April 2022
LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO STOP CRIME
NON LETHAL PROTECTION FOR YOUR LOVED ONES
34 YEARS OF SAVING LIVES The Liquid Bullet Team are proud of their brand and product quality. We await your call for service excellence and support.
Tel: +27 (011) 027 6354 | Email: sales@liquidbullet.net www.liquidbullet.net
EDITORIAL
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agnador is a security manufacturing company providing burglar proofing solutions to the domestic, governmental and corporate sectors in the major provinces of South Africa for over 30 years. We install trellis security doors, swing gates, security shutters, burglar bars, clear-view bars and all sorts of specialized and custom made burglar proofing applications. The dilemma that most customers face is where does one place one’s business in South Africa for security doors for your property and personal safety? The security companies all seem to offer the same thing, or do they? This is a dilemma that every potential customer faces when looking for quotations.
How do you know where to place your business, all security and burglar proofing companies seem to say and offer the same thing, or do they? Magnador knows that the discerning customer soon discovers that this company stands second to none in terms of quality, strength, service and value for money. These products – trellis security doors, gates and burglar proofing carry a Free repair plan: This Once off free repair plan is for fully paid for products, supplied and installed by the Magnador or an approved agent subject to certain terms and conditions.
Magnador is the only Company to manufacture patented stainless steel slam locks, for extra strength and longer life in coastal conditions for the trellis security doors. The slam lock has an automatic dead lock function. This means when you shut the Magnador closed; the lock will in one swift action, be slam locked, as well as automatically dead locked. The dead lock function significantly increases the resistance of the lock from been forcibly dislodged. The locking cylinder has a 45 degree cam. This makes it far more difficult to dislodge the cylinder out of the locking mechanism. The cylinder also has anti bumping technology. This makes it very difficult to pick the lock.
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Inside
this issue
Tel: 087 943 2418 Cell: 078 685 3894 Designed by Design Space designspace1983@gmail.com
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Time to shift to using gas
Page 8&9
Liquid Bullet products
Page 10
King Price - Portable possessions
Page 11
Understanding the importance of insurance
Page 15
The Final Word
Fax: 086 465 3116 Email: gatvolmagazine@julymedia.co.za www.july-media.co.za
DISCLAIMER: The publisher and editor of this magazine give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. Copyright July Media. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from July Media. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.
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ABOUT US We do Graphic Design, Web Design, E-Commerce, Digital Marketing, Web & E-mail Hosting. Our mission is to provide our clients with affordable & cost efficient prices/ packages without declining in the quality or services provided.
WHY CHOOSE US? We are performance driven and quality assured. We always want what's best for you and your project and that's what we deliver.
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SOUTH AFRICA’S BIGGEST INSURER WARNS OF LOAD SHEDDING ‘EVERY THREE DAYS’ – AND SAYS IT MIGHT BE TIME FOR A SWITCH
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https://businesstech.co.za/news
outh Africa’s largest short-term insurer Santam has urged households to look for alternatives as a way of dealing with load shedding – including a possible shift to gas appliances.
Citing Eskom’s latest load shedding forecasts, the group noted that South Africa is likely to see a total of 61 days of power outages during the April-August 2022 period, which suggests load shedding every three days. “With load shedding wreaking havoc, the use of gas appliances has increased in many households over the last few months,” said Rowland Ramalingam, head of non-motor claims at Santam. “Whether you’re considering buying a gas stove or have already purchased a gas heater in anticipation of the upcoming winter chill, there are several safety considerations you need to prioritise when you have your gas appliances installed. “Generally, Santam’s most common claims during load shedding are related to power surges, damage to fridge contents, and possible burglary claims.” Although gas is safe to use if installed in accordance with the regulations, the most common types of hazards associated
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with its use include explosions and fire, he said. There are a number of guidelines to take into consideration where gas installation is concerned. Ramalingam provides the following further advice for homeowners regarding gas safety: Gas equipment/systems must be installed in accordance with SABS’s (South African Bureau of Standards) requirements (SANS087). When a property where a gas appliance is installed is sold, a certificate of conformity must be obtained for the gas system, and it must be provided to the purchaser. Only gas bottles containing less than 19kg of gas may be stored inside a building. When gas stoves are in use, ensure sufficient ventilation, do not open the gas flame too high, and make sure the gas is turned off properly after use. “Unfortunately, load shedding is a reality that’s here to stay. Most of us will need to seek energy alternatives, so it’s imperative to do so smartly and responsibly. It’s critical to install and maintain them properly. A reputable insurer like Santam can help with both risk management and mitigation,” he said.
Load shedding ? No Problem.
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s South African citizens, we have tried our best to adapt to the frustrations of regular power outages, and although there are certain times that do not negatively impact our lives, there are some which put us at risk of security issues, as well as putting our personal and work lives on hold for a few hours. We, as a company, have made it simple to alleviate these frustrations with a wide variety of battery backup and OffGrid kits to choose from – powering something as small as your alarm system and security lights, to your entire home, leaving you unaware your neighborhood is in darkness. With over 500 installations completed throughout South Africa, we strive to provide our clients with the safest and most efficient options in reducing exposure to the grid. Contact our Durban team and ensure you have power when you need it during this cold season.
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031 940 3961 quotes@gridfreedom.co.za www.gridfreedomgroup.co.za Page 7
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ARE YOUR PORTABLE POSSESSIONS INSURED CORRECTLY?
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very day, we leave home carrying our phones, laptops and sometimes even cameras. Often, we’re wearing jewellery and carrying designer handbags. But if something goes wrong, and those items are stolen or damaged while outside of your home, are we 100% sure we’re covered for any losses? That’s the question we posed to King Price Insurance’s client experience partner, Wynand van Vuuren - and the answer isn’t what we thought. As it turns out, many South Africans think their high-value portable items are still covered under their home contents cover when they’re away from home. But they couldn’t be more wrong, and risk massive losses if not insured correctly. “People often ask whether insurance will pay out under normal home contents insurance if their portable items like laptops, cell phones and jewellery are stolen while they’re out. The short answer, unfortunately, is no. Because the risk is so much higher, the moment you leave your home, your high-value items must be insured as portable possessions – and in many cases, specified portable possessions – or you’re not covered,” said Van Vuuren. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO INSURE YOUR PORTABLES? High-value items that are only kept in the house - like artworks, for example - are covered for any losses on the insured premises under your home contents policy. But here’s the important point: the moment you take any highvalue items outside the house, they must be included under your portable possessions cover, or they’re effectively uninsured. That includes your phone, your laptop, expensive jewellery, watches and sunglasses, clothing, your gym bag and its contents, and luggage. TO SPECIFY, OR NOT TO SPECIFY? Most insurers provide a certain amount of cover for unspecified possessions. But high-value items must be specified in detail, down to make and serial number, in some cases, to prove their existence and replacement value. And if you’ve added a solid-state hard drive to your laptop, or bought a specialised lens for your camera, you should specify that too, or you’ll only be paid out for the replacement value of the original item, says Van Vuuren.
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REPLACEMENT VALUE IS KEY You should insure all your portable possessions for the current replacement value and not what you paid for them when you bought them. The easiest way to do this is to keep proof of purchase, like the receipts. The same goes for any family heirlooms you keep in your home: the obligation is on you to be able to prove the existence and value of the items. This value can be confirmed by obtaining a valuation certificate from an accredited and reputable valuator. You should also check if your insurer has imposed special requirements for jewellery for example, like keeping it in a safe if it’s not being worn. These requirements will be indicated on your policy schedule. “Our phones and laptops are integral parts of our lives. But it’s critical that we insure them correctly to ensure peace of mind if anything ever happens to them,” says Van Vuuren. MORE ABOUT KING PRICE We’re the only insurer to offer car premiums that decrease monthly as your car loses value. Because it just doesn’t make sense to pay the same every month, to insure something that’s worth less every month. And we don’t only insure cars. Personal and commercial risks… You own it, we’ll cover it. Comprehensively, cleverly and sensibly. We’re also entering the life and funeral market soon. Watch this space! • • • •
The Star Readers’ Choice Awards 2020: Best Car Insurance Company (Runner up) The Star Readers’ Choice Awards 2020: Best Short Term Insurance Company (Runner up) Readers’ Choice Best of the Best in Pretoria awards 2020: Car Insurance Company (Runner up) Readers’ Choice Best of the Best in Pretoria awards 2020: Best Short Term Insurance Company (Runner up)
For a full list of awards we’ve won over the last 9 years click here.
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF INSURANCE ANDRE HUGO, CEO AT SPOT MONEY
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ost people regard insurance as an unnecessary expense. And yet, an emergency or unexpected situation can leave those without it with a bill that can wipe out their life savings. Insurance comes down to having financial protection while transferring the risk to an insurer.
Admittedly, in these trying financial times spending money on something that does not provide immediate benefit might be frustrating. After all, a person would much rather like to save, invest for the future, or have financial freedom. But even if this is done diligently every month, all of that could change in the event of an accident. Insurance provides the peace of mind that should something bad happen, a person can minimize the impact it will have on their finances.
INSURANCE FOR ALL SEASONS There is a dizzying variety of insurance options to choose from. However, every person’s needs are unique. Their circumstances, family, lifestyle, and employment status can help determine what kind of insurance they need. For instance, having a car means there is a high likelihood of an accident occurring sometime in the future. Car insurance deals with a potential accident and repair bills. Most people either get thirdparty car insurance (where only the other person’s car is covered in an accident) or comprehensive insurance (both their and the other person’s car will be covered). During the past two years, there is a much greater awareness of the importance of having medical aid or health insurance. Some medical aid plans only cover hospital costs (if a person gets into an accident or is injured) and others cover doctor’s visits, medications, unexpected illnesses, and so on. In some cases, a person’s employer might subsidise their medical aid. For its part, home insurance protects a house against damage, theft, and accidents like flooding. It also covers the contents of a house like laptops, iPads, expensive jewellery, furniture, clothes, and so on. While this takes care of property and might not be necessary depending on
the person’s living arrangements, life insurance is something more critical especially if someone has a family. Life insurance covers the person in the event of death, hospitalisation, or serious illness, and ensures their family is financially covered if they are unable to provide for them any longer. HONEST ASSESSMENT These are just some of the types of insurance available. Ultimately, having insurance means a person has one less thing to worry about. With insurance, a person does not have to worry about life’s hard knocks. Spot Money provides customers with an intuitive mobile app to easily find the right insurance for their needs. The app can provide a user with a range of life cover, funeral, and car insurance offers. All that is required is for the person to log in and begin the process by providing the necessary information. Spot Money will take care of the rest.
Andre Hugo, CEO at Spot MONEY
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HIJACKING: 5 WAYS TO AVOID BECOMING A STATISTIC
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ijacking is rapidly becoming the leading type of vehicle crime in South Africa. According to the SA Police Service crime statistics released last month, 5,455 hijackings were reported between October and December 2021 – a 13.8% increase over the same period the previous year. So how do you reduce your chances of becoming the latest statistic? It’s all about staying alert when you’re behind the wheel, says King Price’s client experience partner, Wynand van Vuuren.
HERE ARE HIS TOP 5 TIPS TO AVOID BEING HIJACKED! BE CAREFUL THAT YOU’RE NOT BEING FOLLOWED One of the most common places people are hijacked is their own driveway. If you think you’re being followed, don’t turn into your driveway – rather keep driving. If the car stays behind you, drive straight to the nearest police station. And even if there’s no-one around you, don’t drive straight into your driveway: if you’re able to, pull up parallel to the road while the gate is opening, so that you have some space to get away if you see a suspicious vehicle approaching. WATCH OUT FOR CARS SLOWING DOWN There’s an increasing trend of hijackers stopping suddenly on a highway offramp or busy street. When you stop, they take your car at gunpoint. Another modus operandi is for the hijackers to bump into your car from behind, to make you pull over and assess the damage. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS When stopped at intersections, don’t check your messages or fiddle with the car radio. Stay alert to what’s happening around you, and watch out for any potential threats. Keep your windows closed and your doors locked, and leave enough room in the traffic to avoid getting boxed in. Page 12
DON’T BE THE HERO If a hijack happens, just give up your car and your possessions. Move slowly. Keep your hands visible, and don’t look directly at the hijackers. If you have children in the car, tell the hijacker that you’re going to take a few seconds to get them out. Don’t get involved in verbal or physical altercations. Your life is worth more than your earthly possessions. MAKE SURE YOU’RE COVERED Make sure that your car insurance cover is up to date and that you do what’s required of you. Also, check whether your policy offers emergency assistance, in case anything happens to you, and make sure that you’ve saved the number on your phone.
ANPR is the acronym for Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology is as extraordinary and versatile as the people it takes to create it. Our ANPR software has been created with the express intention of creating safer spaces for people in South Africa. We are proud that SNIPR camera systems are some of the most powerful in the country. We offer a whole new way of fighting crime…Before it happens. Linked into Law enforcement database of stolen and suspicious vehicles, we are constantly grooming this as cars move through your precinct. First responders are able make use of the SNIPR Dashboard (Web interface) and Mobile Patrol (Mobile App) in order to manage and view the data coming into your precinct, as well as produce real-time reporting on all recorded transactions. Empowering security providers through operational power.
OUR PROCESS CAN BE BROKEN DOWN INTO 3 EASY STEPS 1. Camera You Install SNIPR License Plate recognition software onto your Surveillance Cameras. Every Vehicle passing our SNIPR Powered cameras is photographed, analysed and decrypted to establish suspicious vehicles. All transactions are recorded 2. Lights The entire process from alerting to flagging vehicles takes seconds. An alarm is raised where suspicious vehicles are entering a precinct, and this is escalated to our control room, and yours. 3. Action The necessary authorities are alerted into action - Security teams or law enforcement can confront flagged vehicles as they enter the premises. We are watching out for you. All day. Every Day. We know that in order for good tech deliver on its promises, we need hands and feet on the ground who are invested to take action. This is why we work with your community. We succeed in partnership with you. We are not just here about license plate recognition. We care about community. Ultimately, it is about you… *The SNIPR system can be used with different cameras and surveillance systems, is easily integrated with access control management systems , and provide step by step instructions for processes to be followed in these circumstances.
Contact us: (031) 035 0941 Page 13
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the final word TIME MOVES VERY SWIFTLY. A QUARTER OF THE YEAR HAS ALREADY GONE.
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s we sit in April we have had the worst unemployment figures in the country’s history. Crime is on the rise and food costs are spiraling the fuel price... I need not say anymore. Santam have issued a winter warning regarding load shedding. There are people that are leaving the country - if emigration agencies are to be believed-in droves So how do we fix this? The solution is not an easy fix but there is a solution. The fuel price we cannot do anything about but the unemployment rate we can I believe that we should revert to national service with young men and women, who have no prospects
in the current job market, should be conscripted into the army, navy, air force and the police. The politicians won’t like this because it harks back to the colonial days but it would offer the young and not so young unemployed a chance at a career. It might be in mechanics-as the police have more broken down vehicles that ones that run!!!
industry.
Having extra police presence on the roads, at shopping malls, in the towns, will create a sense of safety and it will force down crime. Extra army will mean feet on the ground in the drug war and in the trouble spots.
Insurance companies can help here. As the crime deceases insurance companies will not have to pay out so much. With the employment increasing crime should decrease and the UIF fund will increase and they will be able to contribute to financing the conscription program.
We should re-instate apprenticeships in plumbing and building trades, in mechanics and the manufacturing
I also think that the teaching sector needs a lift so what about reopening teacher training facilities. I know at about this point the honorable minister of finance has fainted because money has to be found from somewhere
But maybe this is all a pipe dream
MARTYN J SMITHERS
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