Our Grand Opening

Our New Offices

Projects

The Millennium Development Goals, the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme of NEPAD, and South Africa’s own Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture directs the work of Scientific Roets. Through our knowledge of the Innovation Systems approach to rural development, Scientific Roets aspires to be an icon in agricultural and engineering consulting for the development of rural Africa, assisting local, provincial, national and international role-players to achieve the higher order objectives of fiscal responsibility, capacity building, broad-based black economic empowerment, job-creation, infrastructure development and improved health and welfare. Although, as our name implies, we harness the power of science and technology to aid in rural development, we draw stalwartly from the softer approach of the social sciences when working with rural communities. Our approach is based on our belief in four “Prime Movers of Rural Development”: Agriculture, Infrastructure, Institutional Innovation and Capacity Building.
 
As such, Scientific Roets has positioned itself nationally to respond to the latest National Skills Development Strategy developed by the Department of Labour and facilitated through the Sector Education and Training Authorities, to the Expanded Public Works Programme facilitated through several National Departments and to the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme facilitated through the IDP and District Municipalities. The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Scorecard has also created opportunities to assist private firms to reach their Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development Targets.

Furthermore, Scientific Roets has expanded its reach to include engagement in activities of NEPAD, SADC and COMESA (indirectly through assisting with the priority setting activities of ASARECA - Association for the Strengthening of Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa), and through its involvement with the International Food Policy Research Institute – International Service to National Agricultural Research Division. This ensures that Scientific Roets remains at the cutting edge of new schools of thought and approaches surrounding rural development in Africa. These schools of thought include the Innovation Systems approach and Institutional Innovations studied within New Institutional Economics that can be of benefit in rural development approaches.

While responding to the social need for specialised services in rural development (engineering and agricultural consulting, enterprise development and capacity building services), Scientific Roets has also responded to the legislative compliance requirements which government departments require of their service providers. These include compliance with fiduciary responsibilities, BEE and labour legislation. (Check out our BEE Scorecard)

To show our commitment to these requirements, Scientific Roets transformed from a closed corporation with limited auditing requirements to a private company which must expose itself to annual financial audits. This registration as a private company in 2004 was also the first step to allow for expansion in shareholding and management to comply with the recent BEE and equity targets as promulgated by the Department of Trade and Industry. The Scientific Roets Employees Trust owns a 30% share in the company. This Trust has allowed Scientific Roets to grow its shareholder base internally as from 2007.

The AgriSETA (www.agriseta.co.za) has several requirements for accreditation of training service providers. These include a defined recruitment process, up-to-date information systems, a total quality management system, and appropriate facilities and resources (equipment, staff and skills). Scientific Roets has been fully accredited with AgriSETA since 2003 (Accreditation number: PAET2907) and are registered with the Independent Examination Board as an Examination centre. Because we offer various Skills Programmes and full Learnerships up to NQF level 4, we will apply for registration with Amalusi and the Department of Education (as an FET Centre) during 2007.

Professional registration is a requirement of many of our clients. Scientific Roets complies. Two team members are professionally registered. One is registered with ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa - www.ecsa.co.za) and one is registered with SACNASP (South African Council for Natural and Scientific Professions - www.sarnap.org.za). All team members are encouraged to and rewarded for achieving professional registration.

Scientific Roets complies with Labour Legislation in that all employees are registered for workers compensation, PAYE and SDL. Furthermore, Scientific Roets complies with all VAT (VAT Registration no: 4860204470) and Tax legislation.

Developments in ICT internationally, combined with the grass-roots nature of our work, has necessitated a move within Scientific Roets to laptops, infra-red, wireless, cellular and flash-disk technologies. We also use a data-projector for presentations and training. However, in rural situations we still use flipcharts and white boards in participatory learning exercises.

Scientific Roets (PTY) Ltd moved into new premises in April 2007. The state-of-the-art, modern offices at 96 Hope Street, Kokstad, include a Computerised Learning Centre, a searchable Agricultural, Rural Development and Engineering Information Centre, and ample office space for our team. The building, categorised as a Heritage Site, has been given a modern, friendly, spacious overhaul. Some have commented that it is now the most beautiful building in Kokstad!! Visitors are most welcome! (Our New Offices!)