Columns - March 2013

Columns
News for SAPREF people, neighbours and other stakeholders
March 2013
Boost for HEALTH and
WELFARE in SOUTH DURBAN
C
ommunities in and around
Wentworth will now have HIV/
AIDS services delivered to them
more reliably thanks to renovations to the
Blue Roof Wellness Clinic undertaken by
the SAPREF oil refinery.
The clinic provides a comprehensive
suite of AIDS-related care, treatment and
support programs to more than 1900
people.
The renovations to Blue Roof Wellness
Clinic form part of several projects
that SAPREF, together with KZN Social
Development MEC Weziwe Thusi, handed over to South Durban communities
at the end of last year as part of the oil
Ms Tessa Beaunoir, Manager of Blue Roof, receives a plaque from the MEC of
refinery’s contribution to national initiaSocial Development, Wenziwe Thusi, and SAPREF’s MD, Robin Mooldijk.
tives like World AIDS Day on December
1, World Disability Day on Dec 3 and
the 16 Days Campaign for No Violence against Women and
school at McCord Hospital.
Children, which ended on Dec 10.
• Sponsorship of dance equipment and painting /renovation of the premises of the Wentworth Arts and Culture
With a total investment of over R1.5millon, the projects
organization.
include:
• A Toyota Quantum minibus, an alternative exit to ensure
In addition to the above projects, three NGOs were also
safety of residents in case of an emergency as well as a
the happy recipients of properties from SAPREF. Mzamo
generator for alternative power in case of a power outChild Guidance, Durban Child Welfare and SOS Children’s
age for Umlazi Christian Care Society.
Villages now have homes for the vulnerable children that
• Air-conditioning units for Prince Mshiyeni Memorial
they look after.
Hospital.
• A community bakery for Lamontville HIV/AIDS Centre.
Speaking at the launch, SAPREF’s Managing Director, Mr
• A library for a pre-school and aftercare centre for the
Robin Mooldijk, said: “The projects are part of SAPREF’s
Malukazi Community Outreach organization.
broader social investment programme and are aimed at
• School uniform vouchers for St Monica’s Children’s
uplifting social services and improving the quality of life for
Home on the Bluff.
SAPREF’s neighbours. They represent our commitment to
• A fully equipped computer laboratory for the nursing
sustainable community development.”
Down memory lane
with Ralph Adair
F
orty years ago on 22 January 1973 Ralph Adair, Turnaround
lead for contracts, started his career with SAPREF at the age of
17 as an instrument apprentice. He shares some of his memo-
ries:
My journey at SAPREF: I was promoted to instrument artisan after
passing the government trade with B grade. I was later promoted to
foreman for instrument projects in the SAPREF field project group.
Later I was seconded to the new control room as an Instrument/
supervisor for the installation of the field infrastructure between the
Field Auxiliary room and the new control room.
The highlights of my career at SAPREF have been the commissioning of Demin 3 on utilities, which was the first Demin unit that performed to design specifications and ensured that we had a secure
supply of Demin water for SAPREF boilers. Moving to procurement
section as a specialised instrument/electrical buyer was another
highlight. During this period I studied a Purchasing Management
diploma.
To my colleagues, we have shared good and bad times but at the
end of the day we have succeeded even in extremely demanding
situations.
Ralph Adair with Managing Director Robin
Mooldijk.
To my younger colleagues, if you are not sure always
feel free to ask, experienced colleagues are available
to impart expertise.
Some great moments in my personal life include
when my wife and I adopted two girls in 1990 who
were siblings. At that time we were only the second
couple in the history of Durban Child Welfare to
adopt siblings in 1990 and 1992.
Long SERVICE awards
C
ongratulations to
the staff
members
shown on
this page
who have
received
long
service
awards.
30 years: Claudia Jali,
Laboratory Technician
30 years: Henry Manana,
ICT Business Analyst
20 years: Warren Knowler,
Rotating Equipment Engineer
30 years: Karl Hyder,
Rotating Equipment Technician
30 years: Alla Maheshwara Naidoo,
Team Leader
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Safely distributing over 200 000 tons of bitumen
T
he
Despatch section of
OMUTDE has started 2013 on
a very high note after achieving their 2012 milestone of the highest record of the bitumen supply.
Left:
The team
behind this
remarkable
achievement.
Said Simphiwe Mazibuko, OMUDTE
Production Unit Manager, “I am
finally the bearer of good news.
Congratulations to the OM/Despatch
and NZ teams for achieving a record
on Bitumen Supply. I would also like
to thank my team for the constant
nagging to OM/Despatch and for
looking after the customer requirements and technical support on the
critical units relating to this milestone.”
Over 200 000 tons of bitumen were
supplied to the market in 2012;
the previous best was in 2010 with
186 000 tons. Simphiwe Mazibuko
attributes this great milestone to
OMUDTE’s staff who are always willing to go an extra mile, the availability
and reliability of equipment and loading flexibility.
Maturing SAPREF’s
safety culture through
Behavioural Based Safety
From left, Regan Jean-Pierre: Operations Coach, Charity Mkhize, Contractors
and Engineering Coach, Nonhlanhla Simamane, BBS Administrator, Msizi Msomi,
Maintenance Coach and Jayson Nadarajan, Front Line Leader Coach
“We are hoping to achieve a record
loading demand even during a
Turnaround year”, Simphiwe concluded.
S
APREF has introduced a new
process called BBS following
the success of a similar programme on one of SAPREF’s
High/Medium risk contractors. “In 2012 we introduced
a Behavioural Based Program
(BBS) with our High/Medium risk
contractors. The programme is
called Eyethu and it was successful in creating a culture of
intervention which resulted in a
steady decline in injuries”, says
John van Belkum, HSSE manager.
During the BBS process, a trained
observer will observe a colleague
for safe behaviours and at-risk
behaviours while executing the
task. Further to the observation,
support and reinforcement of
safe behaviours is provided and
at-risk behaviours will be discussed to collectively seek ways
to enable safe behaviours. “We
hope that BBS will help us to
change people’s behaviour so
that working safely becomes the
culture at SAPREF”, added David
Radebe, SAPREF’s safety manager.
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H
H
S
H
H HH
Year-end event: They
everal SAPREF employees were honoured for
exceptional performance
in various categories in
the annual staff year-end parties.
The parties, which were held in
November are an annual highlight for many staff and their partners as it is an opportunity to let
their hair down and celebrate the
end of another year for SAPREF.
The people shown on these two
pages won the award in the
category mentioned, and were
honoured for going the extra mile
in 2012:
Technology/ Organisational Capability Improvement (OCI) team: PFU water
investigation team of Pravin Naicker, Alan Chetty, Benu Nirmal, Nipho Khathi,
Rajesh Singh, Ronnie Pillay and Mehmood Seedat.
HSSE:
Denise Luteijn
HSSE:
TC Arnachellam
Finance/C&P:
Simone de Bruyn
Engineering:
Mark Meyer
Commercial:
Sandile Nxumalo
HR and Sustainable
Development:
Leonard Mbokazi
Maintenance and
Production:
Karl Hyder
Good Fellowship:
William Qwabe
Good Fellowship:
Christopher Nyawo
Good Fellowship:
Penwell Makhathini
Technology/Organisational Capability
Improvement (OCI):
Carmel Smith
Achiever:
Casmir Memela
Maintenance
team: The
Services
Department consisting of Joseph
Mthembu, Gavin
Benjamin, Faisal
Mansur, Andrew
Ryan. Not in
picture: Bradley
Parsons and
the late Derrick
Ngcobo.
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shone at the STAR Awards
Production team: Island View Shift 2, Seated from
left (from the front): Lindani Mhlongo, Stephen
Ndlovu, Shailen Mahabeer, Sibusiso Maphumulo
and Charity Mkhize. Standing from left: Jayson
Moodley, Ryan Holmes, Veenal Praamraj,
Raymond Moodley and Nhlanhla Dangazele. Not
in picture: Ncamisile Mnyandu, Siyabonga Msomi
and Mxolisi Mchunu.
H
HH
Production team: Central Zone Shift 4, front from left, Moeketsi
Mofokeng, Nhlanhla Sibisi, Mlungisi Mthethwa, Tiara Barlow,
Ashmeer Dewraj; back from left, Tsepang Machili, Rudy Reddy,
Feedha Cassim, Innocent Shabalala, Jitesh Singh.
Not in picture: Cleaveland Alexander, Slindokuhle Mbatha, Fikile
Malishe, Thando Mbele.
Engineering team:
Turnaround team,
seated: Daniel
Segope, Steven
Green, Ngi Mkhize,
Trevor Bennie; standing: Ravi Pillay,
Sagren Frank, Brian
Fredericks, Trevor
Jafter, Sifiso Dladla.
At the award ceremony, SAPREF staff enjoyed live entertainment by Khaya Mthethwa, above, winner of South African Idols
2012, Season 8; and a battle of Durban best DJs, DJ Lekomoshini of Igagasi 99.5 and DJ Deon of East Coast Radio.
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I
n 2012 SAPREF launched a staff social investment
programme aimed at encouraging staff to get
involved in community related initiatives.
Through this programme called SERVE, SAPREF
provides matching funds to employee teams who
make a financial or physical contribution towards
improving conditions in various communities.
We take our hard hats off to members of team
SAPREF who touched many lives through the
several projects:
The giving spirit
lunch for 1200 learners including teachers at Windy Heights Primary
School. SAPREF matched these funds by assisting the school with lunch
benches and tables for the learners.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A team of twenty staff from various departments
at SAPREF started the Food for Thoughts project in
2011 and it continued in 2012. Through this project
the team managed to raise R18 000 and cooked
CASUAL DAY
In support of Casual Day, the Commercial team
adopted three NGOs from the neighbouring community that work with and support people with
disabilities. Through the sale of casual day stickers
on site, the team raised R10 000 for these NGOs,
which was then matched by SAPREF, thus contributing R20 000 to the Casual Day effort.
Dressed casually were Franco Forno, Elmaree
Landers, Des van der Merwe and Norman Warren.
BANDANA DAY
The Sustainable Development team adopted the
Bandana Day project which is one of the fundraising initiatives of the Sunflower Fund. The Fund
aims to educate and recruit potential bone marrow
stem cell donors. The team raised R10700 through
the sale of 535 bandanas. SAPREF matched the
amount and a total of R21400 was donated to the
Sunflower Fund.
SAPREF ladies behind the Bandana Day.
FEED THE BABIES FUND
The SAPREF Graduate Engineer (GE) Club initiated
a fundraiser in support of the Feed the Babies Fund,
which is a non-profit charity organisation that provides meals and other items to orphans and vulnerable children in the rural areas, informal settlements
and townships of KZN.
A whopping R14 000 was raised through contributions by SAPREF staff and contractors. This amount
was matched by SAPREF with the overall donation
being R28000.
Some of the GE club members with the staff from
Feed The Babies Fund.
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of SAPREF staff
THE DIGNITY PROJECT
In late 2011, a group of SAPREF women realised
that in many needy schools young girls lose up
to a week of schooling during their menstrual
cycle because the family can’t afford sanitary
pads and the best solution in eyes of the parent
is for the girl to stay at home at this time. With
this in mind, the Dignity project was born, an
initiative whereby SAPREF women voluntarily
donate sanitary pads monthly or as often as they
like. Since the start of this project, SAPREF has
done distributions to several schools and, thanks
to the SERVE programme, the ladies were able
to support more needy schools. SAPREF ladies
also raised funds for school uniforms for learners
at Ingonyameni and Isikwelo Primary School.
“We realised the need to buy these school uniforms during the time we
handed over sanitary pads as some of the learners did not have school
uniforms”, said Mbali Thabede.
MATRIC MATHS MADE EASY
Members of the SAPREF Engineering and Technology
team started the Matric Maths Made Easy (MMME)
project to provide extra maths lessons to grade 12 learners. The team spent more than 20 Saturdays at Umlazi
Secondary School helping matriculants from schools in
Umlazi. All this passion and effort did not go in vain as
at the end of 2012, Umlazi Secondary School produced
9 distinctions in Maths Higher Grade. The school was
recognized as the top performing school for maths in the
district and they received formal acknowledgement from
the Department of Education.
Thulani Majola with learners from Umlazi Secondary
School.
HAVEN OF REST
In November 2012, a team of eleven SAPREF employees from various departments led by Vikes Jedidiah contributed money, clothing and appliances to the value of R9 000 that SAPREF matched
and handed to Haven of Rest in Tongaat. The matching funds
were used to support the organization with tiling its premises to
uplift the look and feel of the organisation. Haven of Rest is an
institution that cares for the needs of the community and runs an
orphanage, old age home, a school, medical centre and a hospice
from their premises.
Some of the staff from Haven Of Rest.
ECR WINTER WARMTH BLANKET
COLLECTION DRIVE
The ECR winter warmth blanket collection driven
by Simone de Bruyn was enthusiastically supported by SAPREF staff and contractors. The
programme is run by ECR and aims to collect
blankets that can be distributed to people who
desperately need to shield them from the winter
months. In total 2489 blankets were donated.
The team behind the ECR winter warmth
blanket drive.
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PRETTY keeps notching up firsts
O
ver the past five years,
Pretty Dlamini has
notched up several
firsts. She joined the SAPREF
learnership programme in 2004
and after that started what is
shaping up to be a successful
career in SAPREF. In 2010 she
became the first female Senior
Process Technician and last year
she became the first female clearance issuer for SAPREF.
Pretty Dlamini
She notched these successes
while studying part-time for a
degree in environmental studies through the University of
KwaZulu-Natal. “I have always
been driven by my personal
Safety will come first
at upcoming Turnaround
S
APREF’s biggest Turnaround (TA)
on North and South Zone starts on
26 April. “The TA is an event where
units are shutdown to restore integrity of equipment and to implement
projects. The entire facility will be
closed down for 56 days,” says Chris
Kalaba, SAPREF’s Turnaround Events
Manager.
The main activities at North Zone are
the replacement of a 4-metre section
column, C4101 and for the Central
zone it is the refractory replacement
in the regenerator R6102. The key
projects will be the catalyst unloading lines, the prevention of liquid
carry over, substation MV and LV gear
upgrade and MN column C6403.
“Through learnings from 2011 TA,
we have introduced the Equipment
Focus Team (EFT) concept that
will dedicate resources to specific
equipment without cross-contamination”, added Chris.
He goes on to say: “Safety will
continue to be our number one
priority for this event and to ensure
that we have an incident free TA
we are giving craft and supervision leadership skills ranging from
Front Line Leadership, Behavioural
Based Safety and practical training
at Durban South Training.
Whatever your task during the Turnaround, do it safely.
growth and development and this
degree is in line with my work
experience and where I want to
be,” she says.
Her biggest focus now is to
ensure that SAPREF has a successful Turnaround. “For the 2013
Turnaround I will be a clearance
issuer/focal point and I will also
be responsible for the execution
of all jobs at unit 6250,” she
explains.
In her personal time, Pretty enjoys
spending time with her family. She
says “While it’s difficult to balance
shift work and home life, as a family we try to make the best of it.”
Bursaries
awarded
E
ight high-achieving matriculants from
South Durban schools received bursaries
from SAPREF to study chemical, electrical
or mechanical engineering as part of the
refinery’s talent pipeline program.
The bursary recipients recently passed
grade 12 with flying colours at schools
in Amanzimtoti, Isipingo, Umlazi and
Wentworth. They are now studying at the
University of KwaZulu-Natal. The total
value of the bursaries for the four-year
course is over R2 million for eight students,
and it includes tuition, examination cost,
residence fee, meals, books, laptops and a
monthly allowance. SAPREF has also introduced the ICAS program that is also used
internally by staff for employee assistance,
wellness programs and psycho-social support.
“SAPREF sees this programme as a holistic intervention which will create a pool
of skilled young engineers for both the
organisation and the country”, said Lindiwe
Khuzwayo, SAPREF’s organisational sustainability manager.” Such projects form an
integral part of SAPREF’S efforts to nurture
talented youngsters from SAPREF’s neighbouring communities,” she concluded.
8
Retirement
workshop held
T
he first-ever retirement workshop was held in January at
SAPREF for SAPREF employees who will soon be retiring
after many years of commitment to the company. “We have
divided this workshop into three steps. The first step is to
explain the internal processes of retirement as well as postretirement benefits. The second step is to look at financial
advice and different investments products that are in the
market and for the last step we will look at psychological
preparedness,” explained Nozipho Ndhlovu, SAPREF’S
remuneration and benefits Officer.
They learned more about retirement at a workshop.
She goes on to say: “In the past we only had one-on-one
sessions with the retirees but this time we are giving them
an overview of what to expect and they also get a chance to
collectively share their concerns and expectations during the
workshop.”
Catching up with all
friends and colleagues
T
he annual luncheon for SAPREF pensioners was held at
Elangeni Hotel in November 2012. This was a special
moment for the pensioners to catch up on the news with
their previous colleagues and partners. Below are some
retirees who were at the function.
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Students get hands-on experience
S
ixty-two students recently had the opportunity to
experience the practical side of engineering when they
worked over holidays as part of SAPREF vacation work
programme. The main aim for this program is to enable
students to gain hands-on experience and to bridge the gap
between theory and real life practice.
The program was structured to give students exposure to
the operations of the refinery in a practical way by allowing
them to work on actual projects in Electrical, Mechanical
and Civil Engineering as well as Technology and Chemical
Engineering. This was combined with a strong mentoring
focus from SAPREF engineers and UKZN lecturers.
Said Kavita Juglal, fourth year chemical and process engineering student in the University of Western Australia:
“Working at SAPREF gave us a chance to relate what we
study at varsity with our careers. It was great to see the
process in operation and the magnitude of those processes.”
Students had the opportunity to do presentations on projects
that they had worked on and they were judged by UKZN
Staff, SAPREF custodians and the SAPREF Leadership Team.
At the closing function, students were honoured with
awards for their projects below:
Winners in Electrical, Mechanical and Civil Engineering,
seen below with Gary Tate, Engineering Manager, and Albert Mabaso, Maintenance Manager
Most Innovative: Faizal Mahomed
and Lunga Ngcobo
Best field troubleshooting: Javed
Jeewa, Mahomed Jhazbhay, Percival
Mlotshwa
Most value to SAPREF: Lunga
Ngcobo, Silindiwe Mhlanzi
Best presentation: Faizal Mahomed
Most practical application of engineering principles: Amina Ismail
Best report: Amina Ismail
Winners in Chemical Engineering, seen below with John Harris, Technology Manager
Most practical application of chemical engineering principles: Shristi
Sewpersad and Lisanne Etti
Best presentation:
Nkululeko Nene and
Christopher Perumal
Safety behaviour or intervention:
Emmanuel Gande and Emmanuel
Mchunu
Best report: Shristi
Sewpersad and Lisanne Etti
Teamwork and support to others:
Siphindile Radebe and Yovanna
Reddy
Business opportunity identification: Kavita Juglal and
Marushka Jawahar
Most innovative: Kirosha
Pillay and Ashir Daya
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Rands
and sense
Kickstart your financial planning
I
t is important to perform a ‘health check’ on your financial
situation. You can start this by taking these simple steps:
1. Draw up a budget.
Yes, it might seem rather simplistic, and it is.
Note how much you earn, how much you
spend, and how much you save, and invest.
Take time each month to complete this exercise.
2. Establish who owns a part of your money.
What is your total debt burden? Where do you
have accounts open and what are the outstanding balances owed on each?
3. Monitor your budget and set goals.
Compare your actual expenditure every month. Set goals for
the following month to spend less so you have the ability to
utilise more of your funds to settle the debt that you have
accumulated.
tempted to apply for a new store card or purchase an item
on credit again, take a few seconds, collect your thoughts,
and ask yourself if you fully comprehend the impact that
this will have on your personal budget. Only you will have
to deal with the consequences of your decisions.
5. Start saving.
Once you have taken control of your personal
financial position and your debt, you have
the opportunity to start investing your money.
Contact a financial expert to help you make
the right investment decisions.
6. Repeat.
Persevere with these five steps.
By following these guidelines, you will be able to measure
your financial success on a monthly basis. The benefits will
filter into your physical and mental wellbeing as well.
4. Take action.
Reduce the debt burden. Pay off your credit cards. Set a
goal for yourself and monitor your progress. When you are
I
n this edition of Columns, the doctor gives some useful
tips on how to stop a headache.
Headaches are so common that it’s unlikely for people not
to experience them at least once in their lifetime. That nagging pain can be caused by a number of factors including
stress, hormones or fatigue, certain medications, diet, or
some medical conditions. While the occasional headache
is generally not cause for concern, in some cases head pain
can point to more serious health problems so it’s important
to consult your doctor if your headaches are persistent or
affecting your life.
Top remedies to halt a headache
• Stretch
Gently stretching your neck and head may relieve some of
the pressure that has built up, or at least stop it from worsening.
• Get some shut-eye
Sleeping might give your body the time it needs to release
the tension. If you’re unable to sleep, try to relax. Close your
eyes in a quiet, dim room.
The
Doc
says ...
• Go for a walk
Getting some fresh air and gentle exercise may help to clear
your head so if you’re up for it, go for a walk.
• Get a massage
A soothing massage can help some people, so consider
booking yourself an appointment.
Many over-the-counter medications target headaches, such
as paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen. Ask your pharmacist
which is most appropriate for you and use as directed. Make
sure to consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
11
It was TIME to say goodbye ....
Bob Cupusamy, OMUDTE Team Leader, retired last year
after serving many years at SAPREF.
We said goodbye recently to Danny Thesan, Main Fuels
Scheduler, who retired after 34 years at SAPREF.
After years of commitment and hard work, Colene
Campbell-Gibson, HR Administrator, finally said goodbye
to her colleagues at a retirement function.
Friends and colleagues of Amos Ngcobo, Senior Process
Operator, gathered to bid him farewell when he retired
after 27 years at SAPREF.
Anthony Sabela, Goods Receipt Clerk, gathered with
friends and family at a farewell function when he retired
after 30 years at SAPREF.
Norman Warren, ICT Network Operations Controller,
with his IS Department colleagues at his retirement
function. He served SAPREF for 33 years.
COLUMNS is the in-house magazine of SAPREF, the Shell and BP South
African Petroleum Refineries (Pty) Limited, Durban, South Africa.
Editor: Londi Myeza.
For more information on SAPREF, visit www.sapref.com
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