From the editor’s desk: Dark times
April 2019, News
Although the timing is more coincidence than anything else, this issue includes a feature on power management. Given the latest news we’re hearing and experiencing from Eskom and the length and breadth and depth of its corruption and incompetence, however, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Sadly we don’t have enough pages to include all of the editorial we have on power management, but if you want to find out more, there will be a few additional articles online which will also be featured in Hi-Tech Security Solutions’ newsbriefs throughout the month of April.
I was asked recently how long it would take the country to recover from the losses incurred as a result of there being no electricity for businesses. Of course, I am not qualified to answer a question like that, but common sense would dictate that a recovery, if we ever reach the stage where we can start recovering, would take years, if not decades. I hope I’m wrong.
A question I have is who could possibly think that just ignoring equipment would not have a detrimental effect on it? We service our cars, even fridges and microwaves need a bit of attention now and then. But apparently power generation plants and distribution centres run forever because Harry Potter put a never-break spell on them.
You have to feel sorry for our current president. Apart from experiencing the efficiency of South Africa’s rail system (although he had bodyguards so he wasn’t attacked, murdered or thrown off a train, or all three), he basically caught a hospital kick. His predecessor and his pals looted to their hearts’ content and he’s left playing political games with politicians who refuse to stop the looting irrespective of the consequences (consequences to the country and its people, we know they will never pay for their crimes) while being side-swiped by Eskom and all the other bits and pieces of South Africa that are falling apart. I wonder how long it will be before water shedding becomes a common word? 
It’s not all gloom, however. At the end of 2017 direct foreign investment in SA was at a low point, the lowest in a decade thanks to the looters, but at the end of 2018 there had been an increase of over 400% by some reports, with large pledges of more to come. Of course, not too many people will invest billions if their businesses sit in the dark for half the day (or more since Eskom is said to be preparing for stages 5 and 6 mass blackouts, I mean ‘load shedding’).
I suppose we should all hope that the conspiracy theorists are right and that there will be a miracle cure for Eskom just before the elections, or maybe the Chinese will take it over, they seem to be quite efficient. What a change that will be.
Andrew Seldon
Editor
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Further reading:
- Bidvest Protea Coin
April 2019, Bidvest Protea Coin, News
Bidvest Protea Coin is a leading provider of integrated, intelligence-driven risk management services.
- ASIS Security Technology Concepts day
April 2019, Technews Publishing, This Week's Editor's Pick, Security Services & Risk Management
ASIS SA kicked the tyres of a few technologies at its first Security Technology Concepts day in February.
- Watching the game
April 2019, Technews Publishing, Pelco by Schneider Electric, Dallmeier Electronic Southern Africa , Entertainment and Hospitality (Industry), CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring
Video surveillance plays a larger role in the casino market than simply watching people gambling and trying to catch pickpockets.
- More than locking the door
April 2019, Technews Publishing, Salto Systems Africa, ZKTeco, Entertainment and Hospitality (Industry), Access Control & Identity Management, Asset Management, EAS, RFID
Electronic locks offer hotels far more than simply a more convenient way to manage doors, they can be integrated into a host of other systems and services.
- Securing farms takes a multi-layered approach
April 2019, Technews Publishing, Nemtek Electric Fencing Products, Perimeter Security, Alarms & Intruder Detection
While perimeter fencing is a must-have, the agriculture sector is increasingly turning to modern high-tech electronic technologies, particularly in light of the violent farm attacks seen in South Africa over the last few years.
- Visible light facial recognition
April 2019, ZKTeco, Technews Publishing, This Week's Editor's Pick, Access Control & Identity Management, Integrated Solutions
ZKTeco recently expanded its reach in the facial recognition market with the launch of its new series of visible light facial recognition (VLFR) products.
- Gordon Moore moves to Forbatt SA
April 2019, Forbatt SA, News
Gordon Moore announced that he has made the move to join Forbatt SA as national sales director.
- Alastair McPhail joins Jarrison
April 2019, Jarrison Systems, News, Access Control & Identity Management
Alastair McPhail has taken the position of national marketing manager at time and attendance manufacturers, Jarrison Systems.
- Cathexis wraps up successful national roadshow
April 2019, Cathexis Technologies, This Week's Editor's Pick, CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring, News, Conferences & Events, Training & Education
Cathexis Technologies successfully concluded its national CathexisVision Roadshow. With events held in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Biodegradable security seals for SA
April 2019, TruSeal, This Week's Editor's Pick, Asset Management, EAS, RFID, News, Security Services & Risk Management
The new TruSeal product extension is produced from a special biodegradable material sourced from Malaysia.
- New regional GM for Johnson Controls
April 2019, Johnson Controls, News
Johnson Controls Building Efficiency appoints Archibald Makatini new regional general manager for Africa.
- Cam Era signs first franchisee
April 2019, Technews Publishing, News, CCTV, Surveillance & Remote Monitoring
After announcing the launch of its franchise business opportunity last year (https://www.securitysa.com/61103n), Cam Era has announced the signing of its first franchisee.
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