Inaugural member’s meeting: key outcomes

Members met at Merlog and virtually on 26 November 2020 to launch the HCRDA. Key outcomes were -

• Support for the Memorandum of Incorporation drafted which details its purpose, criteria for membership, decision-making mechanisms amongst other transparency and good governance practices required to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the initiative

• The motion to adopt the initiative’s title to the Hammarsdale Cato Ridge Development Association and appoint a CEO to lead delivery of its activities

• Support for the 2021 income and expenditure budget which targets a membership of 37 firms by end 2021

• The motion to engage further with members to fine tune the 2021 strategy

• Confirmation of the firm members of the Executive Committee (EXCO) as detailed below -

  • Human Resource Chair: Sandesh Singh, Operations Executive, Fibertex Nonwovens

  • Work Chair: Bright Saurombe, Deputy General Manager, SRF Flexipak

  • Infrastructure Chair: Kelvin Kotze, Development Manager, Hammarsdale Industrial Park

  • Safety Chair: Graham Hood, General Manager, Mr Price Group Distribution

  • Environment Chair: Malcolm Fuller, Head of Operations, Merlog

  • Nominated representatives

    • Willem van Heerden, Business Unit Head, SAFAL Steel

    • Russell Hanger, Managing Director, Merlog

    • Douglas Brown, Managing Director, Cretemix

The HCRDA is extremely grateful to the EXCO members for the commitment of their time and expertise in support of its vision.

Further new members to the HCRDA

Since the previous bulletin in November 2020 six 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. The HCRDA enjoys a membership of 18 firms - halfway to its membership target of 37 firms by end 2021.

Be in contact to discuss membership.

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

Human Resource Forum
A virtual Human Resource Forum was held on 26 January 2021 where firms workshopped the Human Resource challenges faced and inputted on proposed solutions to these challenges.

Key challenges were noted in the areas of: recruitment, skills availability, employee and union engagement, training and development and community engagement.

Well supported strategies to address these challenges included: Development of a local skills pool and resource directory for HR Management, inter-firm learning on HR best practices, collaborating on skills development, support to and recognition of high performing education institutions, teachers and learners.

Additionally Luan Koen of Thrive shared his experiences supporting develop healthy organisations where conditions are ripe for good relationships and leaders create the context for engaged individuals and aligned teams.

Work

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

1) Work Forum
A draft Work Workstream strategy and programme of activities for 2021 will be presented to firms for consideration and input. Additionally Bruce Lennon of Stimela will present on cost effective mechanisms to achieve B-BBEE compliance and key recent and foreseen B-BBEE legislation amendments that firms should be aware of.

Venue: On-line

Date and time: 16 February 2021, 2pm-4pm

RSVP here

2) SMME Directory (www.hcrda.org/smme-directory)

The primary goal of this project is to identify the local Black-owned SMMEs in the Outer West. With this information we can

• Provide these SMMEs and those that look to support them with information as to the capacity and capability demands of established firms

• Align with and compliment state and parastatal agencies’ support of SMMEs in the region

• Link SMMEs to established firms, where there is a match of supply and demand and capacity and capability

Scott Bader issued a grant to the HCRDA to undertake this activity for which it is extremely grateful.

To date 30 SMMEs have registered via this link , primarily driven through a facebook campaign. Councillors in all Outer West wards (1, 4-7, 91 and 103) have also been engaged to secure their support and to drive further awareness of this project.

Infrastructure

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

As at end December 2020 three work packages had been awarded.

1.   Ashburton to Lynnfield Park (5,3km)

2.   Lynnfield Park to Dardanelles* (4,0km) * #61 turnoff from the N3, (Umlaas Road, Umbumbulu, Richmond)

3.   Dardanelles to Cato Ridge to (7,2km)

Work package 2 is furthest progressed having been awarded in October 2019 to Raubex. During Q1 2021 the following activities are scheduled relating to this work package:

•   Establishment of site office and site camp

•   Allocation of sub-contracts to SMMEs relating to the 30% transformation target

•   Inception of “enabling works” which include traffic accommodation that consist of:

  • Repairs to lanes of the N3 to be used while other lanes are closed

  • Providing temporary barriers and aligning the barriers to control traffic

  • Repairs to alternative routes to be used during construction, routes such as the R103

Firms with queries relating to these or other work packages are encouraged to communicate them to the HCRDA which will take forward with SANRAL.

2) P385 deproclamation and transfer

Following a legislated process the P385 (also known as the Mr385) and associated minor roads was transferred from the KZN Department of Transport to the eThekwini Municipality in late 2020.

The P385 is the primary route into Hammarsdale, running from the Hammarsdale N3 Interchange past Keystone Park and Hammarsdale and rejoining the N3 at Cato Ridge. It is in need of both maintenance, given a lack thereof over 2020 specifically, and upgrading, given the increasing traffic volumes that it carries.

The transfer of ownership to the eThekwini Municipality is a significant step forward. eThekwini Municipality requested management of it given its strategic importance. The HCRDA is engaging eThekwini Municipality to secure updates on the plans for its maintenance and upgrading and will report to members.

Collaboration

Increased collaboration was viewed as the primary mechanism to make a meaningful impact on crime and safety levels -

1) Between firms, 2) Between firms and South Africa Police Service (SAPS); Community Policing Forum (CPF); Political structures; Community leaders and 3) Between Security Companies operating in the area.

Regular outcomes oriented workshops will be held, with SAPS, Political structures and Community leaders all already being engaged with. To support effective collaboration the development of common benefit resources was proposed. These fall into two broad categories.

Information sharing

It was agreed that there is not a common view on the status of crime in the area that would allow improved decision making. A mechanism to capture and share information on criminals, suspects and incidents was proposed. This has been drafted and input from the Security Companies and members firms will be secured prior to implementation.

Common benefit capital projects

The efficacy and cost efficiency benefits of collectively implementing technology solutions in the fight against crime was raised. Area wide deployment of Close Circuit Television (CCTV), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), lighting and other solutions were all noted as opportunities to be explored.

Environment

Objective: Support member firms with efficient resource utilisation and environmental conservation and rehabilitation 

The specific programme of action of the environmental workstream is in development. It aims to support both intra-firm environmental and resource management best practices, with the bottom-line benefits that accrue, as well as address broader environmental concerns. Partnerships will be essential in delivering impact and one such partner to support this strategy is USE-IT (NPC).