Each year the South African Facilities Management Association (SAFMA) hosts its awards dedicated to recognising individuals, groups or corporates that have made significant contributions to the advancement of facilities management (FM) in South Africa. Of the six award categories offered in 2022, Tsebo Solutions Group is exceptionally proud to have walked away with four prestigious awards, namely:
- Chairman’s Award – Gold
- Management and Response to COVID-19 – Gold
- Technology Implementation of the Year – Bronze
- Young Achiever of the year – Bronze
“The SAFMA awards serve as an annual benchmark against which we can measure our achievements from an industry perspective. Our teams endeavour to consistently exceed our clients’ expectations by being innovative and proactive, always challenging the status quo from a services and systems perspective. These awards acknowledge and celebrate these efforts, encouraging our teams to continue challenging the norm and ensuring our clients receive excellent service levels as acknowledged by our Industry body, SAFMA. The past few years were dominated by global and local macroeconomic challenges requiring our teams to grapple with significant challenges threatening both our clients and Tsebo’s businesses. Tsebo’s inclination to focus on innovation and introduce new systems and processes allowed us and our clients to continue operating and mitigating the risks of these challenges.
“While nothing will be the same after the Covid pandemic and several business landscapes have changed, the result is a holistic, future-proofed forward approach to FM. Innovative solutions optimise workspaces and make them happier, healthier and more productive places for employees,” said Aubrey Mcelnea, CEO Tsebo FM.
It’s important to note that all SAFMA wins are the result of teamwork, but in some instances, there are individuals who stand out to make these achievements possible. They include:
Noloyiso Mhlubulwana, Financial Director Tsebo FM who, received the prestigious Chairman’s Award, an ad hoc prize that is only given when deserving candidates are highlighted and nominated by members of the SAFMA board or the industry at large. Mhlubulwana received the award for her significant and lasting contributions to the FM industry.
“I received the award on behalf of the Tsebo Team, whom I believe were recognised for their innovative approach to delivering services to our clients. At Tsebo Facilities Solutions, we have an excellent culture of developing our employees and ensuring that our clients are serviced by motivated, skilled employees supported by best in class systems and processes. We continuously search for innovative ways to improve our service levels, lifting the industry bar, which I do believe led to this prestigious award by SAFMA,” said Noloyiso Mhlubulwana, Finance and Commercial Director of Tsebo FM.
Mhlubulwana also received the Management and Response to COVID 19 Gold Award on behalf of Tsebo’s team at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, where an innovative employee and visitor management Covid screening system was implemented to provide environmental wellness, data insights and reporting as well as hot desk reservations. The solution helps to monitor and avoid positive Covid cases from entering the premises and, in turn, reduces the spread of the virus and prevents other staff and patients from being infected.
Vanie Cattigan, Project Lead Consultant for Tsebo Workplace Design, received the Technology Implementation of the Year Bronze Award on behalf of her team, which has taken great strides in reimagining the future world of work by creating solutions that consider the health and wellness of employees and implementing innovations to optimise the use of space.
“The Covid-19 pandemic ensured that companies collectively take accountability for their workplaces and amend policies and procedures. By implementing modern technology to help slow the outbreak of Covid-19 and reduce infection rates,” said Cattigan. “SAFMA identified our use of improved technology as something that can serve as guidance to other FM organisations.”
Last, but not least, the awards recognised the contribution of Arne Jacobs, Senior Facilities Manager, by awarding a bronze Young Achiever of the Year award for the outstanding professionalism he has contributed to the FM industry. His passion, excellent customer service, and career achievements are commendable.
