Bulletin #4 April 2021
As a Hammarsdale, Cato Ridge firm/important stakeholder, the HCRDA Bulletin will keep you informed of key activities and information relevant to its vision. Be in contact to propose information that you believe your peers/neighbours should be aware of.
Further new members to the HCRDA
Since the previous bulletin, four further firms have joined the HCRDA. We are pleased to welcome them all, and look forward to working with them to deliver the HCRDA strategy. Be in contact to discuss membership. For a full list of members click here.
Workstream project updates
HCRDA activities to support the achievement of its vision are delivered under five Workstreams.
Human Resource
Objective: Support improved human resources development to achieve an increase in human potential realisation and member firms’ productivity
eThekwini Municipality supports HCRDA to improve hiring processes
The cost of manually making job applications (i.e. printing and delivering CVs via intermediaries) is high for unemployed people and for firms which manage multiple paper-based applications, often yielding sub-optimal hiring outcomes. It can be a contested process and drive anti-business sentiment given high rejection rates due to the large number of applicants for limited positions.
The SMRT.BIO ‘passion test’.
To address these challenges eThekwini Municipality has directed a R400 000 grant to the HCRDA implement the SMRT.BIO platform in the Outer West. SMRT.BIO is a web based service that -
allows job-seekers to develop an on-line CV and undertake a ‘passion test’ that identifies job seekers'’ interest areas;
allows employers to post vacancies using/customising job description templates; and
manages the recruitment process entirely on-line (barring the interview)
Through use of the SMRT.BIO tool, costs are reduced for both job-seeker and recruiter, the process becomes less contentious, fewer job-seekers are rejected and hiring outcomes are improved.
In May and June HCRDA will be marketing the SMRT.BIO platform in the community (Wards 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 91 and 103) and supporting job-seekers to register. It will also begin engaging firms and supporting them to use the platform for their recruitment needs. The service is offered free to all users. Job seekers and firms wishing to register are directed to www.smrt.bio/durban.
HR Forum meeting
Management and staff in HR roles specifically are invited to the HCRDA HR Forum, online on Thursday 20 May 08:30am - 10:00am RSVP here
Absenteeism, abuse of sick leave and Doctor’s notes has been noted as endemic in the area with significant associated cost to firms. A HR Consultant will present on firms’ legal rights and obligations in this regard and share practical advice as to how to reduce absenteeism.
The SMRT.BIO recruitment platform will be demonstrated from both a job-seeker and recruiter perspective.
Work
Objective: Support member firms’ competitiveness and access to work opportunities and self-employment
Supplier directory
HCRDA members have begun to pool details of the suppliers that they use to create a central supplier directory. The goals are -
To improve awareness of suppliers operating in the area so members can increase their options of quality suppliers and look to use more local suppliers
Where there is a common supplier, aligning call outs and deliveries between members
To attract ‘high-demand’ suppliers to locate in the area to improve service levels
To identify opportunities for Local Enterprise Development
To date over 100 suppliers are listed in 39 categories. The supplier directory is available to members here.
Infrastructure
Objective: Address infrastructure deficits to make the area a better place to work and live
HCRDA has been engaging with eThekwini Roads and Storm water Maintenance Department and the KZN Department of Transport regarding maintenance of the Mr385 (Hammarsdale ‘main road’) and the R103/1000 Hills Street (Cato Ridge main access roads) respectively.
While some pot hole repair efforts have been seen in recent weeks not all damage has been attended to and the repairs made are of a temporary nature. HCRDA will continue to engage with relevant departments on issues such as road repairs, road markings, verge maintenance and storm water drainage. Firms requiring support on specific issues are encouraged to be in contact.
Workshops with government departments that regulate firms’ activities are being arranged, beginning with Atmospheric Emissions Licenses. While few firms are required to have these the affects of atmospheric emissions can be significant and widespread.
Safety
Objective: Address safety deficits to make the area a safer place to work and live
Quarter 1 Safety Report
A report containing data and insights from SAPS and leading security firms in the area has been developed. It is being made available directly to members.
Certificate to be awarded to SAPS and Metro Police personnel
SAPS and eThekwini Metro Police Recognition
The HCRDA will be recognising SAPS (Hammarsdale, Mpumalanga and Inchanga) and Metro Police (Mpumalanga) contributions with awards and small tokens of appreciations for bravery, best arrest and innovation/inspiration.
Motivating public security personnel, who operate under incredibly difficult conditions, is the primary purpose of the exercise. It will also ensure ongoing communication and a better understanding of the challenges that they face so firms are aware and can respond accordingly.
The timeframe is May-July with ceremonies in August. It will then be assessed and continued, amended or halted.
Any firms wanting to become involved in this initiative can be in contact.
Number Plate Recognition (NPR) system
These eight firms have committed to contribute towards this project that will install six NPR cameras across the region and tap into a network of over 2,500 cameras across the country.
Further support is needed to realise the target of six cameras. A turnover based contribution is suggested as below. More contributions will bring down these suggested amounts. Alternatively firms can sponsor one specific camera and brand it.
Firm turnover Year 1 Year 2 and 3 contribution
R100m+ R 18 000 R 8 000
R50-R100m R 9 000 R 4 500
<R50m R 4 500 R 2 000
Branded Camera - R 25 000
The NPR camera presence directly discourages criminals from entering the area with benefits including reduced overall security related costs, insurance costs and other disruptions and costs that stem from crime.
They immediately alert users to the entry of suspect vehicles into the area (drawing from SAPS and other databases) thereby allowing a proactive response and crime avoidance. They are equally useful during an incident in tracking suspects, or post an incident - identifying which vehicles were in the area at the time of the incident so as to narrow the search to suspect vehicles.
Environment
Objective: Support member firms with efficient resource utilisation and environmental conservation and rehabilitation
Riet Vallei Farm rehabilitation and conservation
Merlog Foods is spearheading an initiative to rehabilitate and conserve a large tract of Ngongoni veld that runs along the R103 in Harrison Flats. There has been significant illegal dumping, sand mining and overgrazing and alien-invasives have taken root, now covering a few hectares.
Some of the illegal dumping on the Riet Vallei Farm
It should be grassland but is head high weeds in places. This makes it dangerous for the community who use it as a thoroughfare between Fredville and firms on Harrison Flats, Nordick Park and Value Logisics.
Additionally it runs along 1,6km of the Comrades Marathon route and offers great views across to the Umgeni and Msunduzi Rivers which are now spoiled by these issues.
With support from Merlog Foods the HCRDA is working with eThekwini Municipality Cleansing and Solid Waste and the Metropolitan Police to drive enforcement of anti-dumping by-laws. Boulders, signage and CCTV cameras are being placed to deter dumping. Local SMME, Msenge Landscapes is being contracted to rehabilitate and conserving it through a labour-intensive clearing, landscaping and maintenance operation.
Firms interested in supporting this or these sorts of initiatives (aligned with B-BBEE Codes) are welcome to contact the HCRDA to discuss.
