifulimages

Whatcanapencildoforallofus?Amazingthings.Itcanwritetranscendentpoetry,upliftingmusic,

orlife-changingequations;itcansketchthefuture,givelifetountoldbeauty,andcommunicatethe full-forceofourloveandaspirations-AdamBraun

Pencilsandcrayonsaretoolsthatare commonlyusedinartandcreativity, especiallyduringearlychildhood education.However,theirusefulness extendsbeyondjustearlychildhoodand cancontinuethroughoutone'slife.Inthis articlewewillexplorethesignificanceof pencilsandcrayonsinartandcreativity fromkindergartentoadulthood.

Earlychildhooddevelopment

Duringearlychildhoodeducation,pencils andcrayonsaresomeofthefirsttools thatchildrenusetoexpressthemselves creatively.Pencilsandcrayonsare versatile,inexpensive,andeasytouse, makingthemidealforchildrenwhoare justdiscoveringtheircreativity.Itallows childrentoexperimentwithcolours, shapes,andtextures,whichhelpsto developtheirfinemotorskillsandhandeyecoordination.Furthermore,thesetools encouragechildrentoexpresstheir emotionsandfeelings,whichiscrucial fortheiremotionaldevelopment.

Aschildrengrowolderandprogress throughtheireducation,pencilsand crayonscontinuetoplayanessentialrole intheircreativeexpression.Theylearnto usethesetoolstocreatemorecomplex andintricatedrawings,whichrequires themtodeveloptheirobservationand technicalskills.Astheybeginto experimentwithdifferentmaterialsand techniques,theydeveloptheirartistic abilitiesandtheircreativeproblem-solving skills.

Essentialdesigntool

Pencilsandcrayonsarenotonlyuseful forearlychildhoodeducation,butthey arealsoanessentialtoolforadultartists anddesigners.

Pencilsandcrayonsarewidelyusedin sketching,drawing,anddesigning becauseoftheireaseofuseand versatility.Itallowsartiststocreate preliminarysketchesanddesignsbefore committingtoafinalproduct,which helpsthemtorefinetheirideasand improvetheircreativeoutput. Additionally,pencilsandcrayonscanbe usedtocreateawiderangeofeffects, suchasshading,blending,andtexture, whichmakesthemidealforproducing high-qualityartwork.

Combiningwithdigital

Moreover,pencilsandcrayonsarestill relevantinthedigitalage,astheycanbe usedinconjunctionwithdigitaltools suchastabletsandgraphicdesign software.Manyartistsanddesignersuse pencilsandcrayonstocreateinitial sketches,whichtheythenscanand importintotheirdigitalsoftwareto finalizetheirwork.Thiscombinationof traditionalanddigitaltoolsenablesartists anddesignerstocreateworkthatisboth beautifulandtechnicallyadvanced. Inconclusion,pencilsandcrayonsare importanttoolsthatpromotecreativity andartisticexpression,startingfromearly childhoodeducationandcontinuinginto adulthood.Theyareeasytouse, versatile,andcost-effective,makingthem accessibletoallindividualswhowishto expresstheircreativity.Additionally,their usefulnessextendsbeyondjusttraditional media,astheycanbeusedin conjunctionwithdigitaltoolstocreate exceptionalworksofart.Therefore,itis essentialtoencouragechildrentouse pencilsandcrayonsduringtheirformative yearsandtocontinuetopromotetheir useasavaluabletoolforartistic expressionthroughouttheirlives.

� Faber-Castell- Faber-Castellisawell-regardedbrandofcolouredpencilsknownfortheirhigh-qualitypigments,smooth texture,andexcellentblendability.Theyareoftenusedbyartistsanddesigners,andareavailableinawiderangeof colours.

� Staedtler -Staedtlercolouredpencilsareknownfortheirhigh-qualitylead,whichproducesasmoothandevencolour. Theyareoftenusedfortechnicaldrawing,buttheircolourrangeandblendabilityalsomakethempopularamongartists anddesigners.

� Derwent- Derwentcolouredpencilsareknownfortheirwiderangeofcoloursandtheirabilitytoproducefinedetails. Theyarepopularamongbothprofessionalartistsandhobbyistsfortheirversatilityandaffordability.

� Koh-i-Noor -Koh-i-Noorcolouredpencilsareknownfortheirhigh-qualitypigmentsandexcellentblendability.Theyare oftenusedbyartistsanddesigners,andareavailableinarangeofcoloursandsets.

� Prismacolor -Prismacolorcolouredpencilsareknownfortheirsoftandsmoothlead,whichmakesthemidealforblending andlayering.Theyarepopularamongartists,illustrators,anddesignersfortheircolourrangeandabilitytoproduce vibrantanddetailedartwork.

� Crayola -Crayolaisawell-knownandpopularbrandofwaxcrayons,knownfortheirbrightcoloursandsmoothtexture. Theyareavailableinawiderangeofcoloursandaresuitableforbothchildrenandadults.

� Staedtler -StaedtlerisanotherpopularbrandofwaxcrayonsinSouthAfrica,knownfortheirhigh-qualitypigmentsand durabledesign.Theyareoftenusedineducationalsettingsandareknownfortheirabilitytoproducevibrantand consistentcolours.

� Faber-Castell -Faber-Castellwaxcrayonsareknownfortheirsmoothandcreamytexture,whichmakesthemeasyto blendandlayer.Theyareavailableinarangeofsizesandareoftenusedinbothartandeducationalsettings.

� Maped -MapedisaFrenchbrandofwaxcrayonsthatisgainingpopularityinSouthAfrica.Theirwaxcrayonsareknown fortheirvibrantcolours,ergonomicdesign,anddurability.Theyareavailableinarangeofsizesandaresuitablefor childrenandadults.

� Pentel -PentelisaJapanesebrandofwaxcrayonsthatisalsoavailableinSouthAfrica.Theirwaxcrayonsareknownfor theirsmoothandcreamytextureandvibrantcolours.Theyareoftenusedforbothartandeducationalpurposes.

Paperandpouring–creatingartforyoursoul

Arthasbeenpartofhumanlifeforcenturies–fromrockartincavestomodernartonbuildings.Itis awayofexpressionbutalsohashealthbenefits.

Artsandcraftsarean expressionofcreativitythat hasbeenpractisedfor centuries.However,these practicesnotonlyenable peopletoexpressthemselves,butalso providesaplatformforpeopletocreate somethingbeautifulanduseful.

Theprocessofcreatingartandcraftscan alsobetherapeutic,allowingfor relaxationandasenseof accomplishment.

Afewcraftyideas

Asoldaslifeitself

Arthasbeenanintegralpartofhuman lifeforcenturiesfromcavepaintingsto modern-daymasterpieces.Ithasnotonly servedasaformofentertainmentbut alsoasourceofrelaxationandcreativity. So,infactcreatingartisnotonly enjoyable,butitalsohasnumerous mentalhealthbenefits.

Assomanypeopleareworkingremotely, homehasbecometheofficetoo.Finding ahobbyorpastimethathelpsyoutorelax

intoandfocusoncanbeastressreliever. Therearemanydifferentartsandcrafts optionssofindingonethatsuitsyouand givesyouenjoymentisafunjourneyof experimentation.

Manyartformshavebeenpractisedfor centuriesandcontinuetoevolveasnew techniquesandmaterialsarediscovered. Whetheryouareaprofessionalartistora beginner,thereisanartformforeveryone toexploreandenjoy.

Painting: Paintingistheactofapplyingpainttoasurface,suchascanvas,paper,orwood.

Sculpture: Sculptureistheartofcreatingthree-dimensionalworksofartusingavarietyofmaterials.

Pottery: Potteryistheartofmakingobjectsoutofclay,suchasbowls,vases,andplates.

Weaving: Weavingistheartofcreatingfabricbyinterlacingthreadsoryarn.

Quilting: Quiltingistheartofsewingtogetherlayersoffabrictocreateaquilt.

Knitting: Knittingistheartofcreatingfabricbyusingtwoormoreneedlestoloopyarntogether.

Paintpouring

Paintpouringisapopulartechniqueusedtocreateuniqueandabstractpaintings.Itinvolvespouringvariouscoloursofpaintontoa canvasandallowingthepainttoflowandblendtocreateabeautiful,one-of-a-kinddesign.Herearethebasicstepstocreatea paintpouringpicture:

Materials:

Acrylicpaints

Pouringmedium

Canvasorotherpaintingsurface

Mixingcups

Stirringsticks

Disposablegloves

Protectivesurface(suchasaplastic tableclothordropcloth)

Optional: torch,heatgun,hairdryeror strawformanipulatingthepaint

Tips:

Steps:

•Prepareyourpaintingsurfacebyplacingitonaprotectivesurface.

•Mixyouracrylicpaintcolourswithpouringmediuminseparatecups.Pouring mediumisasubstancethathelpsthepaintflowandblendtogether,anditcanbe purchasedatartsupplystoresoronline.

•Stirthepaintandpouringmediummixtureuntiltheconsistencyissimilarto honey.

•Poureachcolourofpaintontothecanvasinarandompattern,eitherinlinesor puddles,untilthesurfaceiscovered.

•Tiltthecanvasindifferentdirectionstoallowthepainttoflowandblendtogether.

•Manipulatethepaintwithatorch,heatgun,hairdryerorstrawifdesiredtocreate uniquepatternsortextures.Allowthepainttodrycompletelybeforedisplaying yourpainting.

•Usealeveltoensureyourcanvasisevenbeforepouring.

•Experimentwithdifferentcoloursandmixingratiostocreateuniquedesigns.

•Useavarietyofpouringtechniques,suchasadirtypourorflipcup,tocreate differenteffects.

•Wearglovestoprotectyourhandsfrompaintandpouringmedium.

•Useaplasticcuporsqueezebottletohelpcontroltheflowofpaint.

•Paintpouringcanbeamessybutfunandcreativeprocess.Withalittle experimentationandpractice,youcancreatebeautifulanduniquepaintings withthistechnique.

PaperQuilling

Paperquilling,alsoknownaspaper filigree,isacraftthatinvolvesrollingand shapingnarrowstripsofpaperinto variousdesignsandshapes.It'safunand easycraftthatrequiresminimalsupplies andcanbedonebyanyone.

Paperquillingisasimpleandenjoyable craftthatcanbeusedtocreateavariety ofdesignsandshapes.Withalittle practice,youcancreateintricateand beautifuldesignstodecoratecards, frames,andothercrafts.So,grabsome paperstripsandstartquillingtoday!

Here'sastep-by-stepguideonhowtodo paperquilling:

•Materials:

•Paperstrips(quillingpaperorcut yourownfromregularpaper)

•Quillingtool(ortoothpickorneedle)

•Glue •Tweezers(optional)

Steps:

Chooseyourpaperstrips.Youcanbuy pre-cutquillingpaperindifferentcolours andwidthsorcutyourownfromregular paper.Ifyou'recuttingyourown,make surethepaperisthinandeasytoroll. Thestripsshouldbeabout2mmto6mm wideandatleast20cmlong.

Rollthepaperstripbytakingoneendof thepaperstripandstartrollingitaround thequillingtoolortoothpick.

Rollittightlyandevenlyuntilyoureach theendofthestrip.Removetherolled paperfromthetoolandletitloosen slightly.Youcancreatevariousshapesby manipulatingtherolledpaper.Useyour fingersortweezerstopinchthepaperat

thecentretocreateateardropshape.To createacircleorcoil,leavethepaper rolledandgluetheendtosecureit.You canalsocombineshapestocreatemore complexdesigns.

Onceyouhavecreatedthedesired shapes,gluethemtogethertocreatea design.Applyasmallamountofglueto theendofthepaperstripandattachitto theotherendoftheshape.Holditfora fewsecondsuntilthegluedries.Youcan alsousetweezerstoholdtheshapes togetherwhilethegluedries.

Onceyouhavegluedalltheshapes together,youcanadddetailsand embellishmentstoyourdesign.Youcan useotherquilledshapes,beads,or sequinstodecorateyourdesign. �

PhotosbySusanWilkinsononUnsplash

Howtosell protectivegear

InaccordancewithlabourlawandtheOccupationHealthandSafetyAct,1993(Act85of1993)protectivegearisoneof themeasuresanemployercanusetokeephisteamsafe.Formanycompanies,thisisanessentialitemontheir procurementlist–hereishowyoucanlinksellandupsell.

Protectionsellingitself

Protectivegearisessentialforanyone workinginhigh-riskenvironmentsor engaginginactivitiesthatposeariskof injury.Whetherit'sconstruction workers,medicalprofessionals,or athletes,protectivegearcanhelp preventinjuryandensurethat individualsaresafewhiletheygoabout theirdailyactivities.Ifyouarelooking tosellprotectivegear,thereareafew keystepsthatyoushouldtaketo ensurethatyourproductissuccessful. Thesamebasicstepsapplyacrossthe boardwhetheryouaresupplying protectiveapparelorotherprotective merchandiselikefireextinguishers.

Identifyyourtargetmarket

Thefirststepinsellingprotectivegear istoidentifyyourtargetmarket.Who areyousellingto?Whatindustriesor activitieswillbenefitmostfromyour product?Youmaywanttoconsider targetingspecificgroups,suchas medicalprofessionals,construction workers,orathletes.Onceyouhave identifiedyourtargetmarket,youcan begintotailoryourmarketingandsales effortstotheirspecificneeds.

Understandtheregulations

Beforeyoustartsellingprotectivegear, it'simportanttounderstandthe regulationsthatgoverntheproducts youareselling.Dependingonyour locationandthetypesofproductsyou

areselling,youmayneedtocomply withspecificsafetyregulations.Make sureyouhaveagoodunderstandingof theregulationsinyourindustry,and ensurethatyourproductsmeetallthe necessarystandards.

Focusonquality

Whenitcomestoprotectivegear, qualityisessential.Youneedtoprovide productsthataredurable,reliable,and effective.Yourcustomersarerelyingon yourproductstokeepthemsafe,soit's importanttoprovidethemwithhighqualityoptions.

Takethetimetoresearchthematerials andconstructionmethodsusedinthe products,andmakesuretheyareupto industrystandards.Havingarangeof optionsatdifferentpricepointsisalso effectiveasalthoughyoucannotskimp onquality,

Provideclearinformation

Yourcustomersneedtoknowexactly whattheyaregettingwhenthey purchaseyourprotectivegear.Provide clearinformationaboutthefeaturesand benefitsofyourproducts,andinclude anyrelevantsafetyinformation.

Makesureyourcustomershaveagood understandingofhowtouseandcare foryourproducts,asthiswillhelp ensurethattheygetthemostoutof them.

Offerexcellentcustomerservice

Sellingprotectivegearisnotjustabout theproductsthemselves,it'salsoabout thecustomerexperience.Makesure youofferexcellentcustomerservice, includingfastshipping,easyreturns, andfriendlyandknowledgeablestaff. Youwantyourcustomerstofeel confidentintheirpurchaseandknow thattheycanrelyonyoutohelpthem iftheyhaveanyquestionsorconcerns. Havinggreatinstoreserviceis important,butaftersalesservicecan buildabrandandreputationequally.

Useeffectivemarketing

Finally,makesureyouareusing effectivemarketingtopromoteyour protectivegear.Considerusingsocial media,emailmarketing,andother digitalchannelstoreachyourtarget audience.Youmayalsowantto considerattendingindustryeventsor tradeshowstoconnectwithpotential customersinperson.

Inconclusion,sellingprotectivegear requiresathoughtfulapproach.You needtounderstandyourtargetmarket, complywithregulations,focuson quality,provideclearinformation,offer excellentcustomerservice,anduse effectivemarketing.Bytakingthese steps,youcanensurethatyour protectivegearproductsaresuccessful andthatyourcustomersaresafeand satisfied. �

New protectivegear fortheoffice

Workinginanofficeenvironmentisusuallyconsideredmuchsaferthanworkingonaconstructionsite,afarmorafactory. However,peoplearestillatriskintheofficeenvironmentandwefoundsomealternativeprotectivegearthatmaybe usefulintheoffice.

Backache

Sittingatadeskforlonghours,liftingor carryingheavyboxesorexcessive stretchingandtwistingcancauseback aches.Thismayleadtoseriousskeletal diseases,especiallyifsomeonehasa historyofpreviousdiscomfortintheback area.Althoughtheemployeecanprotect himorherselfbydoingregularexercise andpayingattentiontoposture,youcan alsosupportthembybuyingsomeback supportfortheofficechair.

AccordingtoManutan.UKthelumbar supportshouldfitrightintothenatural curveofyourspine,typicallyatthesmall ofyourbackdirectlyaboveyourbeltline. Thisadjustmentisoftenbuiltintothe chair;soyoucanadjustboththeheightof thechairbackandthelumbarsupportat thesametime.

Adjustablechair

RonelHendrywritesinherblogon Karo.co.zathat fivevertebrae(L1toL5)in thespine(betweenthediaphragmand sacrum)curvesslightlyinward.Sheadds thatwhenyousitwithyourthighsata 900 angletoourback,twomajorskeletal movementstakeplace.Firstly,thelong thighbones(femurs)rotateintheirpelvic socketsthroughapproximately600 Thereafter,theligamentsattachingthe femurstothepelvis,pullontherearofthe pelvis.Sheadvisesthatcompaniesshould investinadjustablechairs.InSouthAfrica wherewecommonlyhave“hotdesking” andofficechairsareusedbymorethan oneperson,anadjustablelumbarsupport isallthemoreessential.

Rememberthatwhenitcomestooffice chairs, “thereisno,andneverwillbe,a one-size-fits-all”.

Eyeprotection

Nomanwasmadetostareatsomething infrontofhimallthetime.Toprotectyour eyesagainstthelightofthescreens (computerandothermobiledevises)you needtofollowthe20/20/20rule:ifyou arelookingatyourscreenfor20minutes, thenfocusonsomethingatleast20 metersawayfor20minutes.

Ensurethattheofficeiswelllitbutuse softerlightingintheroom.Youcanalso useananti-glaremattscreenorahighresolutionscreen.Thehigherthe resolutionthebetter!Youcangetsome anti-glareglassestoprotectyoureyes.

Anti-glareglasseshaveacoatingthat reducesglareandreflectionstoprotect youreyes.Thisisanexcellentoptionifyou uselaptops,cellphones,andother devicesalongwithstandarddesktop computers.

Youcanalsogetanti-glarescreen protectorstoreducetheglareonthe monitor.Abluelightfilterscreenthat hangsoverthescreenwillreduceeye fatigueaswellbuttheseoftenhavepoor adhesiontothescreenmakingimagesand textblurryandunclear.

CareUEyes.com offerssoftwarethatcan bedownloaded. Ithasanti-glare,bluelight filtering,screenbrightnessadjustment, andtimedreminderfeatures.

Silenceisgolden.

Workinginanopenplanofficeorshared spacecancauseyoutolosefocus.Noise causesdistractionandcanevenbe harmful.Havingpinkandwhitenoise aroundhelps,butonlyforawhile.Ifyour workrequiresquiettimeandyouneedto focusallyourattentiontothejobathand, considergettingheadphones.

Accordingto TheWorkplace youneedto getonesthatare passive noisecancelling –thesearedesignedtoblockorreduce ambientnoise. Donotjustgetconsumer headphones. Makesuretheyareoverear andallowyoutowearearplugs underneath.Taketimetofindonesthat actuallywork.

Open-plansyndromeisrealandaccording to JackSchofield headsetsbecomethe newwallsinthepopularopenwork spaces.Asurveydonewith10000 workersin14countriesfoundthat95%of workersfeltthatthenoiseintheofficeis causingadistractionandalarge percentagepreferredworkinginprivate (andinsilence!)

Dotherightthing.

Manycompanyownersmayaskwhyitis importanttoprotectyouremployeesinthe office.Asafeandhealthyworkplacewill notonlyprotectemployeesagainsinjury andillness,butitcanalsolowerinjury/ illnesscosts,reduceabsenteeismand turnover,increaseproductivityandquality, andraiseemployeemorale.Inother words,safetyisgoodforbusiness.Plus, protectingworkersistherightthingtodo.

PhotobyTheStandingDesk onUnsplash

LifeInsurance –theLowDown

Itisbettertohaveitandnotneedit,thantoneeditandnothaveit!

Lifeinsuranceissomethingthat mostofushaveinplaceand seldomthinkabout-yetthereare severalfacetstothisthatshould bediscussedandconsidered.In thisarticlewewilllookatwhatlife insuranceis,whatfactorsinfluence eligibilityandcostandwhenapolicy willnotpayout.

Lifeinsuranceprovidespeaceofmind shouldsomethinghappentoyou.The purposeofthisinsuranceistoprovidea financialcushionforyourbeneficiariesin theeventofyourdeath.

Alifeinsurancepolicyisacontract betweenyouandaninsurerwherethe insureragreestopayadesignated beneficiary(oryou),aspecifiedsumof moneyshouldyoudie,becometerminally illorarepermanentlydisabled.

Asmentioned,you may beabletoclaim onyourlifeinsuranceintheeventthat youbecomepermanentlydisabledorif

youarediagnosedtobeterminallyill.In theeventthattheinsurerpaysoutpriorto yourpassing,thecoverwillbenulland voidatthatpointandyouwillnolonger haveapolicythatwillpayoutatdeath. Noadditionalcoverwillbeavailableif earlypay-outwasneeded.

Itisimportanttohavelifeinsurancein place.Thepurposeistosolvethe followingatthetimeofyourpassing:

� Debtowed

� Incomerequiredforfamilyor dependents

� Inheritance

Mostpoliciespayoutapercentageatthe timeofdeathtocoverimmediate expenseslikethefuneralandothercosts whichwerenormallypaidbythe deceased.Paymentisusuallymadeas soonastheinsurerreceivesadeath certificate.

Insurersalwaysdoduediligencebefore payingalifeclaim.However,thisisnot tosaythattheydon’tpayorarelookingto avoidpaying,butitisprudenttoalways lookatanyclaim.

Thebalanceofthepolicyisusuallypaid withinacoupleofweeksorlessthana month,unlesstheyhavecausetosuspect thatsomethingisamiss.

Therearemanycriteriatotakeinto accountwithregardtotheleveloflife insurancethatisrequired,namelythe numberandtheagesofdependents, outstandingdebt,educational requirementsforchildren,monthlycosts untiltheageofretirementofyourspouse andadozenotherfactors.Itistherefore advisedtoconsultabrokerorfinancial advisor.

TakingoutLifeInsurance

Theprocessfortakingoutlifeinsurance issimplebutalotofinformationis

neededfortheinsurertoworkouthow muchcoveryouwillneedandwhatthe monthlypremiumwillbe.Youmayalso berequiredtodobloodtestsanda medical.Thecostforthiswillbecovered bytheinsurer.

7FactorsThatAffectYourLife Insurance Insurancecompaniesconsiderarangeof criteriawhencalculatingthepremiumfor yourlifecover.Manyoftheseareoutof yourcontrol,butthereareafewthatyou cancontrolandindoingsobringdown thecostsonyourlifeinsurance.

1. Age: Theyoungeryouare,the cheaperyourlifeinsurancewilllikely be.Youareunderwrittenonceandas weageandweencountermedical issues,youarenotre-underwrittento taketheseintoaccount.

2. Gender: Statsshowthatwomenlive anaverage5yearslongerthanmen. Thismeansthattheyhaveabout5 moreyearstopaytheirpremiumsand sotheygenerallypayalower premium.

3. Smoking: Smokingisobviouslyared flagforinsurersbecausesmoking increasesyourchancesforother ailments.Asasmokeryoucouldpay upto50%morethananon-smoker. Ifyouareasmokerwhenyoutake thecoverbutstopsmoking,youcan applyfornon-smokerratesafter6 monthswhichwillreduceyour monthlypremium.

4. Health: Asapartoftheunderwriting process,youwillberequiredtogofor abasicmedicalexamtotestyour bloodpressure,weightetc.The resultsofthesetestswillimpactthe monthlypremiumyoupay.

5. Lifestyle:Ifyouregularlyengagein dangerousadventureactivities,like motorsports,skydivingandmountain climbingitislikelytoimpactyour monthlypremiums.

6. Occupation:Youroccupationdoes haveanimpactonthepremiumyou willpayandthecoveryouwillget.If

youareinahigh-riskoccupation, therewillbeanimpactonyour premiums.

7. Familymedicalhistory: Yourfamily medicalhistoryisrecordedandtaken intoaccount.Ifyouhaveafamily historyofhighcholesterol,for example,yourchancesofgettingit arehigherwhichcouldimpactyour premiums.Though,theylookonlyat directfamily,notextendedfamilylike auntsandunclesetc.

Whilstyoucannotchangeyourage, genderorfamilyhistorythereareother areaslikesmokingordrinkingorweight thatarewithinyourcontrolandthesecan makearealdifferencetoyourpremiums ifmanaged.

Whenwon’taLifeInsurancepolicypay out?

Ifyouareconcernedabouttheinsurernot payingout,youcanreviewtheirstatsand figuresthatarepublishedannually. Insurersactuallytakeprideinpayingout asmanyclaimsaspossibleasthis reflectspositivelyonthem.

Non-disclosure

Whenyoutakeoutlifeinsuranceyouare askedtoprovidealotofinformation aboutyourhealth,lifestyleandfamily history.Itisvitalthatyouarecompletely honestwhenansweringthesequestions andprovideasmuchinformationas possible.

Itisbettertobecompletelyhonestand riskahigherpremiumthantonothave yourclaimpaidoutbecauseyoudidnot discloseapieceofinformation.

Therewasacaseafewyearsagowhere amanwaskilledinahijacking.The insurerrefusedtopayasitwas discoveredthathehaddiabetes.Whilst onehasnothingtodowiththeotherand thediabeteswasnotthecauseofdeath, thefactwasthatthisinsurerdidnot acceptclientswithdiabetesbecauseof therisksassociated.Themanwasaware

hewasdiabeticandfailedtodisclosethis despitedirectquestionspertainingtothis aspartofthemedical.Theinsurerpaid backthepremiumspaidtodateand closedthecase.Thedeceased’swidow wasratherunhappyandcausedalotof negativepressfortheinsurer.However, whenthecasewentbeforethe ombudsmantheinsurerwonasthey couldprovethatthemanhadfailedto disclosemedicalissuesthatwouldhave excludedhimfromgettingcoverhadhe beenhonest.Itwasdeemedtobefraud.

Otherexclusions

Insurersdopayoutforsuicidethese days.However,theywillnotpayout withinthefirst2yearsofthepolicy.A sidenotetothisisthatmanymental healthissuesarenotinsurableandmay causeyoutobeloadedorexclusionsput inplace.

So,someonewithmentalhealthissues maybeexcludedfromsuicideforthe durationoftheirpolicy,meaningthatif theytaketheirownlife,theinsurerwill notpay.

Ifyouarekilledordisabledduringthe commissionofacrime,riotoractof terrorism,yourinsurerwillnotpayout. Youcannotbeinvolvedinillegalactivity andexpectapolicypayoutifyouare injuredorkilled.Ifyouareavictimofthe above,youcertainlyhaveaclaim.

Ifyoucauseharmtoyourselfbyexcessive useofdrugs,alcoholormedicationitis alsounlikelythatadisabilityclaimwillbe paidasthiswouldbeseenasself-harm. Thereareobviousexclusionswhere insurersdon’tpayoutbutlikewith anythingelsethereareexceptions.

Byandlarge,theyhaveastrictcodeof conductandethicsandmakeapointof payingclaimsasoftenandasquicklyas possible. �

Budget 2023 givesrelieftohard pressed SouthAfrican taxpayers

ByJoonChong,Partner&CorKraamwinkel,PartneratWebberWentzel

TheproposalsinSouthAfrica’s2023NationalBudgetincludewelcomemovesonboostingenergy generation,reliefforconsumersandbusinesses,andimprovingtheefficiencyoftaxcollection

TheNationalBudgetdeliveredtodayby SouthAfrica’sMinisterofFinance,Enoch Godongwana,showedthatthe governmentismakingsomesignificant financialcommitmentstorestoreEskom toviabilityandmaintainsocialgrants. ButwithGDPgrowthprojectedat1.4% onaveragefrom2023to2025,anda potentialtapering-offofthecommodities boomoverthemediumterm,howwill thegovernmentfundthesecommitments?

Belowweanalysesomeofthekey proposalsonenergyandotherrelief,as wellasstepstoprotectthetaxbase, fostereconomicgrowthandensure efficienttaxcollection.

Energy

Wewerepleasedthatgovernmentis takingstepstoaddressthecurrent electricitycrisis,whichtheminister

describedas“thebiggesteconomic constraint”:

•GovernmentwillprovideZAR254 millionindebtreliefforEskom(60% ofEskom’stotaldebtofR422billion), inlinewiththepromisemadebythe FinanceMinisterintheOctober2022 Medium-TermBudgetPolicy Statementtotakeonbetweenone andtwothirdsoftheentity’sdebt. Thisrelief,whichcomeswith conditions,willenableEskomto investintransmissionanddistribution infrastructureandconduct maintenance.

•From1March2023,businesseswill beabletoreducetheirtaxableincome by125%ofthecostofaninvestment inrenewables,withnothresholdson generationcapacityforqualifying projects.Thisincentivewillbe availablefortwoyears.Individuals

whoinstallrooftopsolarpanelsfrom 1March2023to28February2024 willbeabletoclaimarebateof25% ofthecostofthepanelsuptoa maximumofZAR15000.Thiscan reducetheirtaxliabilityin2023/24, andwillonlybeavailableforone year.ChangestotheBounceBack LoanGuaranteeSchemearealso proposed,toincentivizerenewable energyforSMEs.Governmentwill guaranteesolar-relatedloanstoSMEs ona20%first-lossbasis.

•Withsomemunicipalities(suchas CapeTown)startingtoallowfeed-in tariffs,SARSwillreviewwhatchanges needtobemadetotheIncomeTax Acttocaterfortheextraincomefrom electricitysales.TheCityofCape Townhassaiditwillbeabletopay cashforpowerfedintothelocal electricitygridfromJune2023.

Othermeasurestoprovidemuch neededrelief

•A4.9%inflationaryadjustmentis beingmadetoallpersonalincometax bracketsandthereisacorresponding increaseinthemedicaltaxcredits andnormaltaxrebates.

•Thetaxbracketsfortransferduties, retirementfundlumpsumbenefits andwithdrawalswillbeadjusted upwardsby10%tocompensatefor inflation.

•Ontheproposedtwo-potretirement system,governmentwillpublish reviseddraftlegislation,including detailsontheamountimmediately availablewhenthesystemis implementedon1March2024.

•Thesocialreliefofdistressgrant continuesuntil31March2024,but therewasnomentionofextendingit beyondthatdateorreplacingitwith theBasicIncomeGrant.

•Therewasnoincreaseinthegeneral fuellevyortheRoadAccidentFund levy,whichwasthecaseinthe2022 Budgetaswell.

•TherefundontheRAFlevyfordiesel, whichcurrentlyappliestofarming, forestry,fishingandmining,is extendedtomanufacturingof foodstuffsfrom1April2023,fortwo years.

Stepstoboosteconomicgrowth,protect thetaxbaseandcollecttaxesmore efficiently

•Therewasnomentionofafurther reductionincorporatetax,although theultimategoalis25%.The corporateincometaxratewas reducedfrom28%to27%foryears ofassessmentendingonorafter31 March2023.

•However,theminimumroyaltyrate onoilandgaswillbeincreasedfrom 0.5%to2%,whilethemaximum remainsat5%.

•ResearchandDevelopment("R&D") incentivesarebeingextendedfrom1 January2024foranother10years andwillberefinedtobesimplerand moreeffective.The"end-result approach"willberemovedandR&D oninternalbusinessprocesseswillno longerbeexcluded.

•Sintaxesincreasedby4.9%.

•TheUrbanDevelopmentZone incentiveisbeingextendedfor anothertwoyearsasfurtheranalysis andpublicconsultationisneeded.

•Thehealthpromotionlevywillnotbe increasedfortwoyears,whichis positive,butgovernmentwillsoon issueproposalstoextendittofruit juicesandlowerthe4gofsugar contentper100mlthreshold.

•Laterthisyear,SARSwillreview workplaceandtravelallowancesin linewiththegreatertrendofworking fromhome.

•UnderSARS’Vision2024,all employerandthird-partydatawillbe submittedonamonthlybasisand SARSwillincludeautomated feedbackofeffectivetaxrateswhich areissuedtoemployerstowithhold PAYEonarealtimebasis.SARS proposestohaveafinalBusiness RequirementsSpecifications(BRS) documentonmonthlyPAYEreporting issuedinearlyMarch2023,andfor thenewPAYEreportingsystemtobe inoperationfrom1March2024 onwards.Keytothisinitiativeisthe SARSobjectivetocollectincome taxesduemonthly,andnotonlyevery sixmonths,fromprovisionaltaxes.

OtherimportantstepsintheBudget include:

•TheproposaltowithdrawPractice Notes31and37willbepostponedto aligntheeffectivedatewith legislation.

•Variousamendmentsarebeing proposedtosection23M,includingto clarifythedefinitionof“adjusted taxableincome”,“creditor”and interestpaidtonon-residentsandto extendtheexemptiontoapplyto SouthAfricanlendinginstitutions.

•Thepolicyontheforeignbusiness establishmentexemptionfor controlledforeigncompanies(CFC) willbeclarifiedtoprovidethatall importantfunctionsforwhichaCFC iscompensatedmustbeperformed bytheCFCinthatcountryoranother companywithfacilitiesandtaxation inthesamecountry,andalsoform partofthesamegroupastheCFC.

•NationalTreasuryisproposingtoalign thedistributionofincometononresidentbeneficiariesoftrustswith thedistributionsofcapitalgains specifiedinparagraph80.Capital gainstonon-residentbeneficiaries distributedbytrustswillbetaxedin thetrustsandNationalTreasuryis proposingthesamebedonefor incomedistributions.

•NationalTreasuryisproposingto narrowtheparticipationexemptionfor thesaleofsharesinforeign companiesthatformpartofthesame groupastheseller,orwherethe shareholdersaresubstantiallythe same.

•Theparticipationexemptionforthe foreignreturnofcapitalfromaCFC willalsobeamendedtorequirean 18-monthholding.

•VATchanges:NationalTreasurywill clarifytheVATtreatmentofprepaid vouchersinthetelecommunications industry,andofspecificsuppliesin theshort-terminsuranceindustry.

•NationalTreasurywillalsoclarifythe meaningof“adjustedcost”relatingto thetemporarylettingofresidential property.�

CONSUMERALERT:SALEANDINSTALLATIONOFSOLARSYSTEMSANDGENERATORS

TheConsumerGoodsandServices Ombud(CGSO)hasobservedanuptickin thenumberofcomplaintsrelatingtothe purchaseandinstallationofsolarsystems andgenerators.Forthe12-monthperiod from1February2022to9February 2023,theCGSOreceived202 complaintsrelatingtosolarsystemsand generators.

Themostcommontypeofcomplaints relatingtothiscategoryofcomplaint include:

a)Thenon-issuanceofCompliance Certificates.Thisincludesnotdisclosing thecriteriathatneedtobemetfora compliancecertificatetobeissued,or thatanadditionalfeewillneedtobepaid

b)Acceptingpaymentandnotdelivering thegoodsorinstallingthesystemswithin agreedtimeframes.

c)Poorworkmanshipandinstallations thatdonotmeetsafetystandards.

d)Warrantiesnotbeinghonoured.

e)Incorrectequipmentpurchasedeither byconsumersoronbehalfofconsumers andsuppliersrefusingtoacceptreturns.

f)Noaftercareservices.

g)Misleadingadvertisingrelatingtothe type,sizeandwattageofinverters,solar panelsandbatteries.

h)Inflatedpricesforpanels,inverters, batteriesandinstallationservices.

Ofthe134complaintsdealtwiththusfar, consumersreceivedredressin36%of cases,includingR277273paidbackin

refunds.Otherredressincludedthe replacementoffaultyinverters,solar panels,generatorsandbatteriesaswell astherectificationofsubstandard workmanship.

TheOmbudsman,MsMagauta Mphahlele,notedthat46%ofcaseshad tobeterminatedowingtoalackof cooperationfromsuppliers.“Thisisof greatconcerntousasitmeansthat complainantsdidnotreceiveanyredress. Thisoutcomeprovesthattherearehigh levelsofnon-compliancearoundthe ConsumerProtectionActinthissector, andwecallonsuppliersandinstallersof solarsystemsandgeneratorstoensure thattheirservicestandardsmeetthe requirementsoftheCPAandother manufacturingandsafetystandards requiredintermsofotherlawsofthis country”,shesaid.

MsMphahlelealsonotedthatthenature ofthecomplaintsreceivedindicatedlow levelsofawarenessandunderstandingby consumersofthehighlytechnicalproduct andinstallationspecificationsofsolar systemsandgenerators.

Consumersare,generallyspeaking,not cluedupontherequirementsofsystems ortheirlimitations.Asaresult, consumersaresufferingenormous financiallossesbypurchasingincorrect equipmentand/or,appointingunqualified installers.

ShealsowarnedagainstgoingtheDIY routeasinmanyinstances,thiswould nullifyanymanufacturerswarranties.The CGSOoffersthefollowingtipsto consumerswishingtoinsulatethemselves frompoorserviceandexpensive mistakes:

1)Beforepurchasingorinstallingasolar system,contactaqualifiedandtrusted solarinstallertoassessyourneedsand thestructureofyourhometoadviseon thetypeofsystemyourequire.Thisis importantastheCPAdoesnotprotect youifyoubuyincorrectequipment.You areonlycoveredifyouprovidedthe correctspecificationsorcommunicated thepurposeforwhichyouwanttouse theproductfor,andtheproductisnotfit forthepurposecommunicated.

2)Obtainseveralquotesandverifythe credentialsoftheinstaller.

3)Ensurethatthesystemisinstalledbya qualified,accreditedinstallerandthatthe contractyousignincludestheprovisionof aCertificateofCompliance.Insurance companiesandmanufacturerswill repudiateyourclaimifthesystemwas notinstalledbyanaccreditedinstaller.

4)Ensurethattheinverterandbatteries areinstalledwithsurgeprotectionas mostwarrantiesdonotcoversurge damage.

5)Donotpaythefullamountupfrontand familiariseyourselfwiththetermsand conditionsrelatingtocancellationsand refundsofdeposits.

6)Familiariseyourselfwiththewarranty conditionsanddonottrytofixany problemsyourselfortamperwiththe equipmentasthiswillnullifythe warranty.. �

IssuedbyJackMalatjionbehalfofthe ConsumerGoodsandServicesOmbud, SeniorManager:Stakeholder Communications&Advocacy

Thisarticleservestohelpyou growinyourunderstandingof whatleadershipinbusinessis andtobemotivatedtokeep givingyourbestasaleader.Asa businessleaderorowner,youwillagree thatleadershipislikebeauty:youknow whenyouseeitbutitcouldbelacking indescription.Howwouldyoucomplete thesentence:“Leadershipis…”?

JohnMaxwell,awell-knownleadershipexpert, said:“Thepessimistcomplainsaboutthe wind.Theoptimistexpectsittochange.The leaderadjuststhesails.”Whatdoyoumakeof thisdescription?Howdoyourelateto complaining,hopingforthebetter,oradjusting thesails?

Firstreaction

Leadersarehuman…andourfirstreactionin asituationisoftenemotional.Thisisnot wrong.Thespectrumofemotionscoversa varietyofemotionssuchasfear,anger, sadness,confusion,orjoy,allwithareason andcouldresultinussettlingforbeingnamed pessimistoroptimist.Ithelpsleaderstoknow thatpeopleexperiencecircumstances differentlyandthattheycouldhavedifferent emotionstodifferentsituations.However, leadersguidethemselvesandothersthrougha situationbyacknowledgingtheemotionsand byunderstandingthem.

AccordingtoDrCarolineLeaf,authorofthe book:CleaningupyourMentalMess(2021), understandingemotionsandtalkingabout themhelppeopletolearnandtogrow.DrLeaf recommendsthatwe“putourselvesthrougha mind-managementprocessthatchangestoxic thoughtsandtheirrelatedbehavioursinto positivethinkingandhabits”.

Comeoutstronger. Rationalthoughtpatternscanfollowtheinitial

DrSantievonBelow Owner: FundtechConsulting www.fundtechconsulting.com

emotionalresponsetocircumstances. Experiencefromasimilarsituationand knowledge,especiallythroughcollaboration, canhelpleaderstomoveforwardinsituations. Peoplecomeoutstrongerastheyworkthrough situationstogethertoseekthebestway forward.Leadersactwiselywhentheyapply knowledgeandinsightandwhentheyguide theirteammemberstomakegooddecisions throughcollaborationandresponsibleconduct.

Willsituationschange?Theyusuallydobut effectiveleadersareoftenthosepeoplewho arekeentolearnfromwhatthesituation poses,showtenacityforpositivedevelopment, andseekgoodoutcomesfromthesituation.

Businesstheoryinthe1980’swasadamant thatbusinessleadersshouldacceptthatthey cannotchangetheformatoftheirmacroand marketenvironmentsbutrealityprovedthem wronginthe21st century.

Leaderscanshapetheirenvironments,evenon aglobalscale.Whatisstilltruethroughoutall theages,isthatwherechangeseems impossible,attitudeadjustmentandinnovation oftenemerge.Whencombinedwithwisdom, societiesbenefit.Howcanthishappen?

Useyourcreativity.

Allhumanscanbecreative.Leadersnurture anddevelopcreativityinthemselvesandin othersandcircumstancesoftenarethecatalyst forit.AsHenryFordwasworkingonthe ModelTmotorcarinthelate1890’s,cities aroundtheworldwerestrugglingwith numeroussanitationproblemsrelatedtohorse manureandcarcassesleftincitystreets.

Hisfascinationwithmachinesandhowthey work,simultaneouslysolvedthemanure probleminthestreets!Manyofthesanitation policiesofthosetimesarestillinplacetoday butthetransportindustrywaschangedfor

ever.Animportantkeytobeingaleaderisthus tonotletcircumstancesgetyouunderbutto risetotheoccasionbykeepingyourfocuson whatisgoodandcontributingtoabetter outcome.ThisispartofthestoryofHenry Ford’slifebutalsoofotherinventorsand innovators,makingthemleadersintheirfields ofexpertise.Thisprocesscanbepartofyour storyasabusinessleader.

Moderndaythinkingaboutleadership acknowledgesvariousapproachestodefining theconcept.Mykeyquestionsforyouto ponderare:

� Howcanyougrowfrombeingpessimistic (oroptimistic)aboutyourcurrentsituation toadjustingthesailsasaleader?and � “Whereshouldyourfocusbe?

Acknowledgeyouremotions.

Weknowthatleadersarehumanandoperate insituationsthatattimescouldbereally challenging.Thismeansthatleadersneedto acknowledgetheirownemotionsandthe emotionsoftheirteammembers.Working throughemotionsshouldbefollowedby seekingknowledgeandinsight,andthen progressingwithwisdomthroughsound decisionmaking.

Leadersarenotstuckinsituationsbutare thosepeoplethatdesirepositivechangeand makeithappenbyadjustingthesails!

Ifyouareinterestedinanindividual consultationsessionorateamworkshopon thistopic,contactDrSantievonBelowat+27 (0)826130719orsendanemailto santie@fundtechconsulting.com

DrSantievonBelowisastrategicleadership businessconsultantwithindustryexperience andastrongacademicbackground. �

SolarPower SolarPower

Whenloadsheddingstartednearly15yearsago,weallassumedthatthesituationwouldget better.However,wegotitcompletelywrongandwearecurrentlyinastateofnational emergencyasregardsthepowersupplyinSouthAfrica.

Initiallyhomesandbusinesses boughtgeneratorssothatthey couldkeepthedoorsopenand thelightson.Thenmany switchedtoinvertersand generatorsthatcanbe obnoxiouslyloudandthediesel exhaustfumeswerelessthan delightful.Thenextwavebought inverters,whichwereaconsiderable improvementonthenoiseandfumes createdbygenerators.

Howevertheproblemofloadshedding returnedwithavengeanceandduetothe higherstagesofloadsheddingandthe hoursofdarknessandstateenforced blackout,invertersalsogaveupthe ghost.Quethenextwave,solarpower. Thisalthoughcertainlythemost expensiveoption,itisalsothemost stableoptionofthethree.

Giventhatthereisaprognosisthatthe entiregridmayfail,solarwouldbethe bestoptioninthisevent;generators wouldprovetobetooexpensivetorun fulltimeandinvertersrelyondrawing

powerfromthegridtochargethe batteries.

Stateofdisaster

ThePresident,MrCyrilRamaphosa, declaredastateofdisasterduringthe StateoftheNationAddress(SONA).He saidthattheenergycrisisinthecountry hasdoneuntolddamagetothecountry andisanexistentialthreattobusinesses andtheeconomy.

Throughdeclaringthecrisis,hesaidthat thecoordinationofaddressingthecrisis canbefocusedatasinglepoint.

Ramaphosapostulatedthatthestateof disasterwillenablegovernmenttoprovide practicalmeasuresthattheyneedtotake tosupportbusinessesintheproductionof food,storageandretailsupplychain, includingfortherolloutofgenerators, solarpanelsanduninterruptedpower supplies.

Plansforanationalstateofdisasterhave beencriticised,themaincriticismagainst thedeclarationisthatitwouldopenthe

floodgatesforlootingandcorruption,as wasseeninthepast.

RamaphosasaidthattheAuditorGeneral willbebroughtintotrackspendingand fundinginvolvedwiththecrisistoensure thatmoneyishandledappropriatelyand sothatthesamelootingthattookplace duringtheCOVId-19crisisisnot repeated.Thoughwewouldlovetoput ourfaithinthisstatement,giventhe history,thelikelytrajectoryofthefunds willnodoubtbetosomeoneasyet unnamed,whowillnodoubtgetaway Scott-freeoncediscovered.

Thenextstatementoftheappointmentof aministertooverseetheenergycrisis, hasalsobeenmetwithridicule–appointingaminister,anadditional expensetothetax-payer,withoutany clearplanofactiontoreducethe loadsheddingandtostabilisethegrid,is nothingshortoffarcical.

PrivateEstatesgoingovertoSolar Someprivatehousingestatesare implementingsolarfarmstobypassthe loadsheddingandtomaintainsecurityfor theirresidents.

MidstreamEstateinMidrand,isplanning toinstallalargebatterybanktostore energyfromsolarplants,Eskom,and,if required,abankofgeneratorstoprotect residentsagainstload-shedding.

Theplantoavertloadsheddingforstages 1to4andresidentsareinfavour,though theplanwillcostR200millionto implement,butcanbeinplaceasearly asAugustthisyear.Thereasonthisis possibleisthatMidstreamfallsunderone grid,sotheyhavegridcontroland flexibilitywhenimplementingan alternativemeasure.80%ofthecontrols neededtousesolarpowertoavertloadsheddingarealreadyinplacein MidstreamEstate.

Thenextstepistobuildan8MVAbattery storagesystemtoprotectresidents againstload-sheddinguptostage4.The largebatterybankwillreceiveenergy fromsolarplants,supplementedduring non-load-sheddingtimesbyEskomand, ifrequired,byabankofgenerators.

Therehasalsobeeninterestfrompeople wantingtodevelopsolarfarmsin Midstream,andlandwillbemade availableforthis.Theplanistosyncwith Eskom’sgridbeforeload-sheddingkicks in,oncethesupplyfromEskomfalls away,thebatterysystemwilltakeover.”

TheinstalledMESloadmanagement systemcanalsobeextendedtohouses withhighconsumptiontoswitchoffhighpowerdemanddevicesduringloadshedding.

Theimmediateplanistocreateareliable, sustainable,andcost-effectiveelectricity supplynetworkwithinsixmonthsthat willavertload-sheddinguptostage4.

Thisnetworkwillbeextendedinfutureto protectagainsthigherload-shedding levelsandthentaketheestatecompletely offthegrid.

Residentswhoparticipateintheloadsheddingprotectionwillonlypay accordingtotheirconsumptionduring load-shedding.

Theadditionalpaymentsduringloadsheddingwillcoverthecosttofinancethe purchaseofthebatteries,generators,and thecosttoharvestsolarenergy.

Itwillalsofinanceotherassociatedcosts perEskom’snormintheirlargerenergy wheelingagreements.

Bi-directionalmetersinstalledbyMES willalsomeasureelectricityfedintothe gridandchargethebatterybank.These houseswillbecompensatedaccordingly. MidstreamEstatealreadyhasovera thousandhouseswithroof-topsolar connectedtotheelectricalgrid.

TheElectricityGenerationAct Thenewly-gazettedElectricityGeneration Actregulationswillallowprivate individualsandbusinessestogenerateup to100MWofelectricityfortheirownuse withoutobtainingalicencefromthe NationalElectricityRegulator.

Sectionaltitlecomplexesandgated estateswillbeabletoinstalltheirown, privatepowerplantsthatarecapableof permanentlygeneratingenoughenergyto supplytheelectricalneedsofallthe homesintheschemeaswellasthe commonproperty.

Somebanksarenowwillingtooffer financingtosectionaltitleschemesand estatesforthistypeofimprovement,and themonthlyrepaymentsforthepower plantequipmentcaneasilybedivided amongtheownersinacommunity schemeaccordingtothesamePQratios usedtocalculatelevies.

Additionally,thesepaymentsarelikelyin manycasestobelowerthantheamounts theyarecurrentlypayingformunicipal electricity.

CapeTownhasitwillstartpayingcash forpowerbeingfedintothegridby privategeneratorsfromaboutJunethis year.TheaimistoinsulateCapeTown againstloadsheddinguptostage4.Cape Townwasgrantedexemptiontobeable topurchaseenergyfromindependent suppliers.

CTCitywillalsopaythesecustomersan incentiveoverandabovetheNersaapprovedtariff,NERSAhasapproveda rateof78.98c/kWhforthisfinancialyear forthecitytopaypowersellersandthe citywillbeaddinga25c/kWhincentive tariffontopofthis.

Thecostsandoptionsofgoingsolar

Thecostofarooftopinstallationis betweenR150000andR350000;

however,thereareoptionsavailablethat don’trequireafullpurchaseofanentire systemallatonce:

� Outrightpurchase:Buyingthesystem outrightusingone’sownfunds.

� Financingthesystemthroughahome loanprovider:Someofthemajor banksnowoffertheabilitytoaddthe costofsolarinstallationtoone’shome loan.

� Rent-to-own:Varioussolarfinancing companieshavepoppedupinrecent years,offeringconsumerstheoption topayamonthlyfeeforsolar,with theunderstandingthattheywillown theequipmentafteracertainperiod oftime–usuallyfivetosevenyears.

� Asubscriptionservice:Solarproviders suchasGoSolrofferafixed-monthly subscriptiontosolarpowerusingtheir equipment.Pricesgenerallystartat R1,580permonth.Bondoriginators specialiseinhelpinghomeowners secureadditionalfundingforvarious needs,includinghomeinstallations.

Oneoftheeasiestoptionsavailableisto increaseanexistinghomeloan,allowing homeownerstoaccessaportionoforthe totalamountoftheiroriginalhomeloan anduseittowardstheinstallationcostof thesolarsystem.

Anotheroptionistoapplyforareadvance,allowinghomeownerstoaccess aportionoralloftheiroriginalhome loan.

Forhomeownerswithouthomeloans, bankssuchasAbsa,FNB,andNedbank offervariousoptionsforhomeowners lookingtotakeoutloansspecificallyfor solarandbackupsystemstoguard againstloadshedding.

StandardBank,meanwhile,hasservices onofferforcommercialandindustrial clients.

Thecostofasolarsolutiondepends entirelyonthescaleoftheproductor whattypeofsystemyouwant.Themore independentyoursystemis,thehigher thecostwillbe.

Therearefourmainframeworks:

� Loadsheddingbackup:Thisis typicallyaninverterandabattery backup,chargedbythegridwhen

powerisavailable.Nosolarpanels areinvolved.

� Grid-tiedsolar:Agrid-tiedinverter withsolarpanels.Youarestill connectedtothegridwhileallowing youtosupplementyourenergyneeds whenthesunisshining.

� Hybridsystem:Agrid-tiedinverter withsolarpanelsandbatterystorage. Thebatteriesarechargedbysolaror thegriddependingonwhatpower sourcesareavailable.

� Off-gridsystem:Asolarsystemwith batterystorage.Energygenerated fromyoursolarsystemisstoredin largebatterybanks,andyoucan operateindependentlyfromload shedding.

Anestimateforahouseholdthatspends R2,500amonthonelectricitywould needtospendaboutR190,000togo completelyoff-gridthroughtheuseof solarpanels,anoff-gridinverter,battery storageandabackupgenerator.

Becauseofthehighcostofentry,whether financingtheprojectoutrightorgoingthe loanroute,residentswillultimatelyend

uppayingmoreforthesystemthantheir typicalmonthlyelectricitybill.Mostsolar solutionsstart“payingback”onlyafter threetoeightyears–whilefinancing optionsareforloantermsofaroundsix years.Formanythough,thecostis outweighedbythebenefit–having electricityandsecuritymakesthe expenditureworthwhile,beingableto workandearnalivingisanotherhuge benefitformanythatareworking remotelyorhaveanSMEorhomeoffice ontheirproperty.

Thehopeisthatmanywillbeabletofeed powerbacktothegrid,earnanincome fromdoingsoandhelpnotonlytheir familybuttheircommunityandthe countryatlarge,tohavemorepowerand by-passtheloadsheddingscourge.

TherealityisthatSouthAfricansare makingaplantocircumventthepoor managementoftheGovernmentand comeupwithasolution.Thisdriveto solarpowerandtheincentivisationand paymenttoindependentsuppliersshould havebeenimplementedbythe Government15yearsago,butalas, 20/20hindsightisnotuseful,allwecan doisplanaheaddespitetheGovernment’sbestattemptstothwartus.

Forthe love oftenders

Businessesarealwayslookingfor moreworkandnewclients–yet anunexpectedrequestfor“alittle something”onthesidegivesyou goosebumps.Howfarareyou preparedtogoforbusiness contracts?

Anewyear,newbeginnings,new experiences.OneexperiencethatIdidn’t everthinkthatIwouldneedtocontend withinthefirstmonthofthisyear,was facingnotone,but two requestsforalittle ‘something’inexchangefortender informationtosecureaproject.At ReputationMattersweliveourmottoof ‘excellencealways,inallways’andI stronglybelievethatifwecan’tsecurethe workonourownmeritofour18years’ experienceandtrackrecord,thenweare clearlynottherightfitfortheprojectand it’snotanassignmentweshouldbe takingon.

Theseinteractionshavestirredup numerousemotions,butaboveall,it mademefuriousforseveralreasons:

Ithasmadethetenderprocessfrivolous. Whatismeanttoleveltheplayingfield, hasturnedintoamockeryofthetender process.Atenderissomethingthatis meanttogiveeveryonethesame opportunitytopitchforaproject.It’s supposedtobeaveryspecificprocess andsetofrulesevaluatingeveryone againstthesamepointsystem.It’smeant tobeaboutwhatisbestforthe organisation,nottheindividualand certainlynotforliningtheirownpersonal pockets.

Althoughtenderstakenumeroushours anddedicationtocompile,wehavenever shiedawayfromparticipatingintenders. It’saprocessthatI’vealwaysfelt confidentinparticipatingin,specifically regardingthestrictregulationsthatI alwaysimagedneededtobefollowed, respected,andadheredto.It’soneof

thoseendorphin-filledmomentswhen you’vebeenputthroughyourpaces,done absolutelyeverythingpossibleto showcaseyourskills,methodologyand credentialsandyoureceivethatletterthat readsthat yoursubmissionhasbeen approved,andyoureceiveyourpurchase order(PO)number.It’sexhilaratingwhen yourhardworkpaysoff.

Cheatingischeating.Iamflabbergasted bytheaudacityoftheserequests.Not onlydoesitgoagainstourvalueof respect,butitalsocompromisesour integrity.Everyoneisbemoaning loadsheddingandthestateofour economy,butbycheatingthesystem throughfraudandcorruptionisexactly howwegotintothislmessasacountry. Itmuststopsomewhere,orratherwith someone.We,asindividualsandas organisationsneedtosay‘no’tothese requests,nomatterhowenticingitmight sound.

Idowishthatitwaseasiertoreportthese things.Notsolongago,(excludingthe twoincidentsinJanuary2023),Ihad someoneapproachmeoutoftheblue wantingustobepartofaprojectthat listedprettymucheverythingthatwe havetooffer.Hewantedtohelpusget theprojectwithnopapertrail.Alarmbells immediatelywentoff,andIindicatedthat itallsoundedincrediblyunethical,and askedthecallertoconfirmhisnameand positionattheorganisation,‘chiefauditor’ (ofallthings)heconfidentlyshared! WhenIputthephonedown, IimmediatelyphonedtheDepartmentbut therewasnoansweronthelandline

howeverIdidmanagetogetthedetailsof thespokespersonwhowasrather dismissive.WhenImentionedthe reputationalimplicationsofthewhole situation,hemerelysuggestedthatI reportittotheSouthAfricanPolice Services(SAPS)ortheHawks.Icalled theHawks,buttherewasnoanswer, sentanemail,butthereplyIreceived prettymuchreferredmebacktothe websitewhereIgottheirinitialcontact detailsfrom.

AsmuchasIwouldwanttoreportthese latestincidents,IhighlydoubtthatI wouldgetveryfarsincethereisnohard evidenceorpapertrails(emails,letters, WhatsAppsorSMS’s).Thatiswhythese tenderfraudstersaresoadamantabout notwantingthingsrecorded,notwanting tomeetattheofficeandtheywould ratherusepersonalchannelsof communication.Keepaneyeoutforthis.

Formeitisallinthename;Reputation Matters.Wewanttobuildgreat reputations,wewanttoworkwith organisationsthatalignwithour great values,whichistheacronymforgrowth, respect,excellence,authenticityandtrust (GREAT).However,theorganisationmust want toimprovetheirreputation,wecan’t buildareputationifitmeans compromisingourownvaluesand reputationintheprocessbymockingthe systemthroughbribery.

Sometimesareputationissobeyond repairingawholerehaulisneeded.What doImeanbythat?Imeanthatinorderto rebuildthereputationwillrequire replacingtheentireleadership,executive

andmanagementteams.Reputationsare builtfromtheexamplethatleadersset andwhattheytolerate.

Sadly,don’tbefooledbya CodeofEthics intheirannualreports.Itisactions,not wordsthatshowethicalbehaviourand someone’sintegrity.Idouble-checked,all theentitiesthathaveapproachedusfor the‘somethingontheside’have beautifullywrittenparagraphsintheir annualreportsaboutethicsandintegrity andhowtheirmanagementteamsare committedtoit.Annualreportsarenot meanttobeglossycoversandfancy words,itneedstobeactionsthatarenot onlylived,butthatpeopleareheld accountablefor.

Iamconvincedthattherearestillgood entitiesouttherewhowantthebestfor

RegineleRouxisacorporate reputationspecialist.Shecompleted herCommunicationManagement HonoursDegreeCumLaudeatthe UniversityofPretoriain2001and completedherMComwithinayear.

ReginefoundedReputationMattersin 2005andhandpicksandmanages severalteamsthatrunreputation researchassignmentsanddevelops communicationstrategiesandplans. Sheisveryproudoftheteam’s accoladesofwinningSABREAfrica awardsin2018,2019and2020for researchandevaluation.

Shehasgainedmuchpractical experiencethroughseveral Communication,Changeand MarketingStrategiescompiledfor clientsinboththeprivateandpublic domains.Reginehasmentoredseveral studentswiththeirMBAthesis

theirorganisationsandarenotjustinit forthemselves.Entitieswhowanttobuild cultureswhereeveryonethrivesandnot justplaceswhereonlyafewbenefitfrom cheatingasystemforpersonalgain.I havetobelievethis,ithastobetrueif thereisanyhopeforourcountry. Ifindoubt,herearethreelessonsthatwe havelearntthathintstowardsatender probablybeingdodgyandyoushould steerveryveryfarawayfromit:

Insideinformation: Youhavevery specificinformationaboutatender beforeitismadepublic.

Audittrail: Whenpersonaltelephones andemailaddressesareusedto contactyouaboutatender.

Meetingtimes: Whenyouare

submissionsattheMilparkBusiness SchoolinJohannesburg.

ReginedevelopedtheRepudometer®, whichisoneofthefirsttoolsthathas beendevelopedtoquantify organisationalreputation.

ReginewastheChairpersonofthe WesternCapePublicRelationsInstitute ofSouthernAfrica(PRISA)Committee, ontheBoardoftheRotaryClubof NewlandsresponsibleforPublicImage andRotaryDistrictCommittee ChairpersonforPublicImagein2015. Sheistheauthorof Reputation Matters:Buildingblockstobecoming thebusinesspeoplewanttodo businesswith(ISBN978

1920526429) Reginealsowrotea monthlycolumnonreputation managementfor LeadershipMagazine forseveralyears

requestedtoattendameetingto discussatenderoutsideofwork hoursandnotintheofficebuilding.

So,myquestionis,isthereapointto evenconsidertenders?Hasawinningbid alreadybeenallocatedevenbeforethe tenderdocumentshavebeenpenned down?Howdoweregainthetrustinthe tenderingprocess?

Sofornow,untilIgetmoreclarityon ethicaltendering,we’reout,no ‘somethings’willbeforthcomingfromus.

www.reputationmatters.co.za / research@reputationmatters.co.za / 0217900208

RegineispassionateaboutSouth AfricaandlaunchedaRe.Bag.Re.Use initiativeinHoutBay,teachingladies fromtheHarbourImizamoYethuhow tocrochetshoppingandbeachbags madefromemptybreadbags.These ladiesareabletoputbreadonthe tablefromemptybreadbags,whileat thesametimealsokeepingtheplastic fromgoingtolandfillorouroceans. [pleasevisit www.instagram.com/ re.bag.re.use formoreinformationand toseetheladiesandbeautifulbags].

Regineandherteamarealso passionateaboutAfricaandhave conductedresearchonethicsand reputationontheAfricancontinentfor theAfricanPublicRelationsAssociation (APRA)andpresenteditattheirannual conferenceforthepasttwoyears (2018and2019).

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Pac-ManInspired WorkstationDeskMats

Keepcalmandomnomnom.Transformyourworkspace andstyleyourdeskwiththisniftyminimalDeskPad, inspiredbytheretroPac-Mangame.Thispremiummat protectsyourdesk,isbestieswithyourmouse,andcan evenbeusedunderneathyourdeskstandtopreventit fromsliding.Idealforyourhomeofficedesktoporto personaliseyourofficeatworktoshowyou'reahungrygogetter!

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BuildonBrickMugs (LegoCompatible!)

Bringalittlelifetomorningmeetings!TheBuildon BrickMugisauniquemug,stationeryholderand personalisedLegoconstructionsetallinone.

Thesetincludesamugandpackofassortedblocksto getyoustarted.But,togetthemostoutofyourBuild ABrickMug,addyourownblocksandfigurines! ThesemugsarecompatiblewithanyLegopieces, allowingyoutocreateendlessdesigns!

Madeoffood-grade,eco-friendly,BPA-freeplastic, ensuringyoursafetywhendrinkingandplaying.

Pleasenote:theimagesinthislistingandtheimages onthepackagingareforreferencepurposesonlyand donotrepresenttheblocksthatcomewiththis product.

FlexiLightTwo-in-One Booklight(assorted designs)

Flexilightis,withoutadoubt,the world'sthinnestandmostversatile booklightthat'ssoslenderitdoubles asabookmark.Chooseyourfavourite loadshedding-friendlydesign!

ByMaricellKuyper, StegmannsAttorneys

EnvironmentalFriendliness: Whataregreentrademarks?

Weneedtodoourbittoensurethatthenextgenerationwillhaveaplacetocallhome!

Gogreen! Thisisnotasupportivechantto encourageyourfavouritesportsteam,buta passionatecrytosupportthiswonderful planetthatwecallhome.Peopletodayare verymuch,andrightfullyso,focusedon livingasustainablelifestylefrombuying organicproduceandsupportingcrueltyfree beautybrands,topurchasingclothingfrom brandsthatclaimthattheyproduce sustainablefashion.

Trademarks

Thelawplaysanintegralpartinpromoting acarbon-neutralplanetandensuringthat weareallinteam“PlanetEarth”.Oneway inwhichthelawplaysarole,isregarding theso-called‘greentrademarks.

Greentrademarksarenormaltrademarks

butwhichcontainatleastonegreenterm, irrespectiveofnon-greentermsincludedin thenameofthegoodsorservicescovered bythemark.

Whatisagreentrademark

IntheAnalysisofGoodsandServices

SpecificationsoftheEuropeanUnion IntellectualPropertyOffice(EUIPO), 1996-2020,theymadeuseofthefollowing exampleinorderexplaintheterm“green trademark”properly:

“…theSwedishfirmInnoVentumAB registeredaEuropeanUnionTradeMark (EUTM)in2012,forthefollowinggoods:

Nice6Towers[metalstructures]; Nice7Windturbines; Nice7Generatorsforwindturbines; Nice19Towers[non-metallicstructures]. Thealgorithmdevelopedforthisstudywill findthetwogreentermsofthistrademark, highlightedabove.Itwillalsoassignthe trademarktothecategory‘Windenergy’ withinthebroadgroup‘Energy production’…Intheexampleabove,twoof thetermsaregreenterms,andtwoarenot, butinthiscase,itseemsclearthatthe mainactivityisrelatedtotheproductionof windenergy,theothertermsbeing subsidiarytothisactivity.Inothercases, thegreenactivityofatrademarkwillbe secondary.

Therefore,thedefinition‘atrademarkis greenifatleastoneofitstermsisgreen’can sometimesoverestimatethedegreetowhich aparticulartrademarkistrulyrelatedto environmentalprotection”.

Greenbrandingvsgreenwashing

Weneedtodistinguishbetweengreen brandingandgreenwashing.Green brandingreferstothepracticeofusing trademarkswhichconveyamessagetothe publicthattheparticularbrandisassociated withenvironmentalconservationorpractice businessthroughsustainablemethods.The messagecanincludewordssuchas“green”, “eco-friendly”,“naturefriendly”,“recycle”,

“organic”etc.,or,symbolssuchastrees, plasticbottles,alightbulbwithaleafinside etc.

Greenwashingontheotherhandiswhenan organizationmarketsitselfasbeing environmentallyfriendly,however,behind thescenes,havedoneverylittle(ornothing) toreduceitsenvironmentalimpact.The marketingofthespecificgoodsorservices arethereforemisleadingandconductedfor thesolepurposeofincreasingsalesby creatinganimageasbeingpartofabigger socialmovement.Greenwashingcan thereforebedisguisedasgreenbranding.

Doyourresearch

Itisthereforeuptotheconsumertoconduct researchintoaspecificorganizationto determinewhetheritisinfact environmentallyfriendlyandpractice businessthroughsustainablemethods. Unfortunately,greentrademarkscannot solelybereliedupontoconfirmlegitimacy.

Perhapsitisherewherethelawmust evolvetoincluderigidrequirementsfor thosewhowanttoregistergreentrademarks forgoodorservices.Itcanconsider,for example,whattheorganization/person’s goalisforregisteringatrademarkbesidethe obviouslegalprotectionafforded.

Afterall,itpaystobegreen. �

Greenbookstoread

Wewantedtosharesomebooksthatyoucanreadtolearnmoreaboutgoinggreeninyour businessandfoundalistofrecommendedreadingonthe EcoCoach page.EcoCoachisa companythatspecialisesinSustainabilityStrategyandisbasedinWashingtonDCinthe UnitedStates.Fromtheirlist,wepickedthefollowingbooksforyoutoconsider.Allbooks areavailableonAmazon.

TheEcologyofCommerce

-PaulHawken

Thisbookisaclassic,andwasconsideredway aheadofitstimewhenpublishedin1993.Hawken proposesawayforbusinessandtheenvironment tocoexistinsteadofbuttingheads.Heseesaworld wherebusinesses“increasethegeneralwell-being ofhumankindthroughservice,acreativeinvention andethicalphilosophy”andenvisionsarestorative economy,wherebusinessessustain,ratherthan destroy,theenvironment.Inthebookhelooksat threedifferentareaswherebusinessescouldeffect change,byreducingtheresourcestheyuse,the pollutantsandtoxinsthattheyputintheair,and thewastetheygenerate.

Source:eco-coach.com

GreentoGold -DanielEtsyandAndrewWinston

Sustainabilityandgoinggreenclearlyarebeneficial forthebottomline.InthisbookEtsyandWinston discussthebenefitsthatgoinggreenholdfor companies.Itincludesriskmanagement,cost savings,andenhancedbrandperception.The authorsconductedseveralinterviewswithbusiness leadersgloballyandtheyprovideexamplesofwhat thelargercompaniesaredoing,aswellassteps thatsmallerorganizationscantaketoachieve similarresults.

StrategyforSustainability

-AdamWerbach

Thesizeofyourbusinessdoesn’tmatter.Werbach’s bookwillgiveyousomeideasabouthowto incorporateenvironmentallysustainablebusiness practicesintoyourorganizationalstrategy,andwhy thisisimportant.Helooksatwhycompaniesare keytocreatingpositivechange,andmakesthe casethatcorporationsshouldincludesustainability aspartoftheircultureiftheywanttobefinancially sustainableinthelongterm.

GreenGiants

-E.FreyaWilliams

GreenGiantsexaminesnine companies--includingChipotle,Toyota, Unilever,Tesla,GeneralElectric,and more--whohaveestablishedthe blueprintforsustainablesuccessthat anyonecanfollow.

WhatdoBrazil’stopbeautybrand, America’ssecond-fastest-growing restaurantchain,andtheworld’sthird bestsellingcarhaveincommon-besidesachievingenormoussuccess withrevenueinthetensofbillions? Theyaredoingitallwhileholdingto theirconvictionsofimplementing sustainableprinciplesthathelp consumerslivebetterlives.Butthey aren’ttheonlyones.

AuthorFreyaWilliams,anearly pioneerofthemodernsustainable businessmovement,discoveredsix factorsresponsibleforthe overwhelmingsuccessofthesenine sociallyresponsiblecompanies:

TheIconoclasticLeader

DisruptiveInnovation

AHigherPurpose

BuiltIn,NotBoltedOn

MainstreamAppeal

NewBehaviouralContract

Packedwitheye-openingresearch, exclusiveinterviews,andenlightening examples,GreenGiantsservesasyour blueprintformergingwildprofitability withsocialresponsibility.

FocusonCrimeWriting Readsoutthere

Findingagoodauthorislike findingtreasure,forthoseofyou thatlovecrimeandsuspense,the twofeaturedauthorshereshould reallybeinvestigated.

MyfavouritefromKarinSlaughteris“The GoodDaughter”andfromJeffreyDeaver “theStoneMonkey”.

Theyarebothprolificwriters,sothereis morethanenoughtokeepyoureading andentertainedforafewmonthsatleast!

KarinSlaughter

KarinSlaughterisarenownedauthorof crimethrillers,andoneofthemost popularwritersinthisgenretoday.Her writingstyleisintense,fast-paced,and suspenseful,andhercharactersare complex,oftenfacingmoraldilemmas andmakingdifficultchoices.Sheis knownforherabilitytoweavetogether multiplestorylinesandplottwists, creatingagrippingandsatisfyingreading experienceforherfans.

Slaughter'searlynovelswerestand-alone stories,butshelaterdevelopedaseriesof novelsfeaturingtwokeycharacters: SpecialAgentWillTrentandmedical examinerDr.SaraLinton.Thefirstnovel inthisseries,"Triptych,"waspublishedin 2006andwasfollowedbyseveralmore booksfeaturingTrentandLinton, including"Fractured,""Undone,"and "Broken."Inthesenovels,Slaughter exploresthedarkcornersofhuman nature,delvingintothemessuchas abuse,addiction,andmentalillness.

Slaughter'slatestnovel,"FalseWitness," waspublishedin2021,andithas alreadyreceivedcriticalacclaim.This

noveltellsthestoryofLeighCollier,a successfuldefenceattorneywhoisforced toconfrontherdarkpastwhenher estrangedyoungersister,Callie,reappears afteryearsofabsence.AsLeightriesto unravelthemysteryofCallie's disappearance,shediscoversawebof liesanddeceitthatthreatenstodestroy everythingshehasbuilt.

OneofthereasonswhySlaughter'sbooks aresocompellingisherabilitytocreate believableandrelatablecharacters.In "TheGoodDaughter,"forexample, Slaughterexplorestherelationship betweentwosisterswhohavebeen traumatizedbyaviolentcrime.Thenovel isanemotionalrollercoaster,asthe sistersstruggletocometotermswith theirpastandconfronttherealityoftheir present.Slaughter'sabilitytodepict complexemotionalstatesandnuanced characterdevelopmentiswhatsetsher apartfromotherwritersinthegenre.

Slaughterisalsoknownforherabilityto keepreadersontheedgeoftheirseats. Hernovelsarefullofplottwistsand unexpecteddevelopments,whichkeep readersguessinguntiltheveryend.In "PrettyGirls,"forexample,Slaughtertells thestoryoftwosisterswhomustcome togethertoconfrontadarkandtwisted webofsecretsandlies.Thenovelisa tour-de-forceofsuspenseand psychologicalthrills,anditisatestament toSlaughter'sskillasawriter.

Inconclusion,KarinSlaughterisoneof themosttalentedandpopularauthorsof crimethrillerstoday.Herabilitytocreate complexcharacters,weaveand manipulatetogethermultipleplotlines, andkeepreadersontheedgeoftheir

seatshasmadeherafavouriteamong fansofthegenre.Herbooksarenotfor thefaintofheart,butforthosewholove darkandsuspensefulthrillers,Karin Slaughterisamust-readauthor.

KarinSlaughterisahighlyacclaimed authorwhohaswrittenmanypopular books,someofwhichhavebecome bestsellers.Herearethetop-sellingbooks byKarinSlaughter:

� "TheGoodDaughter"(2017):This novelisastandalonethrillerthattells thestoryoftwosisterswhomust confronttheirtraumaticpastwhena violentcrimerockstheirsmalltown. "TheGoodDaughter"hasbeena commercialandcriticalsuccess,and ittoppedTheNewYorkTimes bestsellerlist.

� "PrettyGirls"(2015):Thisnovelisa darkandtwistedthrillerthatexplores thecomplicatedrelationshipbetween twosisterswhoareforcedtoconfront ashockingsecret."PrettyGirls"was alsoaNewYorkTimesbestsellerand hasbeenoptionedforamovie adaptation.

� "PiecesofHer"(2018):Inthis standalonenovel,ayoungwoman namedAndreaCooperdiscoversthat hermotherhasasecretpastthatputs thembothindanger."PiecesofHer" wasanotherbestsellerandhasbeen praisedforitscomplexandmultilayeredplot.

� "TheSilentWife"(2020):Thisnovel ispartoftheWillTrentseries,which followsaGeorgiaBureauof Investigationagentandhispartneras

theyinvestigatecrimes.In"TheSilent Wife,"Trentisonthehuntfora dangerouscriminalwhohastargeted awealthyfamily.Thebookwasalsoa NewYorkTimesbestseller.

� "Triptych"(2006):Thisisthefirst bookintheWillTrentseriesand introducesreaderstothecharacterof WillTrent,atroubledandbrilliant investigator.In"Triptych,"Trentis investigatingaseriesofbrutal murdersthatarelinkedtohisown past.Thebookwasacommercial successandlaunchedapopular series.

JeffreyDeaver

JeffreyDeaverisaprolificauthorofcrime fictionandoneofthemostpopular writersinthegenretoday.Hisbooksare knownfortheirintricateplots,masterful useofsuspense,andmemorable characters.Withover40novelstohis name,Deaverhasestablishedhimselfas oneoftheleadingvoicesinthecrime thrillergenre.

Deaverisperhapsbestknownforhis seriesfeaturingforensicdetectiveLincoln Rhyme.Thefirstnovelintheseries,"The BoneCollector,"waspublishedin1997 andwaslateradaptedintoamovie starringDenzelWashingtonandAngelina Jolie.Thenovelintroducesreadersto Rhyme,aformerNewYorkCitydetective whoisparalyzedfromtheneckdownand nowworksasaforensicconsultantfor thepolice.Rhyme'sexpertiseincrime sceneanalysisandforensicscience, combinedwithhissharpintellect,make himaformidabledetective,andDeaver's novelsfeaturingRhymearemasterclasses insuspensefulstorytelling.

InadditiontotheLincolnRhymeseries, Deaverhaswrittenanumberof standalonenovelsthathavegarnered criticalandcommercialsuccess."The CoffinDancer,"forexample,isatense andtightlyplottedthrillerfeaturinga diabolicalassassinwhoistargetingkey witnessesinahigh-profiletrial."The Devil'sTeardrop"isanotherstandalone novelthatfollowsadetectivetryingto stopamadmanwhoistargetinginnocent peoplewithsniperattacks.

Deaver'swritingstyleischaracterizedby itsattentiontodetail,itsintricateplotting, anditsuseofmultipletwistsand surprises.Hisnovelsareoftenstructured

aspuzzles,withthereadertryingtopiece togetherthecluesalongwiththe characters.Deaverisamasterof misdirection,oftenleadingthereader downonepathbeforepullingtherugout fromunderthemwithashockingreveal. Oneofthemostimpressivethingsabout Deaver'swritingishisabilitytocreate complexandmemorablecharacters.

LincolnRhyme,forexample,isamultidimensionalcharacterwhoisboth brilliantandflawed.Hisparaplegiaisa definingaspectofhischaracter,butitis alsoasourceoffrustrationandbitterness. DeaverexploresRhyme'sstruggleswith hisdisability,aswellashisrelationships withothercharacters,inawaythatfeels authenticandcompelling.

Inconclusion,JeffreyDeaverisamaster ofthecrimethrillergenre.Hisnovelsare complex,suspenseful,andfullof surprises,andhischaractersare memorableandwell-drawn.Whether you'reafanoftheLincolnRhymeseries orhisstandalonenovels,Deaver'swriting issuretokeepyouontheedgeofyour seat.

JeffreyDeaverisaprolificauthorwith manypopularandcriticallyacclaimed bookstohisname.Herearesomeofhis top-sellingbooks:

� "TheBoneCollector"(1997):Thisis thefirstbookintheLincolnRhyme series,whichfollowstheadventures ofaformerNYPDdetectivewhois nowaquadriplegicforensicexpert.

"TheBoneCollector"wasahuge commercialandcriticalsuccessand waslatermadeintoamoviestarring DenzelWashingtonandAngelina Jolie.

� "TheCoffinDancer"(1998):Thisis thesecondbookintheLincoln RhymeseriesandfeaturesRhyme tryingtocatcharuthlessassassin knownas"TheCoffinDancer"whois targetingkeywitnessesinahighprofiletrial.Thebookwasalsoa bestsellerandfurthercemented Deaver'sreputationasamasterof suspense.

� "TheSleepingDoll"(2007):Thisis thefirstbookintheKathrynDance series,whichfollowsaCalifornia BureauofInvestigationagentwhois anexpertinkinesics,thescienceof bodylanguage.In"TheSleepingDoll," Danceistaskedwithinterrogatinga notoriouskillerwhohasbeenina comaforyears.Thebookwasanother bestsellerandhelpedtolauncha popularnewseries.

� "TheVanishedMan"(2003):Thisis thefifthbookintheLincolnRhyme seriesandfeaturesRhymeandhis teamtryingtocatchamagicianwho isusinghisskillstocommitaseries ofmurders."TheVanishedMan"was anotherbestsellerandisknownforits cleveruseofmisdirectionand surprisetwists.

� "TheKillRoom"(2013):Thisisthe tenthbookintheLincolnRhyme seriesandfeaturesRhyme investigatingacontroversial assassinationthathasinternational implications.

Thebookwasanothercommercial andcriticalsuccessanddemonstrated Deaver'sabilitytokeephisreaderson theedgeoftheirseats. �

BUYERS’GUIDE

BATTERIES

Kolok -Duracell

NikkiDistributors -DuracellBatteries

NikkiDistributors -EnergizerBatteries

CTPStationery -PolyPropDonauheavy dutycovers

EmpireToy&Stationery -Butterflypaper

GraftonPaperProducts

AADDINGMACHINE,POINTOFSALEANDMACHINE ROLLS

PaperGeni Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

ADHESIVES,GLUESANDSPRAYS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Gluesticks,White glue,glitterglue

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd. -Correction

Fluid,Gluesticks&SuperGlue

PalmStationeryManufacturers -NewWave

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Multi-Purpose Adhesive,GlueStick

ART,CRAFT,GRAPHICANDDRAWINGMATERIALS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Watercolourpaint set,paintingbrushes,paintingpalette, paintingwaterpot

CTPStationery -A4colouredposterboards

PentelS.A(Pty)Ltd. -Oilpastelsand watercolourpaint

RBEEVERYDAY -creativepaperandboard products

BINRANGE

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -WastePaperBins

KrostOfficeProducts

BINDINGACCESSORIES

AZTrading -PlasticComb,Wire,Thermal& Covers

CTPDonau -Donaufilesandslidebinders, A4posterboard

ParrotProducts -ParrotCombBinding Machines

PressProducts -wire,combs,coil,covers

RexelOfficeProducts -RexelandGBC

BINDINGMACHINES

AZTrading -DSB,Neorel

D.O.S -Prima,DSB,Leitz

ParrotProducts -ParrotCombBinding Machines

PressProducts -Bindquip

RexelOfficeProducts -GBCandRexel ranges

PalmStationeryManufacturers -brown paperrolls,polyrolls,gift-wrap

RBE -Papersmart

RBEEDUCATION

BOOKSANDPADS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Softcover,Hard coverandPPcoverNotebooks

BSCStationery -Treeline Butterfly

CTPStationery -Impalaandpremierbooks andpads

HortorsStationery -Legalregisters

PalmStationeryManufacturers

PowerStationery -Powerstar

RBE -NCRBusinessBooks

RexelOfficeProducts -Colourhidenotebooks

BOOKENDS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -BookEnds

BOXESANDCARTONS

CTPStationery -ArchivingSystems

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd)

Oilpastels, SoftPastelChalks,AcrylicPaints,Watercolour Paints,Paint,Brushes,ModellingClay

BOARDS

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -BICVelleda

SchoolWhiteboards

Butterfly -Fullrangeofboardsand accessories

CTPStationery -FlipChartPads

HortorsStationery -LegalNoticesi.e.Basic

RexelOfficeProducts

SpecialisedFilingSystems -Archiveand Off-Site

TidyFiles -Acidfreearchivingproducts

BUSINESSCARDSTORAGE

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -BusinessCardfiles andboxes

BBAGSANDCASES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd –McCaseyPencil

Boxes,CaseySchoolandUtilityCases, McBagPencilCases,PVCMeshandzippa bags,Chairbag,Librarybag,Bookbag, Pencilbag-flat,Pencilbag-square.

D.O.S -iStay

FlipFile -Businesscases.

Kolok -Kenton

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -PencilCases

Topmark -SchoolBags,LaptopBags,Pencil Cases,SportsBags,Luggage

BARCODEPRINTERS

Doyouhaveaproducttolisthere?

BARCODESCANNERS

Doyouhaveaproducttolisthere?

Conditions&OSHActandLeaveand AbsenceChart

PalmStationeryManufacturers -New Wave

ParrotProducts -Fullrangeofboardsand accessories.Customboardsprintedtoyour specification

RexelOfficeProducts -NOBOwhiteboards, pinboards,easelsandaccessories.Quartet magneticwhite/corkboards

BOOKCOVERS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Printed/Laminated HardCoverAssortedDesigns,ClassicHard CoverPUNotebook,FlexiSoftCoverPU

Notebook

Butterfly

CCALCULATORS

Kolok -HP,Canon

NikkiDistributors -Trulycalculators

PalmStationeryManufacturers -New WavePowerStationery -Powerstar

RexelOfficeProducts -IBICO

CALENDARS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -calendarbases

CTPStationery -Diariesassortedsizes

RBEEveryday -deskcalendars

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -YearPlanner

“Bepartofthesolu�on,notpartofthe pollu�on.”

CANTEEN

Kolok -Tea,Coffee,milketc

CARBONPAPERANDFILMS

RBEEnterprise -NCRBusinessBooks

CARTRIDGES

DisCartridges -Stockistsofgeneric/original cartridges

CD’S,DVD’SANDDISKETTES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -CD/DVDstorage systems-PVC

Kolok -Verbatim,Kenton

CLIPBOARDS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Mouldedplastic, PVC,Masonite

CTPStationery -DONAUbrand

ParrotProducts -Masoniteandwhiteboard

CLIPS,FASTENERSANDPINS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Boatshapedpaper clips,Metalfoldbackclips,Metalfile fasteners

GripBinders -Essentials,Stephens,Penguin

TidyFiles -Filingsolution

COLOURINGBOOKS

EmpireToy&Stationery -Empirebooks

PalmStationeryManufacturers -NewWave

COMPUTERACCESSORIES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -ComputerPrintout binders

Kolok -Verbatim,Kenton,Valcano,Amplify

KrostOfficeProducts

Pyrotec -TowerInkjet-laserlabels,business cardsandphotopaper

COMPUTERCLEANING

Kolok -ComputerCare,Multipro

Pyrotec -Towercomputercleaningrange

COMPUTERCONSUMABLES

CTPStationery -FullrangeofDONAUfiles

Kolok -Penguin(Ribbons,Toners,Inkjets), Tillandfaxrolls

RedfernPrintServices -Redferninkjet/ laser/copierlabelsandafullrangeof stationerylabels

COMPUTERHARDWARE

Kolok -Gicomlaminators

CONFERENCEACCESSORIES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Conferencebadges, cases,foldersandcustomisedsolutions

CORPORATESTATIONERY&GIFTING

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Customisedsolutions

RBEExpress -Customiseyourproducts

CRAYONSANDCHALKS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Waxcrayons

PalmStationeryManufacturers -Chalks andCrayons

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Crayons, RetractableWaxCrayons,Crayons

DOCUMENTSTORAGE

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd –Documentwallets, casesandboxes,Texomodularstorage system

DRAUGHTINGANDDRAWINGOFFICESUPPLIES

CTPStationery -A4PosterBoards

DDESKSETSANDACCESSORIES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -DeskDrawer Organisers,DeskOrganisers,Memocubes, Paperclipdispensers,Tapedispensers, MagazineFilingboxes

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -DeskSetSolo

Delux

KrostOfficeProducts

RexelOfficeProducts -RexelEcoRange

DIARIES,PLANNERSANDORGANISERS

CTPStationery -CTPBrand

HortorsStationery -Legaldiaries,bespoke diariesandstandardstockitems

RexelOfficeProducts -NOBOplanners, refillsandT-cardkits,QuartetMonthly/ Weeklyplanner

SouthAfricanDiaries -Forallyourdiary needs

DICTATION-TRANSCRIPTION

OlympusAudioS.A -DigitalVoice Recorders,TranscriptionKitsandAccessories PowerhouseDictationforPhilipsDictation,transcription,meetingrecording, mini-tapes,footpedals,accessories

EEMBOSSERSANDENGRAVING

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Ideal& TrodatEmbossers(pocket,deskand electronic),Trotec

ENVELOPESANDMAILING

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Polypropylene

Business&ExpandingEnvelopes

BSCStationery -LeoEnvelopes

CTPStationery -Commercialenvelopes

Grafton/Star

MerpakEnvelopes -Completerangeof qualityenvelopes

RBE -Papersmart

RBEEveryday -Envelopes

ERASERS&ERASING/CORRECTIONFLUIDS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -WhitePencileraser

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -Tippextape, bottleandPen

PalmStationeryManufacturers -Tape/Erasers

PentelS.A(PTY)LTD -Hi-PolymerandAin eraser,correctiontapeandpens

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -Erasers,PVC FreeErasers,Arterasers,Correctionpen, Correctiontape

FFAXROLLMANUFACTURERS

Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

FILESANDFILING

AfricanFilingSystems -Topretrievalfiling andarchingproducts

BUYERS’GUIDE

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Brochurefiling pockets,DisplayBooks,FilingPockets, Flexi-FileDisplayBooks,LeverArchFilesPP/PVC/Board/Polytec,MagazineFiling Boxes,ProjectFiles,Swinglockbinders, ReportCovers&SlideGrips,RingbindersPP/PVC/Polytec/Board,TelephoneIndexes Butterfly -Brochurefilingpockets,Display Books,FilingPockets,Flexi-FileDisplay Books,LeverArchFiles-PP/PVC/Board/ Polytec,MagazineFilingBoxes,Project Files,Swinglockbinders,ReportCovers& SlideGrips,Ringbinders,dividers

BSCStationery -Treeline,Mobifile

CTPStationery -Fullrangeofquality

DONAUbrand

FlipFile -Executivedisplayfiles,expanding files,Documentfolders,dividers

PalmStationeryManufacturers -Lever arch,Ringbinderfiles,Manillaflatfolders

Grafton/Star

PalmStationeryManufacturers -leaver arch,ringbinderfiles,manillaflatfolders.

PentelS.A(Pty)Ltd. -DisplaybookVivid, documentfile,clipfileandpresentationfile

RexelOfficeProducts -PrimaandRexel ranges

SpecialisedFilingSystems -TopRetrieval, ArchiveandOff-Site

TidyFiles -Filingsolutions

FOLDERS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Conferencefolders, SecretarialFolders,QuotationFolders-PVC /PP,SignatureOrganiser/Blotter,Smart

Folders

Butterfly CTPStationery -DONAUBrand

PalmStationeryManufacturers -Viewfiles, polypropylene&boardfolders

TidyFiles -Specialised

FORMS-LEGALANDMISCELLANEOUS

HortorsStationery -completerangeof custom,company,miscellaneous, magisterial,etc.

FURNITURE-OFFICE&SCHOLASTIC

KrostOfficeProducts -accessories

NewEraOfficecc -Specialisinginalloffice furnituredesks,chairs,credenzas, boardroomtables,etc

ReboniFurnitureGroup -Manufacturing anddistributionofeducationalandoffice furniture

SpecialisedFilingSystems -Cabinets, ShelvingandHi-Density

LLABELS

Pyrotec -Towerstationery,inkjet-laser labels

RedfernPrintServices -RedfernInkjet/ laser/copierlabelsandafullrangeof stationerylabels

GGUILLOTINESANDTRIMMERS

AZTrading -DSB,Kobra

MaynardsOfficeTechnology -IDEAL

Shredders&Guillotines -SADistributors

PressProducts -BindQuip

RexelOfficeProducts -SmartCutand

ClassicCut

Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

SpecialisedFilingSystems -Filing TidyFiles -Filingsolutions

LABELLINGMACHINES

KemtekImagingSystems -Distributorof BrotherP-TouchLabellingSystem

LAMINATINGMACHINES

AZTrading -DSB,Speedlam,Lamiace

Kolok -Gicomlaminators

D.O.S -Tofo,DSB,Leitz

IINDEXTABBINGANDDIVIDERS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Dividers-PP/ ManillaBoard,Indexes-PP/Manilla/Mylar/ CardFileBoxes

Butterfly CTPStationery -DONAUBrandboardand P.P

FlipFile -IndexTabs,Fliptabs

GripBinders

PalmStationeryManufacturers

RBEEveryday -filedividers

RexelOfficeProducts -Rexel,Mylarand Primaboard

INKS

Kolok -Canon,Epson,HP,Samsung, Brother,Nutek(LargeFormat)

RexelOfficeProducts -Numbering machineink

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Trodat, Norisfastdry,security,numbering,franking. Laundry.

ParrotProducts -ParrotA4andA3

Laminators

RexelOfficeProducts -GBCandRexel ranges

LAMINATINGPOUCHESANDMATERIALS

AZTrading -A0toIDcardsize

ParrotProducts

RexelOfficeProducts -GBC

Kolok -Penguinlaminatingpouchesand rolls

LEGALSTATIONERY

HortorsStationery -Alllegalregisters, forms,diariesandleases

LETTERTRAYS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd –OptimaLetterTray, OptimaOrganiserSet,VisionLetterTray KrostOfficeProducts

JJANITORIAL

Kolok -Goldenmarc(Cleaningproducts), Brooms,Mopsandequipment.

MMAILINGTUBES

CTPStationery

MARKING

Doyouhaveaproducttolisthere?

Thefirstpublicholidayfor2023isupon us:HumanRightsDay,21March.

MARKERS

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -Permanent Markers,Highlighters,whiteboard InterstatAgencies -Edding

ParrotProducts -Whiteboard,permanent andOHPmarkers.Widerangeof highlighters

Penflex -Whiteboard,flipchart,permanent markers,highlighters

Pentel(Pty)Ltd. -Maxiflo,whiteboard markerandpaintmarker

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -Permanent Markers,Whiteboardmarkers,Highlighters

MATHEMATICALGEOMETRYSETS&ACCESSORIES

PalmStationeryManufacturers

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Mathematical instruments,Compasssets

MINUTEANDGUARDBOOKS

HortorsStationery -Companyregisters, minutebooksandotherlegalregisters

RBEENTERPRISE -Securitybooks& Registers

PPACKAGING

MerpakEnvelopes -Postsafepackaging range

PAPERANDBOARD

CTPStationery -DONAUA4posterboards

Butterflypaper -boardandpaper

Grafton/Star

Kolok -Geha(papermedia),EPSON,HP, CANON, Kolok –penguinphotopaper

PalmStationeryManufacturers-Cubesand board

PowerStationery -Powerstar

RBE -Papersmart

RBEEveryday -Creativepaperandboard products

RexelOfficeProducts -PrimaPaper&Board

PAPERFOLDINGMACHINES

MaynardsOfficeTechnology -IDEAL Shredders&Guillotines –SADistributors

PENCILS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -HBtriangularpencils, HBjumbotriangularpencils,colour triangularpencils

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -Mechanical pencilleads

PENCILSHARPENERS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Two-holesharpener withcontainer,Three-holesharpenerwith container

PalmStationeryManufacturers

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -MetalSingle andDoubleholeSharpener,Rotary Sharpener,Double-holetubSharpener

PENS

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -Clic,Crystal, OrangeandPrismo

PalmStationeryManufacturers

Penflex -Penflexballpointsandrollerballs

PentelS.A(Pty)Ltd -SuperbBallpoint, EnergelPen

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Ballpoint pens,Fineliners,Rollerballpens,Pigment Liners,Fibre-tippens,JumboFibre-tippens

PENCARBONBOOKS

PowerStationery -Powerstar

RBEEnterprise -NCRBusinessBooks

PERSONALSTATIONERY

NNUMBERINGMACHINES

RexelOfficeProducts

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Reiner Dater/Numberer(manual/electronic),Trodat

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -BICEvolution Graphite,BICMaticClutch,VelocityClutch, AtlantisClutch,BU4Clutch

PalmStationeryManufacturers

PentelS.A(Pty)Ltd -Hotshot,Mechanical Pencil,TechniclickPencil.

PowerStationery -Powerstar

RexelOfficeProducts -RexelHB&Derwent

CTPStationery -Homeofficeandpersonal filingsystem,diaries

Grafton/Star

RBEExpress –Customiseyourproducts

PLANNINGBOARDSANDACCESSORIES

OOFFICEERGONOMICS

RexelOfficeProducts -Kensington copyholders,risers,footrests,Rexelrangeof electricstaplersandpuncheswhichreduces chancesofRSI(repetitivestraininjury)

OVERHEADPROJECTIONANDACCESSORIES

Kolok -PenguinTransparencies

ParrotProducts-DataProjectors,OHPs, screensandrearprojectionfilm

Penflex -PenflexOverheadprojectorpens

RexelOfficeProducts -NOBO

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –tradition® pencil,tradition®eco,Styluspencil,Wood freepencils,Carpenterspencils,Charcoal pencils,Clutchpencils,Mechanicalpencils, Colourpencils,Woodcasedtriangular ColourPencils,Woodcasedtriangular watercolourpencils,WoodFreecolour pencils,WoodFreeBeginnerspencils

PENCILLEADS

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -Criterium

0.5mmleads

PentelS.A(Pty)Ltd -Ainlead,standard lead-variousgrades

ParrotProducts -Rangeofyearplanners, termplanners,mapsandin/outboards. customprintedboardsdesignedto specification.

RexelOfficeProducts -NOBOplanners

POINTOFSALE

POINTOFSALEAIDS

CentralCashRegister -Moneydetector, Moneychecker,Penchecker

POINTOFSALEPRINTERROLLS

Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

PRINTING

Kolok -Epson,Lexmark,HPPrinters,Oki (Hardware)Pantum,Samsung

BUYERS’GUIDE

OlivettiImports -Distributorsof

MultifunctionalPrinters/Copiers

RBEExpress -createcustomproducts

StarStationersandPrinters

Unicopy&StationersCC -forallyour printing&stationeryrequirements

PRINTERCONSUMABLES

Kolok -Epson(inkjet,largeformatetc), Lexmark,HP,Brother(TonersandInks),Oki (Toners,inksandRibbons),TallyGenicom (Ribbons),Seikosha(Ribbons),Panasonic (TonersandRibbons),Kyocera(Toners), Printronix(Ribbons),IBM(Ribbons),Ricoh (Toners),Fujitsu(Ribbons),Pantum(Toners)

RoyceImagingIndustriesRemanufacturersandsuppliersofinkjetand lasercartridges

TechnicalSystemsEngineering -Suppliers ofqualitycompatiblecartridgesandbulk inksforEpson,Canon,Lexmark,HPand Samsung

PUNCHESANDPERFORATORS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd –Bantexrangeof perforators

KrostOfficeProducts

ParrotProducts -Parrotrangeofpunches

PowerStationery -Powerstar

RexelOfficeProducts -Rexel

SSCHOLASTICSUPPLIES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -projectfiles(10-50 pockets),Displaybooks,Casey,McCasey, Shuttles

BSCStationerySales -Treeline

CTPStationery

EmpireToy&Stationery

Butterfly

FlipFile -FlipFiledisplaybooksA5,A4, A2,A3

GraftonPaperProducts

HortorsStationery -schooldiaries

PalmStationeryManufacturers

ParrotProducts -chalkboards/slates

PowerStationery -Powerstar

Pyrotec -TowerAdhesiveBookCover45cm x2m

RBEEducation -ExercisebooksandPads

SCISSORSANDCUTTERS

Bantex -13,17and21cmand13cmlefthandedscissors

PalmStationeryManufacturers

PowerStationery -Powerstar

RexelOfficeProducts

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Multi-use Scissors14cm,14cmLefthanded,17cm and21cm

SCRAPBOOKING

RexelOfficeProducts -Trimmersand guillotines

SLATES

ParrotProducts -Whiteboardandchalk board

STAMPS,STAMPPADSANDINKS

KemtekImagingSystems -Distributorof

BrotherStampcreatorPRO

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Trodat, pre-inkedstamps,stampandfingerprint pads

STAPLINGMACHINESANDSTAPLES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Bantexrangeof Staplersandstaples

InterstatAgencies -Genmes

KrostOfficeProducts

ParrotProducts -Parrotrangeofstaplers

RexelOfficeProducts -Rexelrange

STATIONERYSUNDRIES–SCHOLASTIC Butterfly

CTPStationery -DONAUScissorsand cuttingknives

PalmStationeryManufacturers -New Wave

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STORAGESYSTEMS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd –PortableSuspension FileBoxes,SuspensionFiles,Suspension FileRack,TexoModularStorageSystem, VisionWallPocketOrganiser

Butterfly

RRUBBERSTAMPS

RubberStamp&EngravingCo. –Trodat

Kolok -Rubberstampsanddaters

RUBBERSTAMPMANUFACTURINGEQUIPMENT

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -AZLiquid polymer,TROTEClaserengraver,flash system

RULERS

PalmStationeryManufacturers

PowerStationery -Powerstar

Penflex -PENFLEXrulers

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Shatterproof Ruler30cm,FlatscaleEngineeringruler, ReductionScaleRuler

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Making memories,Clearsnap,Marvy,Ranger, Bazzill,Carl

SHREDDERSANDACCESSORIES

AZTrading -DSB,Kobra,Roto,Repairsto allmakes

D.O.S -Kobra

Kolok -GEHAentrylevelandhigh-end shredders

NikkiDistributors -Nikkishredders

ParrotProducts -Parrotrangeofvalue shredders

RexelOfficeProducts -Rexelrange

MaynardsOfficeTechnology -IDEAL

Shredders&Guillotines -SADistributors

CTPStationery -ArchivingSystemsSuspensionFiles

Kolok -Verbatim(harddrives,USBsticks etc),HP,Sandisk

RexelOfficeProducts -Storageboxes

SpecialisedFilingSystems -Filing TidyFiles -Filingsolutions

TAPES

TPalmStationeryManufacturers

TECHNOLOGY

Kolok -Cubot,Alcatel

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

NikkiDistributors -Siemensofficephones

TELEXROLLSANDTELETEXPAPER

Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

Kolok –Tillrolls,thermalandboard

THERMALROLLS

Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

TONERSANDCARTRIDGES

Kolok -Penguin(InkjetsandLasertoners), Epson,Lexmark,HP,Canon,Pantum (toners),OKI,Samsung

TOPRETRIEVALFILING

OptiplanadivofWaltons -Paperbasedtop retrievalfilingsystems

SpecialisedFilingSystems -TotalSolution andmore

TidyFiles -Completeonsiteandoffsitefiling solutions

TOYS,HOBBIESANDGAMES

Pyrotec -TobyTowerStickersandActivities

TRANSFERLETTERINGANDSIGNS

ParrotProducts -Vinyllettering

TRANSPARENCIES

Kolok -Penguintransparenciesforinkjet andlaserOEM,PenguinandHP

Transparencies

RexelOfficeProducts -NOBOrange

CONTACTDETAILSHERE

AfricanFilingSystems

� 0116149445www.africanfiling.co.za

� 0865406892info@africanfiling.co.za

AZTrading

� 0861114407www.aztradingcc.co.za

� 0117929732sales@aztradingcc.co.za

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd

� 0114740181Box43144,Industria,2042

� 011474606816MaraisburgRoad,Industria,2042

BSCStationerySales

� 0110862900Box278,Brakpan,1540

� 0114203322sales@treeline.co.za

Butterfly

� 0116142243BusinessPark,Gosforth,SilverstoneSt,

� 0116143075Elandsfontein,JHBempire@netactive.co.za

CTPStationery

� 0112265600Box43501,Industria,2042

� 0114749242sales@versafile.co.za

D.O.S(DentonOfficeSolutions)

� 0860007468info@dosptyltd.biz

� 0862374614www.dosptyltd.biz

FlipFile

� 0216383105Box2190,Clareinch,7740

� 0216336942ashly@flipfile.co.za

Grafton/StarPaperProducts

� 0112620777Box550,Bergvlei,2012

� 0112620780sales@graftonpaper.co.za

HortorsStationery

� 0116204800Box1020,Johannesburg,2000

� 0866124663orders@hortors.co.za

InkSpotSuppliers

� 0118543013

� 0118523013info@inkspotsuppliers.co.za

InterstatAgencies-Durban

� 0315696550Box201707,DurbanNorth,4016

� 0315696559interstat@mweb.co.za

InterstatAgencies-CapeTown

� 0215519555Box36696,Chempet,7442

� 0215575456Capetown@interstat.co.za

InterstatAgencies-PortElizabeth

� 0414532558Box27693,Greenacres,6057

� 0414538504pe@interstat.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems

� 0116248000Box86173,CityDeep,2049

� 0866101185labelling@kemtek.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems-Cape

� 0215219600Box181,CapeTown,8000

� 0215515032brenth@kemtek.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems-KZN

� 0317009363Box15685,Westmead,3608

� 0317009369Sandim@kemtek.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems-PE

� 0415825222Box15685,Westmead,3608

� 0415825224clinth@kemtek.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems-PTA

� 0128041410POBox816,Silverton,0127

� 0128044286johlettat@kemtek.co.za

Kolok-HeadOffice

� 0112480300Box4151,Johannesburg,2000

� 0112480381infojhb@koloksa.co.za

Kolok-CapeTown

� 0215972700Box6385,Roggebaai,8012

� 0212972799infoctn@koloksa.co.za

Kolok-Durban

� 0315704900Box4206,RiverhorseValleyEast,4017

� 0315696880infodbn@koloksa.co.za

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� 0152988315infopol@koloksa.co.za

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� 0414069920infope@koloksa.co.za

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� 00264(61)370500Box40797,Ausspannplatz,Namibia

� 00264(61)370525valne@kolok.com.na

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� 0137582233Box4338,WhiteRiver,1240

� 0137582235infonel@koloksa.co.za

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� 0514331876PvtBagX01,Brandhof,Bloemfontein

� 0514332451infobfn@koloksa.co.za

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� 002673170762clemencem@vbn.co.bw

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� 0116262912sales@krost.co.za

Maynards-OlympusAudioS.A/OlivettiDistributors

� 0860001922sales@maynards.co.za www.maynards.co.za

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� 0117197700sales@merpak.co.za

� 0118853174www.merpak.co.za

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� 0800204868www.nikki.co.za

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� 0800204868www.nikki.co.za

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� 0800204868www.nikki.co.za

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� 0800204868www.nikki.co.za

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� 0116204000PencilPark,CroxleyClose,Herriotdale

� 0866818256rcurrin@gp.waltons.co.za

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� 0315077053www.palmstat.co.za

ParrotProducts

� 0116077600debbie@parrot.co.za

� 0116152502www.parrotproducts.biz

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� 0215212400Box36964,Chempet,7442

� 0215212402/3info@penflex.co.za

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� 0114741427/8Box202,CrownMines,2025

� 0114745563www.pentel.co.za

PowerhouseDictation

� 0118871056info@speech.co.za

� 0865553833www.speech.co.za

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� 0325333254powersta@netactive.co.za

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� 0114991019www.pressproducts.co.za

Pyrotec

� 0217879600PvtBagX1,CapricornSquare,7948

� 0217879791tower@pyrotec.co.za

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� 0117937321sales@rbe.co.za

� 0117937348www.rbe.co.za

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� 0866277737sales@reboni.co.za

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� 0215529681sales@redfern.co.za

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� 0312057092www.redfern.co.za

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� 0118374119Box1445,CrownMines,2025

� 0118378917jhboffice@redfern.co.za

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� 0112263300www.rexelsa.co.za

� 0118372781sales@rexelsa.co.za

Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

� 021799577015HillstarAvenue,Wetton,7780

� 0217615601rotunda@iafrica.com

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� 0117929530www.royceimaging.co.za

� 0117929480sales@royceimaging.co.za

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� 0112621400Box931,Wendywood,2144

� 0112621414trodat@rse.co.za

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� 0214487008Box931,Wendywood,2144

� 0214487014cpt@trodat.co.za

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� 0833774109Box931,Wendywood,2144

� 0312661082dbn@rse.co.za

SouthAfricanDiaries

� 0214422340Box4862,CapeTown,8000

� 0214422341phoneyman@sadiaries.co.za

StaedtlerSA(Pty)Ltd

� 0115791600www.staedtler.co.za

� 0116083497admin@staedtler.co.za

SpecialisedFilingSystems

� 0114770640www.specfiling.co.za

� 0114773528

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� 0315691061luke@starstat.co.za

� 0315691094www.starstat.co.za

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� 0117082304Box1532,Northriding,2162

� 0117081799sales@tse.co.za

TidyFiles

� 0119434210www.tidyfiles.co.za

Topmark

� 0118378045info@topmarksa.com

� 0118377442

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� 0217879600PvtBagX1,CapricornSquare,7948

� 0217879791

Tower(DivisionofPyrotec)-Johannesburg

� 011611182059LepusRd,CrownMines,2025

� 0116111834tower@pyrotec.co.za

Tower(DivisionofPyrotec)Durban

� 0317010192Box594,Pinetown,3600

� 0317011285tower@pyrotec.co.za

Unicopy&StationersCC

� 0312018415122CheGuevaraRoad,Glenwood,4001

� 0312018672sales@unicopy.co.za

Versafile

� 0112265600Box43501,Industria,2042

� 0114749242sales@versafile.co.za

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