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Security upgrades to the value of R20 million-plus will be effected over the next five years at Kingswood Golf Estate.
The BUZZard chatted to KGE trustee Gerrit ‘Fielies’ Nieuwoudt, chairman of the subcommittee for risk and security, to find out how decision-makers at Kingswood Golf Estate are faring on this front: what has happened over the past quarter, and which processes are now of immediate importance?
As a man who rates best business practices at a premium, Fielies says that it’s a good start for a project as all-encompassing as the current KGE security upgrades to enjoy the foundation of a healthy purse. ‘We are in a good position financially, but still took extreme care to make all decisions with the fiscal wellbeing of homeowners as a priority.’
When putting the estate into the context of security issues currently experienced in George, Fielies recalls a Garden Route visit some eight months ago by Western Cape speaker Daylin Mitchell, who served as provincial Minister of Transport at the time. ‘During a public information session, they revealed that the area should expect an influx of 1.5 million new souls over the next decade.
‘This leaves another nine years for that total to be reached and probably surpassed. We need to work with this information in the knowledge that general infrastructure, water, and, of course, electricity from the national grid will struggle to support this influx,’ he says.
It’s a fact that many of the indigent people flocking to George and its surrounds will turn to illegal activities to try and keep their heads above water, with serious crimes invariably increasing as the cost of living spikes and employment opportunities stagnate.
Fielies says that, when it comes to the more affluent of semigrants, it’s clear that the trend is now for smaller, more luxurious homes that form part of estates, complexes, or other housing developments, with access to Wi-Fi and green technologies high on the wish list.
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This brings us back to Kingswood Golf Estate and the mammoth task that it is to secure its nearly 14km of perimeter fencing, access gates, and other points of possible entry. The estate, now rapidly approaching two decades since its foundation, is renowned for its sprawling green spaces and sense of privacy in homes, with no clumping together of buildings housing residents or used for communal activities.
‘An extended period of research into the best service providers, countrywide was followed by a tender process. It resulted in our selection of Scholtz Consulting as the security specialists with the most impressive track record. Their clients include top South African lifestyle estates such as Val de Vie in Paarl and Lake Michelle in the Cape.’
Fielies says the investigation into KGE security requirements was steered by Kingswood CEO Willem Jacobs, along with father-and-son team Willem and Cobus Scholtz – the latter going as far as donning a wetsuit to ford water courses on the estate borders to check for possibilities of breaches through these channels.
‘This was part of a thorough study of all facets to be taken into consideration, which was followed by months of finding top operators who would effectively tackle the requirements for equipment or services at the most reasonable prices,’ he says, adding that after much subsequent panel-beating, a plan that sets out costs and timeframes has now been approved by the trustees.
‘Security is a moving target, and whatever measures have been put in place must always be challenged, as the criminal or perpetrator will do just that. Don’t get comfortable – the moment you think you’re on top of it is when you have to redirect your efforts. Effective security demands that you stay on top of it on a daily basis,’ according to Fielies.
At the time of speaking to The BUZZard, the security subcommittee chaired by Fielies had just received a fresh quote for the upgrade of the perimeter fence. Apart from his fortnightly committee meetings, a consultation session with the Scholtz team took place on Thursday 16 March, to further discuss how the allocated budget would be best spent over the next five years.
Finally, during a KGE trustees’ meeting on 22 March, Phase 1 of the five-phased security project was unanimously approved. The main objectives of this initial stage include an upgrade of the perimeter fence, off-site monitoring of security cameras, and the sharpening up of access control at all gates, with different criteria for homeowners, contractors, delivery companies, and visiting golfers.
‘Of immediate importance is the fortification of certain parts of the fence that are considered vulnerable, which will now be equipped with extra cameras and technology. Furthermore, three internal booms are being considered. If installed in strategic places, they should help to limit unwanted traffic.
‘Until such time as a permanent structure is ready to serve as a control room, we will operate from a temporary structure sourced for this purpose. The final actions then required before work on Phase 1 kicks off are the signing of contracts with all service providers involved.’
These are good tidings indeed for all at Kingswood. In the meantime, please remember that security is every homeowner’s responsibility.
If you spot any suspicious behaviour or suspected security breaches, call Dan Buys on 078 159 4079 or Mornay Stoop on 084 523 7739 to report it immediately.
