March 2019 EDITION

Contents

  • Message from GM
  • SAQA registration
  • Tenders and membership
  • Condolences
  • Do note
  • Have your say
 

GM's Message

As we settle into 2019, I hope you are achieving your goals and navigating your opportunities and challenges well. Here in the Western Cape, we hope our winter rain season will be excellent.
This year, SABI is pleased to welcome Uli Peters to the team. Uli came aboard in January, and is responsible for training. We look forward to working further with Uli.

SABI training kicks off again in March, do have a look at the curriculum online at www.sabi.co.za to browse training sessions for you or your staff. We anticipate, due to popular demand, we may hold an Introductory Irrigation Design course in the Western Cape as well this year.

This year we will present SABI National Congress 2019 in KwaZulu-Natal from the 13th of August to the 15th of August at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban. I would like to invite every SABI member to attend or participate by presenting or exhibiting at Congress; it is an event we are all very proud of and well worth attending. We anticipate an excellent Congress, with the theme: Climates of Change and Opportunity. Don’t miss it!

I’d like to encourage you, as a member, to help us grow the SABI family.  Please do encourage suitable potential members you know in agricultural or landscape irrigation to be in touch, so we can supply them with membership forms and get the ball rolling. The “more the merrier” as the saying goes.

SAQA registration

SABI is in the process of registering irrigation as a professional trade with SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority). Watch this space…

Company membership and tenders

SABI’s Company members are valued and play a vital role in advancing Irrigation in South Africa.

We, however have noticed a worrying trend of people appearing to apply for SABI Company Membership, for the sole purpose of using this membership for inclusion in a tender. We do not feel this is entirely ethical.

As you are aware, we have different categories of membership and the SABI Company Membership representatives can be technical, marketing or financial personnel – but it is not necessary to be technical or have a technical qualification and/or experience to become a SABI Company Member.

Companies who are passionate about optimum irrigation and water conservation are part of the Company Membership category.

We will be informing the Departments of government and municipalities about our concerns – as well as starting an information campaign on our website. We will request that Tenderers rather recognise individual designer members if, indeed, they are looking for certified technical knowledge. The document submitted to tender processes also needs to be the current verification certificate (issued on payment of fees) rather than old documentation, this is also fraudulent.

We really do not wish any of our membership categories to be misused. We encourage SABI members to participate in the Institute and be part of it all, rather than just apply for a “piece of paper”.

Thank you to all our loyal Company members that really live and promote SABI’s Vision.

Condolences and prayers

We were saddened to hear of the passing of SABI Lifelong Member Charles Crosby last week.

Charles, who was 93-years-old when he passed on, was a legendary agriculture engineer and had enjoyed a long career in agricultural engineering. A mentor and friend to many, Crosby will be sorely missed.

Our sincere condolences and prayers for all family and friends of Charles Crosby.

 

Please note:


  • Our website is open for job advertisements, people report excellent results with www.sabi.co.za job ads option
  • SABI magazine is open for your advertisements and news you may have. Remember we print 5 000 with an excellent circulation, we are even at all airports in the country. The quickest way to get your message out there.
  • You are welcome to submit technical articles to SABI magazine, also a good way to get “out there” and being an active member.

Have your say

Do you believe SABI should provide online courses as well – obviously the practical parts of all courses will not be online, but, where suitable, the theoretical parts of courses.

Email info@sabi.co.za with your answer: Yes / No

AGRISETA SURVEY

The Agriseta is conducting a survey regarding hard to fill vacancies as well as future skills needs. This informs the planning of future qualifications and training. It should not take more than 20min to complete the survey.

Members are to please respond as this information will be included in the future Sector Skills Plan of the Horticulture Sector Sub-Committee, say SAGIC, of whom SABI are members.

Here is the link to the AgiSETA survey: https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/vUB3wt

GPS for Sale

Make: Ranger CHC+ 2016 model
It is a full GPS Base Kit with Ranger Rover and all other accessories + External Radio kit
The Software is SurvCE

Price: R150 000

Contact: Steyn de Jager
Tel: 084 208 3326
E-mail: steyn@tessurveys.co.za

 

SABI, www.sabi.co.za and 021 850 8220