Further new members to the HCRDA

Since the previous bulletin, 13 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.

20 000 hard copies of Hammarsdale and Cato Ridge Sebenza, 10’000 in isiZulu and 10’000 in English, are being distributed across the Outer West and the on-line version is available here. It is also being distributed digitally to 2’400 (and growing) local contacts via email/Whatsapp and SMS.

Members firms are being engaged with to share information about their positive impact (employment, training, career progression, commerce with local SMMEs, potential/actual investment and growth, Corporate Social Investments etc.) through these channels.

These efforts to develop a shared vision of the future of the region are a long term investment to drive a stable environment and support it reach its full potential.

Mpumalanga Education Trust

An Education Trust has been established as detailed here for interested firms .

Work

Objective: Support member firms’ competitiveness and access to work opportunities and self-employment

Wage survey

HCRDA recently conducted a wages and benefits survey to support firms understand their relative positioning and inform potential changes to compensation. Based on the positive response to this exercise a HR practices and performance survey has been developed and is available for completion here.

Members and non members are invited to participate in this quick and easy to complete survey. It will provide participating firms with insight as to how their HR practices compare with their peers and how HR performance differs. It will identify areas of good practice and high performance and opportunities to improve.

A report detailing the participating firm's performance will be prepared comparing them to all participants (aggregated and anonymous) with lower quartile, median and upper performance displayed. The HCRDA will thereafter request higher performing firms to share their practices with peers for collective benefit.

Area economic profile

To develop a strong case for focus by Government on the region, the current and potential economic profile of the region is being researched. Larger established firms have been categorised as below and the HCRDA will be working to support specific sectors as they have been identified here. For any additions or amendments to the below please be in contact.

SMME development

Two SMME development initiatives are proposed and require firm support to be realised. Both comply with the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes as they relate to Enterprise and Supplier Development.

1. Donation or loan of assets to support local black-owned SMMEs improve their capacity and capability to competitively service established firms. Sectors such as cleaning with assets like a ride on sweeper, power hose, power vacuum, polisher and landscaping with assets like a blower, brush cutter, mulcher are proposed.

2. Training and support to local black-owned SMMEs to a) Develop a unique selling proposition b) Identify systems to consistently deliver quality outputs c) Develop a financial management plan d) Effectively communicate. The programme will consist of three days training, 1-1 support to develop a succinct business plan and top performing SMMEs presenting to established firms (with pre-identified interest in their services) in a ‘dragons den’ format.

Interested firms can contact the HCRDA.

Infrastructure

Objective: Address infrastructure deficits to make the area a better place to work and live

Firms wishing to share general and/or specific challenges are encouraged to share them with the HCRDA. A follow up meeting is planned with the Mayor and City Manager in six-eight week’s time.

Public Employment Programme

The HCRDA is pleased to report that it is being included in a Public Employment Programme application to National Treasury by eThekwini Municipality. The goal is that 32 general workers will be managed by the HCRDA from January to June 2022 undertaking area beautification, maintenance, and alien invasive clearing. Focus areas proposed are the R103, Mr385 and Hammarsdale Town Centre.

SAPS and Metro Police recognition

While there are clearly challenges with state security services capacity, many officers work incredibly hard under very trying circumstances. As a small token of appreciation and to encourage SAPS and Metro Police personnel, the HCRDA decided to recognise the top performing officers from the Hammarsdale, Mpumalanga and Inchanga SAPS stations and Metro Police Mpumalanga Station on a quarterly basis. A certificate and R 400 gift voucher (for meals at HCRDA member Cato Ridge Electrical Construction’s on-site restaurant) for Bravery, Best Arrest and Innovation/Inspiration were awarded at a small ceremony on Friday 10 September 2021. It was incredibly well received by the recognised members and SAPS station commanders who were all in attendance.

The motivation provided by Colonel Naicker of SAPS Mpumalanga for two of his officers is shared as example of the practical experience of front line officers.

Sergeants Mncwabe and Dube received a complaint of a house robbery in progress in VV section unit 6 Mpumalanga. The members proceeded to the address in the company of Sergeant Mjwara of Mpumalanga crime prevention. On canvassing the neighbours it was ascertained that the suspects were two African males and they were seen with firearms. Sergeant Mncwabe approached the suspects and came under fire from one of the suspects. The member was miraculously not shot. The state motor vehicle however sustained multiple gunshots to the front right door. The suspect continued firing at the members and attempted to escape. He was shot by Sergeant Mncwabe and placed under arrest. The other suspect unfortunately escaped.  The arrested suspect was linked to multiple cases viz rape, house robbery. Exhibits seized were R1000.00 cash, 4 cellphones and 1x 9mm pistol. The members with little regard for their personal safety executed their functions diligently. The performance of the members whilst under attack was exemplary and demonstrated great bravery.

• The efficacy of the product in remediating soil, retaining water and its strong environmental benefits in sequestering carbon;

• The abundance of feedstock (industrial wood waste and alien invasive vegetation);

• The need for biochar to improve productivity (generally poor soils of small scale and subsistence farmers located here); and

• The market potential in Durban's Outer West more affluent suburbs with significant commercial vegetable production and commercial and residential landscaping that require soil enhancers.

The successful pilot project operations (July-September 2021) and market research conducted indicates that a small business manufacturing and selling biochar is viable. Product testing with University of KwaZulu-Natal and a randomised field test of efficacy is underway. The process to identify a local black entrepreneur to launch this business, with support, is the next phase of the project. Firms interested in supporting this or these sorts of initiatives (aligned with B-BBEE Codes) are welcome to contact the HCRDA to discuss further.