Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Forum Security



 
SBHOA has been approached by an armed response security company - Forum Security. Forum wants to expand their service offering to Sunset Beach.  


How will Forum Security secure Sunset Beach?
Forum Security has expressed their commitment to us in building a strong security presence in Sunset Beach. They profess to offer a very high quality service (alarm monitoring and armed response) at reasonable rates. 
 

SBHOA Welcomes an increase in Security measures
As you know, we have recently seen an unacceptable high increase of crime in Sunset Beach. We agree that Sunset Beach have unacceptably high number crimes in our neighbourhood, which seems to increase weekly.


We welcome any increase in security measures with our current armed response security organisations, Crimewatch and Star Alarms. We also feel that we cannot limit residents to two armed response companies in the present climate, and we should give residents in Sunset Beach the opportunity to consider a third security company, Forum.   
 
Can Forum Security provide good levels of service?

The SBHOA has done an initial evaluation on Forum Security and are satisfied that they can provide the required performance levels - in line with the commitments Forum has made. 

More about Forum Security
·    Forum is a sizable company which have operated in excess of 7 years and have numerous clients across Table View and Milnerton.
·       Forum also has a low overhead structure, and currently monitors in excess of 80 cameras.
·     Forum is also the first armed response organisation to enter into an agreement with SBHOA, which stipulates detailed performance metrics and standard operating procedures in our suburb.

This gives us, as residents, the opportunity to not only engage the armed response organisation, but also ensure that they deliver what they promise to the Sunset Beach residents.


Recommended by SBHOA
Please do keep in mind that we do recommend Forum Security, Crimewatch and Star Alarms as the three reputable armed response organisations in Sunset Beach to choose as your armed response organisation.


Forum Security will start door-to-door selling from 21 May 2018. 

As always, we value your feedback and you can contact us on office@sunsetbeach.org.za

Should you want more information on Forum Security at this time, please contact the owner Leon Butler directly.

Forum Security contact details:
Mr Leon Butler on 0711103586 or email leon@forumsecurity.co.za



Renting property to foreigners



Renting property in South Africa is a straightforward process. The country has a vast selection of rental  accommodation including bachelor flats in apartment blocks, Victorian cottages, stand-alone houses with big gardens, and semi-detached units in modern townhouse complexes.

In South Africa, the right of a foreigner to purchase immovable property was restricted in the past by the Aliens Control Act. These restrictions were uplifted in 2003 by the new Immigration Act (“the Act”) which repealed the Aliens Control Act and many of its restrictive provisions and now clearly defines who a legal foreigner is and who is not. In short, a legal foreigner is a person in possession of a valid temporary residence permit or a permanent residence permit approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

The new Act makes provision for various temporary residence permits to be issued to foreigners, including amongst others:

  • A visitor’s permit
  • A work and entrepreneurial permit
  • A retired person permit

In principle, a landlord or tenant can legitimately lease or sell immovable property to any person recognised under the Act as a legal foreigner.

That said, foreigners working in South Africa with a legal work permit, are not regarded as “non-residents” by the South African Reserve Bank. They are considered to be residents for the duration of the period of their work permit and are therefore not restricted to a loan of only 50% of the purchase price.

It is also important to take note that the Act criminalizes the letting or selling of immovable property to an illegal foreigner by making this transaction equivalent to the aiding and abetting of an illegal foreigner and is such an act classified as a criminal offence in terms of the Act.

In conclusion, a legal foreigner may let or buy immovable property in South Africa, provided that he is the holder of either a legal temporary residence permit or a permanent residence permit approved by the Department of Home Affairs. Ensure that you enquire from your potential tenant or purchaser whether they are legally present in South Africa and obtain the necessary proof from them before entering into any transaction with a foreigner. Also, take account of the restrictions on local financing, particularly where the procurement of financing is a condition precedent to the agreement.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your legal adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)

Reference:

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Fibre Optics Update May 2018



Morning All  
Fibre is coming!!!

It is official, you can start the celebrations.  Openserve has already started laying fibre in Sunset Beach.  Estimated end date is September 2018. YAY!

Background and thank you

Thank you to everyone who has spent many long hours doing extensive research on their own time, engaging many fibre providers to bring fibre to SB.

Fibre was listed as the TOP PRIORITY by residents in the Dec 2016 SBHOA poll.
We (SBHOA) started work over a year ago to get fibre in Sunset Beach.  
No fibre company was interested in Sunset Beach and we had build a case for OpenServe, our fibre provider of choice. (Remember all the door knocking; forms to sign “Yes I am interested in fibre”, street whatsup groups etc.)

Fast forward a year later and we have many fibre companies knocking on our door.  All coming to Sunset Beach next month! (Many promises, where were they a year ago?)

Important facts you need to know: Fibre provider vs. ISP

Before you read the latest, please see few facts that are important to get to grips with.  Written in non-technical terms e.g. English

·       OpenServe will install the fibre backbone or infrastructure.  This is a very important differentiation between fibre provider and ISP (Internet Service provider) as you cannot access fibre without an ISP.

The fibre provider links from the main fibre point (in our case Milnerton Clinic) and brings fibre “the physical fibre” to every street in Sunset Beach. The fibre lines runs underground.

·         ISP - Short for Internet Service Provider, it refers to a company that provides Internet services, including private and business access to the Internet.

The ISP utilises the fibre that is owned by OpenServe to connect you to the internet. OpenServe owns the fibre infrastructure, or the physical fibre line.
SB residents buy their fibre connectivity from the ISP. In other words, you buy a package from the ISP and this is where you choose:
a)    How much R per month
b)    Speed and availability
c)    Duration of contract etc

So in short – physical fibre = OpenServe. You as a fibre customer, do not deal with OpenServe, you deal with the ISP. 
ISP = sells you your fibre/internet package per month.

Why chase Openserve as fibre provider for Sunset Beach?

First, it is a free market.  Any fibre provider can lay fibre in Sunset Beach.
The fibre runs under the street verges, which is council property. 

We (SBHOA) have however built a relationship with Openserve and pushed the company to be first fibre provider in Sunset Beach.  Other fibre providers are more reluctant to invest in an area where fibre is already installed.

No digging!!!  Have you seen Sea Point recently?  Did you know that your verge is council property and you have no say how/when they dig, also have no authority to push the fibre providing company to restore your verge to previous state?
Fibre providing companies do however say “they will do their best, while their priority remains to roll out fibre as fast as possible in the street.

Openserve is a Telkom subsidiary company, this means that they will use the existing Telkom infrastructure (pipes – called conduits) underground to pull through fibre.  Other fibre providers are not allowed to use the Telkom conduits.

Digging may happen by exception e.g. a conduit is blocked from cement because of previous house building or tree roots that have grown through the conduit.
OpenServe may also dig for “hubs” at central points which will serve as “Local Nodes”

The installation of good quality fibre infrastructure costs us nothing – neither do we make any profit. (FYI Sunset Links residents just paid R5 000 per house for fibre access).

Access to 52+ competitive well-known ISP’s.
You can choose an ISP that suit your needs!  This means you can stay with an existing ISP (highly likely to be an OpenServe ISP) or choose a new ISP.
You determine your own monthly package e.g. data speeds, costs etc.
You can sign a contract with an ISP for the length of time that suits you.

An ISP open day will also be facilitated by the SBHOA and Openserve, it will feel like shopping in one location for your ISP’s!  More info to follow – OpenServe has committed to arrange open day soon, more news will follow.

Our neighbours, Sunset Village are included
Upon our request, Openserve has included Sunset Village.
Openserve has already started measuring in Sunset Village and they may be live first!

Communication – what happens next?
We (SBHOA fibre team) met the Openserve team and they are transparent and willing to work with us in communicating their progress with us as needed.
We will meet the Openserve team every 2 weeks with the purpose to share information with all SB residents
Our next meeting is Tuesday, 15 May.  Openserve will share the high-level plan of when which area will be completed. 
FYI - Openserve have 4 different teams working at different locations to complete work soonest.
We will also have our “Charlie” onsite – Charlie is important to us as he is the Openserve representative who will handle any issues we report with the contractors.

Your personal security during fibre installation:
All fibre service providers will be clearly identified.  Should you have any concerns, please contact your security company. The SBHOA fibre team will brief the local Security Service Providers during the week 14 May.
We will also post photos of service providers vehicles and service clothes. 

Have Your Say!
Click on the image above to comment.
Should you wish to add or correct any information on the above write up, please email me at lise.lotze@gmail.com.  I am happy to update weekly.

Who is the SBHOA? Sunset Beach Home Owners Association
Many of us on the SBHOA and a few residents have worked very hard to make fibre happen. 
The SBHOA is a group of professional people from various backgrounds who voluntary chair and are members of a committee who has Sunset Beach best interests at heart.
Our meetings are open, and residents are welcome to attend or read minutes.
Most of us (SBHOA) are full time employed and find it challenging to manage the responsibilities of family (many have small kids), work and life.

We are united by shared values in looking after our neighbourhood. Our priorities remain
a)    Safety and security, b) Increase in house prices and c) building a community.
 We do not receive any payment for our services, we do not even claim our phone costs. 
You are welcome to apply to join the SBHOA team, we always look for enthusiastic individuals who wants to improve Sunset Beach. Email me – Lise Lotze on office@sunsetbeach.org.

What we need from you is to please:
1.    Provide feedback and let us know what you think, what SB needs?

2.    Please be kind in your interaction with us?  We would very much appreciate as we manage projects after hours. (And yes, it can be tough and disheartening to be targeted by a few individuals who believe we run a conspiracy of some kind)
3.    Please pay your very cheap levy of R750 per year.  You can also pay in very affordable installments.  Please contact Sonet on office@sunsetbeach.org.

Friday, May 4, 2018

Budget for Stormwater Sewerage Intervention Proposal

Dear members of the public,

it has come to light that last night at the PAAC Meeting (Protected Areas Advisory Committee) that there has been ZERO budget allocated to intervene and try to clear out our vitally important storm-water sewerage system, which is directly influencing the greater Tableview and Milnerton areas.  

The proposal for a R61m budget was presented apparently it has not been formally added to the PROPOSED BUDGET.


The problem is that the proposals close at 16h30 today, 4 May 2018.


To cut a very long story short, can you please send an email to the City of Cape Town (today) to notify them that you wish to support this proposal and for them to please allocate this funding to urgently clear out our storm-water systems to prevent a possible catastrophe in the event of future flooding that is highly likely.

Please send the following email:

To budget.process2018@capetown.gov.za
cc: info@sunsetbeach.org.za

Subject:
I support the Stormwater Intervention proposal for the Diepriver Catchment area.


To whom it may concern,

I support the Budget of R61m for a Stormwater Sewerage Intervention proposal for Milnerton Area 1, for the water quality improvement in the Diepriver catchment area.

Supporting document can be found here : http://bit.ly/2FEQTh6SAVEOURWATER

Sincerely,
Your Name : _______________
Your Suburb : ______________

Pls share this message far and wide, so as to ensure that this funding is allocated accordingly.
Thank you.