Samsa Internal Newsletter Issue No.7 March/April 2012
A MAGAZINE FOR SAMSA PEOPLE
Guess who is coming into SAMSA’s fleet?
www.samsa.org.za
nyalu communications
Editor’s Note2
Contents
“THE SEA HAS MY NAME WRITTEN
ON IT. EVERY TIME I GO BACK IT
IS THERE IN BLACK AND WHITE”
Jehon Scello
Editor At Large 4
Rudzani Makhado
6
Scibono8
The State Of Finances12
What’s Going On?14
Meet The Team
16
The Cape Argus23
Safety Matters27
Moving Forward With Integrity
28
Our Collective Development Journey
30
Q & A With Hlubi Mzamo
32
Employment Equity33
Gadget Review34
Editor in Chief
Tebogo Ramatjie
Editor at Large
Ayanda Mngadi
Contributors
Tebogo Madibo
Ayanda Mngadi
Sizwe Mkhize
Cover Picture
Isaac Mofokeng Photography
isaac.contact@gmail.com
SAMSA Head Quarters
161 Lynnwood Road
Corner Duncan & Lynnwood Roads
Brooklyn, Pretoria, 0181
At SAMSA we pride ourselves on young people who want
to discover their true north. For the past five years, SAMSA
has been training young graduates in various career fields in
the Maritime Industry. Nurturing champions in the global
maritime industry.
www.samsa.org.za
P O Box 13186, Hatfield, 0028
tel: +27 (0) 12 366 2600
fax: +27 (0) 12 366 2601
web: www.samsa.org.za
Meet The Team Page 16
The Cape Argus Page 23
Design & Layout: Nyalu Communications
tel: +27 (0) 11402 8546
email: info@nyalu.co.za
web: www.nyalu.co.za
OnBoard Magazine is printed on locally manufactured and environmentally friendly
recycled Triple Green Gloss paper. Cover 230gsm, text 135gsm
Accountable to the Minister of Transport, South African Maritime Safety Authority
(SAMSA) was established on 1 April 1998 in terms of the South African Maritime
Safety Authority Act 5 of 1998.
SAMSA is governed by a Board made up of the CEO and six non executive
members, including the Chair and Deputy Chair, as appointed by the Minister.
The organisation’s objective is to lead and champion South Africa’s maritime
interests as custodians and stewards of maritime policy, vigorous promoters of
the maritime sector and giving full and complete effect to their obligations for the
benefit of all stakeholders.
OnBoard march/april 2012
1
fresh
T
he little people at OnBoard towers had a lot of fun
putting together this edition of the “ Magazine for
SAMSA people”. That is our tagline for those not
in the know. To prove how busy we have been, I
have decided to forego that hot, big and beautifully
fantastic picture of me that you had in the February edition of
OnBoard. Instead we have decided to give you a glimpse of
what really goes on behind the scenes when we put OnBoard
together.
If you direct your eyes to the right of this page you will see the
“behind the scenes” spread of our activities at this month’s
OnBoard photo shoot. The shoot is fast becoming a hot
feature and a fantastic invitation to secure. Let me explain the
rationale a little bit;
The OnBoard photo shoot is a day when we pamper and
absolutely spoil a team from SAMSA. Part of the absolute
spoiling and pampering include a professional photo shoot
with make-up and all, it also includes nice food and other
goodies. Ask the Finance and SCM teams if you don’t believe
me. The pampering and the pictures taken are then masterfully
translated into the feature called “Meet the Team”. I must stress
and assure you (SAMSA’ites) that we are going to pamper,
absolutely spoil and feature all of you in OnBoard.
Gentie & Tokozani
Editor in Chief Tebogo Ramatjie
Ok, now getting to what we have on this super-fresh edition
• We introduce Tokozani Mpepanduku (Pictured with Gentie
on the next page), she is OnBoard to whip us, well mostly me
into shape and to make sure that this world class publication
is delivered to you on time and intact.
Behind the scenes of the OnBoard photoshoot
• And also since I am incredibly fantastic and I think all of you
should listen to me I will be featuring a couple of gadgets,
books, music and other goodies that I think you would love,
don’t worry nothing like the stuff on Top Billing, these will be
things that we can afford and are worthy of all SAMSA’ites.
Special Mentions
2
OnBoard march/april 2012
Mr. Sobantu Tilayi has been appointed Chief Operations
Officer (COO) at SAMSA. Look out for an in-depth
interview with Mr. Tilayi in the next issue of OnBoard.
Vuyiseka Mandla
Please do send us your thoughts and ideas on how
you would like to see this magazine serving your
needs. We also welcome story ideas and pictures that
you would like to share with us.
Mail to OnBoard@samsa.org.za
Phumlani Mketewla
Enjoy! OB
Nqabakazi Zola
We also would like to say thank you to Gentie for making
sure that the SCM team looked fantastic on their photoshoot.
Lady G as she also known here at OnBoard towers somehow
managed to make sure that Team SCM were robed for their
moment in the sun. She did this while camping in a dodgy
hotel in Durban. We absolutely Love Gentie.
Princess Philisiwe Ndlovu
We acknowledge that we are not as perfect as we look and
sometimes we make mistakes (even though we try our best
not to). Last month we hauled Phumlani Mkhetelwa, Princess
Philisiwe Ndlovu, Nqabakazi Zola and Vuyiseka Mandla
from their desks and made them pose for pictures and then
proceeded to not publish them. We would like to apologise for
that huge omission. Please see them in all their glory on the
next page.
OnBoard march/april 2012
3
Ayanda
Mngadi
Editor at Large
T
he beauty and pain of time is that it waits for
no man or woman, it ticks on and keeps on
moving, either dragging you along or leaving
you behind. The value of a promise on the other
hand is that it can only be assessed through
the lapse of time. Simple assumption here being that the
longer the lapse of time, the greater the realization of the
original promise.
Now, SAMSA, turned 14 years at the beginning of April
2012, became a fully fledged teenager thus posing a
big challenge to those it employs and particularly to its
Council of Leadership led by Commander Mokhele to stay
true to the mandate and pledge continuous improvement
to the litany of promises that the Authority made to its
Shareholder represented by the Minister of Transport
and Parliament and to South Africa’s Civil Society. The
Commander took over the helm in 2008, and immediately
developed a turn around strategy, second to none, whose
key promises were targeted to be achieved by the end of
2011, thus resulting in a resuscitated SAMSA Brand.
CELEBRATING 14 YEARS OF
MARITIME EXCELLENCE
Needless to say, the success of the first three years of our
strategy left us in a state of delirium, and that is usually
where most brands fail. Whilst success breeds euphoria,
it equally breeds lethargy, (I mean most of our sentences
were beginning to start with…“in 2008…”) which is why
then there was a lot of wisdom in the CEO, injecting
this Authority with new blood in the form of our cover
gentleman, the Head of Corporate Strategy and Risk
Management: Rudzani Makhado, to assist the CEO as
he takes us beyond 2011, into this high table of national
discourse that we have courted (Page 6).
Do look out as well for the outcomes of our inaugural
maritime focus week which was hosted in partnership with
Sci Bono in Johannesburg by our Centre for Excellence
and attracted in excess of five thousand young maths
and science students into the field of maritime (Page 8).
This month we also get to meet our SCM team, ably led
by the Acting Head of SCM: Mr. Daniel Vuma, it seemed
to work out quite well with the Finance team, so we are
convinced that this is the tradition we shall keep up
(Page 16). We also get to meet the Senior Manager in
the Centre for Excellence: Mr. Hlubi Mzamo (Page 32), as
well as Ms. Neo Moeng, our HR Specialist who is going
to be reporting on the status of our employment equity
quarterly (Page 33). We also have our regulars, from the
CSI and Brand Management desks.
In March 2012 we hosted a successful International Expert
Mission Training Conference, check out the outcomes
of that conference and the delegates as they enjoy the
hospitality of the kingdom of the Zulu. April also signals
the end of the old and beginning of the new financial year
and since we have already declared at the Management
Conference in Centurion that we are in the growth phase
and setting sail, it is only appropriate that we allow the
Acting CFO to give us the state of our finances (Page 12).
We close off by wetting your appetite to the pleasures
that shall be contained in our next edition where you
shall meet our COO and for the other one, you will just
have to check the back page.
I know that winter is upon us so please keep warm, sit
back, relax and enjoy immersing yourself in this, very hot
issue of ON BOARD magazine.
Be blessed.
AYANDA OB
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OnBoard march/april 2012
In the past 13 years SAMSA has had its share of successes in the maritime field.
Chief among these is the acquisition of some of the most advanced and sophisticated
technology to facilitate the delivery of its mandate, that of the protection of life and
property at sea and its participation in the economic sector of South Africa. We are
also on our way to become one of the most awarded 14 year olds in recent times
with a myriad of accolades that continue to be bestowed on SAMSA.
Rudzani Makhado
Beyond 2011
Rudzani Makhado (Collins), Executive Head of Corporate
Strategy & Risk Management at the South African Maritime
Safety Authority (SAMSA) is on top of the world. At 36, it is
not difficult to see why Makhado is an epitome of success.
As the main man at the helm of SAMSA’s strategy division,
Makhado has become one of the youngest executives in the
organisation, yet his feet remain firmly on the ground.
He is very modest about his achievements and maintains
that he is just a simple guy born and raised in Soweto. After
completing his studies in finance, Makhado started working
in procurement, focusing on finances, but soon realised
that he was not cut out to work with numbers. “I
didn’t like finance, it was boring and as the
youngest person in the department I
didn’t think twice about leaving. I was
thinking about my options when
two of my friends who were
in the consultancy arena
introduced
me to one of
their directors, we
had a general talk, the
next day the guy offered
me a job. I was a bit puzzled
because I didn’t know exactly
what they did. I thought about it and
after considering the fact that I was not enjoying finance
anymore I decided to accept the offer. That’s how I started
doing consultancy work,” he says. While there Makhado
did management consulting which encompassed basically
everything, from human resource to finance consulting. It is
here that he started mapping his career as a strategist.
“All these components were a good building block towards
strategy. As a strategist you need to have a good understanding
of all elements of the business and how they integrate in order
for you to have a strategic input,” he says.
His milestones as a consultant includes working in the National
Prosecuting Authority and the Johannesburg Metro Police
Department where he headed the strategy department.
“My mandate there was to develop the safety strategy for the
city, that project got me interested because it was something
that was a big problem for the city so coming up with a plan
to tackle that was very interesting for me. I implemented a
turn-around strategy internally. It was very exciting although
I did not have a rank as I was in the policing environment,
that actually made it difficult for me to get buy-in from other
people in the boardroom mainly because of my age but I was
not discouraged,” he says.
His biggest achievement, he says,
was being awarded a Nelson Mandela
Scholarship which allowed him to study
MBA in the United Kingdom. “I have my
wife to thank for that. She encouraged me
to apply for the scholarship,” he says.
On his return, Makhado was determined
to find a fulfilling job that was going
to have a greater impact and bring life
changing results. “I wanted to give back.
I started understanding the connection in
terms of what I studied while I was in the
UK and what I came back to do. I made a
decision then that I wanted to work in the
public sector where there was a just cause
in making a difference to people’s lives,”
he says. Makhado continued with his
consultancy work, but this time focused
his attention in the public sector.
He then joined SAMSA as a senior
manager in the strategy department and
was promoted to head the department a
few months later.
“The position came when we were turning
a corner at SAMSA and started to do things
in a different way. It was very exciting for
me to be part of that change,” he says. His
vision, he says, is to build a capable unit
that will to support the SAMSA leadership
and steer the organisation to become the
leader and trend setter within the maritime
sector.
“Being a strategist is like being a counsel
in a way, one becomes the sounding
board for ideas where executives come
to for support. When there are new plans
or thinking in the organisation we are able
to give the support and lead change,” he
says. Makhado says the organisation is
putting systems in place to ensure that all
business units are marching to the same
tune.
“We are still in the process of constructing
a systematic way of working, there is a
lot to do but at the end you want a unit
that is able to give support to executives
to be able to do what they need to do to
head their respective units and deliver
on SAMSA’s mandate,” he says. He says
the organisation has done well in terms
of achieving the turn-around strategy set
out by company CEO, Commander Tsietsi
Mokhele in 2008. “I would say we have
closed that chapter about six months ago.
We implemented a strategy that has born
results, but we have to ensure that those
results are sustainable. The make-up of
the SAMSA leadership, he says, helped
the organisation to realise its vision. “We
needed a new type of people that were able
to better interpret SAMSA’s mandate and
take the organisation to new heights- that
for me is one of the infusions the CEO has
successfully brought in,” he says. Another
key achievement is that we’ve moved from
“In a way we are giving
the majority of South
Africans hope. Previously
the (maritime) space was
dominated by white males
but we as SAMSA are
working towards changing
that. We’ve given previously
disadvantaged communities
hope.”
being a dependent institution. At SAMSA
we say, we’ve moved out of Intensive Care
Unit (ICU). We’ve gotten our senses (of self
-worth) back. But that’s not the end of it, it
has just given us the ability to rebuild the
SAMSA brand, he says.
Makhado believes SAMSA has a bigger
role to play in developing the maritime
sector. “Our mandate is very extensive,
he says. There is a lot to do, the maritime
sector on its own is such a core part of
the country’s economy, whose success is
largely depended on the success of the
maritime sector. Whatever we make out
of exportation and importation depends
on how we manage the maritime transport
sector. We as the authority are tasked
with developing the sector and ensuring
that it benefits all South Africans,” he
says. Makhado says the organisation
has made strides in terms of creating
awareness of the maritime sector and
developing programmes that addresses
the transformation of the sector.
“In a way we are giving the majority of South
Africans hope. Previously the (maritime)
space was dominated by white males
but we as SAMSA are working towards
changing that. We’ve given previously
disadvantaged communities hope. We’ve
said to the youth of South Africa there is
another option, there are careers in the
maritime sector, and those jobs are not too
far, they are right at their door steps and
the careers are lucrative and meaningful.
It is important that we bring that change.
That has to be our primary philosophy
even if it’s not our goal but it has to one
thing that overrides everything else. Every
action we take has to protect the interest
of South Africans and by doing so, protect
jobs, while continuing to manage the risk
that comes out of the maritime industry.
This includes the risk of outsourcing jobs
and minimising accidents at sea,” says the
father of two girls, Imani (8) and Kenya (6).
Makhado is hopeful that with the
upcoming South Africa Maritime Industry
Conference (SAMIC)in June, SAMSA,
together with other stakeholders will look
at concretising the industry development
plan which will speak to the advancement
of the sector. OB
OnBoard march/april 2012
7
Maritime Careers Focus Week
Sindiswa Nhlumayo
M
ore than 5000 high school learners from
Gauteng got a glimpse of what it is like to work
in the maritime sector, thanks to a career expo
organised by the South African Maritime Safety
Authority (SAMSA).The learners were part of
SAMSA’s Career Focus Week programme which was designed
to expose learners to careers in the maritime sector.
information presented to them to heart. They asked a lot of
questions, an indication that some were considering a career
in maritime. We also saw a need as SAMSA to focus on creating
awareness on maritime as a possible economic driver as well
as a career of choice, and also address the misconception
that maritime is restricted to a certain population only,” said
Nhlumayo.
From Monday until Friday, learners were exposed to a variety
of careers in the Shipping, Marine Resources, Marine Tourism
and Leisure, Marine Manufacturing and Construction and
Commercial Support Fishing fields. “I’m so glad I was part of
this programme. I learnt a lot and am now considering a career
in maritime. I would like to become a marine engineer. Through
this programme I learnt that I will have to work hard to realise
my dream. From now on, I will focus on my studies to ensure
that I obtain good matric results. I also learnt that I must stay
out of trouble so that I don’t get a criminal record,” said Lloyd
Maapesa (17) a grade 10 pupil from Eqinisweni Secondary
School.
The programme, endorsed by the Gauteng Department of
Education and the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is SAMSA’s
response to the Maritime Skills Development Study which
was commissioned in 2010 to address the on-going issues
of unemployment and skills shortage in South Africa. The
study called on training institutions, the government and the
private sector to work together in ensuring that South Africans
were armed with skills that enabled them to participate in the
maritime sector, thereby bridging the existing skills gap.
Sindiswa Nhlumayo, Executive Head of Centre for Excellence
at SAMSA said the week was a success. “What touched me
the most was the fact that the programme came at a time when
these young learners needed this type of information the most.
Apart from being fascinated and overwhelmed by the captains
and young men and women in marine uniform, most of the
learners, in particular those in grade 11 and 12 really took the
8
OnBoard march/april 2012
Nhlumayo said the programme, which was launched at a time
when the organisation celebrates 14 years of existence, will
be rolled out to all nine provinces. She said there were also
plans to host a career expo that will target learners, graduates
and all stakeholders with vested interest in the marine. “There
is so much to be joyous about. Not only are we doing our bit
to unlock career doors for our youth, but today we are also
celebrating the milestones that this young organisation has
achieved to date,” she said. OB
OnBoard march/april 2012
9
On our waters, every skipper and boat need to be licensed. Passengers have a
right to demand that the skipper shows them their skipping license and that of the
boat. Your safety is our concern.
Tudor Hungwe - Acting Chief Financial Officer
Introduction
Financial reports are often perceived as being backward
looking, and as a result the argument is often that they offer a
rear view mirror perspective of the state of the business when
what managers actually need is a windscreen view of the
business to assist them in decision making. Financial reports
are however not always concerned with the historical aspects
of the business, they can give an indication of the direction
where the organisation is going. One great statesman once
said ‘the further backward I look the further forward I can see’.
And he was right, and the position of the shipping industry is
often cited as one which is in a unique position to learn from its
past about the economics of the maritime business because
the evolution of sea transport is a well-travelled road which
spans a long period of 5 000 years! And SAMSA being the
maritime authority in South Africa is also in a position to see
and project into its future, by occasionally looking back at its
young history as a maritime agency.
Looking back…
In 2008 when the new turnaround strategy was initially
implemented SAMSA’s revenues stood at R57.8 million and it
received further boosting from interest income of R7.5 million.
Our expenditures amounted to R60 million. Such as state of
affairs was compounded by the fact that during the financial
year 2007/08, the Authority had a budget deficit of almost R14
million, which was projected to increase to R17.4 million in the
year 2008/09 and approval for the deficits had been obtained
from National Treasury.
SAMSA’s total non-current assets as at 31 December 2007
stood at R3,426 million which represented the property, plant
and equipment which the Authority owned. In other words, that
represented the value of the infrastructure which the Authority
had at its disposal to deliver on its mandates. This state of
affairs was a clear depiction of the old computer infrastructure,
furniture, office equipment, and few old motor vehicles most
of which had been inherited from the Department of Transport
when SAMSA was formed and had long outlived their useful
lives.
The drive of building a world-class maritime organisation
was being undertaken against the backdrop of low revenues,
mostly obsolete and inadequate capital infrastructure which
required huge investments in the latest computer technologies
and overhaul of the other infrastructure of the organisation.
Additional mandates which required funding of up to R45
million were being saddled onto the organisation without
additional funding being made available for them. To further
complicate this, an analysis of the 2006/07 annual report
clearly indicated that 63% of SAMSA’s operational costs were
for salaries and wages and yet the organisation remained
inadequately capacitated as it was failing to attract skilled
maritime personnel due to uncompetitive salaries. A tough
decision had to be made as to how the Authority would
transform itself and generate enough revenues in order to rise
and live up to its challenges.
The current status…
An analysis of the last annual report and financial figures of
the third quarter of the current financial year clearly indicates
that SAMSA chose to tread on the path less travelled and it
has made a lot of difference which is evidenced by the number
of awards the Authority has received for the leadership it has
provided in the maritime space. Revenues currently stands
at almost R240 million and its property, plant and equipment
stands at more than R20 million. Much of the capital
investments have gone towards computer infrastructure and
the procuring of a building in East London. It is expected to
increase exponentially as the current building and computer
projects are finalised which will have a positive effect on
service delivery. And despite the fact that staff numbers have
almost doubled from the 2008 numbers and the wage bill has
significantly increased, the salaries ratio to total expenditure
now stands at almost 40%.
But it’s not all about the big figures and the magnitude of
what we have been able to achieve financially. It’s more about
what we have been able to achieve for South Africa using our
position as a maritime authority, it is the difference we have
been be able to make, the dreams we have made come true,
the strategic maritime vision we have been able to unwrap to
the nation and the leadership we have been able to provide.
Many have watched with amazement as we put our house
in order and took our rightful place as a dynamic maritime
authority. Although we firmly believe that much has been done,
we also accept that the task is far from over.
Seeing further forward…
The Authority has moved into the ‘set sail’ phase of its
strategic turnaround around phase and it is characterised by
the full implementation of its maritime projects. Moving into
this phase, it has become quite clear that expenditures are
fast catching up with the increased revenues. A number of
significant projects are shaping up for implementation, notably
the SA Aghullas project, among others. The Authority will
therefore place more focus on revenue generation in order to
ensure that its projects, which are of national importance, are
not crippled by lack of funding. Our role will be therefore to
ensure that we continue to use our 2008 learnings to secure
our future funding requirements. Looking backward at where
we are coming from therefore assists in guiding our planning
to ensure that the Authority’s strategic plans are backed by
adequate financial plans. We therefore have a responsibility
to ensure that the future of the Authority will never again be
defined by lack of funds… OB
OnBoard march/april 2012
13
?
GOIN
On
By Sizwe Mkhize
4th Expert Mission Training
Conference
(5-16 March 2012)
I recently attended the SAMSA annual 4th
Expert Mission Training conference in Durban
KwaZulu-Natal and found it to be an extremely
eye-opening two weeks spent. Eye –opening
in the sense of learning all about the truth
behind the Maritime industry and the hard
work that actually goes on behind the scenes
and all that is done in conserving our natural
seas and all that lives within and around it.
Members from all around the world: Brazil,
Japan, Australia, Angola, South Africa
(Host), Bulgaria, Maldives, Turkey, Kenya
and even as far as Comoros came
together to learn more about
this trade and also shed light
on how they themselves go
about their various positions
as Marine Surveyors, Ship
Inspectors, Engineers, Deck
Officers and just purely
being men and women of
the ocean.
At the beginning I did feel out of
my depth. Let’s be honest having to
introduce myself as an intern amongst
men and a woman of such maritime prestige
would intimidate anybody. I also knew though
that as much as I lacked experience in this
particular field I did also come to learn
and be trained as well as to gain a better
understanding of what our future cadets are
trying to pursue with their future ambitions
within this industry. I too now have been left
with a dilemma of thinking whether I should
be working from behind a desk or travelling
for 4-5 months and enjoying the unexpected
that the sea has to offer.
Majority of delegates at the conference were
men and women who had a large background
of ships and had spent large periods of their
lives out at sea and were now in a position
where they now were using that experience
gained as Port State Control Officers. You may
be asking yourself like I was at the conference
what exactly does a Port State Control Officer
do. Simply put they are the people who handle
the inspection of foreign ships that sail into
foreign ports. This is done for the verifying
of the captain on board the ship along with
his crew and just to make sure the general
conditioning of the ship is on point. I mean
you can’t have a ship out at sea that does not
have enough fuel nor has generators that are
not working properly otherwise they would not
reach their very far destinations.
One would be surprised at the process at
hand when it comes to the well being of ships
and how they are protected within their own
small haven. It is understandable though
considering the true value a ship possesses
and at the same time the great danger that
can arise from an unsafe and unauthorised
vessel. You look at the recent Costa Concordia
disaster, the Italian cruise ship that partially
sank after hitting a reef off the Italian coast.
The negligence and naivety of the captain
cost many lives and this is what is trying to
be avoided in maritime regardless of the type
of vessel.
This training conference was largely run and
based on the Tokyo MOU, Indian ocean
MOU and SAMSA. These all from different
organizations but are all working towards the
same principal of eliminating substandard
shipping within all criteria’s of this industry
and to avoid situations that will do more harm
than good to our environment.
The commitment these organizations strive to
deliver is to:
•
Develop and maintain a safe and
systematic Port State Control system
•
To enhance the status and performance
of MOU – TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS
DELIVERING IN ALL ASPECTS
•
Promote joint initiatives with other
regimes – in order to see how other
countries work and promote a safer
way to shipping.
The objective of this Code is to assist PSCOs
(Port State Control Officers) in conducting
their inspections to the highest professional
level. Port State Control Officers are central to
achieving the aims of any relevant MOU. They
are also the dally contact between the different
MOU’s of all regions. They are expected to
act within the law, within the rules of their
government and in a fair, open, impartial and
consistent manner.
Just like any other organization or business
there is a general Code of Good conduct and
this is followed by three very fundamental
principles against which all actions of Port
State Control Officers are judged: integrity,
professionalism and transparency.
i) Integrity is the state of moral
soundness, honesty and freedom
from corrupting influences or motives.
ii)
Professionalism is applying accepted
professional standards of conduct and
technical knowledge. For PSCOs
standards of behaviour are established
by the maritime authority and the general
consent of the port State members.
iii) Transparency implies openness and
accountability
This is what I was talking about when I was
saying there is a lot to take in and a long
process to follow when it comes to the well
being of ships before they are meant to sail
off to ports and it is important to understand
how relevant this all is because without it there
would be no order and no green light for any
ship to set sail to anywhere.
In the second issue of this article I will go
though the actual process of the detention
of ships and the different deficiency codes
that go through with this and even share our
experience of a ship and the problems we
witnessed while on this tour and the eventual
outcome of our visit.
Stay tuned for more on this piece, there is still
a whole lot more to take in. OB
OnBoard march/april 2012
15
Meet The Team
Team SCM
Meet Team Supply Chain Management aka SCM! This
funky and efficient team should be dubbed the most
important team here at SAMSA ( but we are not going to
do that for fear of reprisals from other equally important
players in the organization). They are responsible for
almost everything from the pen that is issued to you to the
SAMSA buildings that have become our second homes.
They are also very misunderstood as most people think that
they are only responsible for managing and adjudicating
tenders and issuing purchase orders.
The team is making strides at SAMSA and in the industry
(with their impeccable running of one of the most
scrutinized and sensitive units) under the leadership of
Daniel Vuma (Makamu). Daniel is responsible for the day to
day running of the unit.
SCM is staffed by eleven capable individuals. Two of them
are based at the regions and the rest at Head Office.
16
OnBoard march/april 2012
Collectively they are responsible for:
• Sourcing strategy and demand acquisition
• Daily procurement and bid management
• General logistics including transport, inventory,
assets and travel management.
• Disposal of redundant stock and assets
• Facilities management including buildings and lease
management, insurance, security and cleaning services.
We took the team out for a bit of golfing fun at Pecan
Wood Golf estate in the north of the capital. This gave us
a chance to get to know this extremely fun and outgoing
team a little better. After a couple of tempers were lost and
a bit of a wait for their great outfits, we got down to “play”
some Golf while our photographer snapped Team SCM.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet the Team as we continue to
introduce you to the amazing individuals who are attached
to this super-fantastic, award winning organisation.
Ontiretse Lekgoane
Ivor Mothoane
Meet The Team
Give us a short description of your
personality.
I am a reserved yet down to earth guy
with many ambitions and some achieved
already. I have a mark to leave in the world
and I am extremely motivated to do so.
Description of your personality.
I have a humble persona, spend most of
my time with my family and inspire new
challenges.
Explain your responsibilities at SCM.
To identify and develop existing and
imerging businesses, to ensure that all
the Southern Regional procurement
requirements are fulfilled at the
anticipated time.
Explain briefly your responsibilities at
SCM.
I am responsible for acquiring and
managing SAMSA facilities. I enjoy my
role and find it very fulfilling.
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
Happiness is within our hearts, and
happiness can only be achieved by
showing love in everything that we do
positive.
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
Perfect happiness to me is living life to
ones fullest and making sure that there are
no regrets at the end.A life lived with regret
has no fulfillment.
Jan Khoza
Dewald Jordaan
Busisiwe Masilela
Description of your personality.
Loyal, hardworking, family man, Christian
Description of your personality.
Sensitive, loving, caring, kind and sweet
but straight forward.
Explain your responsibilities at SCM.
Facilities and contract management
(leases, rentals, etc). Ensuring that assets
are adequately insured and assisting with
replacement of photocopiers and other
equipment. Security related matters;
Managing other insurance policies, OHS
related matters,
Explain your responsibilities at SCM.
Ensuring that the management and staff
adhere to SCM policies and procedures,
and Treasury Regulations. Procuring
goods and services for the organisation
according to the procurement procedures
and policies.
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
Work satisfaction, being loyal, a
supportive family.
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
Feeling content with what you have and
livng your dream.
Description of your personality.
I love talking, laughing and spending time
with loved ones.
Explain your responsibilities at SCM.
I arrange travel reservations for all SAMSA
employees and assist with general SCM
enquiries or requests.
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
When I look at my son, I see love, when I
think of my son I feel love and when I laugh with
my son, I feel perfect happiness. Pure bliss!
Bra Andrew Temba
Description of your personality.
I am a person who likes to work with
different people, and always helps those
who need to be assisted at anytime.
Explain your responsibilities at SCM.
I am the company messenger and have
served SAMSA with integrity over the
years. Precision, reliability and efficiency
are central to my ability to deliver.
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
The joy in the eyes of my family. The
gratitude in the eyes of my colleagues.
Nomfundo Mji
Phindile Msomi
Description of your personality.
I am a fun, loving and outgoing guy who
cares about the needs of others and
always tries to make sure that everything
is well done. I have major ambitions and I
always make sure I do what ever it takes
to be successful and that is why I want to
become SAMSA CEO.
Description of your personality.
I am calm and relaxed, I don’t get worked
up or stressed very much at all. I have
many interests, in so many different
areas of life, I believe life is a great big
adventure with so much to discover and
many opportunities.
Explain your responsibilities at SCM.
Making sure everything in and outside
the SAMSA offices are in working order.
I am also there to serve whoever needs
my services. One may just call me an All
Rounder.
Explain briefly responsibilities at SCM.
I’m a sourcing specialist in the Eastern
region, I handle all their request in terms
of procurement.
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
Living every day without regret. Knowing
you lived life the best way you can
and cherished memories. My idea of
happiness is feeling complete like nothing
in the world can go wrong. Just feeling
whole. All seasons are beautiful for the
person who carries happiness within.
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
For everyone to be happy with the
contribution I have made to our working
environment and for major possible
growth in my life personally and to give
more of the good that I have to offer the
world.
Regina Monyamane
Description of your personality.
I love spending time with my family and
going shopping. I also enjoy cooking a
wholesome meal and enjoying it with
people who matter to me.
Explain your responsibilities at SCM.
Ensuring that all meetings are catered
for with refreshments. The kitchen must
always be filled with coffee, tea and lots
of love, while always looking at its best.
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
I am at my happiest when my house is
filled with warmth and joy of my children.
Sarah Morake
Description of your personality.
I’m ambitious, passionate and easy to get
along with, humble patient and very bubbly.
Explain your responsibilities at SCM.
Amongst many, I am the source that
connects the world to the key-personals
in this Top Performing Organization
Your idea of perfect happiness is...
Being strong that nothing can disturb my
peace of mind and be true to the best
that is in me.
Daniel Vuma
Give us a short description of your personality
My Daily Responsibilities
I consider myself to be an outgoing person and I’m usually
the one who always gets the party started when I go out
with my friends. I have been told that I’m very empathetic
and that I give great advice. I’m very suspicious of people’s
motives and I always have my third eye open; even with
people I’ve known for years.
Supply Chain Management is an integrating function with a
primary responsibility for linking SAMSA business functions
and business processes within and across the organization
into a cohesive and high-performing business model.
I like to spend my time with my wife and kids 90% of the
time, the rest I spend with friends. I am very generous and
kind to everyone When it comes to love I am the “Romantic”
type. You may even ask Catherine my wife who will back
me up on this.
As a Supply chain manager, I manage and coordinate
activities in the section to ensure an effective and efficient
flow of materials and information from the time a need arises
until it is satisfied and beyond. My role and responsibility
includes some of the following activities: customer service;
internal customers and supplier relationship management;
inventory control; transportation; forecasting; purchasing/
procurement; facilities management
and strategic planning. Managing the
section budget and staff. Interfacing
with suppliers, issuing tenders and
attending to internal and external
complaints. I am also responsible
for ensuring that SCM policies and
processes are implemented.
Flying the SAMSA flag
At the Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Race
Congratulations to Louise Benn and her husband
Patrick who took part in their 12th Cape Argus this
past month. The Benns are hard at work training
for the upcoming 94.7 Cycling race, which will
take place in November. Louise tells OnBoard that
they have a tough training regime which includes
one and half hours of spinning twice a week and
80 kilometres of cycling twice a month.
We think they look great in their SAMSA branded
kit! OB
My Tips to my Colleagues
Getting your day off to a good and
productive start is the key to being
an effective supply chain manager.
There are a few things you can do
to help get your day off to the right
start: Arrive on Time. Plan Your Day.
Stay on Track.
My idea of perfect happiness is the
following four principles that always
stick best in my mind:
• Perfect happiness is connected
with our attitude to life. We should
be happy with what we have and
not compare our lives with others.
Happiness comes from within, not
from outside.
• To actually be content with what I
have instead of envying what others
have but to retain goals so that I
have something to work towards in
my life? Contentment should not be
confused with laziness.
• To me, perfect happiness is getting
to be with the ones you love, have
loads of friends and not be restricted
from everything or anything.
• Having a healthy relationship with
family because at the end that’s all
you have left. Health plays a big
factor in happiness; if one is not
healthy one is not happy and it helps
to have a good sense of humour.
“That is perfect
happiness”.
OB
22
OnBoard march/april 2012
OnBoard march/april 2012
23
“THE SEA HAS MY NAME WRITTEN ON IT.
EVERY TIME I GO BACK IT IS THERE
IN BLACK AND WHITE”
M G Ndzimande
At SAMSA we pride ourselves on young people who want to discover their true north. For
the past five years, SAMSA has been training young graduates in various career fields in
the Maritime Industry. Nurturing champions in the global maritime industry.
www.samsa.org.za
Casualty Investigation Course
Safety
Casualty
Investigation
Course
matters
Greetings from the Occupational Health &
Safety Committee
The Transnet National Port Authority Port Elizabeth office and Port of
Ngqura attended a 2 day Casualty Investigation course administered
by SAMSA Southern Region. This course was offered as a service from
SAMSA to TNPA in the spirit of sharing knowledge and expertise at
operational level.
Many of you might not be aware that this committee has
been established and is up and running. Following the
initial teething problems we can report that we are on our
way to ensure that SAMSA becomes a safety and health
sensitive employer.
The course was attended by Operational Manager, Harbour Master,
Deputy Harbour Masters, Pilots, Trainee pilots, Technical managers and
VTS personnel. There is another course that SAMSA will administer for
TNPA in Mossel Bay and East London in March/April this year. OB
Let us introduce your committee:
• Bafedile Molekwa – Hillcrest office rep
• Dewald Jordaan – Lynnwood office rep and
committee secretary
• Lungelo Xaba – Eastern Region rep and deputy chairperson
• Linda van Huyssteen – Southern Region rep
and deputy secretary
• Nolundi Dubase – Western Region rep
• Mark Saunders – Southern Region rep
• Jared Blows – Centre for Seawatch rep
and chairperson
Casualty Investigation Course
Since the inception of the committee in February of 2011
the path has been varied and bumpy. As most of us had
never been exposed to the OHS environment before
getting the training required to understand our duties
was paramount. This training has been completed by
all and as we embark on our mission we ask that those
within the SAMSA family who have the knowledge and
previous exposure please come forward and assist us as
we further develop our knowledge and abilities so that we
may better serve the SAMSA family.
26
OnBoard march/april 2012
During the last year the major issues encountered was
that of our office spaces that in many cases were not
compliant on various levels. Through the work of the
representatives and the staff within these offices we
are making steady progress in ensure a safe working
environment for all. We are very much aware that there
are still many issues outstanding that require attention
and given some time, support and co-operation we will
resolve these.
By now all offices should have all the relevant legalisation
clearly displayed and the SAMSA OHS Policy must
be displayed in a prominent position within the
reception areas of all offices. If this not the case please
representatives ensure this happens.
At present we are busy sorting out the OHS within the
company but as time goes on we will be expanding these
efforts and will be involved in many other projects within
the organisation and later the industry. A major event
being planned this year is to celebrate World Health and
Safety Day. The theme this year is Health and Safety in a
Green Economy. Along with our colleagues in Corporate
Affairs we plan to launch our campaign for the year on
this day.
Many other aspects of OHS are being addressed and if
you wish to find out more or even to offer your assistance
please speak to your representatives.
So what is the goal of the OHS committee;
• To achieve an environment that is safe and healthy for
all our staff.
• In striving to reach the goal we are hopeful that it
will produce an environment conducive to effective
and efficient work performance and one of outstanding
service delivery.
How will we achieve this goal – well through providing
the necessary training and education, teamwork and
mutual respect for our fellow man. The training aspect
will ensure that with time all staff are trained in first aid
and basic fire fighting and for those who are interested
even training in OHS so as to be able to be part of the
current and future committees whether as members or as
contributors. Teamwork and mutual respect go hand in
hand as we work together to make our environments safe
foe ourselves and also that of our colleagues.
Although the ultimate responsibility lies with our CEO, we
as crew members of the MV SAMSA are all responsible.
Without harping on legislation, we should each take the
time to read through the act as it will educate and inform
us regarding our duties and responsibilities.
It is our duty and responsibility to ensure our own safety
and that of our colleagues. Report matters that are of a
concern and where possible correct these with the aim to
improve our safety.
In closing, let me invite all of our SAMSA family to feel
free to raise issues within the work environment that are
of concern with respect to OHS with the representatives.
The committee will look at the matters and as best
possible resolve what needs to be done.
Your help in making SAMSA a safe and health
organisation and ensuring our environments remain safe
is highly appreciated by this committee and I am sure I
speak on behalf of everyone when I say “your colleagues
appreciate what you do to ensure their health and safety
remains intact”.
Signing off: Jared – OHS Chairperson OB
OnBoard march/april 2012
27
Moving
Forward
with integrity
By Tebogo Madibo
I
consider myself an avid reader and
this passion has let to many selfdiscoveries that shape up my being,
because I choose to learn from the
many materials I get to read. This
choice I make, somehow has become
what modernist would term personal
branding, as putting things into boxes to
define them is increasingly comfortable
in managing our lives, and ‘controlling’
the lives of other people. In the most
recent time, I had to remember some
of the many mantras I choose in my
quest to become a better person, and
the book by Don Miguel Ruiz, The
Four Agreements was foremost in my
mind. This is largely as the SAMSA
branding journey and re-positioning is
a passionate and integral part of why I
am here.
mean that things look like they should,
sound like they should, feel like they
should and behave like they should, just
to borrow one expression I once read. I
believe that in order for an organization
to create memorable and lasting positive
impression on its customers/clients
it has to work on its internal cohesive
forces that bring the employees together.
As leaders in our own rights, to lead our
‘subjects’ with integrity we continually
have to seek the best for AND in all
of them. Here is what I believe in: for
any artist to create a masterpiece, take
Vincent van Gogh as an example, all he
was ‘given’ was the canvas, the space
and the time, as well as his brushes
and paints and the trust to paint. The
results thereof are masterpieces that are
admired throughout the world?
The byline we adopted 3 years ago in
a Management Conference in George
still ring true to me: the enterprise of
integrity. In the afore-mentioned book,
the first agreement is: Be impeccable
with your word. To me, the question
always remain, is my word and my
actions congruent. I’m of the opinion
that the relationship between the brand
and the reputation that any entity or
company enjoys owing to its conduct
to its targeted audiences, defines the
integrity that the brand promise hinges
on. The brand, thus, becomes the
ultimate expression of the organization,
while the reputation thereof is the factor
of its leaders and employees.
“For anyone to succeed
in anything they want,
there has to be
considerable effort that
produces considerable
sweat.”
In our daily interaction to build the brand,
and endeavor to become impeccable
with our words, integrity to our clients
and stakeholders, both internal and
external, will forever translate to the
experience they take away after they
have chosen to engage with us. This will
28
OnBoard march/april 2012
To create an enterprise of integrity
we need to be always mindful of the
beneficiaries, while we nurture and
create a conducive environment for all
our clients, and entrust them with the
tools to bring to the table their A-games
so as to deliver that memorable
experiences for all our stakeholders.
These experiences are what our clients
will deem the brand valuable and bestow
the integrity attribute to it. But all this
about conducive space is not a given as
we are all human, and attitudes are not in
the words we use as they are embedded
in our minds as values, or what we have
come to believe to be true about who we
are as individuals. Because we are interdependent in delivering this memorable
and comprehensive experience for our
clients, our personal agendas, if I may,
must be obliterated when we comes
to working for a brand that seeks to
be pre eminent. Of course the lines
often become blurred when it comes to
personal ambition and personal agendas
in a situation where winning and trust
are at the table, but a true leader is able
to navigate through such murky waters
with ease as conscious competence,
and the reverse of each is an attribute
acquired through emotional intelligence.
While writing this article, a dear friend
and I were locked in a discussion about
vision and drive, and to summarise what
I took out from that discussion is this:
The lion can choose not to eat, therefore
not hunt. As the good book says: you
shall live by the sweat of your brow.
For anyone to succeed in anything they
want, there has to be considerable effort
that produces considerable ‘sweat’.
The taste of your ‘sweat’ may not be
palatable, but it is the result of the effort
you put in pursuing a desired outcome.
The choice you make to ‘sweeten’ the
sweat is entirely depended on what you
will choose to recognize as a need to
change the course or stay the course.
In the branding exercise, the positioning
and re-positioning endeavors are
very much deliberate and calculated
interventions. An important intervention
that comes with time will be to look back
and evaluate if your efforts are yielding
required results with less strife or not.
A critical permutation then becomes
an audit to assist in making a balanced
assessment of the brand attributes
and relevance to all its stakeholders by
primarily scrutinizing the brand intent or
promise.
For man shall not sweat from thinking
alone. Allow me to take a summary of
the four agreements from the book I
mentioned, The Four Agreements by
Don Miguel Ruiz:
Agreement 1
Be impeccable with your word – speak
with integrity. Say only what you mean.
Avoid using the word to speak against
yourself or gossip about others. Use the
power of your word in the direction of
truth and love.
Agreement 2
Don’t take anything personally – nothing
others do is because of you. What
others say and do is a projection of their
own reality, their own dream. When you
are immune to the opinions and actions
of others, you wont be the victim of
needless suffering.
Agreement 3
Don’t make assumptions –find the
courage to ask questions and to express
what you really want. Communicate
with others as clearly as you can to
avoid misunderstandings, sadness and
drama. With just this one agreement,
you can completely transform your life.
Agreement 4
Always do you best – your best is
going to change from moment to
moment; it will be different when you
are healthy as opposed to sick. Under
any circumstance, simply do your best,
and you will avoid self-judgement, selfabuse and regret. OB
By Mapitso Dlepu
Our Collective
Development Journey
Corporations globally and in South Africa have taken the
approach quoted above to act responsibly by assisting
communities around where their busineses are located.
Samsa as a state-owned entity has and is heeding that call to
take sustainability and social responsibility as a priority.
Through our Corporate Social Investment (CSI), the South
African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) as an organisation
has the capability to make our communities aware of maritime
benefits that this country has to offer and can assist in safety
of our Maritime environment. You would recall in the first
issue of the On Board Magazine under the CSI column, had
articulated the strategy focusing on 4 areas, aligning it with
SAMSA mandate of advancing the maritime interests through
education, water sport developments, entrepreneurial
development and employee ambassadorship.
Lastly the focus area on Employee ambassadorship, that
will engage SAMSA employees to uplift their communities of
which they come from and taking part in promoting cleaner
environments. I therefore look forward to the day when shall
launch the ADOPT a RIVER campaign for SAMSA employees.
This project will be implanted with a start-up budget of
R 2 million rand. The project will engage employees in
sustainability. Not only will the employee who gets involved
be helping others, but by working on their cause as part of
their day job, will provide benefits to the organization’s bottom line.
According to a 2010 study by Hewitt Associates, it turns out
that there is a strong correlation between engagement and
socially and environmentally responsible organizations. It
dawned on me that perhaps employees are more engaged
because they see their job as their cause. When your job is
your cause, you are naturally motivated to work hard and
Samsa has consistently contributed towards education
innovate. Since sustainability is an important cause for
and is active in assisting government in the
most employees. it makes sense that the companies
advancement of its eduaction policies. It has
with world-class sustainability programs will
“Today,
started with a school called Ngwenyathi, in
automatically have higher engagement
the in the Eastern Cape. Through its CSI
scores, as part of their balance scorecard.
more than ever
education, the concept of Ngwenyathi
before, life must be
will be replicated in and around our ports
Currently, SAMSA employees comprises
and identify schools that will benefit.
of individuals coming from diverse
characterized by a sense
background, from different provinces
of Universal responsibility,
As for the waterport development,
to Gauteng and also from other African
not only nation to nation and State neighbouring South Africa to
many children will benefit from the
partnership with Change Life Academy,
advance their careers. This means there
human to human, but also
where kids will be exposed to canoeing
is a lot of inter-provincial and regional
human to other forms
whilst ensuring that we educate them
movement that is happening in SAMSA
around safety and pollution around the
and back home we are not contributing
of life”.
rivers that they will be using to train. This
towards sustainable development as we
- Dalai Lama
focus area will also train the children on how to
would like to. The Employee Ambassadorship
swim. This pilot project will kick-start in KZN and
amongst others in CSI projects will allow SAMSA
a proposed amount of R 5 million has been submitted
employees to get involved in the CSI proposed project
for consideration for the full implementation of the project for
to adopt a river or dam in their own province, to ensure it
these children.
is kept clean, demarcated for safety of the community. The
exciting aspect of this project for SAMSA and its employees,
The entrepreneurial development which also has an
is giving back to their communities.
opportunity to create jobs in the country has not been
tightened with stakeholders that have been engaged on issues
In sum the total proposed budget put aside for projects is R15
of fish farming and hydroponics. Once these discussions
million. These CSI project are all subject to approval .
are finalised and have been resuscitated with the identified
stakeholders, this is one project that will also contribute
Sustainable development is a goal for the entire society
towards food security for South Africans. The returns are
thus a participatory approach will be needed for Samsa
enormous in terms of ordinary south Africans being able to
ambassadors as part of sustainability. “Treat the Earth well”.
sustain themselves. A proposed amount of R5 million has
It is not inherited from our parents; it is borrowed from the
been submitted to kick-start this process.
children-old Kenyan proverb. OB
OnBoard march/april 2012
31
Q&A
with Hlubi
Mzamo
Employment
Equity
Neo Moeng is a Human Recouces Specialist
Were you in the maritime sector before joining SAMSA?
Yes. I have been in the maritime sector since 1998. I worked
for a marine services BEE start-up, SA Freight, which
successfully revived shipbuilding in South Africa. We built
6 state-of-the-art harbour tugs for the Port Authority, which
are still in commission today. We formed several partnerships
with international marine services companies, like Dredging
international of Belgium, with whom we did a few projects in
Namibia and Gabon. We also partnered with Les Abeilles of
France a tugging company with port and off shore capabilities.
We were responsible for bringing the subsea cable layer, La
Chamarel, which is still based in Cape Town after we jointly
won the SAT3/WASC/SAFE cable maintenance contract with
France Telecom Marine.
After that I joined the Port Authority as a Marine Operations
Manager in the port of Cape Town. I became the Port Manager
of Richards Bay before returning to my engineering roots and
became a shareholder and partner in an engineering company
working in the Oil & Gas arena.
You are joining SAMSA at a time when most of the goals
set for the organization are being met and surpassed, what
were your impressions of SAMSA before you became part
if it?
Before 2008 SAMSA was an untransformed authority in an
equally untransformed sector. The transformation of SAMSA
since then is an impressive achievement. Much work still lies
ahead for SAMSA in influencing the positive changes of the
country’s and the continent’s maritime fortunes.
Give us a brief description of your responsibilities at the
Centre for Excellence at how they fit in the main SAMSA
machine.
The Centre for Maritime Excellence was established to
develop and implement strategic programmes that will assist
in promoting the country’s maritime interests and develop
and position the country as an International Maritime Centre
so that the sector can contribute to addressing challenges
that the country face related to job creation and economic
development.
The bulk of our work presently is focussed on the human
capacity development and the associated skills development
that goes with it if we are to grow the sector. Alongside this,
we are driving issues of research, technology development,
innovation and knowledge management. If there is no cutting
edge research and dialogue at post graduate level, there
is no hope of reviving the sector. While other professional
skills, artisans and vocational skills are equally important,
the foundation and direction of this agenda will be laid by
the post graduates. In addition to this, South Africa has a
well-developed tourism sector, which for a long time has not
focussed on marine tourism. As a special project, the Centre
32
OnBoard march/april 2012
W
hile the SAMSA continues to surpass all its
legislative and industry mandates the organisation also has the responsibility to comply with
all the other general rules of law as set out in
the constitution and national legislation.
One such area of compliance is with the country’s labour laws
and in particular the Employment Equity (EE) laws. In South
Africa our employment equity is governed by the Employment
Equity act……. The is one of the most defining pieces of
legislation and was thus subject to much public debate in
its formative stages, it has gone a long way in redressing the
past imbalances where race and gender are concerned in the
workplace.
OnBoard caught up with Neo Moeng who co-ordinates the
SAMSA Employment Equity Forum. Moeng explains that EE is
about equal opportunities to all in the workplace, eliminating
unfair treatment and implementing Affirmative Action
measures. The Act has brought disability, sex, race and other
grounds of discrimination within one piece of legislation.
Hlubi Mzamo
Senior Manager: Centre for Excellence
is also driving this agenda, which includes international, and
coastal cruise tourism, marine heritage, resorts, exploitation of
inland waterways, dams and rivers for leisure and sport.
We know that you are also involved in the Organisation for
the first ever Maritime Conference in South Africa (SAMIC),
could you give a bred update to OnBoard readers on the
conference.
SAMSA is hosting, on behalf of the Minister of Transport,
the first ever integrated maritime conference. There have
been maritime conferences in the past, but this tended to be
fragmented and only focus on specific issues within the sector.
The South African Maritime Industry Conference (SAMIC) is
going to bring under one roof all the relevant stakeholders in
the country’s Maritime development agenda. These will be
policy-makers, in the form of no less than 10 cabinet ministers,
ranging from our own DOT, through DEA, DTI, Treasury,
Economic Development, DAFF, DPE, DHET, DBE, DMR, DoE,
Sport & Recreation, together with local and international
Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), such as IDC, DBSA,
NEF; educational institutions from basic education through to
institutions of higher learning; as well as industry players in
the 5 subsectors of Maritime, i.e. Ports, Shipping & Logistics;
Fisheries; Offshore; Marine Tourism as well as Naval and
Maritime Security. SAMSA is cognisance of the fact that there
is a large number, due to the history and tardiness of the sector
in transforming, of capable business people who have to be
ushered into the sector. This discussion will cover issues such
as policy and enabling legislation, required funding models,
delve into details of each subsector and establish institutional
mechanisms that will take this sector forward.
Looking at he direction that SAMSA is going, how would
you summarise the Organisation in less than ten words?
SAMSA is taking an uncharted voyage to the Treasure
Island. OB
The SAMSA Employment Equity Forum had their first meeting
of the year on the 7 Mach 2012.
Moeng tells OnBoard that SAMSA has made substantial
progress in reporting to the Department of Labour and in
achieving its employment equity targets. The company has
made great strides to ensure that it has a staff complement
that increasingly reflects the South African demographics.
Among other pressing matters at the meeting forum members
noted with concern that concern that SAMSA has not yet
achieved its target of employing people with disabilities. This
is a point that the forum will be targeting with much gusto
at their next workshop which will be held on the 28 – 29 of
March 2012.
Another
concern raised by the forum members was
communication of the organisation’s EE successes to the
entire workforce. Moeng points out that Communication
with respect to employment equity is not only a requirement,
it is also essential to the success of the employment equity
program. She says an informed and supportive workforce
can help ensure that employment equity activities produce
effective results. Good communication will also ensure that
those with direct responsibility for carrying out activities
receive co-operation.
The Employment Equity Forum Members suggested a
Diversity and Change Management training to all managers
of this organization to enhance their skills on the importance
of compliance to this Act*.
Employment Equity Forum Members: Mr. Sobantu Tilayi,
Mr. Pule Mashiloane, Ms. Ayanda Mngadi, Ms. Nontsindiso
Tshazi – Kunene, Ms Saloshini Naidoo, Ms Rachel January,
Mr. Mark Hellenberg, Mr. Selwyn Bailey, Ms. Neo Moeng.
*in order to ensure that the EE Forum’s objectives on
communications are met, OnBoard readers will receive regular
updates on EE Forum’s activities and resolutions. There will
also be increased awareness activations of SAMSA’s EE
targets and objectives. OB
OnBoard march/april 2012
33
gadgets
Cellphone Stun Gun
No its not the latest Nokia cellphone.
This device could actually save your life.
Features:
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Packed with a powerful 1.2 million volts, this cleverly disguised
cell phone stun gun will bring any attacker to their knees and
incapacitate them.
Spy Sunglasses with 2GB Built-In Memory
High voltage
Built-in torch
Realistic design
Rechargeable internal battery
Long battery life
Comes with a durable carry pouch
Expect to pay R199.00
These have got to be the ultimate James Bond
style spy sunglasses. Features an amazing built-in
memory capacity of 2GB. Excellent video quality. I
deal for cyclists, hikers, climbers and spies of course.
Features:
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Cordless Eyewear Spy Video Camera
Polaroid Lens
The smallest hidden camera
Microswitch controls for easy operation
Built-in 2GB memory with extended memory
for Micro SD Card
No driver needed
Elegant design for both men and women
Real time recording
Mac and Windows compatible
Expect to pay R850.00
Solar Radio
Radios, torches and cell phones always seem to run
out of power when one needs them most.
With this amazing 3 in 1 solar radio you can listen
to your favourite radio station, charge almost any
cellphone and use the super bright led torch when
it gets dark.
Features:
Luxury Radio Controlled Yacht
Built for luxury and speed. The Atlantic will take you anywhere you
need to be in style. Featuring a double motor drive system with
two powerful high speed motors, this yacht has more than enough
thrust to keep you occupied.
Features:
And if that’s not enough, it even comes with a beautiful display
stand for when you’re not tearing it up on the water at speeds of
25-35km/h!
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High speed 25-35km/h
Long 200m range
Realistic design
Includes rechargeable battery pack
Powerful high speed 380 type racing motor
Professional large torsion propeller
The boat looks great and is fully built, ready to use out of the box.
Expect to pay R650.00
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Solar powered radio
Charges most cell phones
Includes adaptors for various phones
Super bright led torch
Compact modern design
Expect to pay R450.00
OnBoard march/april 2012
35
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Be part of the global wave and participate in the green healthy environment.
International Labour Organisation Occupational Health Safety Day