SADC

WINTER

TRIBUTE

STUDENT

M-TEC WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE WARMS SEVERAL Local cable manufacturer, M-TEC embarked on a recent clothing donation drive, which warmed the hearts and brought warm smiles to the several orphaned and less privileged children in the Vaal Triangle. The clothing donation drive were aimed at providing needed warmth during the cold winter season, and to benefit local welfare organisation that cater for destitute and abandoned children’s needs in and around the Vaal Triangle region. M-TEC delivered with the aid of its volunteer team of staff members, large quantities of clothing to the value of R120 000, which was donated by its South Korean overseas-based collaborates, namely Taihan Electric Wire Company. Institutions amongst several other were Kotulong Community Centre, Asedi (Bophelong), Polokong Children’s Village and Vereeniging Alliance for Street Children. It brought so much pleasure to M-TEC’s volunteers to witness the impact this humble donation had on these children. Companies and organisation in today’s society cannot afford to be faceless, impersonal and show no regard for anything beyond profit, which in previous times was regarded as companies sole reason of existence. We have adopted and embraced our role of being a good corporate citizen and accepted the responsibility that comes with it, says M-TEC’s HR Director, Mr Isaac Mafereka. Published 27 July 2009

Malesela Taihan Electric Cable Also known as M-TEC, has been a leading player in the cable industry in South Africa for over 50 years. Established in 1911, M-TEC has developed into a market leader in the wire and cable industry and today the company is ranked as one of South Africa’s largest manufacturers and suppliers of Aluminium overhead conductors, copper products, low and medium voltage power cables and various optical fibre cables

M-TEC receives tribute from Productivity SA Aimed   at   increasing   productivity   in   South   Africa,   the   Productivity   SA   Award   is   an   annual   event,   open   to   both   private   and   public   sector   organisations   and   recognizes   companies   for   their productivity   improvements   and   contribution   to   the   country’s   competitiveness.   The   award   is   a   way   of   sensitizing   South   Africans   to   the   prudent   need   to   develop   productive   capacity   through continuous learning, renewed technology, human and material resources, skills development, visionary leadership, sound marketing and a positive customer orientation. The   2011   Productivity   awards   for   the   Gauteng   region   was   held   on   29   October   2010   at   the   Galagher   Estate   in   Midrand.     M-TEC   was   honoured   with   a   prestigious   Recognition   award   amongst   18 other   organisations   which   contributed   significantly   to   South   Africa’s   productive   capacity   through   organisational   or   other   initiatives.   Being   nominated   for   this   award   is   a   singular   honour,   and   one that is to be shared equally by all employees for the slight but significant steps we’ve taken towards improvements. Published on 30 October 2010

ENGINEERING STUDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM M-TEC BURSARIES Malesela   Taihan   Electric   Cable   awarded   R500   000   recently   to   the   Vaal   University   of   Technology   to   provide   bursaries   to   benefit   historically   disadvantaged   students   who   are   currently   registered with   the   university   and   those   who   have   a   keen   interest   to   pursue   a   career   in   electrical,   metallurgical   or   any   other   engineering   related   field   of   study   relevant   to   the   power   and   communications sector. This   initiative   marks   an   important   milestone   in   the   company’s   continuous   effort   to   address   the   current   skills   shortage   faced   by   the   engineering   industry.”   Industry-led   initiatives   such   as   bursaries are   an   important   step   in   ensuring   we   can   retain   the   brightest   young   graduates   and   meet   the   workforce   requirements   for   our   growing   power   and   communications   sector.   This   is   one   way   to attract   young   professionals,   stimulate   sector   interest   and   develop   enough   capacity   that   will   ensure   our   local   community   has   the   skills   to   accommodate   our   growing   industry,”   says   Isaac   Mafereka,   human resources executive at M-TEC. The   bursary   award,   presented   by   M-TEC   CEO,   Mr.   June   Young   Hah,   will   provide   at   least   20   bursaries   to   deserving   recipients,   receiving   about   R25   000   to   cover   tuition,   registration   and   residence fees.   The   selection   criteria   for   the   bursary   will   be   based   on   financial   need,   the   student’s   academic   record   and   the   relevance   of   their   field   of   study   for   the   sector.   Bursaries   will   be   awarded   to candidates   who   meet   all   the   selection   criteria   as   determined   by   the   company   and   the   university.   Shortlisted   students   will   be   screened   by   the   university   and   will   be   required   to   undergo   an interview. Bursary allocations will be reviewed on an annual basis and students will therefore be expected to reapply for each consecutive year of intended study or semester. Prospective and currently registered students wishing to apply for the subsequent semester are encouraged to do so through the University’s bursary office. Published 08 May 2008

Industry bid helps Telecommunications research grow VANDERBIJLPARK   –   A   Telkom   Centre   of   Excellence   (COE)   was   launched   by   the   Vaal   Triangle   Technikon   to   conduct   research   on   affordable   telephone   facilities   and   renewable   energy   sources   for telecommunication. According   to   a   spokesperson   of   the   Vaal   Triangle   Technikon   this   brings   the   number   of   Telkom   COE’s   housed   at   various   tertiary   institutions   looking   at   innovative   ways   of   tackling   technical challenges   in   the   telecommunications   industry   to   fifteen.   The   Vaal   Triangle   Technikon   COE   will   look   at   new   ways   for   providing   power   to   various   telecommunication   facilities.   The   Communications Department   at   the   Technikon   says   photovoltaic   provision   of   power   to   remote   locations   in   South   Africa   has   been   marred   by   many   problems,   including   theft   of   solar   panel   installations.   Another aspect of the Vaal Triangle Technikon research is the development of fibre optic communication systems. Telkom’s   Chief   Technical   Officer,   Reuben   September,   said.   “Considering   both   fibre   optics   and   the   internet   protocol   together,   could   make   the   development   of   an   affordable   telephone   system possible.   This   proposed   system   would   employ   high   technology   to   supply   telephones   at   affordable   rates.   The     use   of   fibre   optics   would   reduce   the   rate   of   copper   theft   as   well   as   problems associated   with   lightning   strikes   and   power   line   interference.”   He   says   the   goal   of   Telkom’s   COE   programme   is   to   promote   research   in   communications   technology   and   to   encourage   students   and young engineers to pursue their career interest in South Africa. Telkom and other industry players, including the department of Trade and Industry, fund the programme. Published 10 November 2003

Donation to boost economic research project The   Vaal   Triangle   Campus   of   the   North-West   University   together   with   the   Sedibeng   District   Council   are   investigating   the   potential   development   of   secondary   industrial   development   in   the   Vaal Triangle,   focused   on   the   promotion   of   economic   clusters   within   the   Vaal   economy.   This   research   programme   recently   got   a   boost   in   funding   when   M-Tec   made   a   R100   000   contribution   to   the project,   thereby   reaffirming   its   commitment   toward   corporate   social   investment.   The   research   probe   comes   after   the   relatively   slow   growth,   limited   structural   change   and   high   unemployment and   poverty   levels   that   have   characterised   the   economy   of   the   region   since   1994.   According   to   the   project   team,   lead   by   Dr.   Wynand   Grobler   and   Leonard   van   Vuren   –   both   from   the   Vaal   Triangle Campus   of   the   North-West   University,   -   the   main   problem   is   probably   the   presence   of   large   capital-intensive   firms   with   limited   linkages   within   the   Vaal   Triangle   economy.   The   research   initiative will   assess   and   determine   the   potential   for   the   development   of   a   steel   cluster   in   the   Vaal   region   to   directly   impact   on   the   economy.   The   central   challenge   will   be,   according   to   Dr.   Grobler,   to identify concrete opportunities that would provide a platform for the development of small, medium and micro enterprises to generate employment opportunities. Published 16 July 2007

XLPE Ageing Test introduced M-TEC   and   the   Vaal   University   of   Technology   headed   by   Head   of   Engineering,   Professor   JJ   Walker   negotiated   a   joint   venture   to   conduct   the   500HZ   accelerated   ageing   tests.   Prof.   JJ   Walker   obtained his   doctorate   in   High   Voltage   research   and   developed   exceptional   expertise   in   High   Voltage   cables   and   their   performance.   The   university   is   in   possession   of   most   of   the   equipment   needed   to carry   out   the   tests.   M-Tec   assisted   financially   through   its   social   responsibility   commitment   to   purchase   some   needed   equipment   to   enable   the   faculty   to   conduct   the   complete   test.   The   SANS 1339   medium   voltage,   revised   specification   refers   to   SABS   1284-5   that   the   power   cable   manufacturers   conduct   specialized   tests   in   a   laboratory   environment   to   demonstrate   the   long-term reliability   of   the   materials   used   and   their   resistance   to   the   growth   of   water   trees.   This   procedure   can   be   conducted   at   50   HZ   or   500HZ.   We   have   selected   the   500HZ   method.   The   procedure   is   to subject   the   11kv   XLPE   cores   to   controlled   conditions   during   a   pre-conditioning   phase   for   100   hours.   The   cores   will   then   be   subjected   to   the   energy   source   at   500   HZ   and   approximately   5% waveform   for   3000   hours.   At   predetermined   periods   of   time   10   meter   lengths   will   be   removed   and   subjected   to       voltage   tests.   The   evaluation   of   the   water   tree   examination   will   be   conducted   by cutting   thin   discs   and   adding   colourant.     An   assessment   of   the   ageing       process   can   then   be   determined.   At   various   stages   throughout   the   test   an   SABS   accredited   official   will   observe   and   monitor the   results.   This   is   to   enable   M-TEC   to   obtain   SABS   approval   for   the   type   test.   This   approval   is   a   compulsory   requirement   in   the   manufacture   of   XLPE   extruded   cables   in   South   Africa.   M-TEC’s technical   team   responsible   for   leading   this   project   include   Jan   Huisman,   Michael   Hugo,   Colin   Youens,   Owen   Jacobs   and   Derick   La   Grange   who   will   on   a   regular   basis   be   conducting   regular   visits   to the university to observe, monitor and oversee the process. Published 23 March 2006

Industrial partners invest R600 000 The   Telkom   Centre   of   Excellence   (CoE)   was   launched   by   the   Vaal   University   of   Technology   late   last   year   to   conduct   research   on   affordable   telephone   facilities   and   renewable   energy   sources   for telecommunications. A formal presentation was held recently to entrust the funding provided by each namely Telkom, M-TEC (Pty Ltd and Total Facilities Management Company (TFMC) The   funding   agreement   between   the   industrial   partners   in   conjunction   with   the   same   matching   funds   from   the   Department   of   Trade   and   Industry   through   its   Technology   and   Human   Resource for   Industry   Programme   (THRIP),   was   influence   by   the   need   to   facilitate   the   development   of   the   Centre   of   Excellence   at   Vaal   University   of   Technology   with   the   intent   to   educate   postgraduate students in engineering in the telecommunications field through the execution of CoE projects. Launched   in   1997,   the   Centre   of   Excellence   programme   (CoE)   has   kept   a   fairly   low   profile   since   its   inception.   Its   existence   and   successes   have   not   been   widely   publicised.   This   programme   is   not only   growing   local   telecommunications   and   information   technology   skills,   it’s   also   yielding   substantial   benefits   for   the   universities   and   technikons   involved   and   helping   Telkom   to   solve technical   problems   and   cut   costs.   There   are   currently   15   CoE’s,   located   at   tertiary   institutions   around   the   country.   In   addition   to   developing   skills   in   science,   engineering   and   technology,   the centers   are   aimed   at   creating   partnerships   between   historically   disadvantaged   and   advantaged   institutions.   Skills   retention   for   South   Africa   is   also   a   significant   benefit   of   the   program.   The research   implementation   is   already   as   underway   and   what   can   be   expected   as   outputs   from   the   research   are   amongst   others,   two   international   conference   in   an   accredited   journal   one publication   in   an   accredited   journal   per   year.   Many   talented   post-graduate   students   are   attracted   to   opportunities   overseas   whilst   through   the   CoE   programme,   Telkom   however   is   showing them   that   they   don’t   have   to   leave   SA   to   do   exciting   work.   While   participation   in   the   CoE   programme   students   are   officially   employed   by   Telkom   and   on   completion   of   their   studies,   some   are offered   permanent   posts   while   others   go   on   to   join   other   companies,   including   Telkom’s   co-sponsors   in   the   CoE   initiatives.   This   visible   commitment   to   provide   facilities   to   encourage   young engineers to prepare themselves for the corporate world will indeed contribute significantly to social and economic status of this country. Published 20 April 2004

A   R20-million   telecommunications   cable-manufacturing   facility   erected   in   Vereeniging   by   black-empowerment   cable   manufacturer   Malesela   Taihan   Electrical   Cable   (M-Tec)   will   assist   government in   delivering   on   its   2010   communications   promises,   says   Minister   of   Communications   Dr   Ivy   Matsepe-Casaburri .   “We   are   striving   towards   establishing   South   Africa   as   a   global   player   in   the communications    sector.    The    cables    and    materials    that    will    be    produced    by    the    facility    are    crucial    for    the    growth    of    the    country’s    economy,    and    allow    us    to    compete    with    the    best telecommunications   providers   in   the   world,”   she   adds.The   facility   follows   an   initial   investment   of   R100-million   in   the   optical-fibre   plant,   which   was   established   in   2001.It   is   expected   to   produce   200 t   to   300   t   yearly   and   will   manufacture   indoor   and   outdoor   cables,   such   as   jelly-filled   underground   copper   telecommunications   cables,   aerial   copper   telecom-   munications   cables,   indoor   copper telecommunications   cables,   cross-connecting   wires,   carrier   copper   telecommunications   cables   and   data   cables   aimed   at   fixed-line   telecommunications   service   providers   and   telecommunications contractors.“We   hope   to   add   value   to   the   sector   and   reduce   costs   in   the   industry.   “The   facility   will   create   many   jobs   and   increased   export   potential.   We   have   also   repositioned   the   company   as   a brand   and   aim   at   making   ours   the   preferred   products,”   adds   M-Tec   director   Dr   Anna   Mokgokong .She   notes   that   the   company   is   currently   targeting   the   Southern   African   Development Community   countries   as   a   potential   supply   area,   but   expects   the   company   to   expand   into   the   rest   of   Africa.M-Tec   CEO   and   director   June   Young   Hah   says   that   the   company   is   growing   and   is “moving   forward   into   the   future”.   The   company   notes   that   it   has   become   a   significant   supplier   of   fibre-optic   cable   since   its   optical   fibre   plant   was   established   in   2001,   which   led   to   a   R100-million optical   fibre   supply   deal   with   Telkom   that   has   boosted   the   company’s   capabilities   to   supply   both   the   local   and   international   markets.The   telecommunications   cable   plant   has   employed   500 workers, and is upskilling its employees by sending them to Korea twice a year to be further trained in the manufacture of optical fibre cables, and copper telecommunications and data cables. Published 07 Mar 2008

Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri

SADC Telecom growth underpins cable plant investment