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INTERVIEW WITH AYANDA NGCOBO,DIRECTOR AT METGOVIS
MetGovis
INTERVIEW WITH AYANDA NGCOBO,DIRECTOR AT METGOVIS
Please describe your role as Director at MetGovis.
I have always wanted a management position as it was portrayed as fancy suits, shoes, and ties. When I accepted the position of director, I soon realised that there is no time for suits and ties, especially if you work in our pressured industry.
My role at MetGovis is focused on client liaison, technical support, sales, and marketing. I am also responsible for our technical consulting team that engages directly with all our clients. In addition, I participate directly in the development and enhancement of our suite of software solutions. Fetching business is the most exciting aspect of my work. This includes a range of activities including following up on new leads, preparing customised proposals, responding to bids, and presenting to prospective and existing clients. Being in a managerial role unfortunately comes with other less enjoyable responsibilities like handling disciplinary procedures and hearings.
What have been the major highlights for you since joining the organisation?
I joined MetGovis after working in the public sector as an IT Technician. As the Discovery advert says: It didn’t change one thing, it changed everything. When I started, learning about the various systems including our flagship system, the MetVal Valuation Roll Management System, the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act (MPRA) and the work processes associated with municipal valuation and rating was overwhelming. General Valuation Rolls were a nightmare.
I often used to ask myself if this is really what I wanted to do. I remember my colleagues talking in a strange discourse, they spoke in acronyms: “GV”, “SV” “Section 49”, “Section 53” and “Section 78’’. I would panic and wonder how long it would be before I was asked to go. My greatest highlight was “graduating” from the MetGovis school. Once I had achieved the required level of competency, I was permitted to visit clients unaccompanied. By achieving the required tasks, including troubleshooting and balancing the valuation rolls with the financial system, I was able to build relationships and provide excellent service to our clients. When my friends queried their rates accounts,
I was now able to explain the prescribed processes. They would stop me and ask “what is a GV, what is a Section 49 notice?” I realised that I had started speaking the same dialogue as my MetGovis colleagues - this was a real milestone.
What services does MetGovis provide?
MetGovis is the industry leader in property and revenue management solutions. Our products and solutions provide the relevant and appropriate information needed to unlock municipal revenue. MetGovis provides a valuation roll management system called MetVal. This is a comprehensive end-to-end valuation roll management system that enables compliance with the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act and National Treasury’s Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts, mSCOA.
MetGovis also provides specialist consultancy services on municipal rating and valuation issues to all levels of government, ratepayer associations and other interested stakeholders. Our valuation services include market value determination for finance purposes, income tax, investment, municipal rates, equity and shareholding, rental review, etc.
MetGovis also provides property valuation services along with GIS services. We also have other property software solutions that can assist municipalities such as MetLease, a municipal lease management system.
What have been some of the milestones MetGovis has achieved when working with municipalities?
We have assisted municipalities with the Municipal Standard Chart of Accounts, mSCOA. Our Valuation Roll Management System (MetVal) integrates with the different financial systems through Application
Programming Interfaces (APIs) as prescribed by National Treasury. MetGovis is recognized by a recent National Treasury system evaluation as being amongst the top 10 municipal systems used around the country. This showed us that we are making a difference to the local government landscape. We will continue to do so, using smarter technical solutions and better customer relationships.
What are some of the benefits of MetVal software?
As well as being able to integrate with the different financial systems through the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), MetVal can manage the entire valuation and rating process from data collection to successful billing and online viewing.
MetVal enables compliance with the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act, 6 of 2004, as well as meeting the governance and IT requirements of the Auditor-General. MetVal has a built-in GIS functionality that allows users to work on a geospatial platform.
The MetVal system can generate all statutory notices in accordance with the legislative requirements. •
CONTACT
Address: 1st Floor, Building 4 39 Hilton Avenue, Hilton P O Box 562, Hilton 3245, South Africa
Tel: 033 343 2868Web: www.metgovis.co.zaEmail: admin@metgovis.co.za
