SEC says ‘Zero to new infections’

2011-12-01

by the SEC Corporate Communications Department

The Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC) on the 1st December joined the country and the rest of the world in remembering those who have gone before us and celebrating the lives of many living with HIV and AIDS and their affected significant others. Through events held in the company depots throughout the country, SEC partnered with PSI to sensitise and get commitment from employees to live within the ‘Zero New Infections’ theme for the 2011 World Aids Day commemoration. For one hour, SEC employees were sensitized among other issues, on the consistent and correct use of condoms – the most efficient and available technology to reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. SEC’s Corporate Communications Manager Sifiso Dhlamini stated that SEC had recognized that personal problems can affect employees’ job performance; hence the company undertook a commitment to provide professional assistance to matters that affect employee’s ability to perform satisfactory in the workplace. “It is the responsibility of every employee to act and behave responsibly in accordance with any professional advice given and to raise concerns when they think work pressures may be affecting their health or that of colleagues,” Dhlamini said. He indicated that recently SEC established an Employee Wellbeing (EWB) programme accessed through trained counselors and peer educators, all selected from the various SEC depots. The EWB programme also has other initiates aimed at addressing issues related to counseling, referral, personal health, nutrition, legal advice/assistance, sports and recreation for fitness and health. As part of its prevention strategy to ‘new infections’ SEC provided high quality condoms to those who need them, and PSI ensured that these are promoted in ways that help overcome social and personal obstacles to their use. According to the Swaziland Demographic Health Survey (SDHS), condom use is lowest among married couples and long term partners, contributing to high infection rates within this group. Knowledge of the female condom is very low both among men, only (26%) and women (46%). Socialisation continues to empower men and disempower women; in this context; women do not feel empowered to negotiate sex. HIV Prevention remains the cornerstone of the response to HIV in the country. The Swaziland 2010 HIV Estimates and Projections estimate that slightly over 11,000 new infections occur among adults every year. According to the 2010 Estimates and Projections, there were 191, 148 People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in 2010. It is expected that the figure will increase to 214,210 by 2015. Out of every 100 HIV-negative persons in Swaziland, it is estimated that 3 will become infected with HIV every year and for every person who starts antiretroviral treatment, two people are newly infected with HIV.

SEC Names Multi-Million Substation after Ex-Employee

2011-11-18

by the SEC Corporate Communications Department

Manzini – The Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC’s) Manzini North Substation was on the 18th November renamed after its former engineer Moses Fanukwente Hlophe. Hlophe, a renowned businessman who owns, among others, the VIP Dry Cleaners, worked for SEC for 23 years and renaming the substation after him was in honour of his contribution to the development of the Swaziland electricity grid. Currently, Hlophe is a member of His Majesty King Mswati’s III’s advisory committee. The renaming ceremony was held at the recently-completed multi-million substation situated at Ticantfwini area in Manzini. The facility is now called the Moses Hlophe Substation. SEC’s General Manager Operations Meshack Kunene, who was standing in for the acting Managing Director, stated that Hlophe was one of the first Swazi engineers in the company, and he climbed the ladder to become the Chief Engineer. He worked for SEC from 1970. “Hlophe is one of the cornerstones of SEC rising from the ranks of linesman to become a manager. He was instrumental in the development of the electricity infrastructure in the country, and back then things were operated manually. I am happy to say that through Hlophe’s legacy, we now have 54 substations most which are operated remotely,” Kunene said. He stated that having served the then Swaziland Electricity Board for many years, Hlophe is being used as a reference, especially during challenging times. Kunene said SEC will continue to name some of its substations in honour of other people who have contributed to the development of the company. Former SEC Board Chairman S’thofeni Ginindza had in August disclosed that the company was in the process of renaming some of its substations in honour of former employees. Meanwhile, Hlophe expressed appreciation at being honoured whilst still alive, noting that most honours are done posthumously. “Naming this 132/11kV substation, which cost E34 million after my name is indeed a humbling experience. Such recognition is one of the totally unexpected pleasant surprises in my life. It is a great honor and my biggest Christmas present in 2011,” Hlophe said. He showered SEC with praises for continuing to groom competent engineers ensuring that the legacy lives on whilst empowering that young people take leading roles in the industry. Hlophe advised SEC to always put the needs of its customers and the country first, adding that solutions to challenges are best sorted from within the company.

12 million deal for Siphofaneni Rural Substation

2011-08-30

by the SEC Corporate Communications Department

The Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC) yesterday signed a E12 million contract with Consolidated Power Projects (Pty) Ltd (CONCO) for the construction of a substation at Siphofaneni. Construction of the Siphofaneni substation forms part of the expansion and strengthening of the electricity network aimed at enabling reliability, firm electricity supply and customer satisfaction. As a result of the Rural Electrification Project, initiated by the Swaziland government with support from the government of the Republic of China on Taiwan, some of the 11kV electricity lines within the Siphofaneni area had been extended over long distances. This, therefore, causes voltage drops that result in unsatisfactory service to rural communities. Running long lines in this nature is also technically undesirable because a fault on any section of the network affects a number of customers. Yesterday’s signing ceremony was performed by SEC’s Managing Director Pius Gumbi and CONCO’s Business Unit Manager Martin Grobler and Projects Engineer Eugene Marais. Also at the event was SEC’s General Manager–Operations Meshack Kunene and Projects Manager Ernest Mkhonta. CONCO is a South African-based company specializing in the creation of turnkey solutions for the electricity supply industry, based on the design, procurement, construction, commissioning, project and site management of high-voltage installations – including substations, among others. According to SEC’s Mkhonta, once complete, the Siphofaneni rural substation will benefit communities around Duze, Hlutsi, Phonjwane, Mphosi, Dvokodvweni and Timbutini, among others. “The substation will be designed with the indoor type of outgoing feeders to allow remote operation,” Mkhonta said. He stated that SEC was looking at building more similar substations in other areas across the country. Mkhonta said Nkhaba is the next targeted area for the construction of a rural substation. This will benefit areas such as Mnyokane, Nkomazi, Majotini, Hawane and surrounding areas. CONCO’s Grobler said construction work at Siphofaneni will start in three weeks and completion is expected in March 2012. “We are privileged to have been SEC’s first choice for this project. We have had a good relationship with the company in other projects since 2007. We will use proven methods and equipment to deliver a quality product,” Grobler said. He also stated that they have sub-contracted other local construction companies for the project.

SEC Managers Critique UNISWA Team

2011-08-18

by the SEC Corporate Communications Department

A team of six UNISWA Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) was on the 18th August hosted at the Head Office boardroom doing a dress rehearsal for the SIFE World Cup to involve 38 countries in Malaysia in October. SIFE is an international organization working with institutions of higher learning in providing meaningful opportunities for university students to contribute to their communities while developing skills to become more effective business leaders. The team made a presentation before SEC’s Executive Management and some senior managers, who gladly offered constructive criticism and economic impact in the country.

Manzini North Officially Handed Over

by the SEC Corporate Communications Department

The 132/11kV Manzini North substation has been officially handed over to SEC following final inspection at the end of the defects notification period last week. The substation has strengthened the power supply in the Manzini city and surrounding areas by providing a stable voltage and improved reliability. It also shortens the electricity lines that pass through the city by providing an alternative source of supply. The construction of the substation began in June 2009 and was completed at the end of June 2010. Up until the 10th of August the contractors have been monitoring the station for defects, and none were found.

Form – IV Pupil Joins SEC

by the SEC Corporate Communications Department

As part of its social responsibility programme, SEC has afforded Siphocosini High School’s pupil Thandeka Mpila an opportunity to be attached to the distribution department as part of the job shadowing programme. The two – week programme, initiated by FAWESWA in collaboration with the Ministry of Education & Training, will offer Thadeka a chance to see what it is like working in electricity distribution, an area that has previously been male – dominated.