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2 | Endeavour Magazine

EDITORIAL Heads of Departments Editor in Chief Daemon Sands daemonsands@littlegatepublishing.com Head of Editorial Don Campbell doncampbell@littlegatepublishing.com Editorial Research Manager Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director James Martin jamesmartin@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com Any enquiries or subscriptions can be sent to info@littlegatepublishing.com ENDEAVOUR MAGAZINE is published by Littlegate Publishing LTD which is a Registered Company in the United Kingdom.

Company Registration: 07657236 VAT registration number:116 776007 343 City Road Kings Lane London Norwich EC1 V1LR NR1 3PS Littlegate Publishing Ltd does not accept responsibility for omissions or errors. The points of view expressed in articles by attributing writers and/or in advertisements included in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this magazine, no legal responsibility will be accepted by the publishers for loss arising from use of information published. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher.

Copyright © Littlegate Publishing Ltd 2013

I

n case you haven’t heard, The Duke

parents, who are not known for their

and Duchess of Cambridge have

political weight, choose to educate

had a son named Prince George

him on the world.

Alexander Louis who will be the future

It would fill me with unease if his

King of England. With all of the fervour

tutorship was from someone more

that’s been created to celebrate this

interested in traditional British values,

successful birth of a boy it has been

because I think one more royal icon

nay impossible to not be caught up

with eyes focussed on the borderline

with it all and with fresh hope of a

of his nation is not what we need. I

future King of England that all can be

would like the future King of England

proud of many of us have been looking

to receive his schooling from someone

at fresh starts.

who has made mistakes, someone who

Was it fated that as Nelson Mandela’s

has opinions of humanitarian causes

health fails and his family dedicate

rather than politics, and someone who

themselves to destroying his legacy,

won’t be afraid to tell him the absolute

that this chosen son is born? We liken

fundamental truth along the lines of,

it to the executive management of a

“what your ancestor did was wrong

company that is inherited by a son or

and you should not make the same

a daughter. In business terms a fresh

mistake.”

start also comes with a decision on

Before the weight of his nation’s

direction, will the approach change or

hopes and dreams are shovelled onto

remain the same and a discussion on

his shoulders I would hope that he is

what the pros and cons of both.

given the opportunity to be human.

Is it such a far flung assumption that

To fail. To make a scene in front of

the power of Britain does not lie

the cameras at a party and to get

within the Royal Family but within

into trouble with the law, I think the

the politicians who are making the

greatest education he could possibly

corporate decisions? Looking at the

receive is to be just a boy, who has to

conflicting views of the politicians

be brought home by the police after a

running this country, the hypocrisy

night of too much fun.

that has stapled the British coalition

Ultimately, if Nelson Mandela is not

government to the wall I sincerely

available to be his tutor then I hope

hope that Prince George is tutored

we will be fortunate enough for him to

and schooled not by anyone with a

turn to his Uncle Harry before anyone

political interest.

else.

While I would not confess to being a royalist I have gambled my optimism on the young Prince and will watch with a careful eye to the methods his

Endeavour Magazine | 3

CONTENTS FEATURES

30

George Airport Flying High

34

Royal Mnandi Flavoursome Food And Mouth-Watering Meals CB Group Caribbean Cuisine At Its Finest

40 46 54

54 Barrick South America 4 | Endeavour Magazine

Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad Recognising The Importance Of Sustainable Development Barrick South America The Real El Dorado

64

Khumani Mine Efficiency, Empowerment And Engineering Excellence

70

City Of Tshwane Keeping Your Lights On

76

SANBS Finger On The Pulse

82

Apollo Bramwell Hospital The Greatest Wealth Is Health

88

WorleyParsons Tailored Local Solutions Using Global Expertise

94

Port Authority Of Trinidad And Tobago Staying Connected

98

WUC From The Source

54

16 Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad

Apollo Bramwell Hospital

ARTICLES

6

Ricky Martin 2012 Apprentice Winner Super Scientific Recruiter

21

Be Safe, Be Seen

10

Time For Public Relations To Be Kept In House

22

Gadgets

12

A Pair Of Good Choices And One Bad Idea

24

Business Headlines

14

Meep Meep!

There Goes The Money!

102

16

Four Seasons Bora Bora

104 Passengers

18

VW Golf Review

106 Book

What’s It Like Wearing Google Glass?

From Hell

Reviews

Endeavour Magazine | 5

RICKY MARTIN 2012 APPRENTICE WINNER

Super Scientific Recruiter

BY DONNIE RUST

O

ne of a handful of reality television shows that have an

you’d expect of a winner of a show followed closely by the business

underlining purpose beyond simple entertainment, The

echelon of the world, he’s young 28, he is smart and a fast talker. He

Apprentice has remained one of the highest viewed and

speaks with clarity and force and a year on in his business venture

closest followed programme for it’s the entirety of its nine series run.

working alongside partner Lord Alan Sugar, he is clearly a man not

We were very pleased to speak with last year’s winner of the show Mr.

given to reflection of the past but entirely focussed what he’s doing

Ricky Martin who, working alongside Lord Alan Sugar has created a

now to get to where he wants to be in the future.

company that has a strong parallel to the show.

Ricky Martin, 2012 The Apprentice winner has everything that

6 | Endeavour Magazine

“The Apprentice show is styled as entertainment,” he reveals, “But it is directed at sourcing the very best business men and women

and

developing

sustainable

businesses.”

and an office manager Ricky

“Subjective

topics

didn’t

same situation as every school

always predicated towards facts

really interest me I preferred

leaver. Asking the most terrifying

This sourcing of the best

found after methodical research.

facts,”

question, what am I going to do

through a rigorous system is

Set to follow his interests from

Cardiff University, and studied

something fitting and akin to

a young age he found himself

biochemistry. You can only excel

Ricky’s background. Growing

excelling in areas of biochemistry,

in something that you have a

reputation

up in Hampshire, South East

mathematics, science and biology

passion for however, when I left

mind, at length, Ricky knew

England, the son of a bricklayer

from a young age.

university I found myself in the

that the laboratory was not the

he

reveals,

“I

went

now?”

For a man who had a for

speaking

his

Endeavour Magazine | 7

place for him and found himself working in medical sales and then in scientific recruitment which he was involved in for six years before he went into The Apprentice.

“One of my hobbies was professional reveals

wrestling,”

tellingly,

he

“Televised,

spandex and long hair is what some people may see. But I was hooked and engaged by charisma, story telling and large then live characters.”

The Apprentice With any other television show you accept that it is all in the aid of entertainment, but

“To have Lord Alan Sugar asking me what he can do to help my business success is an incredible thing.”

with The Apprentice there is the question of how the reality of the participants compare to the viewing of the show.

“It’s taking business people

Everyone who gets onto the

go out the window very soon. I

just flattery. People see him on

from different business sectors,”

show has watched it at some

think that is part of it. But after

television and think that’s all he

Rick explains, “It’s the variety of

point and Ricky speaks quite

working sixteen hour days for

does,” Ricky reveals, speaking

personalities and approaches

candidly on how he entered the

six days a week and always being

with open honesty, “But he is

that give the show it’s spark. But

2012 series with the foreplan of

on your toes. You stop worrying

a business man through and

variety is also important for any

not making the same mistakes

about anything other than just

through.

business.”

as previous participants, or to

getting the day done.

The Apprentice as only part of

His appearances in

Speaking with Ricky, he does

highlight particular behaviours

“The Apprentice is a gauntlet

his working day and he is in the

not sound like a person who is

that he thought was worthwhile,

of fire, we had 11 different

office handling business before

easily intimidated but his tales

but that despite this he was

tasks that required completely

the cameras arrive and after they

on what goes into working on the

unprepared

different

have left.”

show is enough to make even the

experience.

for

“Everyone

most brazen of business people

that

approaches

and

methods. It’s entertaining but

It is an enviable position to

with

the aim is to find out who has

be in, but also a daunting one as

they’re

the solution orientated and who

many of us would be terrified

“You have 400 hours worth of

is stopped at just seeing hurdles

to have the presence of one of

footage that has to be condensed

that anything they say could end

and problems.”

Britain’s

into an hour show,” he tells us, “So

up on the screen, you promise

After winning The Apprentice

you don’t get a complete concept

yourself to do better than anyone

2012, Ricky went into business

every move. For The Apprentice

of what goes into it. However the

in the last series. You hope you

with Lord Alan Sugar to set up a

the depiction of Lord Alan Sugar

editors do a good job at depicting

can predict what they will throw

scientific recruitment company

is slightly skewed towards being

the truth behind it. This is work,

at you,” he tells us, speaking

Hyper Recruitment Solutions.

a demanding and controlling

real work and the whole point of

honestly and with good humour,

“Lord Sugar is an exceptional

the show is to test your mettle.”

“But any preconceptions or plans

business partner and that’s not

8 | Endeavour Magazine

knowledge

starts

whole

surrounded by cameras and

reconsider.

the

the

foremost

personalities

business-

watching

their

figurehead.

“HRS has been set up in

the same building as Lord Alan

points out is that The Apprentice is set up as entertainment for the

and

Sugar so we have infrastructure

masses but is actually looking for sustainable business partners, “The

as looking at other countries

environmental

support of his infrastructure

upper crust of the very best people with the mental agility to work

including

and he often comes in or calls

well under pressure and achieve targets and goals.”

Australia and America.” Ricky

Germany,

as

well Swiss,

up to ask what he can do for us.”

“It tested me,” he says, “Not until I started my own business have I

Ricky reveals, “To have Lord Alan

been required to bring my A+ Game to such a level as I did during my

One of the main aims of Hyper

Sugar asking me what he can do

time on the show. I worked hard before but trust me, nowhere near as

Recruitment Solutions is to focus

to help my business success is an

hard as I have to now. ”

on sustainable recruitment on a long term scale for ethical

incredible thing.”

“He doesn’t have experience

says.

Hyper Recruitment Solutions

companies looking to provide a

in this service driven area and

A year after winning The Apprentice 2012, now that the buzz

service, a means or product that

so when it comes to scientific

of the show has echoed off, and HRS and its directors are left with

will improve the world. All of his

recruitment he is happy to

specific targets and goals to achieve, how is business?

staff are scientists themselves,

hand over the reigns to me.

During the meetings though

“It has been going very well so far,” Ricky states, with an appropriate level of pride, “We’ve overachieved on all of our goals.

not salesmen and are working as scientist to recruit into the industry.

he is refreshingly black and

“Everything was started from scratch and I think one of the trying

white,” Ricky points out, “Having

times in any business is sorting out the foundation,” Ricky reflects,

“Of all the discoveries that

sharpened my teeth in the sales

“Doing the bits that don’t actually feel like your job, like setting up

will change the world at some

industry I’m used to people

telephones, computers, desks and chairs and recruiting your own

point a scientist’s hands will be

colouring things up but he cuts

staff. If you’re able to get that done fast you’re on a win.”

involved, we want to provide the

straight to the point. He’s like a laser, he cuts through everything that isn’t important and just gets straight to the point.”

Something crucial that Ricky

A year in and while the plan was to have five employees by this

best hands to it,” Ricky concludes.

stage Ricky is sitting on a staff contingent of seven.

“Science recruitment covers a wide variety of industries and although we have focused in one of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and clinical we are moving into other areas including food and drink

Endeavour Magazine | 9

WRITTEN BY DAEMON SANDS

TIME FOR

Public Relations

TO BE KEPT IN HOUSE

I

How?

ndustries retract whenever technology replaces hands.

The internet was once young

Programming and hardware

and new to people and those

improve efficiency and fewer

who did not understand the ins-

people are needed to improve the

and-outs of cyberspace turned

smooth function of the industry machine.

From

to those who had the necessary

self-service

skills and the time to develop

checkout bays in supermarkets

the strength and experience in

through

shopping

this new industry. This was the

replacing high street stores, the

time where most companies

contraction of industries means

approached

that only the people at the centre

agencies,

of any given industry can benefit

could offer a simple service of

in the long term while people on

generating a public appearance

the periphery do not.

for the company.

to

online

outsourced freelancers

who

This is not about job roles, it

At the core of each of

is more about the placement of

these agencies was the time to

these roles and one of them is PR agencies.

Business reputation is the stage on which all corporate drama happens and to develop a reputation requires high quality work, good customer relations and outbound work generation.

A handful of industries and even a smaller handful of companies have no need to be concerned about any of this but for the

Outsourced agencies benefit from the “Shrug� adage because their work is not quantifiable.

Ultimately, your product, whatever it is, will not pick up the interest of potential customers if it is not interesting and engaging so what you need is a marketing department, an ideas person and not just someone who will throw your product out to a thousand websites and hope for the best, happy to take credit when something works but always ready for a shrug when it does not.

develop and earn the contacts in television, radio, advertising and online companies. The better the contacts the better the service and the more money they could charge their clients, always at a profit.

Not a

useful

long

ago

this

was

gateway

into

the

internet, something that could be outsourced and managed elsewhere, however in all my

most part generating a top end

years of working with businesses

reputation is vital.

across the globe I have yet to

10 | Endeavour Magazine

find a company who is actually

if it is not interesting and engaging so what you need is a marketing

time for the industry to contract

satisfied with the PR agency as

department, an ideas person and not just someone who will throw

again and for PR, Marketing

per a service against cost ratio.

your product out to a thousand websites and hope for the best, happy

and Promotion to be brought in

And I believe I understand why.

to take credit when something works but always ready for a shrug

house into a department that

when it does not.

can be quantified and managed

A contraction is required.

properly.

Between PR agencies and the illusive, self-important ‘Media Buyers’ I don’t understand how agencies, of any kind, can expect to charge such extortionate rates for their services when their services are being replaced by online programmes that have a wider reach and a higher yield.

Why do you need an external PR agency to spend their time on Facebook or Twitter, or connecting

with

people

on

LinkedIn on your company’s behalf when this is actually not enough work for an entire agency?

“Hire a PR Agency and you daren’t chase them up,” this is the unsaid rule whenever you outsource them.

Outsourced agencies benefit from the “Shrug” adage because their work is not quantifiable.

Ultimately,

your

product,

whatever it is, will not pick up the interest of potential customers

Impending Lack Of Ignorance Nothing unknown exists on the internet and while agencies, in all their personas, have relied on the ignorance or laziness of customers, this is no longer the case in a world where information is so freely available and money is pinched more than ever. More and more agencies are finding their customers becoming increasingly discerning and asking the dreaded questions of: what do you do?

Recently I was asked to participate in a fund raiser put together by a PR agency of some reputation and watched as money was splurged on fine dining, first class transport, expensive hotels and a lot of primping upon the good name of the charity in question only for the event to be a near failure due to a lot of talk and not a lot of action.

A good PR agency will not take you out to an expensive restaurant, they will meet you for coffee in their offices and the managing director should look like they’ve spent the morning on the phone, organizing things.

Here is the crutch, in my experience, PR agencies build up a catalogue of news websites and mailings so that their clients will appear on so many websites, but there will be no push, there will be little or no calling and promoting. It’s all about the so-called

The

cost

of

employing

someone to do the work of an agency will pay for itself because that person will be answerable to a manager and not a customer who can be mislead, distracted or, in many cases, flat out lied to.

The ‘secret’ of the PR industry is brought in-house and becomes the

company’s

secrets,

the

results and goals of the company can be reflected within the work of the employee instead of relying on the invisible and nonchalant efforts of a PR Agent.

In the end, it is simple, an employee can be run ragged for their paycheque and rightly so.

Everyone should work for their money and be rewarded for results not promises.

connections. Good results are cause for celebration because it usually comes as a surprise.

Contraction With the all-important customer ignorance at an all-time low, it is Endeavour Magazine | 11

A PAIR OF GOOD CHOICES AND One Bad Idea WRITTEN BY DONNIE RUST

Three choices led to me being choked out this morning.

F

irstly, I have moved into a

shirts with a depiction of me looking “intelligent”. Due to this I cannot

I have come to realize that

beautiful loft apartment

afford to be up at 7am when I only get to sleep at 3am when the last

moving in with someone you

in the city centre which

of the taxis stop dicing down the brilliant lit up and very visible City

love is really the first step in

Street.

determining whether or not

provides me instant access into the city, not that I worry about

So I purchased ear plugs and a flight mask.

you’re meant to be together.

transport (see car review). It

Living together means that you

wasn’t long before I realized

are guaranteed to learn things

that being in the city centre does

about your partner you never

mean that my bedroom windows

knew before. I’ve spent two years

open up onto a road that is not

holding in farts because I was

a main road but is a well-known

trying to give a good impression

short cut to go from the main

and when she managed to inflate

road to the local business parks,

the duvet the other night I

an essential connective line

realized so had she.

that acts like a rung of a ladder

Are you able to shrug off

holding up the clinging hands

that suddenly the decoration

of the city. So I have the languid

of your house is no longer up to

sounds of taxis, truck engines,

you and that you have zero, and I

lorries carrying broken glass

mean zero say in what appears in

and ball bearings and drunken

the bathroom cabinet? Can you

pedestrians arguing over who

handle the smell of nail polish

can projectile vomit the farthest.

remover, can either of you deal

My nightlights are the long line

with snoring? Do you watch the

of high-yield street lamps set up

same television shows? These

at the business premises car park directly opposite my house and

Good Choice Number One

are all the things that determine whether or not you’ll want to

cast such a brilliant white glare

wring their necks a week in (more

through the windows that the

on that later).

shadows of my blinds have been bleached upon the walls.

My

writing

is

highly

influential, my words sway the decisions

politicians

my girlfriend, the beautiful red headed Celtic

Thirdly,

I am, as I

faerie who has often appeared in my articles as a companion and soul

continuously refer to, a highly

mate and, since discovering her father reads my magazine, never as a

trained and quite lethal martial

punch line - she has moved in.

artist. Since seven years old I

and

There are a number of reasons why this has been a good choice

have trained extensively in every

worldwide,

and the most prominent one is that she is beautiful, magical and I love

sort of martial art that I could

people walk around with wrists

her with all my heart. Since I first met her I have longed to look after

find, travelling cross country and

bands asking the slogan WHAT

her, provide for her and spend my time concocting ways to make her

overseas to train with the best. I

WOULD DONNIE DO and wear

dreams real (Hi Mr. Murray).

have more black belts than a suit

corporate

of

Secondly,

giants

12 | Endeavour Magazine

rental, I’ve fought professionally

joint

in the ring and cage, I have taught

carteroid

others how to do it, I’ve studied

in

karate, ninjutsu, aikido, jujitsu,

compressing my wind

okami, wing-tsun, muay thai and

pipe, I felt a figure-

I also have a black belt in Batman.

four lock wedge the

Due to an injury involving

hold in place but I

my

could

a Nootka Cypress (it’s a big,

pinching

my

artery throat

do

and

anything

climbable tree) and every branch

sparring techniques, not singular

and that lucid, beautiful calm

because I was wearing a sodding

between the highest sprig and

punches and kicks taught to rows

in my mind as if I had, in one

sleeping mask and couldn’t hear

the ground I wasn’t training when

and rows of uniformed people

training session accomplished

anything because I had ear plugs

I met my girlfriend and romanced

wearing

making

something great. Now partners

in.

her. Writing for Endeavour has

Kiaaaa! noises, but routines to

in training as well as everything

I wrestled and struggled-

pretty much taken up my time

develop movement and rhythm

else we spoke earnestly about

who was it? The Yellow Assassin

since then so there is an entire

so that everyone would develop

the details of my training. The

of The Yellow Hand Ninja Club?

part of my life which she knows

an idea of how to move.

It

sort of things that I learnt and it

No, there was no tell-tale smell

nothing about.

offered the great opportunity to

brought me so much closer to the

of onions. The Android Raccoons

switch off and let the body take

love of my life because I was able

of Brighton? No, I had defeated

over. It is simply fantastic.

to reveal what had once felt like

them in 2006!

So, we agreed that since we will be living together and I am

belts

while

a certified lethal weapon that

We also did throws, the kind

a dark secret. I am deadly. Yes, I

No. It was none other than

it was time she had a look into

of throws that would put a lighter

am highly trained and stealthy,

my beautiful, loving girlfriend

this violent and exciting part

woman against a larger attacker

physically and psychologically

who had felt that 2am was a

of my life which has turned my

at an advantage using more body

geared

fists into iron hammers and my

physics than brute strength and I

opponents and enemies. Yes, I

shins into steel girdles. A bit of

won’t lie it was more than a little

used to hurt people in the ring

investigation revealed a local

exciting to see my fragile looking

and cage for money. Yes I have

school teaching Jeet Kun Do

red head of a girlfriend throwing

beaten men unconscious and had

a martial art developed by the

a man my size over her shoulder

been revered as a modern day

late, great Bruce Lee which has

after he applied a choke hold and

warrior by men and women alike.

developed over the last forty

to hear him hit the matts like a

Then she shampooed my hair

years into a concept driven

sack of potatoes and know that

martial art. This means, basically

at least it wasn’t me.

that you learn how to cheat in a

******

towards

overcoming

of a ninja assassin I was and had, in the same test, discovered just how quickly a person could fall asleep when after between three and five seconds I went limp. (haha. Sorry Mr. Murray).

and we went to bed. ******

What an idiot!

real fight to increase the chances

We got home late and I felt

My dreams were shattered,

of winning. Which, in a real fight

that familiar ache in my shoulders,

torn apart as a body landed upon

is actually really useful.

back and legs that I remember

my back and an arm wrapped

after a hard martial arts session

around my throat. The elbow

Last night we were learning

perfect time to test how much

Endeavour Magazine | 13

Meep Meep!

THERE GOES THE MONEY!

WRITTEN BY JIM BLYTHE

14 | Endeavour Magazine

I

have a daughter. She’s three.

aged three and as a result I watch a lot of modern children’s television.

That’s her age not her name

Most of it is phenomenally poor which is a shame as she likes it. As

incidentally. Three would be

I don’t like it I try, wherever possible, to get her to watch decent (or

a terrible name although naming

“old”) children’s television instead. She’s often unhappy about this

children in number sequence

but as she’s too short to reach the remote on the top of the bookcase

would make the whole thing a lot

there’s not much she can do about it. My efforts are paying off because

easier and save family arguments

she’s come to like Tom and Jerry. Her favourite bits, she tells me, are

if we have another child. But then

“when the people get hurt”. Which is heart-warming isn’t it? Kids!

people would wonder what had

Given the success of Tom and Jerry I thought she might enjoy

become of One and Two wouldn’t

watching Road Runner and I was right, she loves it. And as we were

they? And that’d lead to all sorts

sitting there this morning watching Wile E. Coyote up to his always

of difficult conversations. But I

doomed tricks a thought struck me. You know how Wile E. Coyote

digress. I have a daughter who’s

will run/rollerskate/rocket over the edge of a cliff but he’s fine and

he’ll

keep

on

running/rollerskating/

blown up, sometimes he gets run over

rocketing until he looks down and

usually by a train and sometimes he drops

realises there’s nothing below him? And

off the edge of the cliff frantically still

then he plummets to disappear in a cloud

running /rollerskating/rocketing until he

of dust? Well it occurred to me that’s

realises there’s nothing holding him up.

almost exactly what happened to the

Now this being a cartoon he’s always

international banking system. There it

back seconds later with a new, even

was happily running along until someone

crazier scheme. He doesn’t refine his last

somewhere looked down and realised

scheme, ironing out the glitches until it’s

that nothing at all was holding it up. And

perfect. Oh no. he just scraps it and starts

so the whole world plummeted into our

something completely new. And gets hurt

current cloud of dust which we’re still

again and again and again. And he never,

gingerly picking our way out of.

ever catches his prize. The Road Runner

And the more I thought about it the

is always out of reach, mocking him as

more I realised that Wile E. Coyote is a

it soars away leaving him in some fresh

powerful metaphor for the businesses

new agony. And we laugh at his pain and

of the world which I’d like to explore with

suffering. There’s nothing noble about

you now in greater detail. If you’ve never

what Wile E. Coyote does – he is first and

seen the Warner Brothers cartoon Road

foremost a figure of fun.

Runner this is going to mean nothing to

So if you’ve ever sat listening to

you by the way. And I feel sad for you.

your company directors telling you of an

Go and watch it. Now. The character that

exciting new direction that the company

interests me is the villain of the piece,

is soaring off in, or if you are that company

Wile E. Coyote. He is a metaphor for

director, just think about Wile E. Coyote

every failed business you can think of

for a moment. Would you be better off

from Woolworths to HMV to Bearings

if you just made a few tweaks to your

Bank. The reason for this is that all

current crazy scheme? Is it really time

Wile E. Coyote does, all day every day,

to strap on the jet propelled rollerskates

is to single-mindedly chase the same

and take the organisation in a new and

unobtainable goal which, in his case, is the

exciting direction, i.e. downwards?

Road Runner. Which in turn makes Road

I’m not trying to suggest that trying

Runner the metaphorical prize chased

new ideas is a bad thing; I don’t believe

by businesses everywhere. What? No,

that for a moment. But what I am saying

not the customer, silly! The customer’s

is that before you do that, you should

money. And so Wile E. Coyote dreams up

consider whether a tweak might be

more and more increasingly dangerous

better. It’s equally important to know

and ridiculous schemes to try to catch his

when you’re beaten and when the time’s

prize.

right to change tack. As a case in point, did

If you’ve ever watched Road Runner

anyone notice Rupert Murdoch’s recent

(what, you still haven’t? I told you to go

£50million re-launch of My Space? Me

and watch it. Now!!!) you’ll know what

neither. Even my three year-old daughter

happens to Wile E. Coyote every time.

would have known better than to try that!

He gets hurt. Badly. Sometimes he gets Endeavour Magazine | 15

C Four Seasons BORA BORA

elebrities and the royal family aren’t treated as well as this. That’s

what I’m thinking, with my toes swaying to the tide of the French Polynesian Pacific as I lie in a sunbed searching the sky for

WRITTEN BY DENNY MCELLIS

anything in the shape of clouds.

A pineapple cocktail is in one hand and a brochure advertising snorkelling tours offered in many different locations around the island of Bora Bora in the other.

All of us have seen the meme’s online of the thatched roof chalets standing in light aquamarine waters of the Bora Bora

shores

and

fantasized

about going there and as I sit here I can’t fathom why it’s taken me so long to get here.

Opened in September 2008

16 | Endeavour Magazine

and managed by Rajiv Malhotra,

architects Dider Lefort and Pierre-Jean Picart were called in, working

Four Seasons have a long

Four Seasons Bora Bora has

with interior designer company BAMO. Typical of Four Seasons

history of impressing patrons

garnered itself 220,000 square

the resultant effect is one of intense satisfaction and, dare I say it,

and statistically make most of

metres (2,368,060 square feet)

gratitude.

their revenue through return

of the enviable Bora Bora coast.

Although all the normal amenities are provided for including deep,

visits and I can understand why.

Bragging a total of 107 rooms,

luxurious bathtubs, minibars, wifi and telephones it is a journey of only

I feel utterly at peace knowing

100 bungalows, 7 villas and 15

a couple of steps to get the feeling that you are as far away from your

that the office and my boss is

residential units.

daily slog as you can get. Set on a private motu (island) in the string

on the other side of the planet

Design Aesthetic is Tahitian

of coral islets surrounding Bora Bora’s main island and overlooking

and I have entered a bubble

style, making the most use of

Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia it is remarkably easy to lose

of sunshine, calm ocean and

the natural special feel and full

yourself to the singular island beauty, the salty air, lush, foaming

fantastic service where there is

use of the abundant long hours

vegetation and an island filled with birds of paradise.

nothing more pressing for my

of sunshine. Over-water guest

Recently, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora was again named #1

attention than whether I want to

suites, like the one I’m currently

resort in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific and #5 on the

go snorkelling in the morning or

basking in, have trraditional

list of Top 100 Hotels Overall in Travel and Leisure’s 2013 World’s

the afternoon?

teak wood furnishings, high

Best Awards readers’ poll.

On a tangent though, it’s the

ceilings and thatched roofs made

“We’re thrilled that sophisticated readers of Travel and Leisure

kind of place that makes you re-

from pandanus leaves and the

have recognized us as the #1 resort Australia, New Zealand and the

assess you priorities. Thusly, if

striking works of art are sourced

South Pacific and as one of the world’s very best resorts,” said General

you are reading this my job must

throughout French Polynesia.

Manager Rajiv Malhotra, “Our dedicated team will continue to create

be very, very good. If not, then I’m

No expense has been spared

the most extraordinary, memorable and romantic experiences for our

still on my island getaway and see

in the design of the suites and

valued guests.”

you here.

Endeavour Magazine | 17

VW GOLF A

WRITTEN BY STEVE WARMAN

long time ago, when I still had hair, I owned one of the

lower than its predecessor and it looks and feels that little bit sportier,

original MK’s I GTI which set the benchmark as a usable

too. Inside, the Golf has VW’s usual mix of high-quality materials and

everyday car/hooligan’s tool and I loved it. Over the

loads of up-to-date equipment – there’s an option for a huge eight-inch

years many rivals have tried to produce their version of the Golf and

touchscreen to sit at the centre of the completely redesigned interior.

struggled to match it. Today there are more and more very good rivals

You can choose between eight engine specs across four versions – S,

so this new Golf needs to be even better than before to succeed in

SE, BlueMotion and GT. All models are quiet and smooth on the road,

retaining its crown.

with either the six-speed manual or automatic gearboxes. There have

This seventh generation of Volkswagen Golf continues to raise

been some critics of the car’s design, saying it’s too tame and similar

the family hatchback bar and is nearly 100kg lighter than the old Mk6,

to old models, especially with the likes of the SEAT Leon pushing the

however its dimensions are actually wider and longer. There is more

boundaries a bit. But a conservative look is a small price to pay for what

room in the boot and extra passenger space inside. The car is slightly

could easily be described as the only car you’ll ever need.

18 | Endeavour Magazine

Plenty of grip and a range of quiet engines make the Golf great to drive in any situation

quiet the Golf is. Even at motorway speeds, the interior is so brilliantly insulated that wind and tyre noise are barely evident, so you end your journey feeling calm and well refreshed. No other car in the class comes close to the Golf in terms of interior quality and upmarket feel.

Losing 100kg has made the new Golf more agile to drive than the previous model. There’s very little body roll through the corners thanks to plenty of grip, and all the engines on offer are quiet and smooth at motorway speeds – even the diesel models. In fact, the

Well-built and beautifully engineered – the VW Golf is a dependable car.

148bhp 2.0-litre TDI model we tested nearly achieves hot-hatchback

The Golf is clearly a family car first, and there’s more room inside

levels of speedy performance. Thanks to a variable ratio that makes

it than ever before. The increased dimensions means that legroom

the steering light and easy at low speeds but quicker and more

in the back has gone up by 15mm – which is much more in reality

responsive at higher speeds, the Golf is good to drive in all situations.

than it sounds – creating enough room for three adults in the back.

The economical BlueMotion version drives a bit differently to other

It’s worth noting that the middle seat is a little cramped because of a

models, with a much slower pace and compromised handling.

large transmission tunnel at the passenger’s feet, though. If you fold the Golf’s rear seats flat, you end up with more than enough space for

Comfortable, quiet and effortless – the current VW Golf is more grown up than ever before The Golf can handle pretty much anything the slowly disintegrating UK roads can throw at it. But what’s really notable is how incredibly

lugging around large items without too much hassle. Plus, it’s the little things that VW adds that make all the difference, like the neat little seatbelt holders in the back that stop them snagging when you fold the seats down. You also get a ski hatch in the rear bench for posting longer objects through, and the loading lip is low so negotiating bulkier items into the boot is easy.

Endeavour Magazine | 19

There’s more hitech standard equipment on the VW Golf than ever before You can hardly call the Golf cheap, but the quality of the car is so high, its starting price just north of £16,000 is still extremely

20 | Endeavour Magazine

competitive.

options. What’s more, history says that when you come to sell it on in the UK used car market, the Golf’s resale value should be high. We’d also suggest paying the few hundred extra pounds to get the three-year maintenance service

pack,

which

covers

everything during the span of the car’s manufacturer warranty..

VW has exceeded itself with

We’d

low running costs with all models

tested the mid-range SE, as it

coming fitted with its super-

has all the bells and whistles

efficient technology to improve

you’ll ever need, but with a more

fuel economy and reduce CO2

reasonable list price. All SE

emissions. The result is by far

versions and above get adaptive

the most fuel-efficient Golf yet.

cruise control as standard (which

Our 2.0-litre TDI diesel gives

maintains a set distance to the

the best balance of performance

car in front), while hi-tech extras

and economy overall, returning

like park assist and auto braking

68.9pmg while remaining fast,

are

smooth and responsive.

available

as

well-priced

BE SAFE, BE SEEN. WRITTEN BY STEVE WARMAN

S

tartling new UK motorcycling statistics say 970 motorcyclists were killed last year and over

55,000 seriously injured. Nearly half of incidents were caused through not being seen.

I have been testing the “Polite� High Visibility Safety Vest on my motorbike.

It is purposely very similar to a Police vest in its design and really stands out.

It is perfectly legal to wear this and it is welcomed by insurance companies.

It really does stand out and gets you seen. Does the design make other road uses think and act more cautiously as they are unsure if you are a police officer or does the high viz just catch their attention more?

I am unsure

however I know it works and I have had a very positive time with the vest.

The Polite range is the fastest selling high viz range in the UK. You can get yours from highvisibility.uk.com or call them on 44 1 151 768 7182.

Endeavour Magazine | 21

AUGUST GADGETS

Mophie:Juice Pack Plus

By Alex Smith

T

RRP: $79.95 Available at: www.mophie.com

his month I enjoyed a heavy dosage of live music, sweltering

camera. The design offers quite rugged protection of your phone and

Scottish weather and a very embarrassing vest top tan. It’s

includes a very simple battery life reader, a four light system to check

festival season again and I had five great days in T in the Park.

how much battery life is left. Now of course getting to the Plus’ main

To make experience even more enjoyable I reviewed two products

function it is the top of the line battery pack from Mophie and yields

the Mophie:Juice Pack Plus and the MusucBag. I was sent this product from Mophie in the back end of May ready for me to review at T in the Park, I must confess however I tried it out on my Iphone 4 the day it arrived and I haven’t taken it off since.

The Plus looks great, it still allows easy access of all the iPhone

2100 mAh of battery capacity, with the Iphone 4’s in built battery 1420 mAh this allows you an extra 150% usage from the device.

I highly recommend the Mophie:Juice Pack Plus and if you are looking for the best combination of unyielding battery life and great ergonomic design – this for me beats all its rivals!!

options such as the volume buttons, power, headphone jack and the

The Dual Power Bank

By Tyler Harrison

T

RRP: £39.99 Available at: Menkind.co.uk & Amazon in both Blue and Black Versions

his month I’ve been testing the Dual Power Bank from Gadget

where you can’t charge your USB

charge your USB devices. The

innovators Thumbs UP UK, and so far this product has been

devices from a power socket, the

digital LED display gives you

extremely beneficial. As a Project Manager I’m often travelling

Dual Power Bank guarantees you

a real time indication of how

so it’s imperative that both my iPhone and iPad have enough battery

can keep running your business

much charge is left in the Dual

power, ensuring I can continue to do my job on the move. We’ve all been

without any uncertainty. To get

Power Bank, and Thumbs Up UK

in a situation where we urgently need to send that important email,

started the Power Bank will

conveniently include all the wires

or make that vital phone call, but your phone battery is worryingly

need to be charged from a mains

and connectors that are required

close to going flat. With the Dual Power Bank, these situations will be

power socket, a full charge takes

to get started. For some, having

a thing of the past. The Dual Power Bank is a compact, portable and

roughly 7 hours. Once the Power

the Dual Power Bank by your

high capacity charging station which is barely larger than the palm of

Bank is charged you can pop this

side will be an absolute lifesaver

your hand, and yet can simultaneously charge two USB devices. The

gadget into your briefcase, and at

and I personally will endeavour

generous 6600 mAh capacity is enough to fully charge your phone 3

any time, wherever you are in the

to continue using this.

times over so if you’re away on a business trip, or in a remote location

world, you can simultaneously

22 | Endeavour Magazine

MusucBag

By Alex Smith

W

RRP: 119.00 EUR Available at: musucbag.com

ith the massive fad recently of ‘onesies’ mixed with the

temperatures as low as -13 Degrees Celcius. The storage in the item

fact I was going to be spending four nights camping in

deserves a mention, I hate spending hours packing away sleeping

Scotland I thought it would be a great idea to try out

bags the process is so tedious, however the stuff bag that comes with

the MusucBag Classic. MusucBag is a revolutionary sleeping bag

the product is great and takes less than a minute to have it packed

system which allows maximum mobility (perfect while fleeing from

away. Sitting outside my tent the MusucBag turned a lot of heads and

the Scottish) whilst keeping warm. Its lining is made from soft touch

I had a lot of people asking about so there is a lot of interest there.

nylon with a polyester hollow fibre bonded filling and can withstand

OfficeVibe

By Don Campbell

O

Free Available at: Officevibe.com

n the surface this is a subscription to a “feel good blog”,

Missions include things like,

hardest and most rigid deadlines

with the guise of an App to send it through to your iPhone

“The Secret to Fun at Work, Be

in the corporate world which

however it is simply a means to “gamify” the office in an

Like James Bond,”.

comes with an appropriate level

attempt to change the corporate world. This is accomplished by

It is also emphasized that

focusing on five initiatives that the largest companies in the world,

you need to share and invite the

While I like the idea of

including Google and Zappos make use of: Philanthropic Initiatives,

social network with colleagues to

OfficeVibe, I think at the moment

Performance Initiatives, Social Initiatives, Green Initiatives and

share the Good Vibes.

it appears (perhaps wrongly)

Wellness Initiatives.

Described as a “Gamifying” platform aimed at targeting all five of

At this point it is worth mentioning

that

not

of stress.

to be a thinly veiled method of

all

building a viewership. However,

these initiatives I found the website to be an interesting distraction

companies operate like Google,

this being said the very same

during my lunch breaks. While I believe that the focus of this product is

but all companies have the same

thing was said about Twitter

very good I think it needs to be repackaged to suit the office manager

stresses and strains. Giants like

and Facebook when they first

level rather than the employee where it is currently targeted.

Google offer their staff flexible

started.

The premise is that weekly missions to engage you on the

working hours, slides, games,

I would whole heartedly

above mentioned initiatives are received, and as an individual or an

fringe benefits, a fun working

suggest giving it a go. It’s free and

office you work towards accomplishing, generating what they call

environment and great peace of

it’s fun so why not?

“Good Vibes”.

mind but still have some of the

Endeavour Magazine | 23

AT THE COST OF LIVES AND RESPECT, HOW MUCH MONEY IS MADE THROUGH War?

CHENEY’S HALLIBURTON MADE $39.5 BIL ON IRAQ WAR

BY ANGELO YOUNG, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES WWW.READERSUPPORTEDNEWS.ORG

T

he accounting of the financial cost of the nearly decadelong Iraq War will go on for years, but a recent analysis has shed light on the companies that made money off the war by

providing support services as the privatization of what were former U.S. military operations rose to unprecedented levels.

Private or publicly listed firms received at least $138 billion of U.S.

As private enterprise entered

companies

federal

contracts

the war zone at unprecedented

without considering competing

levels, the amount of corruption

bids continued to grow, by 9

ballooned,

even

most

percent last year, according to

contractors

performed

their

the Washington Post.)

if

duties as expected.

According bipartisan

Even though the military to

has largely pulled out of Iraq,

on

private contractors remain on

Wartime Contracting in Iraq

the ground and continue to

and

level

reap U.S. government contracts.

defense

For example, the U.S. State

of

Commission

the

Afghanistan, corruption

the by

contractors may be as high as

Department

providing private security, building infrastructure and feeding the

$60 billion. Disciplined soldiers

taxpayers will dole out $3

troops.

that would traditionally do many

billion to private guards for the

of the tasks are commissioned

government’s sprawling embassy

by private and publicly listed

in Baghdad.

taxpayer money for government contracts for services that included

Ten contractors received 52 percent of the funds, according to an analysis by the Financial Times.

The No. 1 recipient?

companies.

that

The costs of paying private graft,

and publicly listed war profiteers

firm KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR), which was spun off from its parent, oilfield

the costs of paying for these

seem miniscule in light of the

services provider Halliburton Co. (NYSE:HAL), in 2007.

services are higher than paying

total bill for the war.

Houston-based energy-focused engineering and construction

Even

estimates

without

or

Last week, the Costs of War

over the past decade, with many of the deals given without any bidding

soldiers to do them because of

Project by the Watson Institute

from competing firms, such as a $568-million contract renewal in

the profit motive involved. No-

for

2010 to provide housing, meals, water and bathroom services to

bid contracting - when companies

Brown University said the war

soldiers, a deal that led to a Justice Department lawsuit over alleged

get to name their price with no

in Iraq cost $1.7 trillion dollars,

kickbacks, as reported by Bloomberg.

competing bid - didn’t lower

not including the $490 billion

Who were Nos. 2 and 3?

legitimate expenses. (Despite

in immediate benefits owed

Agility Logistics (KSE:AGLTY) of Kuwait and the state-owned

promises by President Barack

to veterans of the war and the

Kuwait Petroleum Corp. Together, these firms garnered $13.5 billion

Obama to reel in this habit, the

lifetime benefits that will be

of U.S. contracts.

trend toward granting favoured

owed to them or their next of kin.

The company was given $39.5 billion in Iraq-related contracts

24 | Endeavour Magazine

government

the

employees

International

Studies

at

Gender Equality

MEN BECOME HOUSEWIVES. WOMEN WORK IN OIL AND GAS.

August Books

WOMEN FILL 40% OF VACANCIES IN OIL, GAS

BY ROBIN DUPRE HTTP://BIT.LY/13TOUIJ

I

n the first quarter of 2013,

percent by 2020, according to the company’s 2012 Sustainability

more

Review. In 2012, 17 percent of the group leaders were female, up

women

than

men

entered the oil and gas

industry.

Specifically,

about

3,900 positions were added in the oil and gas sector with about 46 percent of these positions, or

from 9 percent in 2000.

This goal reflects a broader rise of women in the workforce as a whole.

“We’ve seen a lot of women apply for positions and they’re very, very qualified,” said Mile Melillo, Repsol USA recruiting manager.

1,800 positions filled by women,

Today, more women than men hold bachelor’s degrees, and

according to the Bureau of Labor

they make up nearly half – 47 percent – of the American workforce.

Statistics. Since 1991 (when the

But that’s not all. America’s working mothers are now the primary

Bureau of Labor Statistics began

breadwinners in a record 40 percent of households with children, up

tracking this trend), there has

from just 11 percent in 1960, according to a recent study conducted

never been a year where more

by the Pew Research Center.

than a third of new hires

While most of these homes

in the industry have

are headed by single mothers, a

been women.

significant number are families

“While there is a concerted

effort

with married mothers who earn

to

more than their husbands.

recruit women into the

Overall, 13.7 million U.S.

field, that number stands

households with children under

alone in this recovery

the age of 18 now include

and only time will tell

mothers who are breadwinners.

if its sustainable,” said

Of those, 5.1 million, or 37

Paul Caplan, president,

percent, are married, while 8.6

Rigzone, in a recent

million, or 63 percent, are single.

interview.

And among all U.S. households more

with children, the share of married breadwinner moms has jumped

women and minorities within my

“I

see

more

and

from 4 percent in 1960 to 15 percent in 2011. For single mothers, the

company every day,” said Kelly

share has increased from 7 percent to 25 percent.

Emanuel, NAM credit manager

The national average annual salary for oil and gas exploration and

at Weatherford International.

production is $96,844 or about $47 per hour – more than double the

“It makes me feel good knowing

average annual salary for all occupations, according to the American

that they are willing to hire

Petroleum Institute.

the best candidates for the job

“I entered the oil and gas industry directly out of college because

despite their gender or ethnic

it was a good opportunity,” said Emanuel. “I have found that there are

background.”

a lot of opportunities for women for growth and learning.”

Oil and gas companies are

In fact, the industry distributed $176 billion in wages paid to

actively recruiting women with

U.S. employees, plus benefits and payments to oil and natural gas

many launching internal goals for

leaseholders, reported API.

gender representation among

“The population of this country is far more diverse than this

senior leadership. BP plc has a

industry as a whole,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel, at the

goal of raising its percentage

2013 Offshore Technology Conference at a press hearing. “So I think

of female group leaders to 25

this industry has some work to do.”

Turn to page 106

Endeavour Magazine | 25

SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY SHOWING SIGNS OF GROWTH

B

ankserv Africa’s Economic Transaction Index (Beti) shows encouraging signs that the economy is stabilising, the electronic payment transaction company said on Thursday.

BankservAfrica regulated products CEO Brad Gillis said the value of Beti transactions in the past 12 months totalled R7.7trn, a 6.3% increase on the previous 12 months. The economy seemed to be growing at a normal pace every two months and at a stagnation rate every other month.

February, April and June showed normal growth, equivalent to around 3.0% to 3.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). January and March indicated much slower growth rates, while May showed a small slowdown from a very strong April.

Chief economist for economists.co.za, Mike Schussler, said a return to “normal” economic growth should be cause for celebration after recent labour upheavals and the weakening of the rand.

“While the South African economy continues to grow at a slower pace than we want it to, the fact remains that June 2013 was the 46th month of an upswing, making this the second longest business cycle upswing in the country’s history,” he said.

Schussler said the Beti did not imply that the country was in a boom phase but rather back to a steady, albeit slow growth period, with the normal average growth rate pegged at 3.4%.

The return to normal growth was further evidenced by the 3.3% increase in new car sales. The total vehicle sales, seasonally adjusted, was up by 4.4% for June.

The Kagiso Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) also increased by 1.2 points in June to 51.6.

“Along with the February data, we feel that four of the last six months have shown relative robust and more normal growth than most of last year,” Schussler said.

“With electricity distribution showing growth for two months in a row in May 2013 after 13 months of decline, it is clear that more than one set of indicators are showing a more positive trend than most of last year.”

26 | Endeavour Magazine

BY STEPHANIE KING BLUESKY PR

M

arketing and media jobs continue to grow while available candidates are in steep decline Latest employment data from The Association

of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) reveals that the marketing and media sector continues to suffer from a mass talent shortage. Permanent placements have collapsed by 21% year on year, but actual job openings have risen by 2% which is indicative of an on-going scarcity of available candidates. While organisations are increasingly turning to temporary workers to help alleviate

FASTEST 4G NETWORK IN THE Virgin Islands

A

T&T has turned on the nation’s fastest 4G LTE network in

said Jose Juan Davila, vice president and general manager for AT&T

St. Thomas, bringing customers the latest generation of

Mobility Puerto Rico & USVI.

wireless network technology. This means faster speeds as

Even as AT&T continues to expand its 4G LTE coverage, customers

LTE technology is capable of delivering speeds faster than many other

can get 4G speeds outside of 4G LTE areas on our 4G HSPA+ network,

mobile Internet technologies. Customers can stream, download,

unlike some competitors, where smartphone customers may fall back

upload and game faster than ever before.

to slower 3G technologies when outside of LTE coverage.

Offering lower latency, LTE technology helps to improve services

“Our goal is for our customers to have an extraordinary experience,

like mobile gaming, two-way video calling and telemedicine. The

and they’ll be able to download, upload, stream and game faster

wireless spectrum is a finite resource, and LTE uses spectrum more

than ever before on our 4G LTE network,” said Ray Flores, regional

efficiently than other technologies, creating more space to carry data

vice president AT&T Puerto Rico & US-VI. “As part of the U.S. Virgin

traffic and services and to deliver a better network experience.

Islands community, we’re always looking for new opportunities to

“We continue to see demand for mobile Internet skyrocket, and our 4G LTE network in St. Thomas responds to what customers want

provide enhanced coverage, and our investment in the local wireless network is another way we’re accomplishing that.”

from their mobile experience — more, faster, on the best devices,”

this, the on-going decline in placements

end of the market are still in demand for

indicates a marked skills shortage.

enterprise change, business intelligence

This trend can be attributed to a

and change management roles.

We

mismanagement of expectations within

are continuing to experience growth in

companies seeking to develop digital

the contract market as employers take

marketing strategies. A sentiment which is

advantage of the benefits of a more mobile

echoed by founder of Only Marketing Jobs,

workforce without fixed headcount costs.”

Simon Lewis:

Ann Swain, Chief Executive of APSCo

“The latest APSCo monthly hiring trends

comments: “Whilst the marketing and media

report showing a decline in marketing and

sector is clearly booming as reflected in the

media placements is not a surprise. Quite

increased number of job opportunities,

simply workers have been unable to meet

it is concerning that staffing companies

the demands of our increasingly digital

the permanent IT market is suffering

are struggling to source staff to meet the

world, resulting in a mismanagement of

badly. Despite historically being one of

demand. Recruitment consultancies need

expectations within hiring organisations

the most resilient sectors, permanent

to not only work with hiring organisations

looking to quickly develop their digital

placements have declined by 14% year on

to help plug this gap now, but they also need

marketing strategy.

year and vacancies have collapsed even

to work closely to develop effective talent

The skills shortage has increased the

further (16%). Yet there are encouraging

pipelining strategies to prevent further

so-called ‘war for talent’, meaning the finite

signs in the temporary IT recruitment

skills shortages in the long run.”

number of experienced digital professionals

market with a 2.7% increase in placements

John Nurthen, Executive Director

are snapped up quickly, whilst the rest

year on year. This can be attributed to

International Development for Staffing

are embroiled in an elongated beauty-

organisations’ on-going use of temporary

Industry Analysts which compiles the data

pageant-style round of interviews, hoping

and contract professionals in today’s new

on behalf of APSCo comments:

to convince the judges that their skills are

era of corporate agility. A sentiment echoed

“Looking at the trends over a two

up to scratch. Additionally, technology and

by Victoria Maloney, Global Operations

year period, the demand for marketing

associated analytics - formally the exclusive

Director at SThree:

and media professionals has remained

domain of IT - is muddying the waters as

“There has been less movement in

remarkably constant but we can see clearly

companies seek the ‘all-in-one’ marketing

the permanent market in recent months.

that professional staffing companies are

and technologically capable employee”.

But although vacancies are dropping off

struggling to find the right candidates on

slightly, premium candidates at the senior

behalf of their clients.”

Elsewhere APSCo’s data reveals that

Endeavour Magazine | 27

NEWSPAPERS OVER E-NEWS IN Africa

E

arlier this month IREX’s

in its infancy. In Botswana a

latest

Media

participant stressed that his

Positive findings did indicate a brighter future. Kenyan participants

Africa

Sustainability

governments.

Index

colleagues did not adequately

cheered improved affordability and availability of Internet, and noted

(MSI) found that traditional

use online resources to gather

social media is taught in some journalism schools. Internet-broadcast

media remained the preferred

and distribute news. Online

radio shows potential sustainability in Liberia. In Angola, online media

source of news for the continent

advertising

provide an outlet for critical analysis of the government.

of

benefits

Malawi but participants question

The MSI’s unique methodology measures journalism quality,

Africa.

presented

Many online

flourish

in

media

profitability. Namibia’s lack of

media management, news plurality, press freedom, and institutions

have yet to reach most citizens

local language content online is

supporting media. African journalists, media advocates, academics,

in the 42 sub-Saharan African

a barrier to many; in Burundi,

and related professionals evaluate their own media sector. Results

countries analysed. Nonetheless,

and many countries, steep cost

are compiled by IREX, a leading organization working to develop

a transition to online and mobile

prevents access. In Ethiopia,

independent media globally.

format media appears inevitable.

critical

bloggers

content

blocked

Malian

by

does

journalists

characterized online media as

28 | Endeavour Magazine

their

The MSI have recorded progress and setbacks since 2007. Gains

periodically

find

have been made in press freedoms, as journalists face fewer overt

and report cases of threats from

challenges to free speech. Countries adopting the Declaration of Table

Mountain, which decriminalizes

ROLLS-ROYCE SUCCESS STORY CREATES 100 New Jobs

global economic slowdown. Fears

R

than 100 new jobs. This announcement follows

Cars. “Our cautious optimism at the beginning

of losing advertising revenues

record sales over the last three years, significant

of the year has proven to be correct and our goal

are pervasive, such that editorial

expansion of the manufacturing plant and the

for the business remains the same: consistent,

and advertising interests often

launch of the Company’s latest model, Wraith. Half-

sustainable growth.” He continued, “Rolls-Royce

intersect in newsrooms.

year sales figures announced last week show that

is a Great British manufacturing success story.

Rolls-Royce is on track for another record year in

We now enter the next chapter of this company’s

2013.

history.”

libel, have further improved.

However, business management practices

have

suffered

as

revenues dropped during the

South Africa remains the region’s best performer, despite backsliding

in

recent

olls-Royce Motor Cars, the leading

programme, made possible by the continuing

manufacturer of super-luxury motor cars,

success of our company,” said Torsten Müller-

today announced the creation of more

Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor

years,

Many of the roles are based at the Home of

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Last

followed by Namibia and Ghana.

Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, with around half in

week’s automotive industrial strategy underlined

Djibouti,

Guinea,

Marketing, Sales, After Sales, Public Relations and

the government’s commitment to work with world-

Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan

the Company’s Bespoke business. The remainder

class companies like Rolls-Royce Motor Cars on the

were considered unsustainable,

will be based in Engineering and Manufacturing

future of the sector. Today’s announcement shows

demonstrating severe problems

and are directly linked to the production of Wraith,

how well the industry continues to grow. With the

with free speech, the quality

which is currently in pre-production with the

right investment, skills and R&D, we will help it grow

of

journalism,

absence

first cars available to customers in the Autumn. A

even more. I met some Rolls-Royce apprentices and

or

weakness

institutions

number of new positions have also been created in

graduates last week who all told me how much they

Rolls-Royce regional offices around the world.

enjoyed working in the sector so I’m sure these jobs

Equatorial

and of

supportive of a free media environment.

“I am delighted to announce this recruitment

China’s Forgotten Wonderland China is a land of forgotten kingdoms. All countries have massive industries that haven’t quite moved outright but there is an abandoned amusement park in China that was intended to be fake Disneyland! Named Wonderland, located in Chenzhuang Village (twenty miles out of Beijing) it was aimed at being a fake Disney Land but construction stopped in 1998

will be highly sought after.”

the super-size in 2004, but a lot of places still utilize it. Before then Americans, like everyone else, had regular portions of everything and wore regular fit like everyone else.

Advertising Green Cars In Norway Is Illegal Norway prohibits cars being advertised as environmentally

due to financial problems. Farmers are now using it to grow

friendly! To stop corporations from “greenwashing” cars to

their crops. Lots of abandoned kingdoms and smiling children’s

increase purchases of products Norway has made it illegal

rides. Scary.

to advertise cars as being environmentally friendly. Valuing

Everyone Runs From Their Problems And Gets Fired In 1941, a young South African was forced to flee the Eastern Cape for Johannesburg via Queenstown, arriving in April, after he was obligated to be involved in a tribal arranged marriage. He found work as a night watchman at Crown Mines

transparency, Norway has very strict rules on advertising cars as “green”, saying “cars can do nothing good for the environment except less damage than others”

In Japan. Want To Impress The Boss?

Fall Asleep At Work Only in Japan. In the UK or the US if you fall asleep at your

but was fired after the headman discovered he was a runaway.

desk you’re fired. But in Japan it is acceptable to fall asleep on

This left him disgraced, jobless and alone. Today this man is

the job, in some cases even praised; it shows you’re working

recognized as one of the greatest humanitarian leaders in the

hard!One in three people have some sort of sleep problem.

world. Nelson Mandela.

Power naps became popular in the 1980s as an effective

Jurassic Park Made America Fat

restorative power to catch up on sleep. Today, people have a hard time shutting down early and getting proper sleep. In

The super-size that has made American’s synonymous with

Japan this is termed “inemuri” meaning “to be asleep while

fat was introduced first in McDonalds in 1993 as a promotional

present.” Inemuri is thought of as a dedication and hard work

for Jurassic Park first coined “Dino-size”. The super-sized drink

to the job. It’s seen as exhaustion from working too hard and

is 42 ounces of pop. McDonalds actually started phasing out

therefore praised. Sometimes people even fake it to make it.

Endeavour Magazine | 29

GEORGE AIRPORT 00 27 44 876 9310 WWW.AIRPORTS.CO.ZA

30 | Endeavour Magazine

It’s all about staying at the front of customer service when it comes to an airport. This is something that we have found at Endeavour Magazine again and again. With this in mind, George Airport is well ahead of the competition and is setting the example in a number of crucial areas.

We spoke with Airports Manager, Brenda Vorster regarding the new developments in progressive training to help disabled people find work.

FLYING HIGH WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

Endeavour Magazine | 31

GEORGE AIRPORT

Winning the Best Regional Airport Award six years in a row they are looking at the development and training of disabled and previously disadvantaged individuals to get them into work. Known as one of the best employers and having one of the best places to work it is also one of the most picturesque locations, situated as it is near the Garden Route, at an intersection of locals and tourists enjoying the natural scenery.

Quote

A

busy airport is a happy airport and George Airport deals

valuable work experience which we help them in their search for jobs

with over 600,000 a year, which is set to increase by a

this year could prove vital for their careers.”

further 200,000 within the next decade. This will mean

It is a sad fact that in many countries disabled people do not get

a strong development for the surrounding locations in terms of

the opportunity to do in-house training, and George Airport are

employment opportunities and corporate functionality. This is an

ensuring that everything is done above par and properly by giving

impressive number to cite however, as one of nine regional airports

them a certificate and an allowance while they are at the airport and

operated by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), the George

providing mentors to watch over them. Furthermore if there are jobs

Airport has a reputation for an excellent level of customer service

at the end of the year going at the airport they will automatically

as well as an enviably and a strong Corporate Social Responsibility

be put into the line for application. This is not merely a lip-service

programme.

attempt to keep communities happy but a real necessary approach.

Leading From The Front

Looking After The Customers

A pioneering move, this innovative move to help, on a sustainable

Currently, George Airport employs 550 people and in order

basis, disadvantaged disabled people was started on December 1

to meet the airport’s high standards for customer service, staff are

2012 and is directed at helping a dozen disabled candidates to gain

required to undergo rigorous training programmes including an

the sort of working experience that will help them receive a business

annual refresher course.

administration certificate. Assisting people to find employment in a

“The nice thing about George Airport is that, although it has been

country known for its unemployment and skills shortage will only add

almost seven years, since it was upgraded, it has won the regional

to their already impressive catalogue of attributes.

airport award for its excellent standards of customer service,” Brenda

Brenda, has managed the airport for the past four years and was

told us.

quoted in saying that, “One of our CSR pillars is the mantra ‘moving

It goes further than that and each year staff are put through a

people, changing lives’ and that is what we are aiming to do with

customer service training course which is usually done on location

this scheme. By giving 12 individuals the opportunity to gain some

with the help of the local university. There are a lot of hefty regulations

32 | Endeavour Magazine

Staying Up

that have to be adhered to and to

complaining that we didn’t have

of passengers across the airport.

keep their position as one of the

a petrol station,” Brenda explains,

With a positive light, the situation

leading airports is really down to

“So this will add to our customer

is starting to stabilise and the

service value as well as providing

use of modern technology is the

the capabilities of their staff.

numbers are picking up.

only way to keep ahead in this

An appreciate and a keen

The focus on this standard

a valuable service to the local

However, Brenda, who has

business. And George Airport,

of customer service has steered

communities and those working

worked for seventeen year at

in a typical approach already

the plans for the business.

at the airport.”

ACSA and has, during that time

have systems in place that take

Pushing for organic growth and

A hotel, to cater for the

studied for both her bachelor

advantage of things like the

development, as an example

increase of passenger numbers in

and masters’ degrees, keeps a

exponential growth in mobile

there is no fuel station at the

the next couple of years, is being

keen eye on ways in which to

phone subscriptions. This has

airport. The nearest one is some

considered by management. A

develop the airport’s business.

already paid dividends as it

20km away.

small, 80 bed hotel will be put

She also works alongside leaders

encourages passengers to print

Directly because of this, a

together that could be tendered

in George to further increase

off boarding passes at home or

R7-8 million initial investment

and go to site within the next

and spur traffic to their region.

use their mobile phones to scan

has been penned for a project

decade.

to develop and construct one at the airport site. Yet another way they are looking at polishing their

Relationships

“George Town is using a new

the passes on its entry machines.

strategy and is aiming to turn

Speeding up the processing time

into an investors’ town. With this

and increasing efficiency.

the

in mind we are partnering with

“It is an ongoing process.

offering and providing additional

downturn in the global economy

the municipality to encourage

Seven years since the upgrade

jobs.

has made an impact on the

tourism as we have noticed that

and we’re just starting,” she

“There is never a reason

airport’s business, which has

the business market is starting to

concludes.

to have unhappy customers

seen a reduction in the number

equal tourism,” she said.

Like

everywhere,

Endeavour Magazine | 33

ROYAL MNANDI 0027 12 001 7160 WWW.ROYALMNANDI.CO.ZA

34 | Endeavour Magazine

FLAVOURSOME FOOD AND MOUTH-WATERING MEALS

WRITTEN BY JOHN HARVEY

Although delicious cuisine is incredibly important for RoyalMnandi, client requirements remain a priority, while any success is thanks to a passionate, enthusiastic and fully trained workforce.

Endeavour Magazine | 35

ROYAL MNANDI

Virginia Woolf’s infamous “one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well,” quote is as true now as it ever has been. Whether you are studying at school, working hard in the office or socialising with friends, food plays a big role in everyday life

Quote

A

s a company that recognises the importance of eating healthily, enjoying mealtimes, feeling satisfied and receiving great value for money, we were keen to uncover

the driving forces at RoyalMnandi.

About RoyalMnandi For more than twenty years, RoyalMnandi has been one of South Africa’s most prominent outsourced catering companies. Since its inception in 1990, the company previously known as Royal Food Services and then RoyalSechaba has been on a journey of continued growth and prosperity.

Following successful partnerships and acquisitions as well as a takeover from the listed Mvelaphanda Group - a financial service, healthcare, mining and real estate conglomerate - the company achieved two major milestones.

Beefy Meats Food Services

When Mvelaserve, the holding company for RoyalMnandi,

Proud supplier to the Royal Mnandi group since 2007

unbundled from the Mvelaphanda Group, the company listed on the

Tel (+ 27 11) 316 3233 Fax (+27 11) 316 4880

South Africa’s fifth largest outsourcing catering company underwent

36 | Endeavour Magazine

Johannesburg Stock Exchange in November 2010. The following year, a rebrand.

Using the Zulu word Mnandi, which means delicious, the company adopted a fresh and innovative approach to business with the service philosophy “Made from the Heart” an important strategic vision.

When it comes to the company’s unique selling point, business development and marketing executive Glenn McGinn believes that the current mature market requires RoyalMnandi to offer more than just one distinctive characteristic.

“The key ingredient for RoyalMnandi is providing memorable experiences and as a company we provide over a million meals per month, which equates simply to the same number of opportunities to deliver a great experience,” he says.

Employee empowerment On the subject of people, Glenn told us that client requirements is the company’s priority and through careful planning and discussions, RoyalMnandi is able to deliver what will work best for the customer.

This is made possible through a dedicated, energetic and dependable workforce.

As Glenn explains: “They are people you will like. People you can

With over 25 years of experience in packaging and distribution, Microfuture’s committed team provides clients with quality service, value-for-money products and unique and customised solutions.

A Level 2 BBBEE contributor, Microfuture is based in the Kya Sand business area, in Northern Johannesburg. We deliver across Gauteng and surrounding areas.

Microfuture was launched by Norma Gore in 2007 and currently employs 20 clientfocused staff members. The team has a solid understanding of packaging trends and can assist clients with tailored options.

www.microfuture.co.za +27 11 462 3418 Unit 3, Riverside Industrial Park, Koevoet Street, Kya Sand, PO Box 511, Fourways, 2055

trust, people, who are courteous and friendly. People who you can rely on, people who always go the extra mile, people who are passionate

Endeavour Magazine | 37

ROYAL MNANDI

and enthusiastic about what they

“The Training Academy provides all our training requirements

The last 10 years have seen

do, People who are experts in

and yearly boasts over a 100 per cent attendance rate. The key to

clients require a more retail

their field. Great people – they

our success is we tailor make each programme to the ever changing

aligned commercial approach

are RoyalMnandi people!”

business environment. We do not believe that one size fits all.”

to catering, which calls upon

In addition to the employee

Although the company boasts cutting-edge technology that

growth opportunities available

improves systems and streamlines processes, the absence of a well

at the company, any new member

trained and motivated workforce would be hugely detrimental to

of staff will receive expert

everyday operations.

instruction and teaching through what Glenn describes as “one of the jewels in the RoyalMnandi crown.”

“The

most

up-to-date

training is provided through our

“Without our RoyalMnandi people, we could not create the great experiences that we have built up a track record of delivery,” adds Glenn. “Our people are RoyalMnandi.”

Current developments

providers to develop innovative outsourced solutions. “The high street environment is now being used as an industry benchmark,” notes Greg.

Therefore,

RoyalMnandi

continues to invest heavily in research

and

to

evolving

meet

development customer

demands, particularly current

very own Training Academy,” he

When we asked Glenn about the highly competitive and

trends towards healthy eating.

asserts. “Every member of the

unregulated catering industry, he said that providers continue to seek

“We believe we will continue

RoyalMnandi team is assessed

out different avenues, which balance good service with a reasonable

to have a meaningful impact on

and

development

return. “The barrier to entry is very low, and this continues to put

people’s lives and well being,”

programme crafted specifically

great pressure on the sustainability of providing a safe professional

says Glenn.

for them.”

service,” he reveals.

a

career

38 | Endeavour Magazine

“We are launching a number

of very exciting products for our Education, Healthcare, Commercial and Mining business sectors, which will again lift the bar in terms of providing a personalised service.”

Commitment to school meals In recent years, RoyalMnandi has actively reached out to students and academic staff to discover what is required in lunch halls and cafeterias across South Africa.

“Incorporating the multifaceted requirements of modern education, from ensuring menus are well balanced and deliver all the right nutrients to stimulate great academic achievement, to keeping

3, 8th Street, New Doornfontein, 2091 Tel: (011) 402 5701 | Fax: (011) 402 5702 Email: jcbakeries@telkomsa.net

the energy requirements in check to ensure all students perform at their peak, is all in a day’s work,” notes Glenn.

Along with providing an extensive choice of meals that are great value for money, Glenn also believes that children should enjoy their time at the table. “Even in schools, there is an expectation that the dining environment be comfortable and exciting,” he adds.

“This has led to a fundamental change in our offering over the years. Creating those moments of magic and sustaining them are what makes the difference.”

However, delivering mouth-watering meals to schools and education institutions is only part of the process, as RoyalMnandi is also concerned with delivering an on going and dedicated after-sales service. “Regular feedback forms the heartbeat of our day-to-day operations,” reveals Glenn.

“Each operation has a unique platform which encompasses all our guests. Within 24 hours any negative feedback is escalated to our onsite team for immediate attention.”

Achievements and aspirations

They are people you will like. People you can trust, people, who are courteous and friendly.

People who you can rely on, people who always go the extra mile, people who are passionate and enthusiastic about what they do, People who are experts in their field. Great people – they are RoyalMnandi people!”

“Our reputation for providing superb solutions for any requirement speaks for itself,” boasts Glenn. “Ask any of our customers, they are our champions.

“And we don’t just believe in excellence, we practice it!”

In the next five years, Glenn believes that RoyalMnandi’s ability to convert from a traditional contract catering offering to a ‘fun, exciting and innovative food experience’ will be vital for future success.

“We are spending great amounts of people resources and time to develop the required products and change management process needed to make the future a reality that is exciting and sustainable,” he signs off.

Endeavour Magazine | 39

CB GROUP 001 876 924 6000 WWW.MYCBGROUP.COM

40 | Endeavour Magazine

Although CB Group already provides Jamaica and other Caribbean countries with comprehensive food and feed solutions, it is also looking to showcase the region’s flavours and seasonings around the world.

WRITTEN BY JOHN HARVEY

CARIBBEAN CUISINE AT ITS FINEST

Endeavour Magazine | 41

CB GROUP

Having recently earned the 16th Annual Jamaica Observer Business Leader Award for 2012 in conjunction with Grace Kennedy and Co, the enterprise established by Carl Hendrickson and his wife, who subsequently had four children – Butch, Lori-Ann, Cathy and Kevin – in a rural town in the parish of St. Elizabeth over 75 years ago has come a long way since inception.

T

heir efforts, through the National Continental Corporation (NCC), have since created the largest and most diverse bakery complex in the region under the National, HTB and

Yummy brands.

Their investments in the tourist industry have also made them the third largest hotel operators in the region, with a footprint that spans Negril, Montego Bay, Kingston and St. Lucia.

Another division, now known as CB (Caribbean Broilers) Group, is an animal protein production complex, producing poultry, eggs and pork directly through integrated operations and indirectly, with additional animal protein, through their animal feed manufacturing and distribution network. The CB Group brands consist of CB Chicken, Smart omega3 Eggs, Chippenham Eggs, Copperwood Pork, Caribbean Passion Processed meat products, Bad Dawg Sausages and Nutramix Feeds. The CB Group is now managed by director Lori-Ann and a team of senior managers that include her husband Dave Lyn as director, her son Matthew as chief operations officer, Mark Haskins as chief executive officer, Garth Channer as treasurer, Hans Muller as divisional manager of feed, Eaton Barrett as field operations manager, Tracey-Ann Thomas as human resources and development manager and finally Donald Keith Amiel, the manager of corporate affairs.

Eager to discover more about Jamaica’s love of food and the company’s success story, we talked in-depth to Donald, who well and truly believes that CB Group’s unique flavours should be shared around the world.

42 | Endeavour Magazine

CB Group facts and figures “We produce 25-30 types of animal feed for farmers in Jamaica and nine other countries across the Caribbean,” boasts Donald. “It is an integrated broiler operation that produces about 30 million kilograms of chicken meat per year from a hatchery that turns out around 600,000 baby chicks a week.”

CB Group firmly believes that good food starts with quality farming, which is possible through a network of trusted farmers and commercial customers.

“In addition to the broiler operation, we are on our way to becoming the biggest pork producer in the country with a complete food chain operation, from a research facility right through to processing,” reveals Donald.

The third major part of CB group is the production of eggs. “We have a commercial egg operation that produces regular eggs and Omega 3 enriched eggs, which are for the hotel and supermarket trade,” says Donald.

Redefining and rebuilding the industry In addition to his management consultant capacity, Donald is also a qualified veterinarian, enabling him to give advice to the CB Group’s

network of livestock farmers.

“We have been able to build an agriculture industry based on training small farmers across the country,” he asserts. “We create about 20 workshops a month where farmers learn how to use our feed and produce livestock.”

CB Group also works closely with the Dairy Development Board to strengthen the industry and produce as much milk as possible from the four breeds of cattle currently found in Jamaica. However, it remains vitally important to achieve organic growth as Donald explains: “We are working on redeveloping the cattle industry because in the past, the colonies have suffered from gifts of kindness and Haiti is an excellent example of this.

“Europe and North America gave us surplus milk powder and butter, which could have destroyed the local dairy industry. So now there is no surplus, we have to rebuild again without international aid.”

Donald has also recognised that Jamaica’s geographic position and favourable weather conditions have great potential when it comes to growing grain. “Until now, Jamaica has been sustained by countries that have growing seasons of just seven months because of the cold weather and snow,” notes Donald.

“But by virtue of Jamaica’s idyllic climate, we can produce things

Endeavour Magazine | 43

CB GROUP

365 days a year. So the company is now growing grain in an effort to

processes

are

compensate price fluctuations in the market. For example, we have an

also

advantage over North America as they only have one crop per year,

to

whereas we can have two.”

integrated farmers.

passed the

on

company’s

Although Jamaica is somewhat limited by its small size, the rest of

Not only does this

the Caribbean can be utilised to make this business ambition a reality

benefit CB Group, it

for CB Group. “In the region, there is Belize, Suriname and Guyana.

also has an incredibly

One of our ideas is to use these resources and broaden out what we

positive impact on

do, therefore becoming less dependent on international markets for raw materials.”

Improving efficiency and maintaining standards Like any other company, operational efficiency is an important

the local community and economy.

“We give them feed

and

baby

chicks to produce themselves”, asserts Donald. “We have

consideration at CB Group. Thankfully, the parameters of production

as

are identical to those in North America and Europe, enabling the

university graduates

company to adopt and use state-of-the-art technology. This means

including four veterinarians out

the cost of overheads can be brought down and savings are passed on

there in the field providing a

to a wide variety of customers.

However, these technological advancements and systematic

many

as

18

service to make sure farmers get it right.

“So far, it appears to be working, as it has put around

Devenish Nutrition would like to congratulate the team at the CB Group for their continued success.

Devenish Nutrition have supplied the CB Group with premixes and nutritional services for many years and look forward to continuing this relationship in the future.

For more information on Devenish Nutrition, please visit our website www.devenishnutrition.com or email us at info.usa@devenishnutrition.com

Promoting the authentic taste of the Caribbean Although

Jamaica

is

a

relatively small island, CB Group “creates

distinctive

products

30,000 people across the region

with particular flavours and

into work. It is a major employer

tastes that are well worth trying,”

of labour, generating as much

according to Donald.

if not more income than the

Looking forward, CB Group

banana and sugar industries that

hopes to appeal to tourists and

sustained the colonies in days

extend its product footprint

gone by.”

to new international markets.

Maintaining standards and

Although

this

is

dependent

keeping quality levels high is

on expanding the company’s

also significant, which is why

processing operation and finding

CB Group has implemented

appropriate marketing partners,

necessary procedures to ensure

Donald knows that more and

the customer always receives a

more people are interested in an

superior product.

authentic taste of the Caribbean.

“We have put in quality

He notes: “Tourists that

control measures, which includes

visit here should be able to take

a dedicated department headed

home some of the flavours they

by Dr. Velton Gooden, a PhD

were exposed to, so expanding

graduate,” says Donald. “Our

into herbs and spices as well as

facilities are certified with good

canned products should enable

manufacturing practices and we

us to be in a strong position and

have various programs in place.

broaden our exposure.

“We have worked with SGS

“We also hope to target the

to be ISO 9000 certified for safe

large Caribbean population living

food and this will enable us to

abroad, which is as large as it is

target foreign markets.”

at home. In a city like London, if they have jerk chicken or pork

44 | Endeavour Magazine

flavoured with our products, they can remember what food back home tastes like.

Donald continues: “In North America, Canada and other parts of the world, I have noticed that bigger supermarket chains are targeting non-native people so as not to lose out on niche markets.

They are increasingly incorporating sections in their shops to accommodate goods from particular countries. So we are hopeful our products can become the norm in these areas.”

Despite humble beginnings in a small Jamaican market, CB Group has achieved a great deal and still strives for success. Expansion and prosperity look

“We have put in quality control measures, which include a dedicated department headed by Dr. Velton Gooden, a PhD graduate,” says Donald. “Our facilities are certified with good manufacturing practices and we have various programs in place.

“We have worked with SGS to be ISO 9000 certified for safe food and this will enable us to target foreign markets.”

like a certainty, as a growing number of people are discovering the delectable and mouth-watering cuisine of the Caribbean.

Endeavour Magazine | 45

KULIM 0060 7 861 1611 WWW.KULIM.COM.MY

46 | Endeavour Magazine

RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WRITTEN BY CHARLES ROBERTS

In an ever-changing world, palm oil producer Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad continues to pursue sustainable initiatives and environmentally friendly practices with a continuous commitment to staff well being.

Endeavour Magazine | 47

KULIM

Tracing its roots back to 1933, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad began operating a 190-hectare rubber plantation in Johor, Malaysia in 1947 under the name Kulim Rubber Plantations Limited. However, in 1970, the company changed its name to Kulim Group Limited (KGL) and listed shares on the London Stock Exchange.

T

hree years later, the business expanded from just oil palm and rubber plantations to include property development in the UK and hotels in the Caribbean.

In 1975, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad was incorporated and made

public, with KGL becoming a subsidiary. Since then, the group has consolidated assets, diversified operations and continually expanded.

Today Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad is one of the palm oil industry’s leading organisations in terms of performance, with average five-year yield per hectare of around 23.50 tonnes.

Maintaining palm product and plantation standards In order to improve palm product extraction and maintain high yield levels, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad’s main objectives moving forward include the development of superior planting materials, sharing best practices among all operation units and adhering to the company’s sustainable development philosophy.

To fulfil these aims, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad is committed to total quality management, which is reflected in the various certifications, including ISO accreditation, obtained by its own and contracted operating units.

Ultimately,

embedding

awareness

of

quality

across

all

organisational processes is designed to achieve customer and stakeholder satisfaction at continually lower costs.

As a result of this relentless commitment towards quality, corporate excellence and sustainability, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad has received numerous prestigious awards from industry bodies and international institutions.

48 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 49

KULIM

Sustainable development From planting and harvesting to sterilisation and pressing, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad is passionate about making the whole palm oil production process sustainable. “The road to sustainability is not always easy, and setbacks can occur,” says chairman Kamaruzzaman Abu Kassim.

“But like our crops, we continue to grow and increase yields for people and the planet. We are poised for big changes ahead and we look forward to the new challenges.”

Over the past four years, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad has taken various measures and made several changes in relation to its sustainability strategy. “We have divested our oleochemicals business and are in the process of divesting our foods and restaurants business,” notes Kamaruzzaman.

“We have also acquired additional oil palm estates, allowing us to strengthen and develop our sustainable agri-business model.

Our commitments to sustainable agriculture are now central to our business strategy.”

Thanks to this devoted stance, the company was one of the first palm oil producers to be certified to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil standard in 2009. As such, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad is

dedicated to its 30:30 initiative,

to

which aims to raise fruit yields to

opportunities for women at all

30 tonnes per hectare and palm

levels. We are also supportive of

product extraction rates to 30

the recommendations adopted

per cent.

by the Government and Bursa

“A the

voluntary RSPO’s

Malaysia that 30 per cent of

international

decision-makers in PLCs should

inclusion

be female.

makes

“Perhaps such targets will

the certification credible and

one day be obsolete, but our

robust, though there are always

experiences show that support

opportunities for improvements,”

and encouragement of women is

notes

crucial.”

Kulim

(Malaysia)

Berhad’s Sustainability Report

Although

fast

growing

2010/2011. “We believe that it

industries in Indonesia and Africa

represents the most responsible

are increasingly recruiting oil

way to grow oil palm. All our

plant workers, Kamaruzzaman is

planted areas meet the stringent

confident of retaining a valued

RSPO Principles and Criteria for

workforce.

sustainable palm oil production.”

“We know from surveys and focus groups that our employees

Supporting a valuable workforce Along

with

these

global

issues, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad also strives to be an employer of choice at a local level. In 2009, the company pledged to do more for members of staff at the lower

are generally happy to work for us,” he cites. “We have focused on strengthening our decision making and management to allow for a better working climate.”

Recent developments

end of the pay scale.

Thanks to impressive results

“Since then, most of these

in terms of yields and palm

employees have been given the

products

opportunity to earn additional

(Malaysia) Berhad is expected

income, and housing and facilities

to raise its stake in associate

provided to our employees have

company New Britain Palm Oil

also been upgraded,” reveals

Limited (NBPOL) to a controlling

Kamaruzzaman.

level within the next few months.

“We are also focusing on end-

“When

extraction,

there

Kulim

are

good

of-career training, contributing

business opportunities and the

to fulfilling, active and decent

timing is right, you should not

retirement for our employees.”

miss them or let them go,” says

As well as improving working

Kamaruzzaman.

conditions and tackling complex

Recently, Kulim increased

health and safety issues, gender

its stake in the subsidiary by 20

equality is another significant

per cent to 68.97 per cent. “The

issue for the company.

offer to increase our investment

Kamaruzzaman “Our

Women

explains: OnWards’

initiative goes from strength 50 | Endeavour Magazine

increasing

standard,

credibility and commitment to stakeholder

strength,

in NBPOL represents a vote of

confidence

in

NBPOL,”

cites Kamaruzzaman. “It also

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KULIM

represents a vote of confidence in the growth prospects of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the other markets that NBPOL serves.”

After the company’s AGM, Kamaruzzaman said the oil palm

cultivation.

in Pengerang, Johor, as a good

Even so, the company is

platform

to

offer

support

still planning to capitalise on

services to the oil and gas players

new

there,” noted Kamaruzzaman.

business

opportunities,

division would remain Kulim’s main business activity, but was actively

particularly in the oil and gas

looking at ways to develop, strengthen and grow operations.

industry as well as selective

or expansion plans, you can be

property development.

sure that the group’s sustainable

“We are continuously exploring new land opportunities from time to time for our oil palm business both locally and abroad,”

“We

see

Petroliam

Regardless

development

of

acquisition

initiatives,

he added. Although Kulim divested its Indonesian investment in

Nasional Bhd’s Refinery and

commitment to employees and

2007, Kamaruzzaman did not dismiss the possibility of returning,

Petrochemical

high yield levels will continue to

as Malaysian landowner prices were “too exorbitant” for oil palm

Development or Rapid project

52 | Endeavour Magazine

Integrated

deliver successful results.

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ATG is a leading palm oil mill construction specialist with vast experience in design and construct, fabrication works and also an authorized supplier of crucial machines & spares necessary for driving the oil palm industry.

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The Company welcomes enquiries from potential customers & business partners. Site visits to view the ProAuto™ Vertical Sterilization System either in Malaysia or Indonesia can be arranged.

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BARRICK SOUTH AMERICA 0056 22340 2022 WWW.BARRICK.COM

54 | Endeavour Magazine

THE REAL

El Dorado WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

El Dorado has been debunked as a myth. A legend fuelled by the Spanish’s hunger and lust for gold, and although the City of Gold has never been found the hundreds of explorers who have gone in search of this mystic place should have just spent some time digging beneath the surface.

En español click aquí

Endeavour Magazine | 55

BARRICK SOUTH AMERICA

For a million years ago the continent of South America saw fit to bestow the land with the 7000 kilometre crest of the Andes Mountains, the creation of which caused the creation of a range of precious metals that have proved more valuable than the city of El Dorado could ever have claimed. We spoke with commercial director Luis Pino regarding this legend of the industry.

“W

ithin the South America’s Barrick Gold includes

regional business units located in Australia, Africa, North America and

the Pierina and Lagunas Norte gold mines in

South America giving it a complete global footprint. As well as South

Peru; the Veladero gold mine in Argentina; the

America, Barrick is currently undertaking mining and exploration

Cerro Casale project in Chile,” Luis tells us.

South America has an area of 17,840,000 square kilometres and with a population of well over 371,090,000, most of whom live near

projects in Papua New Guinea, the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Australia, Peru, Chile, Russia, South Africa, Colombia, Argentina and Tanzania.

the western or eastern coasts of the continent while the interior

“Since, January 20, 2006, when Barrick acquired a majority

and the far south is sparsely populated. The geography of western

share of Placer Dome, we have enjoyed the position as the larger

South America is dominated by the Andes, which is the longest range

gold producer in the world,” Luis tells us, “In 2012, South America

of mountains in the world. It is vibrant and lush land, famous for the

produced 1.63 million ounces of gold at total cash costs of $467 per

Amazon basin and those of Paraná and Orinoco and most of it lies in

ounce and in 2013, gold production is expected to be in the range of

the tropics.

1.25-1.35 million ounces at all-in sustaining costs of $875-$925 per

“As diverse as the country’s landscape it boasts a wide cultural,

ounce and total cash costs of $550-$600 per ounce.”

ethnical and racial diversity,” Luis tells us, “People here originate from South America as well as Europe, Africa and Asia.”

About Barrick South America

Lagunas Norte Peru Located on the Alto Chicama property in north-central Peru, 140 kilometres east of the coastal city of Trujillo, and 175 kilometres

Barrick Gold Corporation is the largest gold mining company

north of Barrick’s Pierina mine. Lagnuas Norte, lies on the western

in the world, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with four

flank of the Peruvian Andes and is at an elevation of 4,000 to 4,260

“Since January 20, 2006, when Barrick acquired a majority share of Placer Dome, we have enjoyed the position as the larger gold producer in the world.”

56 | Endeavour Magazine

HAUG S.A. congratulates Barrick Gold South America for reaching this crucial milestone and wishes the best of luck in their future endeavours.

HAUG S.A. Av. Argentina 2060, Callao –Peru Tel: (511) 6134545 comercial@haug.com.pe www.haug.com.pe

Haug HP.indd 2

HAUG CHILE INTERNACIONAL LTDA Av. Once de Septiembre 1881, Office 702, Providencia, Santiago de Chile - Chile Tel.: (562)-22337567 comercial@haug.cl

FACTORIA METALICA HAUG. S.A. SUC. ARGENTINA Reconquista 1034 1st Floor, Buenos AiresArgentina Tel.:(5411) 60917300 comercial@haug.com.ar

08/08/2013 15:08

Endeavour Magazine | 57

BARRICK SOUTH AMERICA

meters above sea level. It’s an

Pierina mine.”

Norte produced 754,000 ounces

In 2006, Lagunas Norte won first prize awarded by the Mining

of gold at total cash costs of

Safety Institute (ISEM) in the category Open Pit Operations, this

$318 per ounce. Lagunas Norte

is

recognition became a milestone in the sector as it was the first time in

is expected to produce 0.56-0.60

disseminated and hosted in

the history of Peruvian mining a mine in its first year of operation had

million ounces of gold in 2013 at

volcanic and sedimentary rocks,”

ever achieved this award.

total cash costs of $380-$420

open-pit, crush, valley-fill heap leach operation.

“The

Luis

mineralization

explains,

“the

per ounce. Proven and probable

deposit

is exposed at surface and is

Environment At Lagunas Norte

currently defined over a strike

On the environmental side, Lagunas Norte has the ISO 14001

length of 1,600 metres oriented

Environmental Management System, awarded by the international

in

northwest/southeast

certification body Bureau Veritas and this recognition is part of

direction and a width of 750

Barrick’s vision and values to maintain the highest standards of care

metres.

and preservation of the environment, this commitment throughout

a

“Generally, the mineralization

the process operation.

gold reserves as of December 31, 2012, were 5.8 million ounces.

The Pierina Mine In Andean Cordillera The Pierina mine is located in the Andean Cordillera in the

is flat-lying and extends up to 300

Also, as part of good environmental practices Barrick, Lagunas

Department of Ancash (Ancash

metres in depth, disseminated

Norte has a ranch ecological project that demonstrates the viability

– ‘blue’ in the local Quechua

and hosted in volcanic and

of a harmonious coexistence between farming and mining. At the

language) in north-central Peru,

sedimentary

and

ranch the bred species include alpacas, cows, and other small animals

approximately

tuffs. The deposit is of the high

in order to improve and rehabilitate highly productive high-puna

northwest of the city of Huaraz,

sulfidation type and is similar

conditions.

at an altitude of approximately

breccias

in style to the mineralization at

58 | Endeavour Magazine

As far as productivity of the mine is concerned, in 2012, Lagunas

10

kilometres

4,100 metres. Featuring an open-

pit, truck-and-loader operation where ore is crushed and transported through an overland conveyor to the leach pad area whereas run-ofmine ore is trucked directly to a classic valley-fill type of leach pad.

“In 2011, Pierina produced 152,000 ounces of gold at a total cash cost of $825 per ounce,” Luis explains, “Proven and probable mineral C

reserves as of December 31, 2011 were estimated at 771,000 ounces M

of gold and 23.2 million ounces of silver.”

Y

As a result of rising gold prices, and based on mineral reserves CM

Pierina’s mine life has been extended to the end of 2016.

MY

The Pierina Belt contains structurally controlled gold, silver, lead, CY

zinc and copper mineralization in the Calipuy volcanics. A 70 km long CMY

belt of hydrothermal alteration is associated with the known deposits K

which are underlain by basal andesitic lavas and overlying rhyodacitic pumice and lithic tuffs.

Gold mineralization is associated with vuggy silica alteration and is dominantly hosted in the rhyodacitic pumice tuff with lesser amounts in the overlying lithic tuff and the underlying andesite. The silica altered zone is flanked by quartz-alunite and argillic alteration.

Ore-grade mineralization in the pumice tuff occurs over intervals of more than 260 m. The area of currently known mineralization

+54 11 5941 4444 | Gonçalves Dias 1145 [C1276ACQ] Buenos Aires | info@sullair.com.ar www.sullairargentina.com @SullairArg Sullair Argentina S.A. sullairargentina

measures approximately 450 m wide by 1,200 m long and is open to

Endeavour Magazine | 59

BARRICK SOUTH AMERICA

the southeast. Significant silver mineralization is present. The highest

Barrick’s Pierina mine during the

grades of silver (to 300 g/t) are located in the north end of the deposit

three-year program and 135 of

where over 95% of the mineralization is oxide.

which will be directly funded by

“The leach process is a classic valley fill method. The ore is stacked

the company.

The Veladero Mine, San Juan Province, Argentina

in a lined containment area behind a retention dam,” Luis diligently

Additionally, as the region

Utilising the same mining

explains, “Cyanide is sprinkled on top of the low grade ore and the

surrounding the mine suffers

and processing techniques as its

resulting pregnant (gold bearing) solution is then redirected to a gold

from

Pierina

sister mine Pierina, Veladero is a

recovery circuit.”

mine holds a greenhouse that

conventional open-pit operation

produces and holds 300,000

where ore is crushed by a two-

trees and plants per year. Thanks

stage process and transported

Barrick’s investment in local communities is already making a

to this, Barrick has already

via overland conveyor and trucks

difference and the Pierina mine has had a profoundly positive impact

planted more than 1.2 million

to the leach pad area.

on local communities where poverty has declined significantly since

trees in the mine area.

Investment In Local Community

deforestation

“One of our gems, in 2009,

the mine opened and literacy rates are on the rise. Over 90% of

“In 2012, Pierina produced

Veladero produced 611k oz. of

Pierina’s employees and contractors are Peruvians and they live in

110,000 ounces of gold at total

gold at total cash costs of $438

the nearby communities who feel the positive effects of the company.

cash costs of $1,156 per ounce.

per ounce,” Luis tells us, “Probable

“Barrick is also involved with the A Roof for My Country,” Luis

Proven and probable mineral

mineral reserves as of December

describes, “An international non-governmental organization (NGO)

reserves as of December 31,

31, 2009 are estimated at 12.0

whose volunteers build transitional homes side by side with the

2012, were 542,000 ounces of

million ounces of gold.”

families who will live in them.”

gold.”- Luis Pino.

Located in the San Juan

In all, 335 homes will be built in 11 different communities around

SEMISA S.A EMPRESA MAYO S.R.L U.T.E (transitory united of companies) and 21collaborative companies

ARGENTINIAN MINE SERVICES COMPANY We are the region leader mine services company, specialized in people transportation.

Working in synergy with our clients we plan strategies trying to improve every day and in the way to give immediate solutions to all their problems, always focus on quality management, security and environment cares.

SEMISA S.A –EMPRESA MAYO S.R.L U.T.E GRAL. MOSCONI S/N ENTRE CALLE 5 Y PROGRESO-RAWSON -SAN JUAN-ARGENTINA empresamayosrl@speedy.com.ar www.semisa.com.ar

60 | Endeavour Magazine

EMPRESA MAYO S.R.indd 1

13/08/2013 17:09

http://www.en.cementospacasmayo.com.pe/

Province of Argentina, immediately to the south of the Pascua-Lama property in the highly prospective Frontera District and elevated at about 4500 metres above sea level, the property is located at elevations of 4,000 and 4,850 metres above sea level, approximately 374 kilometres northwest of the city of San Juan.

Volcanics host epithermal mineralization and Veladero contains at least 8 alteration areas with an aggregate 14 sq. km area. The property contains several large bulk-tonnage deposits of goldsilver mineralization in altered, silicified volcanic rock, dominantly various types of silicified breccia and the oxidized zone extends to considerable depth.

Veladero is a conventional open-pit operation and 2006 is the mine’s first full year of production. There are two open pits, a truck shop, primary and secondary crushers located next to Filo Federico open pit, covered ore stockpile, secondary crusher and load out bin,

“In 2011, Pierina produced 152,000 ounces of gold at a total cash cost of $825 per ounce.”

where trucks collect crushed ore to haul to the valley-fill leach facility.

“Veladero mine plan calls for mining 80 million tons per year of ore and rocks,” Luis tells us, “Of that, 12.6 million tons of ore will be crushed and sent to the valley-fill leach pads; and 3.5 million tons of ore will be sent for additional processing, depending on the grade.”

Endeavour Magazine | 61

BARRICK SOUTH AMERICA

Environment And Community Using the company’s experience at Pierina, Veladero are providing emergency services training, health programs, an expansion

and developing the lives of

as

a

major

employer

their staff and the surrounding

seriously,

communities.

created thousands of jobs while

Barrick

very

Gold

has

“We take this very seriously,”

at the same time mitigating

Luis states, ““In 2005, we were

its environmental impact and

“Things like internet access to local communities make a huge

one of the first to sign the

working to develop the economy

difference,” Luis tells us, “The service has been installed in the towns

UN Global Compact (UNGC)

of the region. With projects

of Las Flores, Rodeo, and Jachal, where it is available at public libraries

which

and community centres.”

directly involves the business

to the Rodeo hospital, and programs that promote mining industry awareness.

is

an

initiative

that

Safe transport, storage and handling of chemicals is a priority at

community in tackling some of

Veladero where spill prevention measures, such as double-walled

the most pressing social and

tanks and lined or bermed containment cells, minimize the risk of an

environmental challenges of our

accidental release of petroleum products or other chemical solutions

time,”

impacting the environment or leaving the mine site.

Staffing And Community Barrick Gold South America

The principles behind the Global

Compact

are

based

on internationally recognized

of this scale there is always a positive ripple effect when it comes to employment. To a ratio of 1:3, for every one person who is directly employed an additional 3 are indirectly employed which allows for some understanding of the positive impact this company provides.

“Barrick

Gold

South

norms and conventions covering

America is all about people and

One of the key reasons we are so keen to highlight Barrick Gold

human rights, including labour

community,” Luis tells us, “They

South America is to highlight the focus placed on their staff and the

standards, the environment and

are the pillars holding us up.”

local communities. The with such high yields coming from the land

anti-corruption.

Barrick Gold have responded with an ardent focus on improving

Taking

its

responsibility

“Barrick Gold South America is all about people and community,” Luis tells us. “They are the pillars holding us up.”

62 | Endeavour Magazine

KHUMANI MINE ASSMANG MANGANESE 0027 53 751 5555 WWW.BRMO.CO.ZA

64 | Endeavour Magazine

& WRITTEN BY JOHN HARVEY

Now that years of construction work are complete, Khumani mine is aiming for operational efficiency, employee empowerment and excellent levels of engineering.

Endeavour Magazine | 65

KHUMANI MINE ASSMANG MANGANESE

Last month, Endeavour magazine spoke to Willem Grobbelaar, Divisional Manger at Assmang Limited, about its on-going commitment to staff and the various mines currently in operation.

Interested in finding out more information about past, present and future projects, in particular the Khumani mine, we picked up the phone and talked to Willem once again. Here is what he had to say.

“I

n the late 1990s, Assmang, jointly managed by JSE listed

a pre-feasibility process before finalising any design, which should

African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and Assore, realised it was

start any day now.”

running out of resources at the Beeshoek mine and could not

grow the business based on future anticipated capacity,” notes Willem.

Therefore, the company started initial feasibility studies to establish

Focusing on efficiency From the commissioning of the mine and approval of the jig

the new Khumani facility, which was approved and commissioned

plant expansion to the inclusion of the Whims plant, there has been

approximately six years ago.

constant construction activity at Khumani. Now that these have been

With great optimism and belief about the new project, Assmang immediately expanded the mine by installing a Whims (wet highintensity magnetic separation) plant and extra jigging capacity.

completed, Willem is concentrating on making the mine as efficient as possible.

“For the first time since commissioning the operation, we can now

These successful additions now mean Khumani mine produces

concentrate on steady state conditions and are working very hard on

14 million tonnes of iron ore per annum, adhering to the capacity

fine tuning the available facilities in terms of improving efficiencies,”

allocated by the Transnet Limited railway line that runs down to

he notes. “This has been underway for the past year and consists of

Saldanha Bay. However, there is the possibility of increasing output

minor projects, all of which have been successful.”

even further according to Willem.

Despite doing everything in its power to run a smooth and

“We are considering an additional jig plant, which will be able to

coherent operation, factors outside of Assmang’s control threatened

exploit more of the lower grade material available in the area and

to disrupt the Khumani mine’s efficiency. During the summer months

extend the life of the mine,” he reveals.

in South Africa, there were some problems with the supply of water,

“There is no definitive answer on capacity, because this depends on discussions and negotiations with Transnet, but we will go through

which even led to intermittent shutdowns.

“With the expansion of mining operations in the Northern Cape,

“Our employees are certainly valued and it is very important for us to have happy people and fully trained staff. We need to make sure we are doing our bit to make sure they can carry out their duties and are happy from a personal point of view in terms of circumstances, housing and schooling.”

66 | Endeavour Magazine

Endeavour Magazine | 67

KHUMANI MINE ASSMANG MANGANESE

there are more demands on the Gamagara system and the Sedibeng Water board,” says Willem.

“Water comes from a place near Kimberley on the Vaal River and

per annum.”

In addition to this valuable

discussion with Willem, staff play

supplies all of the mining operations as well as towns, municipalities

proximity of both mines has also

a pivotal role in the organisation

and even some local farmers.”

enhanced operational flexibility,

and as such, Assmang offers

as resources can be shared

employees

between the two.

to own their own home. “We

wherever possible and strives to re-circulate every drop so it does not have a negative impact on the environment and production processes.

stream,

the

As mentioned in our previous

close

For this reason, Assmang remains committed to conserving water

revenue

Employee benefits

the

opportunity

“This assisted us during some

subsidise our employees very

problematic months, but both

heavily, but they will be the

mines managed to achieve their

owner of that property and

Before the water pipeline receives necessary re-capitalisation

production targets at the end of

benefit from capital growth over

to bring it up-to-date, Assmang has still managed to continue with

the financial year in June,” boasts

time,” he reveals.

operations thanks to its existing infrastructure.

Willem. “Moving forward, we are

Housing remains one of

“We actually managed to make up losses during the dry period

looking to enhance this flexibility

the Northern Cape’s greatest

and catch up in terms of production,” asserts Willem. “The Beeshoek

and are revisiting our strategy

challenges, but Willem believes

mine is still operating, despite virtually shutting down for a year after

to see if there is anything

that providing solutions for a

Khumani was commissioned. For a year, no production took place

else we can do. This includes

dedicated workforce is of great

apart from available stockpiles that were utilised to supply local

exploring

benefit for the individual and the

customers.

available, improving efficiencies

Taking advantage of existing operations

“This has been gradually ramping up again and will be given a new lease of life with just over 2 million tonnes of iron ore being produced

68 | Endeavour Magazine

the

lower

grades

and possible expanding plant facilities.”

company as a whole.

“Overall,

our

housing

policy has been instrumental in

securing a very stable workforce,” he says. “We have an extremely

“We

cover

processes

as

low labour turnover, albeit in the background of some very scarce

diverse as brick or even coffin

engineering skills in the country.”

making and there is a lot of infrastructure projects in various

Staff encouragement and reward On the subject of South Africa’s skills shortage, Assmang has been

towns, namely Kathu, Kuruman and Postmasburg,” says Willem.

proactive in its approach to recruiting talented members of staff by

“Our employees are certainly

setting up a training centre, with plans for construction now being

valued and it is very important for

finalised.

us to have happy people and fully

“The primary objective of this training centre is to provide

trained staff. We need to make sure

technical expertise to our mining operations in the Northern Cape,”

we are doing our bit to make sure

notes Willem. “However, there will be additional capacity for us to

they can carry out their duties and

train other industry workers in the region, or even the country for

are happy from a personal point

that matter.

of view in terms of circumstances,

“Before now we have had to send our artisans to other training institutions, so this will make life better and have a positive impact on

housing and schooling.”

With

the

possibility

of

the local community as well. We can also train people in life skills that

increased capacity, an upgraded

might be of value if they decide to leave the mining industry.”

infrastructure and highly trained

As part of its license to operate, Assmang is obliged to conduct

staff, the future certainly looks

certain sustainable economic development projects, an undertaking

bright for Assmang Limited and

that Willem is more than happy to carry out.

the Khumani mine.

Endeavour Magazine | 69

CITY OF TSHWANE 0027 12 358 4770 WWW.TSHWANE.GOV.ZA

70 | Endeavour Magazine

KEEPING YOUR LIGHTS ON WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

The City of Tshwane has recently signed a Services Agreement with Peu Capital Partners (PTY) LTD for the Security of Revenue project. The Council approved this agreement at its council meeting end of May and follows a public participation process as stipulated by the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA) for tender contracts that exceeds the period of three years. Marking a significant step towards energy efficiency and accountability.

Endeavour Magazine | 71

CITY OF TSHWANE

Jason Ngobeni, City Manager was quoted on saying, “The Security of Revenue Master Service Agreement (MSA) is a first of its kind in that there is no similar project business model of this nature in the country.”

H

e went on to say that the process of negotiating the actual

indicated in his Budget Speech that this project is critical for the

master services agreement has been a long and extensive

financial sustainability and broadening of the City’s liquidity position.

process that considered all the legislative and financial

It is also seen as a catalyst for job creation as it will result in the

provisions. He expressed his appreciation to the interdepartmental

creation of new opportunities within the local economy.

team who has put in a lot of groundwork and research in getting this

The first smart meter will go live on 1 October 2013.

agreement on the table. “The many hours of work and sleepless nights

This follows an important trend in companies, parastatals and

was not just for meeting legislative and administrative requirements

municipalities across the globe seeking to install a philosophy of

but also ensuring that the agreement addresses the needs of the

conservation and awareness. This will also provide more accurate

City’s residents,” he said.

consumption figures, protection from unethical providers, no more

The project is regarded as an off-balanced sheet project as the

monthly bills and removing the R5 billion wasted in paperwork,

municipality itself will not be incurring the cost of the project. Peu

administration and debt recovery. Their aim is to convert all electricity

will incur capital and operating expenditure in order to procure

users to pre-paid meters within the next two years, a system that has

the necessary smart pre-paid meter infrastructure and associated

worked very well in places such as United Kingdom and America.

equipment, software including vending and communication platforms as well as the required human resources to provide services.

The Executive Mayor, Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa

72 | Endeavour Magazine

In April 2013, the city launched the R7bn Security of Revenue Project which will see the installation of 800 000 pre-paid smart meters in every household, business and public building at no cost to

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CommerCial VehiCles: TRUCKS • VANS • BUSES. Endeavour Magazine | 73

CITY OF TSHWANE

the consumer.

when asked about the reality of

“We can bank on money received

Jason Ngobeni, city manager, said the smart meters would give

the payments, that the city, on

upfront

the power back to the people. “People will be able to control their own

average, received bill payments

and use it to improve social

electricity consumption,” he said.

131 days after issuing them.

infrastructure,” he confirmed.

from

consumers

The reason why this system has worked in other countries is it

“We have to pay Eskom 15 days

places the responsibility onto the consumer and links them directly

after buying the electricity but

with the provider instead of relying on a middleman to provide billing.

we wait much longer to receive

Consumers can control the amount of money spent on electricity

the money from the consumers,”

each month by giving them the power to choose how many electricity

he said. This is one of the many

Not only will the new system

units to upload.

results of outdated systems that

help save money for residents

Additionally, it has been promised, there will be no increase in

are being replaced and refreshed

but

electricity fees when switching from the current system to the smart

by municipal leaders around

says,

metering system. To go into a bit more detail, the service fees for

the country. It boils down to a

increase job opportunities in

electricity on the current system range between 27c and 30c (rand)

very simple fact, for the City of

the city. The factory producing

while on the smart meter system, this fee is expected to decrease to

Tshwane to make improvements

the meters will have to be within

19.5c a rand.

and changes, there must first be

Tshwane to benefit the city’s job

money in the coffers.

seekers, he said. There is also the

The City of Tshwane will collect revenue upfront to improve the city’s liquidity, allowing more budget to be extended towards

Executive mayor Kgosientso

Staff Development additionally, the

new

Ramokgopa system

will

installment of the meters into the

other municipal responsibilities which includes roads and sewer

Ramokgopa

new

houses which will require a range

maintenance, school support and infrastructure development.

metering system would improve

of skills including engineering

the flow of money to the city.

and safety. This is a big shift that

Andile Dyakala, chief financial officer of the City of Tshwane, said,

74 | Endeavour Magazine

said

the

will eventually involve a change to over a million households and such big moves always require additional hands. There is a significant and welcomed ripple effect of job creation that will extend beyond the City of Tshwane.

Philosophy Of Conservation As the Electricity tariffs on the new system will differ depending on the time of day, in other words peak periods will cost more than off peak periods it will mean that those who were used to just paying a bill at the end of the month and simply complaining about their household wastage will now be able to make significant changes to their usage.

“Hopefully this will encourage people to restructure their electricity usage times and reduce the impact on power grids during peak times,” said Dyakala, “This might change people’s behaviour if they realise they cannot just consume, consume, consume.”

Setting the example, as a sign of solidarity Ramokgopa will be the first to have the smart metering system implemented in his home,

“Hopefully this will encourage people to restructure their electricity usage times and reduce the impact on power grids during peak times,” said Dyakala, “This might change people’s behaviour if they realise they cannot just consume, consume, consume.”

thereby being the epicenter of this change.

“This system will benefit the totality of residents in the city,” he concludes.

Endeavour Magazine | 75

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE (SANBS) 0027 11 761 9000 WWW.SANBS.ORG.ZA

76 | Endeavour Magazine

FINGER ON THE

Pulse WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

In November 2012, we featured the South African National Blood Service for the first time and highlighted to our readers the endeavours of this organization. Now, almost a year on we spoke with their CEO, DR. Loyiso Mpuntsha to find out about their latest campaigns and how 2013 has been.

Endeavour Magazine | 77

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE (SANBS)

Considering that blood supply is the single most used resource in every hospital worldwide it is easy to forget that it has to be donated. Considering that some South African cities are in the top ten of the most violent cities in the world and that 16.6% of the country’s adults have HIV you can immediately see the challenge that this organization faces.

H

owever, a reliable supply of blood means that patients

seen world over as the leaders in their field.

can undergo surgery, women in labour can receive blood

“As we are a not-for-profit organisation which is free from

transfusions and victims of accidents or violence can get

shareholders,” DR. Mpuntsha tells us, “We are able to re-invest any

the emergency treatment they need. Tying together South Africa’s

surplus we make back into the organisation and to continue improving

medical and emergency care system the South Africa National Blood

our service.”

Service (SANBS) acts as the guardian responsible for the collection, screening and distribution of the blood in South Africa.

Campaigns keep the pulse moving in this machine and a constant drive to keep people aware of the new for blood keeps every one of

Founded in 2001 SANBS has grown impressively in the last

the 2400 people working for SANBS very busy. In fact we were very

twelve years and stayed at the very cutting edge of the technology

lucky to get the opportunity to speak with DR. Mpuntsha who is one

available to their industry. Utilizing high-tech facilities and the most

of the busiest people in the business.

stringent safety procedures to protect both donors and staff, they are

“We are involved in a number of big pushes at the moment, the main ones are the winter season campaign, the Festive Season Campaign, the Youth Campaign, and the Schools (Adopt-a-month) campaign,” she tells us.

Rolled out across 30 branches nationwide, with use of many mobile blood banks stationed in shopping centres, holiday resorts and secondary schools and with the government supporting them with backing for their campaigns to encouraging blood donorship they get 20% more blood than they did in 2001 through endeavour such as this.

“The duration of the campaigns range from a few weeks to a year depending on the focus and implementation period of the campaign,” Thapelo Mokoena the marketing director at SANBS, “The goals of the campaign also differ: For example , the Festive season campaign is meant to remind and mobilise blood donors to donate blood during the festive period, and not only concentrate in their busy festive lives.

“The schools campaign is directed at educating school pupils about blood donation and in turn inspiring them to encourage their parents to donate blood. The winter season campaign encourages blood donors and potential blood donors to make time to donate in spite of the cold weather conditions which may affect their health and lifestyles. The Youth campaign aims to educate youth from the age of 16 to understand the value and importance of donating blood, so that they can continue with the culture of donating blood later in their lives” South Africa is a diverse country and one of the most complex social structures in Africa. With eleven official languages and nine provinces, a vast landscape of cities and rural areas to contend with, the planning of campaigns has to be down to the smallest margin and yet remain flexible to handle any eventuality.

“Each campaign is planned on a targeted and segmented basis,

78 | Endeavour Magazine

Share a Little, Save a Life

Become a bone marrow stem cell donor today Every year thousands of South Africans, mostly children and teenagers, are diagnosed with blood disorders such as

leukaemia, marrow failure and aplasia. There is hope, a diagnosis of this kind is not always lifethreatening and there is the chance of the patient undergoing a successful bone marrow stem cell transplant from a healthy bone marrow stem cell donor. The Sunflower Fund, with the help of committed local and international funders, corporates and the general South African public, is increasing this HOPE every year and building a STATE ASSET to help future generations of leukaemia sufferers. With HOPE, leukaemia is no longer the DEATH SENTENCE that it was over 30 years ago.

The Sunflower Fund’s mission is to educate and recruit a viable source of well-informed potential bone marrow stem cell donors who are ethnically diverse, in an effort to save the lives of those

needing a transplant when suffering from lifethreatening blood disorders. It strives to maintain the associated donor records of the South African Bone Marrow Registry.

The Sunflower Fund was formed in 1999 in support of the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) and was inspired by 17 year old Chris Corlett’s heroic struggle against leukaemia.

It was formed by Founder Director, Tina Botha (Chris Corlett’s Mother) and other parents whose children had contracted leukaemia, and in some cases had lost their battle against it. The Sunflower Fund would like to encourage the public to join the South African Bone Marrow Registry or to assist by funding the expensive tissue typing tests which cost The Sunflower Fund R2000 per donor that registers. Together we can save many more lives by offering young patients the opportunity to a life-saving bone marrow stem cell transplant.

To make a direct donation visit Given Gain or for more information go to www.sunflowerfund.org.za Toll-free number if dialling from South Africa: 0800 12 10 82 If dialling internationally call: 0027 21 7010661

Endeavour Magazine | 79

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE (SANBS)

where the strategy, history, goals, plans, and targets of each campaign

to those who need it, especially for women giving birth in hospitals.

are taken into consideration,” Thapelo explains, “We rely on a mixture

“Improvements that have taken place include developing

of creativity and strategy, including information gathered through

mechanisms for minimising blood wastage at hospitals,” Thapelo

customer surveys, research, and direct contact with blood donors.”

explains, “And the improvement and more focus on the management

Thapelo goes on to explain, “The best areas are the urban areas

and treatment of deferred blood donors, that is, blood donors who

with good facilities and better living conditions, whilst the worst areas

cannot donate due a condition at the time of donation such as low iron

are the rural and poor areas with minimum or no facilities, as it will

levels.”

be difficult for any individual to donate blood on an empty stomach characterised by poor nutritional conditions.”

It’s also a matter of earning trust with the people of South Africa and as we highlighted last year the two blood screening facilities in

The level of education also plays a role in influencing the

Johannesburg and Durban are some of the best in the world and it is

donor profile, he goes on to say, as the people who understand the

possible to screen every bag of donated blood for infection using state

importance of blood donation would be more likely to donate blood.

of the art testing technology. It is an expensive but vital component of

Ultimately, this is the main aim of the campaigns. With a population

the service that SANBS offers.

of 49 million inhabitants, in 2012 only 442,000 were regular blood

Like a perpetual wheel the need for blood supplies will never go

donors. The World Health Organisation estimates that only around

away and SANBS will hold this mantle for a long time. Ultimately it

1% of the population give blood in most countries and South Africa are

is something that everyone should be involved with. If you don’t give

not far from that. A combined approach of education and availability is

blood, you should.

needed to boister the blood supply.

“Global readers can get involved through encouraging their

Otherwise there could be a repeat of the 2011 crisis where a shortage of blood had a knock-on effect for the entire medical

friends and families to donate blood,” Thapelo informs us, “And helping us to spread the education message regarding blood donations.”

industry in SA.

Becoming a blood donor in South Africa couldn’t be easier. Further

In the last article we focussed on the importance of blood donors

information can be obtained from our website: www.sanbs.org.za

in SA and how different times of the year affected the supply of blood

TM

be d to Prou iated c asso with

S

SANB

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80 | Endeavour Magazine

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WHY YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED • It is through development, growth and transformation that the South African Bone Marrow Registry has expanded from merely 800 donors in 1999 to over 64 500 dedicated donors to date. It is through strategic development and continuous improvement that The Sunflower Fund continues to grow the Registry.

the recruitment of Black donors in all targeted recruitment campaigns and donor drives.

• Even so, building and expanding is an everyday challenge. There is no sell by date as it is a living registry. The Sunflower Fund strives to continue building this state asset in order to protect and nurture our future generation as they may need lifesaving donors.

• The Sunflower Fund is aiming to reach out to more youth programmes to specifically increase the recruitment of young black donors. We are attempting to collaborate with more youth clubs within communities to increase awareness about the crucial need for donors. Potential donors have to be between the ages of 18 and 45 which is why we strive to recruit donors as soon as they turn 18 so that they can remain on the registry for a lengthy time with the hope that someday they too can give back to society by saving someone’s life.

• Ethnic origin (Heritage) is important when matching donors and patients. The “markers” that are tested when searching for a match are genetically inherited and often unique to a particular race. It is through education that we aim to increase the number of Black donors on the Registry to help the many children and young adults in our state hospitals searching for donor matches. This involves us selectively targeting

• Education and awareness is created in communities through talks at universities, churches and community centres. It is vital that all South Africans are educated about becoming a donor and the urgent need for donors of all ethnic backgrounds. Without these donors we are losing patients. Together, we can make a difference in South Africa and the rest of the World and save more lives.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PREPARED TO “SHARE A LITTLE, TO SAVE A LIFE” Website: www.sunflowerfund.org.za Toll-free number if dialling from South Africa 0800 12 10 82 If dialling internationally call: 0027 21 7010661

APOLLO BRAMWELL HOSPITAL 00230 605 1000 WWW.APOLLOBRAMWELL.COM

82 | Endeavour Magazine

THE GREATEST WEALTH IS

Health

WRITTEN BY CHARLES ROBERTS

Boasting state-of-the-art technology, accomplished medical professionals and exclusive international accreditation, Apollo Bramwell is the Indian Ocean’s leading private hospital.

Endeavour Magazine | 83

APOLLO BRAMWELL HOSPITAL

As the majority of us are all too aware, life is full of unexpected twists and turns. But whatever happens in our work and social life, health remains a priority. Several individuals still rely on national health services to provide treatment and care in times of hardship, however more and more people are seeking private cover and protection.

F

rom a high standard of care and treatment

a

flexibility

private

with numerous inpatient and

rooms and added peace of

outpatient services such as high

mind, several private healthcare

dependency

benefits

cardiac and general intensive

Aiming

are

to

immeasurable.

to

provide

one-stop

convenience,

units,

neonatal,

these

care, paediatric private beds,

boundless merits to the island

consultation rooms and a 24-

nation of Mauritius is Apollo

hour emergency facility.

Bramwell Hospital (ABH).

In addition to patient comfort with fully air conditioned rooms,

About Apollo Bramwell

healthy meals three times a day, individual TV screens and

In November 2005, the Chennai-based of

hospitals

Apollo

group

and

British

internet access, visitors are also catered for with special lounges, cafeterias and shops.

American Investment signed a

For the founder and chairman

memorandum of understanding

of Apollo Hospitals Group Dr.

to

Prathap C. Reddy, employing

construct

a

200-bed

multidisciplinary medical facility

technological

in Mauritius. Today, ABH is the

provide patients with the best

Indian Ocean’s largest private

care possible is a prime concern.

hospital, with over 200 nurses

“Our endeavour is to establish a

and 200 physicians and dentists,

state-of-the-art hospital with the

most of which are trained

highest standards of patient care

or

and with wide-ranging facilities

certified

standards.

84 | Endeavour Magazine

ABH prides itself on being

to

international

advances

under one roof,� he notes.

to

“Our mission is to bring healthcare of international standards within the reach of every individual. We are committed to the achievement and maintenance of excellence in education, research and healthcare for the benefit of humanity.”

Papworth partnership In June 2013, ABH signed a partnership agreement with the world-famous Papworth Hospital in London to enhance specialist cardiac services and educate key clinical staff.

“We are proud to be associated with Papworth Hospital, which is truly a leader in cardiothoracic surgery and cardiology, but is also the UK’s main heart and lung transplant centre,” notes David Gray, deputy chairman of Apollo Bramwell Hospital.

“Apollo Bramwell will greatly benefit from the support of Papworth Hospital, which will include the potential for having surgeons and cardiologists performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at Apollo Bramwell.”

Every year, Papworth treats over 22,800 inpatients and 53,400 outpatients requiring specialist heart and lung treatment from the UK’s largest cardiothoracic hospital. Apollo Bramwell hopes to gain invaluable insights from the Cambridge-based hospital, which has

Endeavour Magazine | 85

APOLLO BRAMWELL HOSPITAL

witnessed over 1000 heart and

proud to announce the launch of a full-service orthotic and prosthetic

The department at ABH

lung transplants since it was

facility. The new department aims to offer renewed hope, greater

has been established alongside

founded over 30 years ago.

mobility and a better quality of life for amputees that have lost a limb

Marissa

as a result of disease or an accident.

a

“Papworth is a fantastic

Nel

specialised

&

Associates,

orthotic

and

institution with a history of

“Diabetes is a common reason why Mauritians lose a limb and

outstanding results, including

need to use a prosthesis,” David reveals. “This service will therefore

Africa, and Ottobock, a German

the first ever heart transplant

offer a special prosthetic program to fit the individual needs of each

organisation

operation in the UK back in

patient. We provide amputees with mobility, comfort and an improved

prostheses, braces and orthoses.

1979,” cites H.E. Nick Leake,

self-image thanks to the latest designs available in prosthetic limbs.”

British High Commissioner to Mauritius.

right prosthesis that best suits their needs, patients will also benefit

“Apollo Bramwell is bringing specialised

Along with expert guidance and support to help choose the

services

to

the

from careful monitoring, as long-term care is required for devices to accurately fit and function correctly.

prosthetic

facility

in

that

South

produces

Accreditation, quality and certification

region for the first time, such as

David explains: “Due to technological advances prosthetic

ABH has now joined an elite

those provided in conjunction

components are continually changing, which can make the decision-

and exclusive circle as one of

with Papworth. It will position

making process confusing.

only 385 hospitals in the world

Mauritius on the right track to be a services hub for Africa.”

New facility at ABH Earlier in 2013, ABH was

“While we utilise modern technology, it is important to understand that the latest and greatest appliance is not always the

International

most appropriate for every patient. Our policy is to provide the most

accreditation. With over 350

appropriate device, matching the patient’s lifestyle in the most cost-

stringent guidelines, covering

effective manner.”

surgical

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to win the Joint Commission (JCI)

hygiene,

gold

anaesthesia

procedures and air quality, the accreditation is recognised as a symbol of quality, which reflects an organisation’s commitment to meet high performance standards.

“JCI accreditation is a further indication of the Apollo Bramwell

point of their treatment.

“From the time the patient steps in the hospital till the discharge journey, quality standards are applied and respected to cater for best quality of healthcare that the patient experiences,” asserts ABH.

Hospital’s commitment to world-class medical excellence; it means

Ultimately, ABH is a world-class facility that acknowledges how

first and foremost the highest standard of care for our patients,” the

significant health is in today’s modern society. Any patient visiting

hospital boasts.

Mauritius can rest assured that they are in the best hands possible.

Despite this industry recognition, ABH still employs a quality management system to produce results that meet and exceed stakeholder and public expectations.

“By reinforcing the goals and objectives of patient care, quality is not only an additional step of control or inspection, but an integral part of our daily practices and work for every employee throughout the hospital,” notes ABH. “The hospital is continuously exploring ways of improving the quality of healthcare through the latest evidence-based medicine, audits of services, integrated care pathways, indicator measurements, voice of customers, customer satisfaction including complaints/ incidents and other standardisation frameworks.”

ABH promotes a proactive culture that encourages patients to be involved in the decision making process and to ask questions at every

“While we utilise modern technology, it is important to understand that the latest and greatest appliance is not always the most appropriate for every patient. Our policy is to provide the most appropriate device, matching the patient’s lifestyle in the most cost-effective manner.”

Endeavour Magazine | 87

WORLEYPARSONS 0027 21 912 3000 WORLEYPARSONS.COM

88 | Endeavour Magazine

WRITTEN BY CHARLES ROBERTS

WorleyParsons South Africa is able to draw upon a comprehensive worldwide network to deliver energy and resources solutions at a local level.

TAILORED

Local

SOLUTIONS USING

Global

EXPERTISE

Endeavour Magazine | 89

WORLEYPARSONS

Operating in the resources and energy sectors, the Australian firm WorleyParsons Limited is a multinational engineering, project delivery and management company. With over 40,000 employees, a presence in over 40 countries and 165 offices worldwide, this Australian Stock Exchange listed company knows a thing or two about global energy solutions.

A

lthough the business

spread across the continent,

has been in existence

including

for several decades, it

in

is still a relatively young player

Nigeria

joint with

venture DeltaAfrik

Engineering in 2003.

in South Africa. Even so, in less

However, its South African

than five years it has acquired

journey

other industry players, grown

business bought a 50 per cent

its footprint and achieved great

share

success.

Pangaea.

After

monitoring

the

started in

when

engineering Three

WorleyParsons

the house

years

later,

acquired

the

company’s story as well as

remaining half in addition to

tracking recent developments,

consulting firm KV3. Thanks

Endeavour magazine decided to

to

get in touch with WorleyParsons

WorleyParsons

South Africa CEO Greg Denton to get the lowdown on an intriguing industry and market.

WorleyParsons in Africa

90 | Endeavour Magazine

a

these

two

takeovers, has

now

established a substantial and recognised

South

African

the

company

presence.

This

year,

enhanced its capabilities even further with the announcement

This particular engineering

of another major buyout as Greg

enterprise traces its roots in

explains: “After purchasing TWP,

Africa back to the early 1970s,

we now have well over 2000

when Parsons E&C established

employees in South Africa and a

offices in Cairo, Egypt. Over the

large portfolio of projects spread

years that followed the company

right across the Hydrocarbons

and Mining sectors. Most of this activity came from TWP.”

SA

The project house, now trading as WorleyParsons TWP, is a major provider of engineering design, procurement and construction management with a great deal of industry competence.

encourages

management

to

local make

senior key

judgement calls.

“I am very empowered as

“We are excited about integrating them into our global business,”

a leader to drive the business

notes Greg. “They are global experts in underground mining and

and make the most of the local

precious metals, so taking this South African knowhow to the world is

market,” reveals Greg. “Obviously

a fantastic opportunity for us.”

I can tap into our many resources, where other offices around

Commitment to people through a unique local global model “It`s always about people. We are a company that delivers a professional service,” Greg confidently asserts. “The quality of our people, the use of our systems and processes, consistent levels of performance and advice as well as delivery expertise is what we pride ourselves on.”

While Greg considers these core values to be WorleyParsons

the world work in partnership on numerous projects, but our local global model means we have quite a distributive and empowered workforce.”

Current state of play

SA’s unique selling point, the company also differentiates itself from

“We have a number of major

competitors through a unique ‘local global’ model. While industry

projects underway in this part of

rivals make decisions from a centralised office, WorleyParsons

the world, but with hundreds of

Home of Service Excellence Tshireletso Business Engineering known as TBE was founded in 2002 and restructured into its present form in 2005. The Company has a narrow, specialised focus resulting in a true understanding of the technologies and methodologies applicable to its chosen fields of expertise and this focus benefits the client, which can be sure that it is dealing with a Company that understands all aspects of the project.

TBE’s vision is to be the best in its chosen field of specialisation which will make it the contractor of choice for discerning clients in these fields of expertise. The company specialises in overhead traction electrical equipment (OHTE) and electricity distribution.

Owing to the inherently hazardous nature of working with electrical current, TBE places great emphasis on safety standards and ensuring that its personnel are trained in all aspects of safety.

91 Vlagskip Street, Laser Park, Honeydew, Johannesburg +27 11 794 1270 , +27 11 794 8391, +27 11 794 9425

www.tbusiness.co.za

Endeavour Magazine | 91 Tshireletso Business Engineers.indd 1

15/08/2013 09:04

WORLEYPARSONS

active ventures that our people work on every month, it is hard for

Johannesburg,

me to outline activity levels,” says Greg. “In summary, our headcount

subjects that relate closely to the

is slowly growing and we are currently recruiting, which is a good

organisation.

indication of the company’s overall position in South Africa.”

to

support

services business and our staff certainly have other options.

“Therefore it really is a

Greg says: “Engaging with

daily task of ensuring the work

Although market conditions differ greatly between the Power,

students starts early, so we go to

environment is positive and

Mining and Hydrocarbon industries, WorleyParsons SA’s established

schools and universities to help

that people are motivated to be

and reputable position is sure to stand the company in good stead.

create graduates. We also offer

here. This comes from a number

bursaries as part of our graduate

of things we do to make sure

development program.”

WorleyParsons is a fun place to

“I’d like to think we are one of the companies people want to have on their tender lists because we have the systems, processes and people to get the job done,” adds Greg.

In addition to continuous training,

Educating staff and potential employees During our discussion with Greg, confirmation of WorleyParson SA’s devotion to educating potential employees and providing a

ensuring

work.”

employees

are happy and satisfied in their jobs is another objective for WorleyParsons SA.

Looking forward “I honestly believe that South Africa and WorleyParsons are

“It is about providing a

looking at a very positive five

“You’ve caught me on a good day as this week we have been

diversity of work opportunities

years with solid and consistent

having a series of job experience days with local high school and year

that keeps people interested

growth, as we maintain diversity

one university students,” says Greg.

in their jobs,” explains Greg.

in our work program, increase

To this end, WorleyParsons SA has partnered with a number

“Retention is always a challenge

the depth of our local capability

of educational institutions, including the Wits University in

in the white-collar professional

and work closely with customers

valued service to the community was evident.

92 | Endeavour Magazine

to deliver infrastructure that will

acquisitions mean the company

develop southern Africa,” Greg

also has a great deal to offer the

discloses.

rest of the world moving forward.

Regardless of any strategic acquisitions,

operational

enhancements

or

“Carrying out Engineering and

Mining

projects

from

capital

Johannesburg is an exciting

investments that may take place,

prospect for the future,” notes

Greg’s sole focus is sure to

Greg. “We are creating a South

remain the same.

African business that will be

“For us, the most important thing

is

listening

to

globally linked.

our

“We can tap into all of our

customers. To stay close to

resources, but there is now

them, recognise their needs and

global expertise in South Africa

requirements then deliver the

as well, which WorleyParsons

best solutions we can from our

will be taking to the world,” Greg

global capacity.”

concludes.

Even though WorleyParsons

“I honestly believe that South Africa and WorleyParsons are looking at a very positive five years with solid and consistent growth, as we maintain diversity in our work program, increase the depth of our local capability and work closely with customers to deliver infrastructure that will develop southern Africa”

SA benefits from the knowledge and prowess of a global network of

professionals,

recent

Endeavour Magazine | 93

PORT AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 001 868 6232901 WWW.PATNT.COM

94 | Endeavour Magazine

A strategic hub in the southern-most waters of the Caribbean, where trade lanes between the Americas and the great oceans of the World converge the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is the bottle neck for the wealth and future of the island nation. We spoke with their Head of Marketing, Sandra Henry regarding some of the developments.

STAYING CONNECTED WRITTEN BY DON CAMPBELL

Endeavour Magazine | 95

PORT AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Located at Port of Port of Spain the capital of Trinidad and Tobago this port benefits from a multipurpose offering, including cargo handling, receipt, storage and delivery including containers, breakbulk, ro-ro, one-stop barrel shop, LCL, dry and liquid bulk, towage and dredging services. Outside of the heavy cargo and freight services they also cater for cruises ship reception facilities and the management of a crucial inter-island ferry service.

S

andra reveals, “The company has been split into three

“The Port Police Department has taken definitive measures to

corporate entities, POSINCO Port of Spain Infrastructure

ensure these challenges are overcome by ensuring that each officer

Company, Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and Trinidad

undergoes training that reflects modern international standards,”

and Tobago Island Transport Company.”

Completely government owned and with approximately 142 hectares to work with 61 hectares used specifically for cargo

Sandra tells us, “Officers are trained in the comprehensive areas of Crime Scene Management, Cell Phone Forensics, E-mail analysis, Cybercrime Identification and Crime Scene awareness.”

operations they are in the ideal position to make the decisions based on the community and longevity of the port and not necessarily at a corporate bottom line.

HSE Department One of the functions of the PATT is to ensure the safety, health and

The Port has been the gateway to the capital of the Twin Island

welfare of their employees, contractors, the community and visitors

of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for more than seventy years,

to the port. As part of their continuous commitment to employees

but was officially named the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago on

and stakeholders’ safety, they apply an effective HSE Management

June 14th 1962.

system to all their operational activities.

What makes this of particular relevance is the natural harbour

The Port Authority HSE Department is guided by our clear

on the sheltered north western coast of Trinidad, which makes the

SAFETY POLICY which essentially serves as the “Constitution” for

Port of Port of Spain ideally positioned to service the major sea lanes

HSE within their facilities. A dynamic, well trained unit committed to

between the Americas, the islands of the Caribbean and the trading

the prevention of accidents and ill-health. Operating around the clock

links between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via the Panama Canal.

they purview over a wide scope of responsibilities including training and orientation, conduct and a regular self-evaluation of systems and

The Port Of Port Of Spain (Ppos)

practises to keep them up to international standards..

The Port of Port of Spain (PPOS) is the cargo handling business unit of the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and provides berthing for international container vessels as well as towage services, container freight services and warehousing, and a one stop barrel shop for clearance and delivery of personal effects.

Security Of The Port

Upkeep: $30 Million Upgrade To The T&T Express The Ferry Service which is run by Trinidad and Tobago Inter Island Transport Company (TTIT) has made great strides this year, in fact according to, Port Authority Chairman Joseph Toney, they were improving by “leaps and bounds.”

Ultimately the responsibility for ensuring the security of the Port

“The fleet includes the T&T Spirit, the T&T Express and the cargo

perimeter remains within the mandate of the Port Authority. Totally

ferry—Warrior Spirit,” Toney said, “The important presence of these

compliant with the International Ship and Port Facilities Security

ships are supported by the intelligent and careful scheduling so if any

Code, the security for the Port is provided by the PAPD- The Port

are dry docked it is hardly missed.”

Authority Police Department that consists of a cadre of professional

He went on to say, regarding the development,“In the past there

and dedicated men and woman who are always ready to protect the

was usually a lot of backing up and congestion, complaints and so on.”

assets and serve the people who work at and travel through the Port facilities.

Security is a critical issue for any national gateway and the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is no different 96 | Endeavour Magazine

Close to $30 million was spent to refurbish the T&T Express in 2012, but the hefty bill was necessary to refurbish everything from carpets, engines, air conditioned, air conditioned units, seats and water jets.

Imtech Marine Trinidad & Tobago T + 1 868 679 2887 E info.trinidad@imtechmarine.com W www.imtechmarine.com

Increased Ridership—1,2 Million Per Year More people are choosing to ride the ferry than the 20-minute flight to Tobago and thanks to a move to excel beyond mere customer service, the ferries have carried on average 100, 000 per month.

Alongside passenger movement, over 200,000 cars were also transported. According to Toney, the number of passengers and cars improved by about 15 per cent from 2012, he said: “In 2013, we want to do even better.”

August is usually the best month for travelling but in the history of the service, there has never been such a high number of passengers.

For a long time people had preferred the flight from Trinidad to Tobago but more people are turning to the fast ferry for its comfort and better customer service.

Toney said while it was a good sign that people were switching to the ferry as the PATT was still heavily subsidised by the Government.

“By about $200 million a year in fact, but transportation all over the

Supplying and servicing all Navigation & Communication Equipment on board your vessel.

From Deepsea Shipping, Dredging, Mega yachts and Offshore Industry to Special vessels.

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With over 60 branches worldwide, we’ll deliver the Marine Electronics wherever you need us to.

world is subsidised by government.” In 2013 the ticketing system moved online and this trend will increase onwards into 2014.

The Navis Investment Imtech QP.indd One of the most prominent of investments was the $7 million into

1

13/08/2013 11:45

the Navis SPARCS N4 software which has helped the PATT become more efficient and paid itself off already. Toney said the system, which is Internet-abled, allowed for more computerised planning by all stakeholders.

“I think,” he says, “That sometimes the port gets an unfair tag as being the delinquent party when there are delays. That is not necessarily so.” he continues, “With the Navis system, what we have found out is that there are a number of other individuals in the train— customs agents, truckers, hauliers sometimes, who contribute to the delay of goods either going on to a ship or coming from a ship and going to a business place.”

Toney said while the port was trying its best with the system it would sometimes “break down.” But he said, like any new system, it has its snags, “All in all, the system has helped us to be more efficient.

We are calling on our stakeholders to make use of the system. It cost us about $7 million, and $1 million annually to maintain. It is a huge but worthwhile investment.”

Due to a number of developments beyond their control exports into the Port have dropped, partly due to the corporate environment in Trinidad and Tobago but also due to the limitation of space that he Port of Port of Spain was able to offer.

With this in mind, Sandra reveals, they have initiated a number of movements to increase the capacity space but razing unnecessary sheds and constructions to make the best use of their offering.

“Our intention is to open up space,” she reveals, “To better serve our customer’s needs.”

Endeavour Magazine | 97

WUC 00267 7130 9746 WWW.WUC.BW

98 | Endeavour Magazine

FROM THE

Source

WRITTEN BY JACK SLATER

The Water Utility Corporation based in Botswana, the bosom of Africa, have a major undertaking ahead of them. Four years ago in 2009 a take-over was announced that has created waves of change that they have worked hard to lead.

Endeavour Magazine | 99

WUC

Their intention is a simple one: provide clean and accessible water for the country. The programme, predicted to take five years and incorporating 540 villages was broken down into 6 phases and is a year ahead of its target, already in its last phase in April 2013.

Quote

T

he centralisation of the

following

water sector in Botswana

Master Plan Review and this

under

sets an example of the role WUC

the

Water

Utilities Corporation (WUC) has

National

Water

plays.

already made some noticeable

“At the base level people

differences to the capacity of

need drinking water to live and

the country’s water supply, a

reserves for sanitation,” says

trend that is set to continue, said

Mbayi, “We are improving the life

Nginani Mbayi, Deputy Chief

of the people in Botswana, and

Executive Officer for Operations

are grateful that the Government

and Water Resources.

has given this a major priority.”

“Our mandate is to ensure

The Water Sector Reform

that clean, potable water flows

which has given new controls

to all areas in the country

of the water sector to the

including

WUC

rural

sectors.

In

were

first

2005-2006

suggested

2009 this expanded to include

in

supply of potable water and the

National Water Master Plan

provision of wastewater services

Review recommended a major

in areas previously catered for

restructuring of the fractured

by Department of Water Affairs,”

system. The Implementation of

said Mbayi. “Further to this it is

the recommendations started in

our task to operate and maintain

when

the

2009 on a five year programme.

dams and other water resources

Since 2009, WUC has been

such as well fields and also

pressing ahead with the Water

improve infrastructure.”

Sector Reform that was first

Improving

100 | Endeavour Magazine

a

Botswana’s

planned in 2005, targeted to

supply of drinkable water is of

be completed in 2014: “We are

paramount importance for the

well ahead of our programme,”

continued welfare of the country

says Mbayi. “However, that does

and the people. In 2009, the state

not mean we should ignore or

of water was given providence

be complacent about particular

by the Botswanan Government

challenges.”

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are slower on the development than others an approach of patience and logic is needed, “Whilst villages have been taken over “as-is” in terms of infrastructure, there are a number of emergency projects that aim at improving operational efficiency and reduce water losses.

These are areas which mostly have been operating manually, have

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serious water losses and inadequate infrastructure capacity in the short to medium term.”

Capital projects including pipelines and treatment plants take up most of the WUC budget. Drinking water and quality waste water (for sanitation) that is easily and regularly available is the primary concern and influences all of their decisions. The expansion of water and wastewater reticulation network to meet the development needs and the integrity of customer data in areas taken over under the Water Sector Reforms has been a major challenge to WUC. However, it all boils down to the financial viability and availability to complete

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these projects and measures have to be put in place to ensure it is all functioning smoothly.

“Achieving objectives for the Water Sector Reforms is crucial, we are also responsible with achieving a good financial performance and to this we have introduced fair tariffs,” says Mbayi.

A parastatal body enacted by an Act of Parliament in 1970, The Corporation itself has roots dating further back into Botswanan history, with an original mandate to manage the supply and distribution of water in the Shashe Development Area. Eventually this was expanded upon to include water supply and distribution to urban and industrial areas and later on bulk water supply to urban villages.

In 1999 WUC became a pioneer in the country by implementing integrated business system called Systems Application Product (SAP) to improve delivery on customer services.

“The benefits of having an integrated business system are often demonstrated as it has delivered a lot on customer service delivery” said Mbayi. “Our greatest challenges has been to adopt some of the systems we took over in 2009 and bring them in line with other processes at WUC.” Due to taking over different sections, WUC has inherited more than 2,200 staff to add to its existing 800 employees and integrating them comes with the challenge of uniting the different cultures from the different organisations. The secret, Mbayi maintains, Is to unite their goals first to ensure everything is moving in the right direction towards supplying uninterrupted water utilities to all of Bostwana.

Mbayi and the Directors at the WUC believe that its overall mission is within sight: “We all look forward to the day when we can look back and say with pride that water service level has increased in all corners of the country.”

Relying on a wealth of experience the WUC are succeeding in making the biggest differences to clean water and quality wastewater services. Management are keen to highlight that things have only just begun and there is still a lot that WUV will be able to provide.

Endeavour Magazine | 101

WHAT’S IT LIKE WEARING Google Glass ?

A Glimpse Into the Future With Robert Scoble WRITTEN BY DAN LYONS // http://bit.ly/136uazK

I

magine an app where you can look at something, say “Buy that,”

“I think everything is going to be `Uber-ized’ in the next 10 years,”

and just like that, Amazon will get to work shipping it to you. Or

Scoble says, referring to the car service where you order a car via an

imagine being able to say, “Find coffee nearby” and having an app

app on your smartphone and in minutes a car arrives at your location,

direct you to a coffee shop where your drink is waiting for you, and

and it’s all billed to your credit card, automatically. “I want everything

your credit card has already been billed. Nothing to sign, no card or

to work like Uber. It just makes so much sense.”

money to hand over -- just grab your drink and go.

If Scoble is right, Glass could radically change all kinds of

Those things and more could be possible thanks to Google Glass,

transactions -- and could also have a profound effect on the world of

and they might not even be so far away, says tech pundit Robert

marketing. Instead of having to figure out how to rank high in search

Scoble.

results, marketers might need to game Glass and become the coffee

Scoble has been wearing Google Glass every day, all day, for the past three months, and while he concedes that for now the device has limited uses, he says Google Glass has given him a glimpse into the future.

shop or sushi place that Google sends people to. Instead of SEO, maybe we’ll talk about GEO – “Glass Engine Optimization.”

Moreover, Google Glass could actually change the nature of what marketing is. If JetBlue shows you where the best parking spots are when you arrive at the airport, is that marketing? The answer is yes, but it’s a new kind of marketing -- one where “marketing” is defined as providing useful, lovable services and keeping customers engaged, rather than buying advertising and pulling people into a “funnel.”

We’re talking about inbound marketing on steroids.

Meanwhile, Back in the Real World …

Okay, let’s take a deep breath. All that stuff remains in the future.

Google hasn’t even said when Glass will become available to the public, or what it will cost. For now, the gizmo is priced too high (developers pay $1,500 for the Google Glass Explorer edition) and does too little.

More important, the current version of Glass still looks too big and

102 | Endeavour Magazine

dorky to go mainstream.

hasn’t provided developers with

closest McDonald’s, place and

No doubt, Glass will become sleeker and less obtrusive. Eventually

good enough tools for creating

order, and bill it to your credit

Glass may be built into ordinary eyewear. Or eventually maybe we

applications, but that too should

card -- so that all you do is drive

will just get used to this, and we’ll stop thinking that people wearing

change. Even so, some people are

up, grab your Big Mac, and go.

Glass look ridiculous. Scoble, however, says he has grown completely

developing cool Glass apps. One

“If Google can make that

accustomed to the gizmo. “The novelty has worn off for me. Now it’s

engineer, who also owns a Tesla,

world happen, and if Google

just something I wear,” he says. He’s even worn them in the shower - as

has created an app that lets him

can get, say, 50 cents every time

you see in the photo above.

control the car from his glasses.

something like that happens, that

The bigger problem is that right now even proponents like Scoble

As for the price, Scoble

could be 10 times bigger in terms

admit there’s not much you can do with Glass. You can get directions,

reckons Google will price Glass

of revenue than what they’re

and use voice commands to get information. You also can take

somewhere between $200 and

doing now,” Scoble says.

pictures and videos with the built-in camera. But there aren’t enough

$400. “I’m hoping [Google CEO]

Google will generate about

apps, and it’s still too difficult for developers to create programs that

Larry [Page] prices them very

$60 billion in revenue this year.

run on Glass.

aggressively. If they’re $200, a

Expecting the company to do

lot of people will buy them. Then

10 times that much may be a

it’s just a question of how many

tad optimistic, but you get the

hours per day or per week you

idea. Those goofy glasses could

wear them,” he says.

be a pretty big deal. Is there any

“For now the camera is the killer app,” Scoble says. “I’d buy it for the camera alone if it were priced under $400.”

What else? “When you get a phone call it shows you the face of the person who’s calling,” Scoble says. “And recently when I was in London, as a tourist, I said, ‘Okay Glass, get me directions to Big Ben,’ and it just took me there.”

For

Google,

the

device

universe in which you’d wear

could open up a huge new

Google

business where instead of selling

Google have to do to make the

Glass all day, every day. “They add enough value to my life, just with

ads,

product worth the price tag?

taking photos, getting directions and making phone calls,” he says.

transactions and take a slice of

As far as Scoble is concerned that’s enough to keep him wearing

A Long Way to Go

Google

could

facilitate

Glass?

What

would

each one.

Scoble’s

hypothetical

Scoble reckons Google will announce the actual Glass product

example: You’re on a road trip,

in February 2014 and start shipping them in April. So far, Google

and you ask Glass to find the

Endeavour Magazine | 103

PASSENGERS FROM Hell WRITTEN BY CHRISTINE FORBES SMITH // http://bit.ly/15qKFeb

W

hich is worse? The inconsiderate passenger reclining into your face for an entire flight or the out of control child running amok in the cabin.

Editors at AirlineRatings.com, the world’s first safety and product

rating website, has listed its 10 worst passenger types with the seat recliner and the inconsiderate parent topping the list as the most hated.

Geoffrey Thomas Editor and founder of Airlineratings.com, said that “It was a toss up between parents that think their 200 fellow passengers are baby sitters or the thoughtless passengers who reclines into your space from takeoff to landing.”

These two passengers have been dubbed Parentus Slapdashii and Reclinus Maximus.

“Of course we all feel for the mother with the crying baby and we can always put a headset on to reduce the impact but it’s the children running amok and kicking your seat that angers fellow passengers.”

Offspring of Parentus Slapdashii

“However Reclinus just wins according to our editor survey.”

Various global surveys back up the airlineratings.com worst passengers picks.

“One by the UK’s Telegraph newspaper found that nearly 70 per cent of travellers would be prepared to pay more for a child free cabin which underscores the problem of the irresponsible parent,” said Mr Thomas.

“Responding to that Malaysian Airlines and Air AsiaX have both moved to child free zones in the past 18 months.”

Another growing problem passenger is Smellus Incredibilus.

“There is no doubt that personal hygiene on planes is in decline and typically “Smellus” will also leave the toilets in a mess,” said Mr Thomas Next on the list is Armrest Grabbis who hogs the armrests and typically he is become more of the problem as passengers get larger.

Chatticus Majorus makes up the top five and it seems no matter what you do if Chatticus wants to talk you are in for a long and boring trip!

Making number 6 is Bladder Incredibilus who for some bizarre reason always seems to request the window seat. Bladder not only affects the passengers in the same row but also the ones in front as he

Chatticus Majorus

104 | Endeavour Magazine

or she inevitably uses the seatbacks as a steadier.

At number 7, often you can’t decide whether Carry-on Greedicus

is stupid, arrogant or just plain

is “Window Hoggus” who takes

inconsiderate. Maybe he’s all

the window seat and immediately

three.

after take-off pulls down the typically

window shade and goes to sleep

seated in row 30 or 40 but he

Greedicus

is

denying fellow passengers a

thoughtlessly — particularly in

view.

the US — dumps his carry-on bag

And

there

to

is

these

a

dark

which is way too big or too heavy

side

characters’

or both in row 2’s overhead bin,

thoughtlessness in that it fuels

rather than carry it all the way

air rage, “It is impossible to

down the back.

get accurate figures but one

This of course causes chaos

reliable estimate puts the air

for passengers boarding after

rage incidents count in the US

him.

alone as 10,000 a year,” said Mr

Holding down number eight position is High-and-Mighticus,

Thomas.

Extrapolated

across

the

who is almost always bathed in

globe the number of air rage

self glory. This tiresome traveller

incidents could top 40,000 a

sees the overhead reading light

year.“ Another survey of frequent

more as a spotlight on their

flyers found that 37 per cent

own special opening night stage

occasionally felt a sense of rage

rather than as reading aids.

on a flight,” said Mr Thomas.

You will often hear Mighticus

And it’s no longer just one

demanding before you see him

passenger causing grief. Last

and that tone will continue all

month

flight.

offloaded 100 school children

US

airline

Air

Tran

At number nine DVT –

and their chaperones, after a

Avoidus would be funny if they

number refused to turn their

were not so irritating.

mobiles off and sit down.

A real tell-tale sign of this trait is the traveller going through their yoga or tai chi routine in the boarding lounge. Once on board, they spend the entire trip doing arm stretches and leg raisers bumping the back of your seat or elbowing you in the head or shoulder.

The final irritating passenger

Endeavour Magazine | 105

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Endeavour Magazine | 107