Interface Magazine June 2019 by Tracey Garde

INTERFACE

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CENTURION RESIDENTIAL ESTATE AND COUNTRY CLUB

JUNE

2019

IMPORTANT NUMBERS & CONTACTS CHOA OFFICE

SECURITY: 012 665 3601 CHOA: Tel: 012 665 0506 | Fax: 086 600 4241 GENERAL MANAGER: Jaco Venter | 082 852 9977 | gm@choa.co.za SAFETY & SECURITY MANAGER: Stoney Steenkamp | 071 609 9149 | ssm@choa.co.za ASSISTANT SAFETY & SECURITY MANAGER: Leonard Puputa | 072 148 9421 | assm@choa.co.za OFFICE & ADMINISTRATION SUPERVISOR: Annelien Smit | aos@choa.co.za ACCESS CONTROL OFFICER: Adéle van Deventer | access@choa.co.za CHOA RECEPTION: Magda Fouche | pr@choa.co.za DOMESTICS/GARDENER ENROLLMENTS: Diana Wilson | domestic@choa.co.za ACCOUNTS: Anneke Geary | accounts@choa.co.za SUGGESTIONS/FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS: feedback@choa.co.za

CENTURION COUNTRY CLUB

CENTURION COUNTRY CLUB GENERAL MANAGER: Edwin Nel | 012 665 0279 | edwin@centurioncountryclub.co.za MARKETING : 012 665 9601| marketing@centurioncountryclub.co.za CLUBHOUSE FUNCTIONS AND CONFERENCES: Jeanette O’Donnell | Office hours: 012 665 9609 |A/H: 064 736 5533

CONTENTS Taking your home “off the grid”

Chef Adrian’s Recipe of the Month

Residents visit cable patrol route

Registered Estate Agents

Meet your CHOA staff

Miscellaneous

CHAIRPERSON’S FEEDBACK REPORT ON AGM HELD ON 28 MAY 2019 The meeting was opened and well constituted with 136 members (including proxies) present. Mr. Chris Bentley presented some facts on the marketing and quality of lifestyle. He showed the meeting a video clip of the Estate emphasizing how privileged we are to stay here. The Chairperson’s report included relevant feedback on all portfolios for the previous financial year which was positively received and supported by the members present. I would like to highlight an oversight by me thanking Ms. Anneke Geary for her exceptional work. Normal resolutions All normal resolutions were passed. Capital Projects All projects for the previous year were completed with the exception of project 2019/6 which is still in progress. The progress report was accepted by the members present. Resolution 9: Approval of new Capital Projects per line item for 1 year Carried over from FY2019 - approved 2019/4 Replace license scanners R 140 000 2019/5 Replace booms R 75 000 2019/6 Physical gates – improve security R 150 000 TOTAL R 365 000

For approval FY2020: 2020/1 Preventative maintenance to electric fence R 75 000 2020/2 Replace turnstiles for pedestrians R 70 000 2020/3 Replace 3 historical analog flir cameras R 210 000 2020/4 Expanding/improving internal cctv cameras R 200 000 2020/5 Irene cable patrol thermal PTZ cameras R 200 000 2020/6 Shaded roofs – dog kennels/resident dogs R 40 000 2020/7 Replace golf cart R 125 000 2020/8 LED display boards R 120 000 2020/9 River litter trap – cleaning hopper R 240 000 2020/10 Children’s play area at the Clubhouse R 250 000 TOTAL R1 530 000 All the above projects were approved by the meeting except project 2020/8 (LED display Boards). Election of Directors There was no election. Mr. Lefty Piagalis will continue as Chairperson of the CHOA and Ms. Pauline van de Venter was appointed as Director of Aesthetics and Infrastructure. The meeting was concluded at 20h05 and the members present were thanked for a very constructive short but efficient AGM. Lefty Piagalis Chairperson Centurion Home Owners Association NPC

View the online version of this issue at: www.tlgpublishing.co.za/interface Interface is the official publication of the Centurion Residential Estate and Country Club. It is published on a monthly basis by the Centurion Home Owners Association. All material is subject to copyright and permission to reproduce may be obtained from the Centurion Home Owners Association. Should you wish to contribute any editorial material or advertise with us, please email us at: interface@centuriongolfestate.co.za or fax to: 086 51 55 487 Editorial contributions are welcome and can be sent to the Editor at interface@centuriongolfestate.co.za. All rights in said editorial contributions, whether it be in the form of a letter or article and whether it includes graphics or not, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for the publication and copyright purposes and material will be subject to Interface’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. Interface will place editorial contributions at it’s own discretion, space allowing. Although the greatest care is taken with all material submitted, Interface will take no responsibility for any damages or loss to such material.

Editorial & Advertising booking deadline for the July 2019 issue: 15 July 2019. Advertising: Tracey Garde 082 460 6007 | interface@centuriongolfestate.co.za. Front cover photo: Renata van Schalkwyk

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INTERFACE | JUNE 2019

TAKING YOUR HOME “OFF THE GRID”

With the exception of those completely “off the grid”, nobody escapes the woes of Eskom and load shedding. The problem is exasperated by the aging electricity infrastructure within the municipalities, with growing concerns to the maintenance thereof. The weeklong Pretoria East blackout in 2018 and the sudden blackout one morning in June 2019, both caused by aging, undermaintained, overburdened infrastructure merely underlines the problems our developing country is facing. South Africa still uses “dirty” means of electricity generation. Pressure is mounting internationally for countries to move to cleaner power generation. The irreversible damage to the planet, its environment and the unsustainability of the current means are underlined daily. Evidently, the “good old days” of cheap, reliable electricity supply has ended. Not only has the cost of electricity dramatically increased during the last few years but the supply thereof is increasingly under strain and unreliable. The continued load shedding and power supply problems have created an entire new market for privately owned generators as a quick-fix for private households and businesses. Recent statistics indicate a major increase in the demand for and sale of standby generators. PROCEDURES REGARDING INSTALLATION It is important to distinguish between backup generators and standby generators. Backup generators run independently from the electrical system of your household. Strictly speaking, there is no installation involved as the generator is not connected to your household’s existing electrical structure in any way. When the power goes out, the generator needs to be started up manually and plugged into the selected appliances that the consumer would like to use. Standby generators, on the other hand, are installed directly to your house’s electrical system, in other words, the main electricity board, and automatically kick in when the power goes out by means of a transfer switch. This installation needs to be done by a professional person such as an electrician. It is important to note that different municipalities might have different rules. Consumers are therefore urged to use common sense, caution and consideration for the environment and neighbours when installing a backup or standby generator. Firstly, carefully consider the type of system you wish to have installed. The most environmentally friendly,

JUNE 2019 | INTERFACE

sustainable system would be a solar-system that will take your household completely off the grid. Recent advancements in technology have made these systems much more affordable and the cost is no longer such a prohibitive factor as it originally was. The once-off cost of such a system should be considered against the benefit of being protected from the uncertainty to supply as well as the annual price increase in the cost of electricity, together with the rising cost of fossil fuel for any generator-based system. Solar systems are noise and poisonous exhaust fumes free, with the added benefit that you take responsibility for the environment and planet Earth. Generators are a cheaper, quick-fix solution to an immediate problem, as Pretoria East experienced in 2018. However, they are not a viable long-term solution. Not only are generators costly to run considering the fossil fuel used, requiring regular maintenance and oil changes, but their exhaust fumes are poisonous with an increasing number of people in South Africa succumbing to exhaust fume poisoning annually. The noise generated by these machines is also a substantial problem. The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality has a department at which residents can complain to the noise caused by a generator of a neighbour. Should the investigation by the municipality reveal the noise levels to be unacceptably high, the owner of the generator can be ordered to stop using the noisy machine. If you are considering the use of a generator as an alternative to Eskom power supply, consider newtechnology “soundless” generators which are installed in a duly prepared room to effectively confine sound with management of the exhaust fumes. Similar to fireplace chimneys, it is recommended that exhausts are to be directed away from any property with sufficient height for the wind to remove the fumes effectively. Consider your neighbours in good neighbourliness as you would expect your neighbours to consider you in this regard. Once you have decided on the type of system, the second step is to have a professional install the system to ensure that a Certificate of Compliance for the installation can be forwarded to your short-term insurance. Not only will the notice ensure that the installed equipment is suitably covered against loss, but you will also enjoy cover in the event of loss due to malfunctioning of the installation. You should also take into consideration the paper recently published, to which citizens of South Africa could comment until end May 2019, where Nersa proposed Rules for Registration of Small-Scale Embedded Generation, which proposes registration

with Nersa prior to you connecting your generator to your home. The rules intend to be applicable to both off-grid systems, with no connection to the national electricity system and systems connected to the grid in any way, whether or not they are intended to feed electricity back into the grid. Small-Scale Embedded Generation includes generators, solar photo-voltaic panels and backup generators. The rules propose that no customer may connect to the distribution system (Municipality or Eskom) without the following: 1. Submitting an application for registration to Nersa; 2. Receiving a quotation after the application from the distributor, paying the required connection charge/ fees and signing the required connection and use of system agreement; and 3. Ensuring that the connection and the equipment used are certified to comply with all required technical standards. Upon receiving the application and conclusion of the customer connection and use-of-system agreement with the distributor‚ the distributor will then send the information to Nersa for registration. To complicate matters‚ it is only possible to register by way of an electricity distributor – either Eskom or a Municipality – even for generators that are not due to be connected to such a distributor’s system.

• providing to the customer non-discriminatory access to its distribution system‚ except if there are objectively justifiable reasons; • ensuring that the connection to the distribution complies with the licence conditions of the distributor‚ grid code and national requirements; and • should the customer want to increase the supply to above 1 megawatts‚ the distributor will redirect the customer to apply to Nersa for a generation licence‚ provided that the distributor agrees with the applicant’s request to increase the supply and exemption has been granted by the Department of Energy. Nersa states that the regulations were aimed at meeting the economic objectives of the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006. It is, however, evident that Nersa recognise the move away from Eskom provided electricity to self-sustainability. Considering all of the above, it would be advisable to carefully investigate your options in this matter. Although more expensive, an environmentally friendly option, noise and pollution free, would be the most cost effective option in the long term. Not only in terms of the environment, but also in terms of your pocket.

The rules apply to all generators of less than 1 megawatt. Above that level‚ the law requires the same sort of licensing as for a full-blown power station. Eskom or a Municipality responsible for distribution also has its own responsibilities‚ which include the following:

T: 012 348 4375 | F: 012 348 4363 E:pvdllaw@pvdllaw.co.za | W: www.pvdllaw.co.za First Floor, 457 Rodericks Road, Lynnwood, Pretoria, 0081 PO Box 13615, Hatfield, 0028

RESIDENTS VISIT THE CABLE PATROL ROUTE ON FRIDAY, 24 MAY 2019

INTERFACE | JUNE 2019

MEET YOUR CHOA STAFF

Back Row (L - R): Magda Fouche, Diana Wilson, Anneke Geary, Adele van Deventer, Annelien Smit Front Row (L - R): Leonard Paputa, Jaco Venter, Stoney Steenkamp

The CHOA staff members offer a diversity of skills, experience in different fields and extensive collective experience in HOA administration as well as security. Most of the staff have been working for the CHOA for over 5 years and enjoy the community they serve. Such long term relationships very often involve a personal bond between members and staff.

CCC WELCOMES NEW COMMITTEE

At the recent Centurion Country Club AGM the following Committee was elected: Flip Diederiks (President) Rob van Bemmel Nico Bonthuizen Ernst Venter We would like to thank outgoing Committee members Joey du Toit, who served 8 years on the Golf Course Portfolio, and Hamish Mc Kee, who served 2 years on the Marketing Portfolio, for their time and effort. The CCC General Manager and Staff look forward to working with the new Committe on exciting initiatives and projects going forward. The Committee member portfolios will be allocated at their first meeting scheduled towards the end of July 2019.

The staff strongly believe in a culture of teamwork where ethics and trust are key factors. They are proud to be serving the members and look forward to many years ahead continuing to ensure the Estate is one of the oldest and most successful estates within South Africa.

TREE PRUNING ON THE COURSE

Many of you might have noticed Oom Fanie Swanepoel riding his bicycle around the golf course. He is currently assisting us by pruning all the trees and his latest research shows the importance of pruning trees in the correct manner. Next time you see him out on the course or on the patio feel free to ask him about it.

CHEF ADRIANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RECIPE OF THE MONTH

CHOCOLATE COOKIE FUDGE 1 Packet of Marie Biscuits 250g Butter 500g Icing sugar 75ml Cocoa 1 Egg (whisked) METHOD 1. Crush Marie Biscuits (not too fine). 2. Melt butter, now add icing sugar and cocoa. 3. Then add the whisked egg and cook over a low heat for few minutes until there is no more evidence of the egg. 4. Now add the biscuits and fold in. Turn the mixture into a flat fridge dish and place in freezer until set. 5. Once set cut into desired block sizes and enjoy. For some fun add chopped marshmallows to the mix before freezing. Health fact about cocoa Cocoa may reduce high blood pressure by improving nitric oxide levels.

DID YOU KNOW? Cocoa may reduce high blood pressure by improving nitric oxide levels..

INTERFACE | JUNE 2019

LOOKING AT SOLAR POWER TO SAVE YOU FROM LOAD SHEDDING ?

There is currently no off-the-shelf, single brand, turnkey solution available for a complete system. Systems are designed according to the chosen components.

HERE’S YOUR GUIDE !

3) Ensure accurate consumption profile measurement:

You can immunise your home and business from load shedding in various ways, ranging from uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), to petrol/diesel generators, and to solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation. In terms of lifetime, return on investment (ROI), and warranties, here is how they compare: Technology UPS Fuel Generator Solar PV power

Lifetime [years] 2 to 5 5 to 10 10 to 25

ROI < 0% < 0% 300 to 950%

Warranty period 1 to 2 years 1 to 2 years 2 to 25 years

Solar PV power generation is clearly by far the most financially sound solution for own power generation, in terms of lifetime, ROI and warranties. With a high ROI, and long lifespan, it adds value to your home or business. Solar PV systems have also recently achieved a record 96% recycling rate through the PV-Cycle initiative. YOUR STEP-BY STEP GUIDE TO SOLAR POWER 1) Find a suitable installer:

By using only PVGreenCard accredited installers, not only do you ensure proper skill levels, but you also obtain recourse: in the event that an installation or system design is found to be sub-standard or faulty, the installer stands to lose his/her accreditation if the client appeals, and SAPVIA (South African Photovoltaic Installer’s Association) finds in favour of the client.

Copies of monthly electricity bills are simply not good enough for proper solar PV system design. You need measurements for at least 1 full week, taken at most 15 minutes apart. Your accredited installer should do this as part of their standard service offering. 4) Ensure compliance with at least the following:

• NRS 097-2-1: These are utility interface requirements that pertain primarily to the characteristics of the inverters. • NRS-097-2-3: These are connection criteria that pertain primarily to the size of the solar PV generator with respect to the notified maximum demand (NMD), the nature of the electrical supply (e.g. dedicated vs. shared, single vs. 3-phase), and the minimum breaker size between the point of supply (POS) and the point of control (POC)). • SANS 10142 – Requirements for wiring of premises. This document currently does not contain a section dedicated to solar PV installations. In September 2018, the technical committee has submitted a draft for comment and acceptance, and it is expected to be promulgated through the course of 2019 or 2020. It will be enforced retroactively, and a certificate of compliance (COC) will be required for the DC and AC part of your solar PV system when selling your property. 5) Grid application for grid connection

Look out for the PVGreenCard logo!

Every grid-tied solar PV system in South Africa must be registered with the local authority, using a grid application form. The onus is on the property owner to submit this application, but your installer should be able to assist you with this. It requires at least the following: • the PVGreenCard accreditation number of the installer, • a Pr Eng or Pr Tech to sign off on the test report, • detailed line diagrams of the installation, • a COC for the PV system, and • a 3rd party NRS compliance certificate for the inverter(s).

2) Choose the appropriate system for your application:

The grid application form must be submitted before you may connect to the grid, and you may only feed electricity into the grid after receiving approval of your application.

There are basically only two types of solar PV systems to choose from: Grid-Tied

Off-Grid

The feed-in tariff in Tshwane can range from 10c per kWh to approximately R1.57 /kWh (grid dependent). ~

Grid-tied systems are tied to a public or private electricity grid. Off-grid systems are stand-alone, and are not connected to any incoming electricity grid – they create their own electricity “island”. Both these types of systems can be configured in a multitude of different configurations. Both types use solar PV panels to generate direct current (DC), whereas the majority of home appliances require alternating current (AC). Inverters are used to convert the DC to AC, and the type of inverter used, will determine if any, and how many backup batteries can be added, and whether or not standby generators are supported. The number of backup batteries determine the level of independence from the grid (e.g. during load shedding, power failures, or at night).

Schooling yourself in all the technical details of solar PV power generation is an intimidating and onerous task, but you can rely on an accredited PVGreenCard installer to help you choose the most effective option for your needs. By choosing wisely, you can get it right the first time, minimise waste, and contribute to the future of our planet.

1GreenPlanet info@1greenplanet.net (087) 808 6609 FOR THE PLANET • FOR THE CHILDREN • FOR THE FUTURE

REGISTERED ESTATE AGENTS

MAGDE MEYER (012) 348 0123 | 083 387 3437 magdem@appleproperty.co.za ESSIE STEINMANN 072 843 8737 essie@appleproperty.co.za

RAIMUND NEL (012) 943 0110 | 071 210 8872 raimund@jawitzcenturion.co.za

PETER VARRIE (012) 644 8300 | 082 457 7416 peter.varrie@pamgolding.co.za

HENNIE HARMSE 082 457 5681 hennie@remax-jowic.co.za

RONEL TREDOUX (012) 665 5111 | 082 460 4654 (012) 665 5669 ronel@aulaproperty.co.za

RONEL JOUBERT 012 660 2203 | 082 901 3337 ronel.j@mweb.co.za

RINA HATTINGH 083 412 6800 | rinahat@gmail.com GILLIAN HILLS 072 831 7117 | tghills@telkomsa.net MARISSA BURGER 072 227 7270 | ppgmarissa@gmail.com ADÃ&#x2030;LLE NAUDE 083 622 6153 | amnaude@mweb.co.za

RIANA BENADE (012) 667 2167 | 083 748 4219 riana.benade@seeff.com TRACY KEYTER (012) 667 3566 | 081 498 3872 tracyk@seeff.com MICHELLE NIEUWOUDT 083 757 6377 michelle.nieuwoudt@seeff.com

ANGELIQUE MARTINS (012) 492 5635 | 083 645 2565 angelique@sircenturion.co.za

MARITSA 082 854 6037 maritsa@isearchproperties.co.za

ANNETJIE BENADIE (012) 348 1940 082 555 7490 | (086) 658 6752 annetjie.benadie@leapfrog.co.za

EVELYNE VAN DE VENDEL 083 276 5003 evelyne@telkomsa.net

AMANDA SINCLAIR 082 334 4421 amanda.sinclair31@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS

â&#x20AC;˘

Ginger Love is an all-natural, organic health tonic filled with goodness and nutrients which are essential to the body. A special blend of ginger, garlic and lemon works together to fight fatigue, bloating, acne, indigestion, constipation and so much more. Contact Myra Peel on 082 349 3695 for all your Ginger Love product needs.

THE PERSIAN

CARPET CLEANER WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;VE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 35 YEARS

â&#x20AC;˘ Cleaning done by hand â&#x20AC;˘ We collect and deliver â&#x20AC;˘ We also clean fitted carpets and upholstery QUOTES & BOOKINGS: crowncarpets@lantic.net T: 012 993 2854 â&#x20AC;˘ F: 012 993 1839 â&#x20AC;˘ C: 083 442 5818

Trash Bin Stickers O

Contact Contact Today n l Today y

@gmail.com

DOMESTICS â&#x20AC;˘ My domestic worker, Doris, who has been working for me for the past 5 years and is reliable and trustworthy with a pleasant disposition, is looking for additional work on a Monday and Wednesday. Contact Robyn on 073 188 5325 or Doris on 076 269 8835. â&#x20AC;˘ Christine is looking for domestic work on Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays as her current employer is relocating overseas. She has been working in the Estate for the past 7 years and has an excellent track record. She is hard working, very reliable and comes highly recommended. Please call Christine on 079 746 6556. For a reference you can contact Margaretha at 083 303 3070. â&#x20AC;˘ Reliable and trustworthy domestic worker (travels from Mabopane) available 5 days a week. Anna is 45 years old, speaks Afrikaans and has 25 years of experience in domestic cleaning. Anna Mahlangu 060 825 8782. For reference call Magde 083 387 3437. SERVICES â&#x20AC;˘ Pet Sitting and House Sitting for the Centurion Golf Estate Residents. Going away and need to know that your pets are well looked after? We love your fur-babies like you do. I am available, reliable and nearby. Contact: Colleen 082 896 3821 or ColleensPetSitting@mweb.co.za for details. â&#x20AC;˘ Firewood special (while stocks last). Delivered per solid cubic load or one and a half ton load right to your doorstep. R850 small bakkie load, R1 600 double load. For cold spells, braais, weddings and other functions as well as power outages. Oscar 078 389 9632. A small bakkie load lasts a pizza oven more than 10 days burning 12 hours a day! â&#x20AC;˘ Painting? For reliable and good workmansip call Enock on 071 809 3865 or 071 464 5061. References available. â&#x20AC;˘ Petrus Ditshoene is seeking employment in the construction industry. He has an NTC4 certificate. speaks English, Zulu, Isindebele and N Sotho. He has experience as a Supervisor, Foreman/Manager and Team Leader. CV available. Contact Petrus 084 814 6758. â&#x20AC;˘ For all your painting needs contact Moses on 082 407 1492. Reliable, efficient and with references from within the Estate.

www.willowfeather.co.za | Tiaan (Landscaper) 082 572 4488

GARDEN OF THE MONTH - JUNE 2019