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Service provider par excellence, Paul Mitchell is contracted by Kingswood HOA to do all repairs and maintenance on the estate’s electric fencing atop the extensive 12-kilometre perimeter fence.
The Team
Assisted by his able six-strong team, Paul tells how satisfying it was when – about four years ago – they started off by redoing the electrification of the Phase 4 fences, including the border with the Outeniqua Research Farm on the R102.
More recently, the Paul Mitchell Access Control (as his company is officially known) crew ensured that all walls shared with the adjacent Earl’s Court Estate received a security revamp in the impressive time span of just 10 days.
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‘Electrification entails the installation of six wires on top of existing walls and fences,’ Paul explains. ‘The lifespan of electric fencing can be anything from eight to 12 years, depending on the level of maintenance and repair.’
‘The Kingswood HOA has always taken a proactive approach, choosing to do the right thing before anything breaks that may risk the safety of residents,’ Paul says, adding that part of his contract allows for a member of his team to be on site throughout the week. ‘Our maintenance guy checks and cleans the fences along the entire perimeter, and wherever there’s a rough patch – usually the result of fallen branches – he will immediately let me know, and then our team will pull in to fix any problems.’
Paul recalls a case some weeks ago when gusty winds caused havoc all over George, and a nearby golf course literally had half a tree blown over its fence, which needed extensive repairs at speed.
‘The team works really fast, since every member knows exactly what is expected of him. So if it’s a straight wall that needs electrification, we can manage up to 400 metres per day (that’s one whole lap of a standard athletics track!) and a full house installation, including the complete alarm system, can also be completed in a day.’
Paul is clearly proud of his association with Kingswood, saying that the estate boasts the most extensive electrical fencing in the entire Garden Route.
‘It’s a significant challenge to maintain this perimeter, but it’s an important part of our portfolio, as Kingswood is surely on its way to becoming the area’s top estate,’ he says. As a regular golfer, he prefers playing this course rather than those closer to the coast, where the constant sea breeze and salty air interfere with his game.
Due to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in 2022, Paul Mitchell Access Control has clearly weathered the storm of last year’s lockdowns and is prepared for whatever lies ahead – come hell, high water, or load shedding …
‘No breach in power provided by the national grid impacts our operations. As well as batteries and a giant backup generator, energisers of various capacities are part of the PMAC arsenal.
‘At Kingswood alone, we have six industrial-sized energisers running at any time. The fence areas covered are divided into zones, and I get notified the moment there’s interference with a particular unit. When one breaks down, we have infinite backup.’
Not only does Paul’s enthusiasm and efficiency combine to ensure residents’ peace of mind, but he also contributed an important asset to the fifth hole, just in time for the Anelda Jacobs Fundraiser from 14 to 16 May. ‘Because of its particular slope and location, players risked getting the odd ball heading their way, at speed,’ he explains. ‘So we constructed a screen housed inside a box, allowing golfers to get a view of the rate of play, and thus avoid any stray-ball incidents.’
Safety first on all fronts!
Some of the other operators ensuring that Kingswood rates right up there among the most secure estates in the country include Fidelity ADT regional manager Wayne Groves and his team, and access-scanner ace Brendan de Jager, who also services icons such as Plett’s Beacon Island Hotel.
