The use of technology and innovative solutions in cleaning is elevating hygiene standards and redefining the cleaning industry
By Nikki Gabisa – the National Operations Director of Cleaning Services at facilities management company Servest. 18 March 2024, Johannesburg: Advancements in technology are transforming the cleaning industry. From robotic vacuums to advanced disinfection systems, these innovations are not only boosting efficiency but also elevating health, safety, and environmental standards. The introduction of robotic cleaning […]
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There is a need for better school sports facilities to boost sports development at grassroots levels
10 January 2024, Johannesburg: In a crucial era in sports in South Africa, the significance of school sports facilities has never been more critical. In addition to providing structured extracurricular programmes and fostering learner participation, these facilities serve as communal hubs for fostering social cohesion. On 28 October 2023, South Africa witnessed a historic moment, when […]
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K9 detection dogs can help reduce drug abuse in schools
27 February 2024 – Johannesburg: South Africa continues to grapple with a concerning epidemic of substance abuse and addiction among young people. Alcohol use is increasing and there is a surge in illicit drugs infiltrating school grounds. Incidents such as the one late last year at Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve where students reported adverse […]
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Digital solutions are transforming South Africa’s parking industry and the overall user experience
Johannesburg, 10 August 2023: The parking industry in South Africa has long been associated with frustration, inefficiency, and wasted time for both customers and operators. However, rapid advancements in digital technology, have presented an opportunity to transform the South African parking industry and elevate the overall customer experience across various domains, including shopping complexes, commercial […]
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With the recent increase in torching of trucks, securing your assets in transit has never been more critical
As heavy goods vehicles continue to come under attack in SA, their exposure to the risks of protesting and criminal activity has remained very high due to having no alternative but to continue their routes as normal to meet their customer’s needs. Since July of this year, a total of 21 trucks have been set […]
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Mobile teams are offering a cost-saving solution to facilities management in a tough economic environment
The new world of work has challenged the traditional onsite facilities maintenance models, categorised by teams of full-time electricians, engineers, plumbers, etc. The growth of mobile teams in the facilities management sector is changing how facilities can be managed. With the rise of underutilised facilities, property managers are turning to flexible, mobile maintenance teams – […]
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Learnerships provide a solution for tackling the country’s persistently high levels of youth unemployment
Companies can leverage learnerships as an effective tool to combat South Africa’s persistently high youth unemployment and equip young people with the skills they need to empower them to become employable, or to venture into entrepreneurship. By offering on-the-job training, learnerships empower young people with essential skills that cannot be acquired through traditional methods alone, […]
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How businesses can mitigate against the impact of load shedding on food safety
04 June 2023: The issue of food safety in South Africa has come under the spotlight as the country continues to be gripped by rolling electricity blackouts and extended periods of load shedding. On Wednesday June 7, South Africa will join the global community to commemorate World Food Safety Day under the banner of the […]
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Servest sends a pro to the Australian Open
In December 2022, Wynand Viljoen, a senior greenkeeper at Paarl Golf Club, worked as a volunteer at Victoria Golf Club as they jointly hosted the 2022 ISPS Handa Australian Open, with Kingston Heath Golf Club. As part of a group of around 50 volunteers, Viljoen contributed to the hours of labor required in preparation for […]
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Security trends to enhance safety and security
04 March 2023: While companies seek innovative crime prevention measures, criminals are also exploring better ways to commit crimes. There is no doubt that load-shedding has made the jobs of security providers harder, as it poses a double threat – compromising existing security resources and emboldening criminals to operate with more impunity. With this in […]
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Charging stations in South Africa are gradually improving the electric vehicle infrastructure
17 April 2023: South Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) market has been slow to take off due to several factors, such as high upfront costs, limited availability of EV models and a lack of charging infrastructure. This is changing, however, and both private and public enterprises are introducing efficient solutions to develop the market. To add […]
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Growth of warehousing and logistic facilities needs upkeep and maintenance skills
The introduction of the world’s largest free trade zone, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), together with the growth of the middle class in the country is expected to fuel the expansion of specialised warehousing facilities in South Africa and across the Southern African region. However, the efficacy of these facilities will largely hinge […]
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Security threats in schools need to be proactively monitored to avoid the high costs of repair
Loadshedding continues to pose a number of risks. Aside from causing property damage and business disruptions, it has also increased security risks in an economy grappling with unemployment and crime. Despite this, security has not been beefed up in most schools. Servest speaks more about security solutions for schools. Improving Security Solutions For Schools More […]
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Workplace safety tips all employees should know
A well-designed and comfortable workplace isn’t always a safe or hazard-free space. Often, people take shortcuts, ignore the ‘Caution wet floor’ warning and other safety measures. Each year, employees report thousands of workplace injuries, of which falling or slipping is the most common. These reported injuries stem from Slipping on wet floors Sitting on unstable […]
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Reflecting on mergers and acquisitions in the facilities management sector, and some opportunities as economies begin to open – A facilities management perspective
24 March 2021: The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have certainly been felt across many areas of business. As far as mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are concerned, some potentially lucrative partnerships and transactions were brought to a standstill by the pandemic and the associated lockdowns. However, we are seeing some opportunities begin to emerge as […]
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Space planning, cyber security and smart solutions within the context of the new working from home models
08 February 2021: More and more people are operating remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in high office vacancy rates. In the face of this, the sustainability of the facilities management industry hinges on its ability to deploy smart solutions to manage work from home strategies, space planning, security and utilities management. According to the […]
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Trends in facilities management: How Covid-19 has spawned cutting-edge innovations
Wednesday, 27 January 2021 The outbreak of Covid-19 may have sounded a death-knell to many industries. However, the pandemic is also ushering in new trends in the facilities management industry, inspiring innovation and presenting small and medium-sized businesses with opportunities to serve as a lifeline and a springboard for growth. Statistics indicating the impact of […]
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Measures companies should be taking to ensure safety and hygiene practices during the Covid-19 pandemic
Tuesday, November 02, 2020 Covid-19 has disrupted the way in which we live and work, and the cleaning and hygiene industries are playing a crucial role in helping businesses and individuals to cope with the impact of the pandemic. As businesses open and people gradually return to work, now more than ever, the need to […]
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The impact of Covid-19 on seafarers and the South African maritime sector
Tuesday, November 03, 2020 The impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the global over USD$ 200 billion maritime sector has been devastating throughout the industry’s value chain. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the professionalism and sacrifice of the two million seafarers who serve on the world’s merchant fleets. […]
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Post Covid-19, digitisation will no longer be optional but an indispensable operational requirement
October, 10, 2020 The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has to a large extent served as a catalyst to accelerate the adoption of smart technologies in several industries and in social life. Driven by self-preservation, many organisations scurried to adopt smart applications to mitigate the devastating impact of Covid-19 on their businesses. For organisations that […]
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To turn SA into a maritime powerhouse will require more women to actively participate in the industry
September, 02, 2020 A paradigm shift is required in the maritime industry that will make education and experience equal barometers for promotion in order to escalate the number of women participants in this sector. Despite the strides that other industries have made to accelerate the advancement of women, the maritime industry has so far managed […]
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Proliferation of unverified companies seeking to profit from Covid-19 may cost consumers dearly
The outbreak of the coronavirus and the heightened hygienic protocols required to curb further transmission of the pandemic has led to a proliferation of opportunistic cleaning companies using cleaning material that is unsubstantiated and often poses a danger to consumers,” says Takalane Khashane, Managing Director of the Cleaning Division at Servest. The warning by Africa’s […]
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Psychological well-being is crucial as colleagues go back to work
August, 11, 2020 Millions of workers are trickling back to work as the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased and preparing the workplace to receive them should go beyond just disinfection. That’s the call from Lungile Mkhize, Group Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality (SHEQ) Manager at Integrated Facilities management company, Servest, who says employers must make […]
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Building a high-performance culture in uncertain times
June, 05, 2020 Rapidly changing technologies, aggressive competition and high consumer expectations are all convincing companies to change the way they do business globally. Performance indicators continue to shift. Business, as usual, is no longer acceptable. Forward-thinking organisations and nations alike are continuously exploring ways to drive high performance, achieve optimum value to enhance user […]
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The fight to remain relevant after Covid-19
Against the backdrop of a struggling economy, the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has presented even greater challenges to businesses, both big and small, public and private sectors alike. We are still in a state of shock, but perhaps what will matter is how we emerge from this, even as we see the real negative impact of […]
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