Andrew Stegmann
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COVID-19: Innovative Bandwidth Solution Helps NGOs Cut Costs

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered a funding crisis for global Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) when they are needed most. As tax revenues from donor countries continue to shrink, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) budgets dwindle, NGOs must utilise all available measures to achieve potential savings without compromising the quality and quantity of their aid.

One way where potential savings could be achieved is through satellite connectivity. Continuous developments in the satellite industry offer a prime cost-cutting opportunity for cash-strapped NGOs. This is especially true for those operating across the African region, where satellite communication is already an established tool among the NGO community, so there is existing ground infrastructure to receive the satellite signals.

Notably, satellites have unique characteristics; such as their global unrivalled reach, as well as their reliability and resilience that enables them to provide truly ubiquitous coverage, covering 99% of the world’s population. Then there is also their rapid deployment that exceeds any currently available infrastructure.

Considering that limited connectivity infrastructure poses a major challenge to many NGOs, especially those operating in underdeveloped areas, satellite communication across these regions should be easily accessible and affordable.

Frank Bauner, CEO of IABG Teleport

Historically, an NGO would commission satellite links per location or project. Today, however, it is possible to establish a pool bandwidth for all remote locations across an expansive region like Africa, and save up to 25% of an NGO’s very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) budget, by using the available bandwidth in an efficient way, without impacting the user experience.

This is because time-division multiple access (TDMA) technology allows private bandwidth pools to be set up with customisation of bandwidth allocation per remote location. And due to the vast coverage of satellite beams, it is possible to add all remote locations across Africa within one single beam – SES’s NSS-12 satellite is ideal in this instance, as it covers the entire African continent.

The specific solution is called Private Supra-regional Pool Bandwidth (PSPB), and the idea behind it is quite simple. Instead of procuring a single link for each location, a private pool bandwidth is established for all remote locations in the region. NGOs can also combine forces and procure the bandwidth together to reduce individual costs. But in order to ensure that unused bandwidth within the network is only used by other remote locations from the NGO, this pool bandwidth has to be private.

This means that the degree of efficiency achieved by the pool bandwidth, increases with the number of remote locations connected to it. This creates the opportunity for NGOs to join forces and maximise the cost-saving benefits. With a growing number of sites, even in one time zone or country, the probability of a simultaneous internet use will decrease. This probability then decreases even further when sites are located across different regions and time zones.

To put this into context, IABG has leveraged SES’s NSS-12 C-band capacity since June 2020, in order to upgrade our broadband satellite network infrastructure and support cost-effective iQ modems for African NGOs.

Thanks to the very powerful and economical new modem generation, IABG Teleport is enabling NGOs with connectivity services delivered via satellites with a low one-time investment.

Frank Bauner, CEO of IABG Teleport

Over and above these cost-saving benefits, the private pool bandwidth also allows backup service for sites that are connected via terrestrial networks. This backup service comes at no additional cost. Terrestrially-connected sites can be connected as a backup link to the pool bandwidth. In case of an outage of the terrestrial link, the connectivity can therefore be continued by the VSAT pool bandwidth.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
,

These Are South Africa’s 48 Blue Flag Beaches for 2020

The Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) has announced that 58 Blue Flags will be flown at 48 beaches, six marinas and by four sustainable tourism boats around South Africa over the forthcoming 2020/21 Blue Flag season.

Nineteen Pilot sites received recognition for their efforts in working towards the minimum requirements for Blue Flag Status.

The Blue Flag programme is focused on the conservation of marine and coastal habitats, and is designed to raise environmental education and awareness, and increase sound environmental practices among tourists, local populations and beach management.

To achieve Blue Flag status, as many as 33 different criteria spanning four aspects of coastal management must be met and maintained: water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and services.

You can find the full list of Blue Flag beaches detailed below.

Western Cape

Beach Region Municipality
Silwerstroomstrand Western Cape City of Cape Town
Clifton 4th Western Cape City of Cape Town
Camps Bay Western Cape City of Cape Town
Llandudno Western Cape City of Cape Town
Muizenberg Western Cape City of Cape Town
Strandfontein Western Cape City of Cape Town
Mnandi Western Cape City of Cape Town
Bikini Western Cape City of Cape Town
Melkbosstrand Western Cape City of Cape Town
FishHoek Western Cape City of Cape Town
Kleinmond Western Cape Overstrand
Hawston Western Cape Overstrand
Grotto Western Cape Overstrand
Castle Beach Western Cape Overstrand
Witsand Western Cape Hessequa
Preekstoel Western Cape Hessequa
Lappiesbaai Western Cape Hessequa
Jongensfontein Western Cape Hessequa
Gouritzmond Western Cape Hessequa
Stilbaai Wes Western Cape Hessequa
De Bakke Western Cape Mossel Bay
Hartenbos Western Cape Mossel Bay
Klein Brak Western Cape Mossel Bay
Santos Western Cape Mossel Bay
Glentana Western Cape Mossel Bay
Robberg 5 Western Cape Bitou
The Waves – Keurboomstrand Western Cape Bitou
Nature’s Valley Western Cape Bitou
Lookout Western Cape Bitou
The Dunes Western Cape Bitou
Singing Kettle Western Cape Bitou

KZN

Beach Region Municipality
Marina KwaZulu-Natal Ray Nkonyeni
Trafalgar KwaZulu-Natal Ray Nkonyeni
Southport KwaZulu-Natal Ray Nkonyeni
Umzumbe KwaZulu-Natal Ray Nkonyeni
Hibberdene KwaZulu-Natal Ray Nkonyeni
Ushaka KwaZulu-Natal Ethekwini
Durban North Beach KwaZulu-Natal Ethekwini
Point KwaZulu-Natal Ethekwini
Amanzimtoti KwaZulu-Natal Ethekwini
uMhlanga Main KwaZulu-Natal Ethekwini

Eastern Cape

Beach Region Municipality
Hamburg Eastern Cape Amathole
Dolphin Eastern Cape Kouga
Kings Eastern Cape Nelson Mandela Bay Metro
Humewood Eastern Cape Nelson Mandela Bay Metro
Hobie Eastern Cape Nelson Mandela Bay Metro
Kariega Eastern Cape Ndlambe
Kelly’s Eastern Cape Ndlambe

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
,

All the Countries That Have Banned South African Flights, Or May Soon, Due to the New Corona Variant

Several countries have imposed travel bans on South Africa after a new, potentially more infectious SARS-CoV-2 mutation was confirmed.

The 501.v2 variant has been identified in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and along the Garden Route. It may have properties that allow it to spread faster than other variants of the coronavirus.

A new, and also possibly more virulent variant has, similarly, been confirmed in the UK by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who announced tougher lockdown measures for London on Saturday 19 December. Following the announcement, dozens of countries have banned flights from the UK.

These countries have already closed their borders to South African travellers in response to the new variant.

Israel

On Sunday 20 December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that all commercial flights from Britain, Denmark and South Africa had been suspended. Any travellers returning to Israel, who had spent any period of time in either Britain, Denmark or South Africa in the past 30-days, will be subject to a mandatory quarantine period.

Turkey

Turkey’s Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced a temporary ban on all flights from Britain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and South Africa, citing dangers of the new Covid-19 variant. “It has been reported that the rate of transmission has increased with the mutation of the coronavirus,” said Koca.

Germany

Germany’s Federal Minister for Health Jens Spahn confirmed that flights from the UK and South Africa would be suspended from Monday 21 December. “Because of the reported coronavirus mutation, the federal government intends to restrict travel options between Germany and Great Britain and South Africa,” added government spokeswoman Martina Fietz.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has confirmed the suspension of all international flights. Passengers in transit on Monday 21 December will, however, be allowed to complete their travel plans. The suspension will last until the end of 2020 and may be extended if cases continue to rise in high-risk countries.

Switzerland

Switzerland’s Federal Office of Civil Aviation “suspended all air traffic connections” with South Africa and the UK on Sunday night. “Switzerland is reacting to the appearance of a new variant of the coronavirus, which, according to initial findings, is significantly more contagious than the known form,” the authority said in a statement.

These countries have banned travel from the UK, which makes bans on SA likely to follow

The UK has been hit with a swell of flight suspensions across the European Union and the world. Bans impacting South Africa, as a result of the 501.v2 variant’s presence, are likely to follow.

  • France
  • The Netherlands
  • Denmark
  • Norway
  • Belgium
  • Lithuania
  • Latvia
  • Estonia
  • Italy
  • India
  • Ireland (flights and ferries)
  • Austria
  • Hong Kong
  • Canada
  • El Salvador
  • Colombia
  • Morocco
  • Chile (effective Tuesday)
  • Finland
  • Argentina

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
,

Second Covid-19 Wave in Full Swing in South Africa as Hospitals Report Capacity Strain

South African Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize reported 9,445 new cases on Sunday evening (20 December), and 152 new deaths over the past 24 hours, as the virus continues its second wave of infection.

It follows 10,939 new virus cases and 254 more deaths in the country on Saturday, the Health Department said.

“As of today, the total number of confirmed #Covid-19 cases is 921,922, the total number of deaths is 24,691 and the total number of recoveries is 793,914, the minister said in a post on social media.

“Regrettably, 152 more Covid-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 105 , Free State 5, Gauteng 1, Kwa-Zulu Natal 8, Mpumalanga 3 and Western Cape 30,” he said.

Mediclinic International said it’s struggling with capacity constraints as the country experiences a second wave of coronavirus infections, Bloomberg reported.

Patients seeking care within Mediclinic hospitals are exceeding previous numbers during the first peak, Gerrit de Villiers, a group general manager said in a statement. Demand in many intensive care and high care units have reached capacity, the company said.

Mediclinic said coronavirus patients had climbed from less than 100 admissions to more than 500 in a month in its facilities across the Western Cape.

“This dramatic increase in numbers within the Western Cape has placed very heavy strain on available healthcare resources including staff, equipment and available beds to provide intensive treatment for seriously ill patients,” it said. Elective or non-emergency surgery has been cancelled.

Mediclinic said it is increasing beds available to Covid-19 patients and reallocating resources.

The Western Cape pointed to a spike in new cases over the past week. “Over the last 7 days the Cape Metro has seen a 87% increase in Covid-19 cases, with Mitchells Plain recording a 101% increase, and Eastern subdistricts 97% increase, The Western Cape Government said.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].