June 2020

ByTyrone

Dear Members and Fellow Colleagues

I trust that you are all safe, well and healthy during these difficult times. As expected the COVID-19 infection and death rates are on the rise and will continue to do so, as the country is easing the lockdown regulations. Unfortunately the country cannot afford to be under total lockdown indefinitely. We have to get on with our lives and get used to the new norms. We need to start rebuilding the economy of our country. South Africa needs our industry to be productive and moving forward. We therefore urge you to take all the necessary precautions and adhere to all the regulations to ensure that your employees are working in safe conditions and remain healthy to support our economy. 

Glen Dikgale
President

SAIF Office Operation

As a reminder, our office and the operation thereof remains fully functional and is continuing remotely. The Executive Assistant, Marina Biljon can be reached via email on mbiljon@uj.ac.za or alternatively on the office number 011 559 6455.
 
The SAIF Board remains committed to supporting our members during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any concerns about training, membership or the schedule of events for the 2020 year, or require industry information and support, please do not hesitate to send an email to mbiljon@uj.ac.za to assist you with your enquiry.

Company Member Profile Listings

Thank you to the following members for taking up the opportunity to create awareness of their companies as part of the exclusive benefits available to SAIF members. The service is aimed at providing company members with a platform to advertise themselves to be able to generate potential sales leads. Click here to visit their profiles on the SAIF website.
 
African Pegmatite
Clariant South Africa 
DMS Powders
FP Specialty
Grinding Techniques
Groves Foundry
Keech Furnances
Malondi Capital Investment
Metal Connection
Non-ferrous Metal Works (SA)
Pressure Die Castings
Prima Industrial Holdings
Rustenburg Engineering & Foundry
UJ – Mineral Processing & Technology Research Centre
Wahl Industries

This is an exclusive service to members. Should you be interested in taking up this opportunity please complete the Company Member Profile listing form and send back to mbiljon@uj.ac.za
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SERVICE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO FULLY PAID UP SAIF MEMBERS!

Exclusive SAIF member benefits

SAIF also provides paid-up members with the following exclusive benefits:

  • Participation in the Annual SAIF Golf Day at exclusive member rates
  • Attendance to the Annual SAIF Awards Dinner at exclusive member rates
  • Listing of industry specific opportunities as the institute receives it from suppliers, buyers and members
  • Career opportunities in the members only section on the website
  • Access to technical papers and industry presentations
  • SAIF Technical Presentation evenings once every month
  • List of reminders to industry events
  • Access to industry publications through SAIF website and newsletters
  • Discounted member rates to attend industry workshops and conferences

Industry Updates: COVID-19

During this time of lockdown, our focus remains on supporting our members and the industry in the best way possible. While we continue to monitor industry news and national developments, we strive to provide you with relevant information in terms of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Documents for your information can be found on the SAIF website:

  • Risk Adjusted Strategy Regulations Gazetted COGTA
  • COVID-19 Response Foundry/Manufacturing Industry Readiness: Transmission Risk Assessment and Mitigation Plan
  • COVID-19 Loan Scheme for SMEs: National Treasury Key Features for SME Loan Scheme

Industry Updates: 2020 Wage Negotiations

SAEFA, one of our industry partners has shared an update with SAIF about the wage negotiations. SAEFA is at the forefront of trying to bring about changes in the costs of labour and employment dispensation in our industry as this is amongst the key cost drivers our industry face. Click here to view the video of what SAEFA is trying to achieve.  

Industry Events: 2020 RAPDASA Conference

RAPDASA is calling for extended abstracts for the 2020 RAPDASA conference. Due to uncertainty regarding travel and group attendance restrictions the 2020 conference will be held in hybrid fashion. Hybrid means that presentations will be done online, but several venues through South Africa will be set up for conference delegates to attend. Submit your extended abstract now and be part of Additive Manufacturing for our rapidly changing world. Click here for further information.

Training

SAIF training remains tentatively suspended until level 2 of lockdown. The safety of our members and learners remain our priority. Learners are encouraged to contact the office with any questions and concerns and can send an email to mbiljon@uj.ac.za. Alternatively the office will communicate to learners once we have confirmation from UJ to continue with the contact learning of our modules on campus.
 
Dates for the Q3 training scheduled for the remainder of the year below, will be announced as soon as we have confirmation of the resumption of contact learning:

  • Moulding and moulding sand
  • Supervisory Management
  • Quality Control

SAIF Events

SAIF events such as the AGM, Annual Awards Dinner and Annual Golf Day, are unfortunately severely effected by the current government restrictions for the hosting of events and mass gatherings which is currently either prohibited or restricted with additional precautions. As these restrictions are in place to protect the citizens of South Africa, we as an Institute, have no alternative but to abide by these regulations until the Government relaxes or deems them no longer necessary. We will keep members updated with any news or new dates for these events in due course.
 
The SAIF board would like to establish feasibility of an online conferencing tool to host the annual AGM virtually. Please send an email to mbiljon@uj.ac.za to confirm your willingness to support a virtual AGM for 2020. 
 
Look after yourselves, your families, your work environment and communities. Please continue to where possible stay at home, to practice safe hygiene habits and social distancing and to support those severely affected by this pandemic.