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Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q: What is the Tshumisano Trust (Technology Stations Programme, TSP) and what services are rendered by the Trust?
A: Tshumisano Trust (which means Co-operation or Partnership) is the implementation agency for the Technology Station Programme (TSP) . The Trust provides technical and financial support to Technology Stations, which are based at Universities of Technology/Technikons. Technology Station Programme (TSP) was developed by Department of Science and Technology (DST) to strengthen and accelerate interaction between Technikons/Universities of Technology (UoT) and SME's. The UoT hosts the Technology Stations by providing a sound institutional, organizational and legal framework.
Q: What does Tshumisano Trust focus on?
A: The Trust focuses on Technology Transfer at South African Universities of Technology and Small and Medium Enterprises.
Q: Who qualifies to be helped and what are the requirements?
A: Small and Medium Enterprises that are proudly owned and managed by Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDIs) especially black owners.
Q: Where do I start, what is my first step as an Enterpreneur ?
A: First, you must have a registered company or if not so, you must go to the Department of Trade and Industry to get help of opening your own company and after you have just got yourself legally documents of your own company Tshumisano can then start helping by linking you with relevant business people inline with your business interests.
Q: What are Tshumisano’s contact details, In case of enquiries?
A: During office hours phone 012 844 0413, email us at reception@tshumisano.co.za or visit www.tshumisano.co.za for more information.
Technology Stations
Q: What is a Technology Station?
A: Is the one that plays a major role in identifying the specific needs of SME's in selected sectors through technology audits and demonstration, and is the one that provides adequate technology solutions that are based at the Technikons/Universities of Technology and provides its services on behalf of the Project Management Unit.
Q: Who is in charge of the Stations?
A: The Management Committee that is composed of members from Industries, Universities of Technology and Chief Executive Officer of the Tshumisano Trust
Q: How many Technology Stations do the Trust Manages?
A: 15 Technology Stations (12 from TSP and 3 from IAT)
Technology Station Locations
Q: Which Universities have Technology Stations?
1. Tshwane University of Technology: Technology Station in Electronics,
The main objective of the TSE is to assist SME's to become global competitors through Product design and development (Prototyping), Electronic Assembling (Surface Mount Technology) and Small-scale production. For more information visit: www.tsem.co.za.
2. Central University of Technology, Technology Station in Product Development,
The Technology Station in Product Development, through collaboration with Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM), focuses on the stimulation of SME's innovation capacity, metal value adding and product development (which include prototyping). However, through infrastructure that CRPM adds, the integrated structure has the capacity to further stimulate and develop the existing applied research and learning culture. For more information visit: www.cut.ac.za.
3. Tshwane University of Technology: Technology Station in Chemicals,
The TSC offers a wide range of services designed to assist a manufacturing company in either maintaining or enhancing quality. The University’s experienced staff of scientists, technologists and technicians and external service providers participates in product development projects. For more information visit: www.tut.ac.za.
4. Mangosuthu University of Technology: Technology Station in Chemicals,
The Technology Station in Chemicals (TSC) is mainly supported by two Departments: Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in the Faculties of Natural Sciences and Engineering at Mangosuthu University of Technology. For more information visit: www.mantec.ac.za.
5. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University: Technology Station in Downstream Chemicals
The InnoVenton/DCTS business model: What we have (State of the Art Facilities and Equipment; Knowledge Capabilities), and What we do (Teaching and Training, Research and Development, and Networking).
Our products are therefore extremely varied, including trained manpower, new knowledge, new products, new technologies, analytical and testing services, problem solving services, e.t.c. For more information visit: http://www.nmmu.ac.za/default.asp?id=3383&bhcp=1
6. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University: Technology Station in Automotive Components,
The focus of ACTS is to provide support to the SME's in the Automotive Component Manufacturing Industry in order to improve innovation and competitiveness with the aim of making the South African automotive industry more globally competitive. For more information visit: http://acts.nmmu.ac.za/
7. Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Technology Station in Clothing and Textile,
The Technology Station in Clothing and Textiles provides support to SME's in Clothing and Textile industry to improve innovation and competitiveness. For more information visit: http://www.liquidthought.co.za/techstation/
8. University of Johannesburg: Technology Station in Metal Casting,
The Technology Station specializes in, high chromium white ore. Foundry sands, abrasion-resistant castings, and the production of ultra-hard materials, The Technology Station aims to deliver demand-oriented services to SME's and equip them with competitive advantage to make them more sustainable. For more information visit: www.uj.ac.za
9. Durban Institute of Technology: Technology Station in Reinforced and Moulded Plastics,
The main aim of the Technology Station is to provide companies within these sectors with subsidised services and assistance in product design, prototype development and tooling design, development and manufacturing. For more information visit: www.dit.ac.za.
10. Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Technology Station in Agrifood,
The aim of Agrifood Technology Station is to provide a complete range of scientific and technical services to the agricultural and food industries to profit from science and technology. For more information visit: http://active.cput.ac.za/agrifood
11. University of Limpopo: Limpopo Agro-food Technology Station,
The aim of Technology Station is to provide a complete range of scientific and technical services to the agricultural cooperation and food industries. We offer the following technical services: juice processing from raw products (exotic and indigenous fruits) and fruit drying, wide arrays of analytical work and technical training to SME’s in Limpopo Province. For more information contact: Tel: (+27)51 268 3359
12. IAT, Tshwane University of Technology:Industrial services and Technology Transfer
The ultimate success of the IAT at the TUT campus in Soshanguve lies in the ability to provide world-class technological tooling solutions for industry and SMEs with a strong focus on BEE development. By supporting local enterprises to develop initiatives and manufacture products locally, the Institute aims to stimulate the tooling industry to supply the products that are usually ordered from overseas. For more information contact: Tel: (+27)12 799 9625 / (+27)12 844 0419
13. IAT, University of Stellenbosch: Research, Development and Innovation
The IAT at the University of Stellenbosch is specializing in manufacturing of intricate shapes (cores and cavities) generating tool path for high speed machining processes using CAM software’s. Developing cutting strategies for cost and lead-time reduction; cutting strategies for specific surface finish requirements and surface modification, Milling of hard materials (tool steel) as well as manufacturing of fully assembled tooling. For more information contact: Tel: (+27)21 808 4132
14. IAT, Walter Sisulu University: Tool Design and Project Management
The centre is expected to continuously provide quality design of tools in compliancy to existing quality standards. All orders relating to tool design and production enhancement will at all time be tackled by Tool Designers. A broad scope of services in tools design and production planning of Press tool, gauges, Plastic Moulds, Jigs and Fixtures, Die casting Dies will be analytically executed using simulations, analysis processes and testing from non – conventional manufacturing processes.
Furthermore, design of blow moulds, transfer moulds and compression moulds using competent 3D modeling software’s and finite element method for structural analysis and components forming analysis are also undertaken. For more information contact: Tel: (+27)43 702 9314
15.Vaal University of Technology: Technology Station in Materials and Processing Technologies,
The Technology Station provides support to SME's through technology transfer initiatives in the field of composites and metals-based products leading to: Technology Transfer: Product, service and process improvement, Skills development through training and improved technology through testing. For more information visit: www.vut.ac.za or http://www.vut.ac.za/metadot/index.pl?id=2377&isa=Category&op=show
Support Provided and Requirements
Q: How does the Trust help emerging small businesses?
A: It depends on the product the business want to deal with, for instance, maybe your company wants to focus on manufacturing of soaps, so what we normally do as Tshumisano Trust, we refer you to the relevant Technology Station that may help you in product prototyping, Product/Process improvement.
Q: What support is available for SME's?
A: Technology Innovation (technical support, skills development, products/production technologies improvement), Strengthening and accelerating the interactions between Universities of Technology and them, and also improving their competitiveness in the small business sector.
Q: How does the Technology Stations offer help to the SME's and in which areas is this help Provided?
A: By identifying the specific needs of SME's in selected sectors through technology audits and demonstration and by providing the adequate technology solutions based on the University of Technology’s full expertise.
Q: Who applies for funding of major projects and what are the requirements?
A: The Technology Station that is in need of buying major equipments that cost more than the normal set/limited amount of the equipments. One major requirement is the quarterly report that must be submitted by individual technology station, which serves as a determinant of whether the technology station should be granted, or not.
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