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Rooftop’s 20-year success

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The Baakens Valley mimicking the Amazon rainforest, a market in Walmer’s Gqeberha township transformed into a bustling street in India, a patch of gravel in Kariega becoming a refugee camp in Jordan.

As Nelson Mandela Bay creative production agency, Rooftop, celebrates 20 years of producing video and other content for multiple multilateral agencies – including the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) – the company paid tribute to the diversity of a city that made much of this work possible.

“We must have filmed somewhere in the region of a thousand videos in and around PE,” said Rooftop creative director Nick Waring. “We’ve filmed on roofs, under buildings and bridges, out to sea, in rivers, in countless houses, shops, schools, malls, in taxis, and on the highway.”

While a lot of Rooftop’s work is still filmed on location in many countries across the world, budgetary, security, time and other constraints – including travel bans during the COVID-19 pandemic – has really forced Rooftop to think out of the box, as it strives to create content that shines the spotlight on many of the world’s most pressing issues, ranging from keeping children in school in conflict-affected areas, to fighting diseases such as HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, to tackling global food waste, and preventing gender-based violence.

“In 2021, when travel was still difficult because of COVID, we were in the middle of producing a miniseries for UNICEF aimed at reducing child marriage in West Africa – so we turned a farm in the Steytlerville area into a fictional West African village,” said creative director Tom Collins.

The people in many of Rooftop’s videos are homegrown too.

“The diversity of our city means we’ve been able to use local people to represent countless nationalities around the world, including African, Asian, Middle-Eastern and South American,” said Waring. “They’ve all played a role in our mission to tell stories that lead to real impact and make a difference in people’s lives.”

Though Rooftop has expanded its offices to Cape Town and Europe, the company is proud of its Gqeberha roots – and its head office remains here.

Rooftop was founded in 2003 by Richard Ahlfeldt and James Scholtz, both just 19 at the time, and best friends from their high school days at Harvest Christian School.

Over the past 20 years, Rooftop’s journey has shifted from humble beginnings duplicating DVDs and filming municipal events in the Bay, to making TV ads, to creating advocacy and awareness videos to shine the light on humanitarian issues, to driving entire global campaigns.

Rooftop’s clients include a string of UN agencies, along with many other global organisations, such as the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), The Global Fund and Save the Children.

And the company uses a range of storytelling tools to bring global issues to light, including long-format films, social media videos and posts, billboards, posters, interactive media and influencer-driven content.

Recently, when the Springbok rugby team secured their place in the Rugby World Cup final, Rooftop rallied to produce a video in just four days for Gautrain, capturing the spirit of a country rising above its challenges and standing together in the name of sport. The supporting actors in the video were local, while the lead actors were from around South Africa and the footage was filmed in Gqeberha and Johannesburg.

That same week, a team was filming a documentary in South Sudan – as part of a project to end child marriage in a country where 52% of girls are married before they reach 18.

The countries and topics may vary – but the aim to stir hearts minds remain the same as they’ve always been at Rooftop.

“For us, it’s not just about words and likes and views, it’s actually around designing campaigns that change people’s perceptions and behaviour,” said Scholtz.

Over the years, the staff at Rooftop have grown from a handful of creatives to a team of 70, that include strategists, social media specialists, graphic designers, videographers, writers, researchers, animators and illustrators.

“The 20th anniversary celebration of Rooftop is actually a celebration of extraordinary people who’ve come together and have fought dearly to make Rooftop what it is today,” said Ahlfeldt.

Competition Winners leaving on a jet plane for Arabian Sea cruise

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Lynn Oberem, winner of the Algoa FM Cruise to Dubai with XL Bay Travel competition, left for her dream trip with daughter in law Zelda Inglis on November 16.

They will be spending seven idyllic days on the Arabian Sea soaking up the sun, sipping cocktails, indulging in gourmet dining and spectacular onboard entertainment, with the compliments of Algoa FM and XL Bay Travel.

Keeping it local, Oberem was the finalist from The Drive with Vinny in East London

As a bonus Lynn’s stay has been extended for a week for her to visit her daughter Adele Inglis, who stays in Abu Dhabi.

VWSA and WESSA Together for the Environment

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Gqeberha – Ready to make a difference when it comes to environmental sustainability, a group of 180 Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) employees and their loved-ones spent their Saturday morning cleaning the Gqeberha coastline.

In partnership with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), VWSA hosted its Show of Hands volunteer event in Gqeberha on Saturday 11 November.

The Show of Hands initiative, which is usually held by VWSA twice a year, challenged volunteers to clean up a 2,2-kilometre stretch of beach along Marine Drive, from Pollock Beach to Flat Rocks. In total 100 bags of litter (not including bulky litter such as old tyres, metal pipes and planks) were collected in two hours during the initiative, which was then sorted and recycled where appropriate.

For this initiative, WESSA provided the necessary expertise on waste collection and which areas would bring the most impactful contribution to sustainability, and provided education to young children in attendance on how to become more environmentally conscious. VWA has also supported WESSA by funding the transport of learners from various schools to their Marine Week programme in October, and the company has previously supported WESSA’s Eco Schools programme.

Environmental sustainability is a critical priority for VWSA. Last month, the company was honoured with both the international Lean & Green Management Award and the SJM Flex Environmental award from Exporters Eastern Cape, for its efforts in the field of environmental responsibility.

“It is no wonder that we are able to achieve such accolades when our employees are clearly as passionate about the environment as we are,” said Nonkqubela Maliza, Director of Corporate and Government Affairs at VWSA. “Thank you to every volunteer who gave their time and energy to make a difference this weekend for this cause.”

ISUZU makes it four in a row

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ISUZU Motors South Africa continues to deliver on customer needs with leading products and services. This is evident with yet further recognition at the 28th annual Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) Manufacturer of the Year 2023 (MOTY) Awards.

At the Annual SAVRALA MOTY Awards held in Johannesburg on 19 October, ISUZU was announced as the Overall SAVRALA Manufacturer of the Year-for the fourth consecutive year. The overall manufacturer of the year award measures both the Rental and Leasing scores for qualifying manufacturers of which ISUZU was announced the Overall Gold Winner in the Leasing category, also for the fourth consecutive year, and the Bronze Winner in the Rental Category, having won Gold for the Rental Category in the previous three years.

ISUZU also scooped the Value Award for the manufacturer scoring best in the financial section of the Leasing Category Survey for the second time in the past three years.

“ISUZU is proud of its performance over the past year, despite the challenging economic climate,” says Craig Uren, Senior Vice President: Revenue Generation, Southern African Customs Union (SACU) at ISUZU Motors South Africa. “We are honoured to accept these awards, and truly appreciate the recognition of ISUZU’s efforts to provide support to our rental and leasing partners. We have had to rethink and reshape how we do business, taking into consideration our goals and understanding our customers’ needs.”

Geraldine Pillay, Business Partner Rental and Leasing (LCV & SUV) at ISUZU Motors South Africa, has for the second consecutive year received the award for Best Account Representative in the Leasing section, as voted by the panel. Pillay is highly experienced in the automotive industry where she has been with ISUZU for 16 years.

“At the core of our business strategy is our people, and we value our employees and their contribution to the success of our business. We are delighted to see our staff excelling and being recognised within the industry. ISUZU is actively and continuously investing in the development of its human capital. By doing so, we are not only ensuring our workforce remains competitive, but we are also contributing to the overall growth and innovation of the automotive sector.” explains Uren.

The awards are based on the results from two surveys completed by 35 of the largest Rental and Leasing companies in South Africa. These surveys covered criteria across various areas of business including communication and contact with manufacturers, support provided and received, how maintenance issues were dealt with, various financial aspects, and B-BBEE compliance.

A specially selected panel comprising employees who are knowledgeable about each criterion in the questionnaire allowed respondents to evaluate individual manufacturers against the various criteria. This approach ensures that an objective, industry-wide perspective is obtained. It also assists the various manufacturers as they can use the results to identify and improve service delivery to the rental and leasing industries.

ISUZU continues to honour its ethos of being a highly motivated team that consistently delivers the best customer experience.

Supporting Disability Rights Awareness Month 2023

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Gqeberha, South Africa, 16 November 2023 – From Friday, the 3rd of November 2023 to Sunday, the 3rd of December 2023, South Africa is celebrating National Disability Rights Awareness Month. The 3rd of December 2023 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which will form part of the National Disability Rights Awareness Day 2023 celebrations and activities.
As an organisation committed to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion, the Coega Development Corporation (Coega) has also joined in the celebrations for National Disability Rights Awareness Month by embracing the call to action as an organisation that recognises the importance of creating opportunities for individuals living with disabilities.

Throughout the month, Coega will be highlighting the contributions and achievements of individuals living with disabilities, as well as promoting awareness of the rights and needs of this often-marginalised community.

In 2013, Coega launched its Disability Affirmation Programme (DAP) with the primary objective to restore the dignity of persons living with disabilities by providing them with skills that enhance their chances of securing employment.

Coega’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its Employment Equity Plan, which outlines Coega’s annual target of 5% of its employee base comprising persons living with disabilities. As of March 2023, Coega has made substantial progress towards this goal by employing fourteen (14) individuals, equivalent to an achievement of 3.2%. This initiative is a testament to the organisation’s dedication to providing equal opportunities.

Coega goes the extra mile to ensure that the lives of employees with disabilities are made easier. One way it does this is by providing transportation for any work-related matters, recognising the unique challenges that some of its employees face. This support helps employees with disabilities access their workplace and perform their duties without any hindrances.

To further empower individuals with disabilities, Coega’s Human Capital Solution Unit (HCS) has partnered with the National Institution for the Deaf (NID). The NID received funding from the CATHSSETA to support persons with disabilities in pursuing NQF level 4 Professional Cookery and NQF level 2 Assistant Chef Programmes.

Speaking on the reason why Coega chose to be a part of this partnership, Coega’s Training Project Manager Mr. Envor Wesso said: “The majority of learners living with disabilities from the previously disadvantaged community lack resources to help them supplement the disability grant. This Programme was implemented to help these learners get involved and feel part of the community.”

To date, over 30 candidates have successfully completed their individual programmes and are scheduled to graduate on the 23rd of November 2023. Describing her experience in the programme, graduating candidate Ms. Ntombekhaya Booi said: “It was a good experience, meeting other people living with different types of disabilities and learning about the hospitality industry. The facilitators were nice to us, and we never felt as if we are different to other people.”

Ms. Nokuphiwa Yekwa, a fellow graduating candidate, explaining if she would recommend the Programme to anyone else said: “Yes, I would recommend it to both abled and disabled persons, especially the ones who have a passion or interest in cooking, even to those who aspire to open their own food stall or restaurant someday.”

Initiatives such as this underscore Coega’s commitment to providing individuals with disabilities with the necessary skills and training to excel in their chosen fields. Coega is dedicated to continuing its path of empowering people with disabilities. By providing a resourceful, sustainable, and safe environment, Coega enables individuals with disabilities to reach their full potential.

Through employment opportunities, support, and partnerships for skill development, Coega exemplifies a commitment to inclusivity, acknowledging that a diverse and inclusive workplace benefits not only individuals with disabilities but the organisation. This proactive approach serves as a shining example for other organisations, reminding us of all that a society that supports and empowers its disabled citizens.

Quality Management as an Integral Component of Organisational Success

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Gqeberha, South Africa – The Coega Development Corporation (Coega), last week, hosted back-to-back webinars focused on the topic of quality management, under the theme “realising your competitive potential”, at the Coega Business Centre in Gqeberha. “The two back-to-back events contributed to a global campaign aimed at celebrating the significance of quality management across various industries to promote the continuous improvement of processes, products, and services,” says Ms. Telly Chauke, Coega’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

The Managing Director of the South African Quality Institute (SAQI), Mr. Jacques Snyders, and Mr. Onward Machaka, a trainer for the National Occupational Safety Association, participated as guest speakers to shed light on the role of quality management in organisational success and brand reputation. In terms of Coega’s success and overall brand impact, quality management has played an integral role in every business function and output of the Corporation. “Quality is the differentiating factor that gives your business the competitive edge, to ensure that your clients return,” explained Snyders.

According to Coega’s Quality Manager, Mr. Xolani Gwele, “Coega has achieved numerous accolades and awards since its inception in 1999, which can be attributed to an uncompromising commitment to excellence based on internationally recognised quality standards. Recently, an Editorial published in leading regional newspaper described Coega as a ‘shining beacon of excellence with the highest degree of professionalism; an example of how a state-owned entity should be run.’ Notably, service excellence is one of Coega’s core values and has been integral to its operational success, socio-economic impact, and brand reputation.”

Coega has long been committed to upholding the highest standards of quality in all aspects of its operations. The organisation has embraced ISO (International Organization for Standardisation) standards as a benchmark to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of products and services that consistently exceed customer expectations. The Coega Sustainability Business Unit is mandated to oversee and maintain the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Standard, which the Corporation has maintained over the last nine (9) years. This ISO standard has been maintained alongside Environmental Management, Occupational Health and Safety, IT Service Management System, and Information Security Management System.
These standards formed the basis of stimulating conversations during World Quality Week and “should be treated as an impetus for continuous improvement,” urged Snyders.

The 2023 World Quality Week reflected on past achievements and ongoing challenges and provided a platform to share best practices aimed at sustaining and enhancing quality improvement throughout the organisation. External stakeholders were invited to share their perspectives on quality management and employees were encouraged to share their suggestions towards improving internal processes.

Coega is resolute in its focus on fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and the events were instrumental in advancing this objective. The sessions not only celebrated the organisation’s quality successes but also provided a platform to voice challenges and share insights for further improvements, ranging from the streamlining of stage gates in infrastructure project management to improved document template control in administration. Topics covered included the principles of quality management, the significance of ISO standards, and their practical application in Coega’s daily operations.

Coega recognises the importance of collective efforts to maintain its position at the forefront of quality management. By delivering exceptional products and services that consistently surpass customer expectations, Coega aims to uphold its record of excellence.

Coega’s commitment to quality management is unwavering, and the webinars held during World Quality Week served as a testament to that commitment. The events provided a valuable platform for dialogue, reflection, and improvement as Coega remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence. “The Corporation is poised to continue setting high standards for quality management in all its operations and looks forward to further advancing its culture of innovation and continuous improvement,” concluded Chauke.

ISUZU powers 2023 IRONMAN Mossel Bay

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GQEBERHA – ISUZU Motors South Africa, as the title sponsor of IRONMAN South Africa, takes immense pride in championing a diverse and accomplished assembly of athletes and individuals participating in the forthcoming IRONMAN Mossel Bay event on 19 November.

The Mossel Bay competition marks the culmination of a rigorous series of IRONMAN challenges held in Gqeberha and Durban earlier in the year and is famed for its relentless test of physical endurance.

Ziphindiwe Ngcobo, Department Executive for Marketing at ISUZU, expressed her enthusiasm for the brand’s involvement in the IRONMAN Mossel Bay 2023 competition: “As a brand that has held this partnership for the last 15 years, we are excited to be part of the Mossel Bay event. The IRONMAN brand, much like ISUZU, celebrates being BOLD BEYOND HUMAN, acknowledging the endurance of the ordinary people who dare to step out of their comfort zone and take on a physical and mental challenge of this magnitude.”

Among its sponsored participants are a mixture of ISUZU dealers, loyal customers, and esteemed athletes including South Africa’s renowned triathlon coach Steve Atwell.

Steve Atwell is a certified Level 2 Triathlon coach accredited by TSA and ASA. He is the Chairman of ATC Multisport, South Africa’s largest multisport club known for nurturing beginners and elite athletes alike. He founded ‘Embark Tri’ in 2010 to mentor novice athletes.

Its diverse sponsorship lineup exemplifies ISUZU’s commitment to supporting both professional athletes and local heroes who embody the enduring spirit of ISUZU and the indomitable strength it represents.

“As a brand dedicated to the communities we serve, ISUZU is committed to giving back and making a difference. The IRONMAN Mossel Bay competition serves as an excellent platform to engage with the local community and inspire individuals to embrace a healthier and more active lifestyle,” adds Ngcobo.

This leg of IRONMAN South Africa in Mossel Bay boasts the breathtaking backdrop of the awe-inspiring Outeniqua Mountains and the pristine azure sea. Mossel Bay’s landscape is adorned with lush rolling hills, fertile pastures, and a vibrant tapestry of agricultural and cultural heritage.

Embarrassing Performance Figures from Algoa Bay Ports

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The new booking system which was rolled out at the Port of Port Elizabeth in October has caused extensive logjams and backlogs in shipping products to and from market, says Denise van Huyssteen, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber. “The new system which was intended to improve port efficiencies has had the opposite effect, impacting upon the viability of exporters and importers who are unable to get their products transported timeously.”

“A number of businesses have indicated that their customers in key markets are considering cancelling their export orders if these delays continue,” she says. “As part of mitigation efforts to retain export business, some businesses in the Bay are even transporting their goods via road to Walvis Bay and Maputo ports. This is clearly not a sustainable situation and we need our two ports to be functioning optimally.

“The additional logistics costs incurred by transporting goods via road to other ports are making our exporters uncompetitive versus overseas manufacturers, who do not have to contend with these types of costs and delays.”

According to the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index, South Africa’s ports are rated amongst the poorest performing in the world with the Port of Port Elizabeth ranked at 291 out of 348 and Port of Ngqura at 338 out of 348.

The Chamber approached Transnet in early September, appealing to them to not proceed with the roll-out of the new booking system, until such time as the issues relating to its implementation at the Durban and Cape Town ports had been resolved. “At the time we emphasised the need for constructive engagement to take place on the practical implementation of the system at the ports.  We indicated that we were aligned with Transnet on the need for productivity levels to be improved at the ports and to unlock supply chain gains, but that this could not be achieved through the roll-out of a system that was problematic.”

“Since the roll-out of the system last month insufficient slots have been made available to meet the needs of customers. The system only allows bookings to be made once containers are available, resulting in customers not securing slots. This in turn has an immediate impact on the ability of businesses to get their goods in and out of the harbour.”

Van Huyssteen said that it is vital that Transnet urgently meets with business to discuss the practicalities of the system and what can be done to resolve the issues. “We are supportive of any measures to improve productivity but this cannot only be workable in theory but not achievable in reality.”

“Our recommendation is that Transnet pauses on the roll-out of the new booking system at Ngqura later this month, until such time as the issues relating to the Port Elizabeth Port system roll-out are resolved. It makes no sense to further exacerbate the problem without addressing the actual issues.”

SANRAL takes public consultation on proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy to the Eastern Cape

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Eastern Cape, 13 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) continued its series of public consultations on a proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) in the Eastern Cape on Monday.

The main session for the Eastern Cape was held at the SANRAL regional office in Gqeberha with other participants linking in virtually from a satellite venue at the Mayfair Hotel in Mthatha.

The sessions were attended by business and industry bodies, including the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC), South African Women in Construction (SAWIC), African Chamber of Business (ACOB), King Sabata Dalindyebo Business Council, as well as small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and, interested and affected parties.

“Transformation is the core of SANRAL’s operating model. It has become that social compact that binds us with the stakeholders where we operate. It has become a social licence for us to operate,” said the Chief Executive Officer of SANRAL, Reginald Demana.

“The cake is big enough to accommodate all of us. So there really shouldn’t be any fighting. We need to find a balance in how we work. We believe in transforming lives and leaving people better off than we found them,” said Demana.

Demana said the roads agency would soon launch a contractor development programme and a black industrialist scheme. These are aimed at capacitating emerging enterprises to enable accelerated growth and to promote their meaningful participation in the construction sector.

SANRAL’s acting Transformation Manager, Tshegare Moletsane, said the roads agency would in the next financial year implement a training and mentorship incubation programme targeting business graded 5CE to 7CE.

“SANRAL is resolute in its intent to ensure targeted enterprises which include black-owned businesses – particularly those owned by women, youth, military veterans and people with disabilities – become meaningful participants in projects and become black industrialists,” said SANRAL Regional Manager, Mbulelo Peterson.

Demana said the Board’s decision to withdraw SANRAL’s new Preferential Procurement Policy was a difficult but bold one made in the interest of service delivery.

“We want to process the public’s input by end of next week and finalise the interim policy to go out to tender with new contracts by end of November,” he explained.

“We do have differences, but we must have differences that are productive and progressive. I plead with the industry that, in the interest of the country, we must find constructive ways of engaging,” said Demana.

Stakeholders commended SANRAL for its transformation efforts and expressed their full support for the procurement policy.

“We are tired of the 30% subcontracting, we need 50% subcontracting to SMMEs,” said Luvuyo Popo, president of ACOB.

Chairperson of SAWIC in the Eastern Cape, Nomfanelo Bojana, said they were fully behind the procurement policy and would want to see the 30% stake being increased and SANRAL assisting women-owned SMMEs with access to markets.

“SANRAL must train us in ISO standards to enable us to bid alongside the big players. We also need more opportunities for women in construction,” she said.

SANRAL was urged to reserve routine maintenance contracts for emerging contractors as the big companies were already dominating conventional projects. There were proposals to intensify construction training for emerging contractors and to address the prevailing exploitation of emerging contractors by the main contractors on site.

Demana said the Public Procurement Bill before Parliament – the purpose of which is to create a single piece of national legislation that regulates public procurement, including preferential procurement – would impact what SANRAL’s long-term procurement policy would look like.

The proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) is open for comment until 17 November 2023. The document can be found on SANRAL’s website (www.nra.co.za) and on various social media platforms.

Embedded within the policy document is an email address (commentsppp@nra.co.za) to enable stakeholders to submit their comments.

Volkswagen expresses interest in participating in Egypt’s Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP)

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Cairo/Kariega – Volkswagen and Government of Egypt have signed an agreement to work together to develop a feasibility study on a shared automotive painting facility within the East Port Said Industrial Zone in the East Port Said Automotive Zone in Cairo.

The agreement was signed by the Chairman of the General Authority for the Suez Canal Economic Zone, Waleid Gamal Eldien, Chief Executive Officer of the Sovereign Fund of Egypt, Ayman Soliman, Managing Director of the East Port-Said Development Company, Dr. Ahmed Fikry and Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA), Martina Biene in the presence of the Prime Minister of Egypt, Dr Mostafa Madbouly at the headquarters of Council of Ministers in the New Administrative Capital. The signing ceremony was also witnessed by the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Hala Al-Saeed.

The Government of Egypt has shown earnest commitment to the advancement of localising the automotive industry in Egypt. The commitment was duly formalised in June 2022 with the announcement of the Automotive Industry Development Programme (AIDP). The AIDP aims to foster the local value addition, increase vehicle production volume, boost and attract investment and improve emission standards in the automotive sector.

Volkswagen has expressed interest in expanding its presence in the Egyptian market by participating in the AIDP. As such, Volkswagen intends to explore the feasibility of the establishment of a multi-model automotive painting facility in the East Port Said Automotive Zone (EPAZ). The EPAZ is planned to become a world-class automotive manufacturing and logistics hub with the East Port Said Industrial Zone. It is situated within the Suez Canal Economic Zone of Egypt.

Biene commented: “Volkswagen is excited about the prospects of establishing its presence in the Egyptian market as part of its long term growth plans on the continent, especially in North Africa. The AIDP is one of the most progressive automotive programmes on the continent which Volkswagen intends to be part of. The signing of the strategic co-operation agreement with the Government of Egypt is the continuation of Volkswagen’s strategy to play a pioneering and leading role in the development of the automotive industry in Africa. ”

Volkswagen has been manufacturing vehicles in South Africa for over 72 years. It has three other vehicle assembly facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. The facilities are in Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana. In addition, Volkswagen Africa has a presence in 17 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where it sells passenger and commercial vehicles through licensed importers.