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1Newsletter Issue 10, March - April 2015

Synchronisation of Unit 6 at Medupi MHPSA’s 1st Anniversary PULSE ‘first day of school’ Competition Winners Water has no substitute Human Resources Update International MHPSA News NIRC Focus In Memorium MHPSA Partnership in Lephalale Success Story New MHPA Communications Manager The Upcoming Office Move

MHPSA extends its congratulations to

Eskom and everyone in “Team Medupi”

who worked round the clock in the months

leading up to this first synchronisation.

The boiler is the heart of each unit at the

power station, producing the steam that

drives the turbine generators.

The 12 boilers that MHPSA is providing for

Eskom’s new coal-fired power stations at

Medupi and Kusile are among the biggest

that MHPSA has built. Each unit at these

4 800 MW power stations, which are

among the largest in the world, will have a

capacity of 800 MW.

The boilers stand 108 meters high, and

each contains 40 000 tons of structural

steel. MHPSA has invested significantly in

training and development at Medupi and

Kusile, including training over 1 500

artisans as we have helped to rebuild

South Africa’s boiler-making industry.

As Medupi’s Unit 6 is brought up to full

commercial operation over the next few

months, MHPSA’s focus will move to Unit

5, which will be the next to come on line,

followed by the other boilers at Medupi and

Kusile.

I S S U E 1 0 | M A R C H - A P R I L 2 0 1 5

infinite possibilitiesMHPSA congratulates Eskom and “Team Medupi” on synchronisation of Unit 6

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPSA) is delighted that Medupi’s Unit 6 delivered its first power to the grid on 2 March 2015 and we are proud of the contribution that MHPSA made in supporting Eskom as it achieved this important milestone.

In this issue:

Medupi Power Station

2 Newsletter Issue 10, March - April 2015

“The way we conduct our business also transformed”

Happy 1st anniversary MHPSA!A year ago, on 1 March 2014, our company changed from Hitachi Power Africa to Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa.

Not only did our name change, but

the way we conduct our business also

transformed. MHPSA now has a new

BBBEE shareholder in Kagosano NPC,

we have a new name and proud logo

and our majority shareholder is MHPS

in Japan.

Our anniversary also coincides with a

significant milestone at Medupi where

Unit 6 has just achieved first synchro-

nisation. We are pleased to see the

progress made on Medupi and Kusile

over the past year and we would like

to thank everyone for their hard work

and dedication. Also we have received

more good news from Eskom as they

advised us recently that we have been

awarded the boiler service contract for

Medupi.

We know that there have been a lot of

changes within the company during the

past 12 months. These are all

necessary to integrate MHPSA into the

global MHPS family and also to support

the turnaround strategy on the Medupi

and Kusile contracts. This turnaround is

slowly but surely starting to show

evidence of success and we are

hopeful that by the time of our second

anniversary in March 2016, we will be

able to look back at the achievement of

many more successes during 2015.

Thanks again for your support over the

past 12 months and we look forward

to the next year in the life of Mitsubishi

Hitachi Power Systems Africa.

Shiro Ishise, Bongani Mthembu, Dietmar Breuer, Toshinori Shigenaka, Takayama Eitaro and Thomas Brown cutting the birthday cake

Nocolate Makhubela and Patience Makhado celebrates at Medupi MHPSA birthday cupcakes


How long have you been at MHPSA? Since 1 August 2010 What motivates you to excel? It is the fact that the company looks after us in terms of promotions at work, and when we want to do some courses it pays for us. What gives you the greatest feeling of accomplishment? The company gives everybody an equal chance to grow, so for me the sky is the limit. What are you looking forward to in 2015? To witness some progress when it comes to the building of power stations.

Do you feel that you have grown professionally during your time at

MHPSA? Definitely, especially in terms of communicating and dealing with different people with different attitudes. Do you think MHPSA is making a difference to the lives of ordinary South Africans? Yes. This company made a difference to my life. I am from a rural area in the Eastern Cape where we have never had electricity, but this company took me to college for telephone skills as well as computer skills.

What is the best part or most rewarding part of working at MHPSA? I have managed to do things that I would not have if I hadn’t been given this chance. You get to communicate with not only people in South Africa but people from around the world.

Name one of the highlights of working at MHPSA? Getting promoted from security job to the receptionist job is the greatest of my highlights so far.

We have our winners!In the last edition of PULSE, we asked proud MHPSA parents to submit photos of their children’s first day in a new grade or tertiary education. Well, today we announce the results of the lucky draw to win a Hisense Sero 7”/8GB/ Wifi tablet.

Our lucky Woodmead winners are Shreeya Govender, Grade 3 and Neeleshyn Govender, Grade 1 - Reddford House School. The Kusile winner is Thandeka Maboe, Grade 2 - Somelulwazi Primary School. Our Lephalale winner is Elsha Scheepers, Grade 8 - Ellisras High School.

INTERESTING FACT: ELLISRAS INITIATION

The school calls their students “RASSIES”

(short for Ellisras). The Grade 8 students

are called “ASSIE” because they are not

yet deemed as being part of the student

body until initiation has been complet-

ed. Each student has to add a prefix to

“ASSIE” on their name board. That is why

Elsha’s name board has “kompASSIE”

on (compassion). The initiation lasts for

two weeks after which they will be called

“Rassies”.

Elsha Scheepers, Grd 8 - Ellisras High Thandeka Maboe, Grd 2 - Somelulwazi Primary School

Shreeya Govender, Grd 3 & Neeleshyn Govender, Grd 1 - Reddford House School

People Power - Dumisani Mbokoxa from Facilities

Keep an eye out for the next edition where you could be the star of our ‘People Power’ section.

Dumisani Mbokoxa


Water has no substituteWe all have a part to play in saving water and protecting our water sources at work and at home. To promote awareness of this precious resource, National Water Week is celebrated from 16 – 22 March and concludes with World Water Day on 22 March.

This year’s theme is: “Water has no substitute” and it focuses on the need to protect, restore and preserve the integrity of our

water. South Africa is a water scarce country and water shortages are on top of the list of environmental issues that we face. If we

tackle the problem now, future generations will not have to deal with a water crisis. Water conservation begins with each of us.

1. Turn-off the tap while brushing your teeth, shaving or soaping hands.

2. Shower instead of bath.

3. Fix leaks and dripping taps at home and report public water leaks

to the municipality.

4. Always use a plugged sink or bowl instead of a running tap.

5. Put a brick in your toilet cistern to reduce water usage.

6. Wash your car with only a bucket and a sponge instead of a hosepipe.

7. Match the size of your laundry load with the water volume.

8. Keep a bottle of tap water in the fridge to avoid running the tap

until the water is cold.

9. Don’t use running water to defrost food.

10. Choose local indigenous water-wise plants for your home and

garden.

Here are 10 easy tips to help save water:


HR Update - Work VisasNew changes - in line with The Department of Home Affairs’ new Immigration Regulation.

Both parents travelling with children• Unabridged birth certificate in English (if in a foreign language to be translated by a sworn translator).

One parent traveling with a child • Unabridged birth certificate; • Consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent authorising such travel;• A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the child; or• If one parent is deceased, a death certificate must be presented.

Visitor’s visas - Section 11(1)• An application for a visitor’s visa exceeding a period of 90 days must be accompanied by a police clearance certificate.

Visitor’s visa - Section 11(2) Business meetings, training & short term project work:• In the past, visa exempt nationals were allowed to obtain this visa at the airport with approval from Home Affairs in South Africa and non-visa exempt nationals needed to apply at the South African Embassy prior to entry.• The process has changed for visa exempt nationals and all nationals will be required to apply for a Section 11(2) visa at the South African Embassy prior to arrival.• The airport will no longer issue these visas and all foreign nationals will have to enter with this visa stamped in their passports.

Study visasStudy visas will be issued on the following basis:• Visas issued for studies at a learning institution, other than a school will be issued for the duration of the course for which the applicant has registered.• Visas issued for studies at a school will be valid for the duration of the period of study provided that the study visas issued for studies at a primary school will not exceed eight years and six years for secondary school.• The holder of a study visa at a learning institution of higher education or training education colleges may conduct part-time work for a period not exceeding 20 hours per week.

Intra-company transfer work visa • Intra-company transfer work visas will be issued for a period four years and is renewable for a further period of four years.

• An intra-company transfer issued for two years in the past can be renewed for a further two years in South Africa 60 days prior to the visa expiring.

General work visasA general work visa will be issued for a period not exceeding five years. An application for a general work visa will be accompanied by:A certificate from the Department of Labour confirming that:• Despite a diligent search, the prospective employer has been unable to find a suitable citizen or permanent resident with qualifications or skills and experience equivalent to those of the applicant;• The applicant has qualification or proven skills and experience in line with the job offer;• The salary and benefits of the applicant are not inferior to the average salary benefits of citizens or permanent residents occupying similar positions;• The contract of employment stipulating the conditions of employment and signed by both the employer and the applicant is in line with the labour standards in South Africa and is made conditional upon the general work visa being approved.

...continued on page 6


HR Update - Work VisasINSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.” ~ Nelson Mandela

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.” ~ Helen Keller

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” ~ Maya Angelou

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”~ Francis of Assisi

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”~ Aristotle Onassis

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”~ Theodore Roosevelt

Considerations for general work visa• Waivers are taking three to four months to be processed.• The Labour certificate will take another 30 days• SAQA takes two weeks for the evaluation of qualifications.• The general work visa can take between one to two months.• Total time frame: approximately six months to obtain a general work visa.

Critical Skills Visa (The introduction of this category of work visa will assist in the attraction of critical skills to South Africa). Both the quota and exceptional skills work permit has been replaced with the critical skills work visa. It will be issued for a period not exceeding five years. An application for a critical skills visa will be accompanied by proof that the applicant falls within the critical skills category in the form of:• A confirmation in writing from an accredited professional body or council recognised by SAQA, confirming skills

and qualifications;• A certificate of registration if required by law from the accredited professional body or council; and• SAQA evaluation.

Corporate worker certificateThis visa is issued for a period of three years and is non-renewable. The application for a corporate worker certificate must be accompanied by:• Proof of qualifications evaluated by SAQA or skills and experience in line with the offer whereas previously this was not a requirement.• Biometrics of the applicant.• A certificate of registration with the professional body, council or board recognised by SAQA.• The corporate worker may not renew his or her corporate worker certificate or apply for change of status in South Africa.• Two testimonials form the applicant’s previous employer.

Continued on page 5

MHPSA launches Employee Self ServicePart of MHPSA’s goal is to improve services rendered to our employees and effectively manage leave, expense claims and employees’ personal information by introducing Employee Self Service.

The MHPSA HR Department is in the process of implementing Employee Self Service. ESS is a web-based self-service tool that enables employees to manage and maintain their own information online without any unnecessary paperwork. This will include personal information, leave applications, pay slips and IRP5’s. Expense claims will also be accommodated later this year.

Training sessions for managers who will be responsible for approving leave took place during March at all three MHPSA sites.

“The new ESS system will go live in April 2015.”


International MHPSA NewsMHPS’s JVs in India receive orders for two sets of supercritical-pressure coal-fired boilers and steam turbinesYokohama, March 9, 2015 - L&T-MHPS Boilers Private Limited and L&T-MHPS Turbine Generators Private Limited, two joint venture companies of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) established in India, have received orders for two super-critical-pressure coal-fired boilers (output: 660 megawatts [MW] each) and two steam turbines, respectively. The boilers and turbines on order will be installed in Unit 1 and 2 of Shree Singaji Thermal Power Plant, which Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited (MPPGCL) of India is newly constructing. Unit 1 and 2 are scheduled for completion in April and August 2018, respectively. The orders bring the total number of super-critical-pressure boiler and steam turbine ordered from India to MHPS to 13 units, respectively.

MHPS receives order for two sets of H-25 gas turbine and generator to support power infrastructure in Thilawa SEZ in MyanmarYokohama, March 6, 2015 - Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) has received an order for two sets of the H-25 gas turbine and a generator for two islands of thermal power generation facilities, with a combined output of 50 megawatts (MW), being newly established by Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE), a state-owned power provider in Myanmar (Burma). The equipment on order will serve as the core components of power infrastructure to support the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) under development near Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. Delivery will be made to Sumitomo Corporation, which is responsible for EPC (engineering,

procurement and construction) on the project. Operation is scheduled to commence in March 2016 for the first unit and July 2016 for the second unit. MHPS will be in charge of the manufacture and supply of the gas turbines and generators, and will also dispatch engineers to the site to provide necessary instruction.

MHPS’s JV in India receives order for two supercritical-pressure coal-fired boilers to be installed at Tanda power plant of NTPCYokohama, March 4, 2015 - L&T-MHPS Boilers Private Limited, a joint venture be-tween Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) and Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) has received an order for two large-scale supercritical-pressure (Note) boilers (output: 660 megawatts [MW] each) to be installed in Unit 1 and 2 of a super-critical-pressure thermal power generation plant in Tanda, which NTPC Limited, a state-owned thermal power provider in India, is newly constructing. L&T is a leading construction firm and heavy machinery manufacturer in India. Handover and start of operation of the boilers are scheduled for July 2018 for Unit 1 and January 2019 for Unit 2. The order brings the total number of supercritical-pressure boiler ordered from India to MHPS to 11 units.

H-25 Gas Turbine

Myanmar construction


In order to recover out-of-scope costs, certain actions need

to take place as a result of defects, non-conformance or

damaged materials provided by our suppliers of goods

and services.

In other words, NIRC requires us to document all costs incurred

by MHPSA as a result of rework due to defects, damages and

non-conformance. This enables MHPSA to back charge

suppliers to recover these unplanned costs.

If you come across a NIRC issue, the event has to be recorded

and sent via email to your NIRC ambassadors immediately.

At MHPSA we have two NIRC ambassadors: Shawn Homann

(Change Manager) and Gert Fourie (NIRC Lead), based at

Medupi, that can be contacted via [email protected]. Watch

out for more information on NIRC in our next issue!

NIRC recovers out-of-scope costsRecovering out-of-scope costs is nothing new, but over the next few months, MHPSA will be focusing on NIRC (Notice of Intent to Recover Costs) – the current NOB (Notice of Backcharge) process - a mitigation process to recover all out-of-scope costs.

Shawn Homann Gert Fourie

The death of a colleague leaves a professional and personal void in the workplace and it is no different with Jochen’s passing. As one of the first employees contracted when the company started (then known as Hitachi Power Africa), he was instrumental in developing the bid for the Medupi and Kusile projects. His contribution to the commercial function of MHPSA has been through tenders, negotiations, variations and claims.

Although Jochen was adept to modern computer conveniences, he will long be remembered for his beautiful hand written notes and tables.

We want to express our sincere sympathy to Jochen’s family and friends. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

He will be greatly missed by everyone at MHPSA.

In memory of Jochen Krauss It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing of Jochen Krauss who was a Commercial Specialist in the Project Management Department.

Jochen Krauss


What’s happening in March & April?

JAPAN - SUMO TOURNAMENT:The annual Osaka Sumo Tournament kicked off on 8 March and lasts until 22 March. Sumo is a Japanese wrestling style and Japan’s national sport, which only men practice professionally. The rules are simple: the wrestler who first exits the ring or touches the ground with any part of his body besides the soles of his feet loses. A contest usually lasts only a few seconds. There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo, which means that wrestlers can easily find themselves matched off against someone many times their size. As a result, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training.

JAPAN - CHERRY BLOSSOMS & EQUINOX DAY:The cherry blossoms in Japan start blooming at the end of March and beginning of April, which marks the beginning of spring. The Japanese people like to make merry at picnics known as hanami (“flower-viewing”), held under blossom-ing cherry trees. On 21 March the Japanese also celebrate Equinox Day – a national day on which the sun crosses the equator making night and day equal in length. Traditionally it was a time to visit loved ones’ grave sites and pay homage to the ancestors. Today, it’s a public holiday to enjoy with family in celebration of spring.

Thought for the day

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

~ Henry David Thoreau

SOUTH AFRICA - HUMAN RIGHTS DAY:On 21 March, South Africa commemorates Human Rights Day. The public holiday is linked to the events of Sharpeville (1960) in which 69 people died during a protest against Pass Laws and apartheid.

SOUTH AFRICA - GOOD FRIDAY & FAMILY DAYSouth Africans will celebrate Good Friday on 3 April and Family Day on 6 April this year – commonly known as Easter week-end. Easter is a moveable feast that falls on the first Sunday af-ter the full moon that occurs on or soon after 21 March. Good Friday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, described in the Bible’s New Testament, which occurred three days after his crucifixion.


MHPSA partners with Rebaona Occupational Services in LephalaleRebaona Occupational Services is the brain child of Angie Mathe, an occupational health nurse by profession who started her own business several years ago.

While contracting at Medupi, Angie heard about how MHPSA supports local entrepreneurs with small business loans in Lephalale. She immediately applied for a loan to buy and equip a mobile clinic.

The mobile clinic enables Angie and her team to take her services to clients on site, where she performs pre-employ-ment medicals, annual medicals and exit medicals, conducts hearing and vision tests and tests for lung function, among other procedures.

The MHPSA Small Business Hubs in Lephalale and eMalahleni are keen to partner with entrepreneurs like Angie, by providing access to administrative facilities and most importantly, loan funding at a current interest rate of five percent.

Angie Mathe in front of her mobile clinic

“My business has grown by more than 70% thanks to the assistance I received – the mobile clinic has given my business legs to go everywhere. To The Hub I’d like

to say “keep it up and continue to help. You are great ambassadors,” said Angie. Angie with a client


After receiving her honours degree from Northwest University in 1998, Karin started her career as a journalist. She then ventured into public relations and soon after joined a non-governmental organisation as a communications officer working in Africa. In 2005, she joined Nedbank as a communications officer and moved to Medscheme in 2007 as a communications specialist. In 2012, she moved to Brisbane, Australia where she worked in the communications department of the University of Queensland’s School of Medicine.

Karin has extensive experience in communications and is well positioned to manage MHPSA’s day-to-day communications activities. She is responsible for all aspects of corporate communications, including writing and editing The Pulse magazine, all internal communications, photography and videography, managing the intranet and website, branding and marketing material and ensuring that we adhere to corporate identity guidelines and apply the MHPS brand correctly.

In short, she is responsible for supporting, assisting, and managing all communications, marketing and branding activities. For more information or assistance, please contact her on [email protected]

The new office offers more space (6000 square meters)

and will comprise of three floors. All employees will have

space in the new office as opposed to the old office where

some teams had to be accommodated in different build-

ings. The new office also provides basement parking and

state-of-the-art security.

The Woodlands Office Park is one of the largest office

parks in the southern hemisphere with a total of 48

buildings, a lifestyle centre with ample parking and wide

open landscaped spaces. Woodlands also offers a lifestyle

centre with a gym, hairdresser, beauty salon, dentist,

optometrist, podiatrist and physiotherapist. To relax,

employees can take a one of the pathways through the

game park where animals such as Blesbuck, Impala and

Springbok roam freely. Good luck to everyone moving.

New address:

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Africa

Building 30

Woodlands Office Park

20 Woodlands Drive

Woodmead

GPS coordinates:

26°03”46’S / 28°05”17’E

www.za.mhps.com

MHPSA welcomes a new Communications Manager Karin Steenkamp has recently been appointed as MHPSA’s Communications Manager based in Woodmead. She reports to David Milner who heads up Sales and Business Development.

MHPSA Woodmead is moving MHPSA Woodmead is moving to new offices at Woodlands Office Park in Woodmead on Friday, 27 March and the move will continue over the weekend.


Do your bit for Earth Hour 2015Earth Hour 2015 is about getting the crowd to take action to stop climate change. Every action counts. Play your part and switch off your lights from 20:30 – 21:30 on Saturday, 28 March 2015.

Earth Hour is a worldwide grassroots movement by the World Wildlife Fund to unite people to take action for the planet. Earth Hour was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has grown to engage hundreds of millions of supporters, individuals and organisations alike, in more than 7000 cities and towns in over 162 countries and territories worldwide.

Climate change is the one of the biggest environmental challenges our planet faces today. Earth Hour aims to inspire and empower individuals, businesses and governments around the world to push climate change to the top of the agenda. From promoting renewable energy and sustainable agriculture to funding projects to protect forests and ecosystems and encouraging climate education, there are many actions we can take as individuals and organisations to help change climate change.

There are tons of things anyone could do to show their support; turning off the lights is just the beginning! Holding picnics or dinners in the dark with families and friends, recycling activities, jogging or cycling in nature spaces, watching and screening climate change-related films or even staging flash mobs are fun and easy ways you can use your power to express your support for Earth Hour.

At all MHPSA sites, please ensure that all unessential lights, computers, air conditioners and other appliances are switched off.

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