press release

You drive away from the house and halfway down the road you ask yourself that dreaded question; “Did I close the garage door on my way out?” You carry on, and for the rest of the journey the question nags. At some point you either turn back to check or you decide to trust that you closed it and carry on.

A garage door monitoring sensor removes this entirely. You open the app, see the closed status and move on. Or you see it is open, close it remotely (if you have a smart garage opener), and move on. The round trip is ten seconds.

Beyond the daily uncertainty, there are properties where garage security is genuinely important — attached garages with direct internal access to the house, garages storing high-value vehicles or tools, or properties where the garage is a routine entry point that the alarm system does not currently cover.

There are many effective solutions – mostly stand alone, so it makes sense to use a solution that will fit seamlessly into an existing home automation eco-system or even be the first step in home automation AND on a budget.

The Stratlec solution does NOT explicitly require a qualified electrician to install or run cables either – literally lick, stick and activate to control from a FREE Smartphone App with NO monthly subscriptions.

The Stratlec Solution:

Combine the Shelly BLU Door/Window Sensor with our bespoke Shelly BLU Door/Window Hinged Bracket, stick or drill it onto your garage door, connect the FREE Shelly App and you have peace of mind.

Parts Needed

• Shelly BLU Door/Window Sensor: A Bluetooth-based sensor used to detect the open or closed state of your garage door (available at Stratlec Online).
• Shelly BLU Door/Window Hinged Bracket: A specialized mounting bracket designed to accommodate the unique physical movement and angles of a garage door (available at Stratlec Online).

Skills Needed

• Basic smartphone navigation (downloading apps and enabling Bluetooth).
• Simple mechanical installation (peel-and-stick adhesive mounting or screwing brackets into place).

Tools Needed

• Smartphone (iOS or Android) with Bluetooth enabled.
• Screwdriver or power drill (optional, depending on whether you choose to screw the bracket in or use heavy-duty double-sided tape).
• Cleaning cloth and rubbing alcohol (to prep the mounting surface on the garage door).

Shelly App Installation

• Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) on your smartphone.
• Search for Shelly Smart Control and download/install the application.
• Open the app and create a new account or log in if you already have an existing profile.
• Turn on your phone’s Bluetooth and follow the on-screen prompts to pair and set up your new Shelly BLU Door/Window Sensor

Boilerplate:

Released on behalf of: Stratlec Online

Company Web site: https://stratlec.co.za/shop/

Link to More Information: https://stratlec.co.za/shop/shelly-blu-door-window/

Submitted by: Alan Straton

Contact Alan Straton: alan@stratlec.co.za

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• Smart Tools vs Less Smart Meters
• Is Shelly Smarter than Eskom?

Eskom’s Claim

Eskom are actively encouraging consumers to switch to Smart Meters. Listening to SAFM this morning one of the presenters read out Eskom’s advert (radio’s version of editorial!) and one of the claim in the script, amongst others, was that Smart Meters “save energy”. The way that it was worded made me wonder just how Smart Meters will save me energy (money) or magically make individual appliances more energy efficient if installed.

Is this correct?

The bottom line is that ultimately, a smart meter does not inherently generate electricity or make individual appliances more energy-efficient on its own. Instead, it saves energy by modifying human behaviour, automating load reductions during critical peak times, and preventing system-wide overloads, effectively lowering overall demand on the national grid.

So, it could be said, that Eskom is using an obfuscation technique to ‘encourage’ consumers to sign up to being more controlled at the main electrical entry point into their properties.

So what is the actual story around Smart Meters?

When Eskom claims that smart meters “save energy,” they are referring to a combination of demand-side management, automated grid balancing, and behavioural changes enabled by two-way digital communication.

Unlike traditional mechanical meters – which simply record how much electricity has been used after the fact – smart meters actively change how energy is consumed through several practical mechanisms:

Load Limiting and Remote Control

Smart meters feature two-way communication capabilities that allow utilities like Eskom to manage grid constraints dynamically.

During periods of high grid strain, Eskom can initiate load limiting rather than plunging an entire neighbourhood into total darkness (load shedding).

The smart meter caps the maximum output power allowed into a home for a defined period, prompting consumers to manually or automatically turn off heavy-draw appliances (such as geysers, stoves, pool pumps, and washing machines).

If high-consumption appliances are left running past a warning threshold, the meter temporarily trips or disconnects supply to avoid a total system overload, directly forcing a reduction in energy demand.

Targeting High-Energy Assets (Geysers)

Water heating (geysers) accounts for a massive percentage of domestic electricity demand in South Africa – often up to 35% during peak periods. Smart meter and smart geyser projects allow utilities or homeowners to remotely monitor and control geysers. By scheduling heating cycles to off-peak hours or temporarily turning them off during grid emergencies, utilities drastically shave down peak-hour energy consumption without permanently cutting off essential power (like lights, routers, and medical devices).

Real-Time Consumer Awareness and Behaviour Shift

Traditional meters hide usage patterns until the monthly bill arrives. Smart meters give consumers (and automated home systems) granular, real-time data regarding when and how much electricity they are consuming. Studies show that when households have visibility into their consumption patterns – such as identifying “phantom loads” (appliances left on standby) or energy spikes – they naturally modify their behaviour to eliminate waste and lower costs.

A Better ROI From Shelly

Now, if Eskom really wanted to directly benefit consumers then they would be touting Smart Home Automation via products from Shelly.

These products will save significantly more energy for a consumer than just a smart meter alone.

While a smart meter provides visibility and passive tracking of electricity usage (or allows the utility to manage load limits), a smart automation ecosystem like Shelly actively intervenes to reduce consumption, eliminate waste, and automate energy efficiency.

Why Shelly products achieve greater energy savings:

Passive Monitoring vs. Active Automation

Smart Meter: A smart meter tells you how much electricity you used and when you used it, but it cannot turn off appliances for you or change your home’s behaviour on its own.

Shelly Products: Shelly devices feature smart relays, plugs, and switches (such as the Shelly 1PM or Shelly Plug) that actively control circuits and appliances. They can automatically shut off power based on schedules, timers, or triggers, removing human error (like forgetting to turn off an appliance or light).

Eliminating “Phantom Loads” (Standby Power)

Smart Meter: Cannot see individual appliance standby draws hidden inside your home’s total aggregate load.

Shelly Products: Smart plugs and switches can completely cut power to entertainment centres, computers, and kitchen appliances when they are not in use, entirely eliminating phantom/standby power consumption.

Granular Circuit and Appliance Control

Smart Meter: Measures total household consumption from the main distribution board.

Shelly Products: Devices can be installed on specific high-draw circuits or individual appliances – such as geysers, pool pumps, and air conditioners – allowing you to automate precise run-times (e.g., running a pool pump only during specific solar or off-peak hours).

Integration with Solar and Inverter Systems

Smart Meter: Standard utility meters simply measure net import/export.

Shelly Products: Using devices like the Shelly Pro 3EM alongside Shelly smart relays allows households with solar panels to track excess solar generation in real time and automatically divert surplus energy to heavy loads (like heating elements or pool pumps) rather than letting it go to waste.

A smart meter is an informational tool that helps you see your energy use, whereas Shelly automation products are intervention tools that actively stop energy waste. Combining them – or using Shelly’s own energy monitoring meters with their smart switches – yields a far greater reduction in overall energy consumption and electricity costs.

Shelly Pro 4PM

An example of a Smart Shelly Device is the Shelly Pro 4PM which has 4 channels with Power Monitoring. in addition you can see exactly how many Watts each of the four circuits is using; The Shelly 4 PM supports up to 16A per channel, with a total device limit of 40A and includes professional-grade protection against overpower, overvoltage, and overtemperature.

All the Shelly devices are capable of being live monitored and adjusted on your mobile device WITHOUT a cloud subscription of any kind.

Stratlec also has a range of Shelly Accessories to make installation simpler and faster.

Links:

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on Who Actually Saves When Smart Meters are Installed? here:
X: https://twitter.com/MyPE
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratlec/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StratonElectrical/

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Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.

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As a second time around parent to two Special Needs boys – one with mild Autism and one with ADHD deluxe I had a very rude (and earth shattering) awakening to this genre of education.

My first two children excelled at traditional schools and went on to honours, masters and jobs that set them up for life.

My second time around sons have enabled me to find the depths of patience that I never knew existed. Admittedly they turned my life around – the first major change was getting used to being woken up at 4:00 am day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year. Thankfully that has eased off dramatically and sleep deprivation is slowly being cancelled.

Parents with Special Needs children have major added expenses in their lives – therapy, counselling, special schooling, medications that all result in tens of thousands or rands more per month than a comparable child in a traditional school.

Try R9000 a month per child for schooling that offers one teacher per less than 10 children or over a thousand rand a month for chronic medication that NO private medical aid or government dispensary will cover and you start to see why special needs parents are ‘heads down’ and focused on surviving and creating an environment for their children that will allow them to thrive and join society in a positive manner when they leave school.

The Saints of Elsen:

My school mate, Mark Barclay, is the Headmaster at Elsen Academy and, as I say to him every time we chat; “Mark you are a saint with patience exceeding that of Job!” Imagine a few hundred special needs children under your care and you will understand why Mark and his dedicated staff are candidates for sainthood.

Sainthood is probably an apt term as the Elsen Academy is presently housed in one of Ken Denton’s buildings – the old Holy Rosary Convent, slap bang in the Central area.

Now, Central has lost it’s charm and feeling of safety as the drug dealers and prostitutes roam Bird Street – not something that one wants impressionable children to be exposed to!

In addition there are no grassy fields for the children to play sport on – all they have for football games is an old tennis court with artificial turf thereon.

We all know that Ken marches to the slow beat of his own drum so the school is in a constant state of construction – it has been so since John and Nicholas started there 8 or so years ago. Once again not so wonderful for young children. Let me hasten to add, though, that the work that has been completed is excellent.

Headboy:

I have another friend from the Old Grey Class of ’81 – Michael Jarvis (we know him as Headboy). Now Michael also had a child at Elsen Academy. He recently asked the Class of ’81 if they could assist Elsen Academy with a dream that they have, saying; “You all know the extraordinary work that Mark Barclay has been doing with Elsen in Bird Street. My own son went there from junior school and this year successfully completed his Masters in the UK — a living example of what Mark’s vision, the school’s model and the dedication of his team can achieve.”

Headboy was the Chair of the Elsen Board for many years, and one of the boards great ambitions has always been to create a secure campus — a true home and the heart of the Alma Mater that means so much to all.

As Headboy says; “Despite our best efforts, during my time as Chairman we never quite managed to make that happen. Now, incredibly, the opportunity has presented itself.”

The Bottom Line – Act Fast:

Curro has closed the St. Georges Primary School in Park Drive and put the campus on the market. Elsen Academy made an offer before the auction date but were turned down. Now they estimate that they would have to up their offer by around R4 Million in order to secure the St. Georges Campus for the Elsen Academy and have embarked on a public appeal to the Elsen Community and the South African Public at large to assist with pledges by 24 August 2026 to reach that goal.

Insiders tell me that with the estimated purchase price the school will be paying less per month on a bond than what they pay for rental at present – so keen minds have been applied to make sure that the move is for all the right reasons that include financial!

The chance to acquire the St George’s School campus is not simply a property opportunity. It could be the defining moment in Elsen’s history — creating the secure, permanent campus these children need and giving this very special institution the platform to thrive for generations.

Imagine, if you will, just how much a school with a pool and grass will inspire these children to greater heights.

If you can assist please contact Mark directly on 082 874 1888 or mark@elsen.co.za

Do You Know Jannie Mouton?

Curro Holdings is owned by the Jannie Mouton Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit trust. The foundation acquired the private school network in a R7.2 billion deal that delisted Curro from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and transitioned it into a public benefit organization.

So, if you know Mr Mouton well enough to pick up the phone and have a chat I, for one, would be forever grateful if you could appeal to his kind heart and ask if he is willing to make a private deal with Elsen – no charity, just a deal that will ensure that Gqeberha’s beloved historical St Georges Park Campus will be preserved for generations to come and not fall prey to a developer who will rob future generations of this magnificent building.

The elegant Victorian mansion ‘Knockfierna’ in Park Drive is entirely suitable for Elsen Academy. It ushered in the 20th century as the home of a wealthy wool merchant and farmer, John Daverin. Daverin was also a Member of Parliament and philanthropist (like Jannie Mouton). Now largely forgotten, his legacy endured in the form of the St Georges Preparatory School, let’s continue the properties long standing use as a school and make Elsen Academy’s dream come true.

Images:

 

 

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGRtp5-7dZ86DU-pmAiEvqg/

Let’s Chat About Special Needs Children (And my Special School Friend)

Links:

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on Let’s Chat About Special Needs Children (And my Special School Friend) here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Elsen.Academy

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My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.

Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.

Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.

A forever free subscription allows publishers and media free access to all press releases, content and images on MyPR.

GQEBERHA, Eastern Cape – MyPR, a leading South African press release distribution platform, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with MyGQ.co.za, a dedicated digital hub for the city of Gqeberha. Effective immediately, tourism-focused press releases submitted to MyPR can now be automatically showcased in a specialized Tourism Hub on MyGQ.co.za.

Travel Category:

This new integration provides an invaluable and targeted visibility boost for the Eastern Cape’s vibrant tourism sector. To access this feature, tourism promoters, DMOs, accommodation providers, tour operators, and related businesses simply need to submit their releases through MyPR and select the “TRAVEL” category.

When the Travel category is selected, the release is queued for showcase on the MyGQ.co.za Tourism Hub. The showcase will display a designated snippet of the release to capture interest, while crucially preserving all active hyperlinks that lead directly back to the full press release hosted on MyPR. This ensures maximum traffic and SEO benefit for the originator.

“Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape have an incredible story to tell, and this partnership with MyGQ.co.za is a significant step forward in helping local tourism businesses tell it,” said Alan Straton at MyPR. “By simplifying the process to just ‘Submit and Select,’ we are providing a friction-free amplification channel that gets high-quality, relevant tourism news in front of a dedicated regional and national audience.”

This Gqeberha showcase on MyGQ.co.za is a premium addition to MyPR’s existing robust distribution network. All releases, regardless of category, will continue to be published on the primary MyPR platform and MyZA, as part of the Free Plan. Submissions under the Paid Plan retain their established access to a diverse array of various city-focused publications.

The partnership reinforces MyPR’s commitment to providing targeted, localized visibility solutions alongside broad national reach, empowering South African businesses of all sizes to control their narrative and connect with their audience.

About MyPR:

MyPR is a comprehensive press release distribution service in South Africa, offering a straightforward platform for businesses and PR professionals to publish and amplify their news across the digital landscape.

About MyGQ.co.za:

MyGQ.co.za is a focused digital publication and community resource serving the vibrant city of Gqeberha, covering news, lifestyle, and tourism.

Images:

Links:

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on MyPR Expands Regional Reach for Tourism Promoters with Exclusive Gqeberha Showcase on MyGQ.co.za here:
X: https://twitter.com/MyPE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StratonElectrical/

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.

Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.

Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.

A forever free subscription allows publishers and media free access to all press releases, content and images on MyPR.

Nelson Mandela Bay recently received the dishonour of being ranked the third most violent city in the world, with a murder rate climbing into the triple digits – a first for any South African city ranked.

The city made the shocking climb on the annual ranking compiled by the Mexican Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice in association with the Mexican Commission on Human Rights.

This on the back of the Nelson Mandela Bay murder rate surging to a record 119.8 per 100 000 citizens in 2025. Puerto Principe in Haiti leads the pack with 197.43 murders per 100 000 citizens followed by Bebhayo, Ecuador with 166.02 murders per 100 000 citizens.

How Do We Turn That Around?

For many years Port Elizabeth was known as; “The Friendly City”, “the Windy City”, “The Family Friendly Destination”.

Then we moved on to being; “The Ghost on the Coast” with many residents saying; “Will the last one to leave PE please turn off the lights!” And yet, through all this, we prevailed, together.

All through these dark times of political infighting and directionless City ‘Leaders’ we have clung to one small belief:

“Together we can prevail“.

We no longer attract huge events, the Springboks throw us scraps, Bafana Bafana are nowhere to be seen, Ironman is teetering on the edge, business is jittery, our automotive industry is experiencing unprecedented challenges, our infrastructure is failing, our city is a mess and yet we still believe that we WILL prevail.

Let’s make no mistake here – we are seeking to accomplish the first task to recovery and that is to PREVAIL, growth and stature will come later.

Why Invest in Gqeberha?

• Pros: Strategic Location and Gateway Status, Steady Sector Growth, Infrastructure and Development Support, Industrial Foundation, Climate and Natural Assets, Incentives for Sustainability
• Cons: Beachfront Safety and Vandalism, Public Infrastructure Reliability, Skills Gap, Socio-Economic Instability, Management and Policy Implementation.

How do We Turn it all Around?

For far too lomg we have relied on ‘government’ to enable tourism, events and other large movements of tourism – like cruise ships – to advertise, finance and manage.

For far too long we have relied on money and resources from government to market our city.

We have since found out that the old axiom of “Building your house on another man’s land” still holds true. If that other man changes allegiance or loses a dynamic player then a very large swathe of tourism products suffer.

We do not want or need Nelson Mandela Bay’s payoff line to become; “Will the last one to leave the city please cover the graves?”

So here is the Bottom Line:

We have built this resource – MyGQ.co.za – MyGQ positions itself as a tourism hub and was founded on a collaborative model. We believe that when local accommodation, transport, tour, and hospitality operators unite under a single banner, the entire local economy lifts. We want every operator in the Nelson Mandela Bay region to look at this platform and feel, “This belongs to us.”

So, all we need to do as a first step is to market Gqeberha in preference to to Nelson Mandela Bay – until the dust has settled around Nelson Mandela Bay being in the Top Three Murder Capital of the World.

Because we want to remove all financial barriers for local tourism, we don’t directly monetize the MyGQ Tourism Hub through commissions or expensive paywalls.

Everything for our tourism partners on MyGQ is free.

After all:

• When the City prospers the incentive to do crime is lessened
• When the City prospers we ALL prosper, and
• Tourism needs to now step up and become that saviour.

Images:

 

Links:

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on Mandela Bay Ranked Third Most Murderous Capital – How We Will Turn That Around here:
X: https://twitter.com/MyPE
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanstraton/

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.

Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.

Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.

A forever free subscription allows publishers and media free access to all press releases, content and images on MyPR.

• Guide shows the huge positive effect Solar has had on flattening the demand curve
• How every Solar Installer can optimise your electricity savings on TOU (Time of Use Tarrif)
• What the Full-Day Dispatch Model will do for your solar installation
• SA’s embedded rooftop solar installation base is growing by over 1 GW per year

Straton Solar have recently published a free guide for installers and users of solar energy showing just how dramatic an effect the installed base of Small Scale Embedded Solar Generation has had on flattening the midday demand curve. In addition a clear guide on ow to maximise your return using Solar Panels, Batteries and the TOU Tariff effectively.

Click here for the entire report and interactive tables: https://straton.co.za/flattening-the-curve-what-every-solar-installer-needs-to-know/ and full article.

What Flattening the Curve Actually Means

A flatter load curve means less strain on generation and transmission infrastructure, fewer emergency generation events, a more stable grid frequency, and a lower average cost of electricity production for everyone. For your clients it means genuine energy independence at the moments that matter — morning and evening, every day, not just during load shedding. For the industry it means installations that can be pointed to as a demonstrated contribution to grid stability rather than a rooftop accessory that happens to reduce one person’s electricity bill.

A brief Summary of Principles  Not a Prescriptive Checklist

The following summarises the intent behind each phase of the dispatch approach described above. How each is achieved depends on the inverter platform, site conditions, and available controls. The goal in each case is clearly stated; the method is for the installer to determine.

• Overnight: charge battery to ~95% using slow grid draw during low-demand hours
• Morning peak: battery as primary source; minimise grid draw; hold 40% reserve
• Early solar: serve loads from PV directly; defer bulk battery charging
• Midday solar: charge battery to ~95% before exporting surplus
• Pre-evening: battery fully charged and held in reserve
• Evening peak: battery as primary source; suppress grid draw; hold 40% reserve
• Large loads (geyser, pool): scheduled outside both peak discharge windows
• Seasonal difference: addressed — whether through dual configs or platform adaptation
• All of the above regardless of tariff structure

The panels are the easy part. Anyone can put panels on a roof. The value you add as an installer is in the intelligence of what sits behind them — a dispatch strategy that puts stored energy into the grid at the moments of greatest need, twice a day, every day, summer and winter.

A battery configured for active full-day dispatch is doing its job. Everything else is leaving the work half done.

Images:

 

Links:

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on Solar Battery Efficiency Guide Stops Wasted Capacity and Optimises Your Dispatch Strategy here:
X: https://twitter.com/MyPE
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanstraton/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StratonElectrical/

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.

Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.

Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.

A forever free subscription allows publishers and media free access to all press releases, content and images on MyPR.

Trust the experts who power the Eastern Cape. Straton is the gold standard for EV charger installations.

Powering the Eastern Cape: The Straton Advantage

You wouldn’t let an amateur service your car – why let one wire your charger? At Straton Electrical, we don’t just install plugs; we build energy ecosystems.

Trusted by the Best: We are the authorized installation partners for National Brands, industrial and automotive giants.

Smart Integration: As Shelly experts, we can integrate your charger with your home automation, allowing for peak-shaving and intelligent solar-tracking.

The CoC Guarantee: Every installation is fully certified, ensuring your home insurance remains valid and your system meets SANS safety standards.

Our History: Established in 1966 by the late George Weston Straton (21 September 1938 to 5 June 1988) and now under the stewardship of his sons there probably isn’t a business in Gqeberha that hasn’t at some time benefitted from our service.

George W. Straton was a pivotal figure in the Gqeberha (then Port Elizabeth) business community. While his father, John Weston Straton, had established a successful plumbing business, George decided to forge his own path in the electrical sector.

In 1966, he founded Straton Electrical. His vision laid the groundwork for what has become a multi-generational family legacy in the Nelson Mandela Bay area.

The business he started nearly 60 years ago has evolved significantly, expanding into renewable energy (Solar), smart home automation (Shelly), and even returning to its roots with the recent addition of Straton Plumbing.

From East London to Gqeberha, we are the Eastern Cape’s leading choice for the electric transition.

The storm is here, but the solution is already on your roof and in your garage. From Gqeberha to the rest of the Eastern Cape, Straton is ready to help you navigate the transition.

The Solar Multiplier (Straton Solar’s Secret Sauce):

The ultimate “hidden” saving is the ability to de-link your transport costs from the global oil market entirely.

The Saving: You cannot refine your own petrol in your backyard BUT You can harvest your own electricity.

The EV Charger Reality: For homeowners with a Straton Solar and EV Charger installations, an EV becomes a “rolling battery.” By charging during peak sunlight hours, your 5-year “fuel” cost can drop from R250,000 (average for a high-mileage ICE) to essentially zero.

Add Shelly Automation products from Stratlec and you will be able to measure and manage all your electricity consumers and generators without the monthly costs of an app/cloud/hub to function.

EV Charger Articles:

1. Part One: The Great Transition: Why Electric Vehicles?
2. Part Two: The 5-Year Horizon: Are EVs Really More Economical?
3. Part Three: Pro Charger vs. “Granny Cable”: Why Go Dedicated?
4. Part Four: Fuel Rand vs. EV Rand: The 100km Running Cost Breakdown
5. Part Five: The Tipping Point—Verifiable Data on the Shift to EV
6. Part Six: Why Choose Straton Electrical for Your EV Charger Supply and Installation?

My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.

Registering on MyPR enables public relations companies and practitioners to post articles under their own author name.

Public Relations Companies and practitioners, event organisers, sports and political writers use MyPR as a distribution mechanism for their press releases, content, images and news.

A forever free subscription allows publishers and media free access to all press releases, content and images on MyPR.

In this 6 part series we will explore why Gqeberha is at the heart of the EV revolution and how moving to an electric vehicle is about more than just the environment.

The Future is Electric (and it’s being built in Gqeberha).

The conversation around Electric Vehicles (EVs) has shifted. It is no longer a “someday” technology for early adopters; it is a “right now” solution for a world facing a perfect storm of energy costs.

In the Eastern Cape, this transition is personal. With local automotive giants pivoting toward EV and Hybrid production, the vehicles of tomorrow are being built in our own backyard.

But why should you make the switch?

Mechanical Simplicity: A standard petrol engine has about 2,000 moving parts. An EV has around 20. This translates to fewer failures and less time in the workshop.

Energy Independence: You can’t refine petrol in your garden, but you can harvest sunlight. An EV paired with solar is the ultimate “off-grid” transport solution.

Performance: The instant torque of an electric motor provides a silent, powerful driving experience that traditional engines simply cannot match.

Reduced Complexity: A standard ICE vehicle has about 2,000 moving parts; an EV has around 20. This leads to drastically lower mechanical failure rates.

The Silent Drive: Beyond zero emissions, the reduction in noise pollution creates a more premium, stress-free driving experience for commuters in the Bay.

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles are incredibly inefficient. Only about 30% of the energy in a litre of petrol actually moves the wheels; the other 70% is wasted as heat through the radiator and exhaust.

The “Perfect Storm” of 2026 is here. As fuel prices reach record highs, the question isn’t “Why EV?” but rather “How soon?”

The Solar Multiplier (Straton Solar’s Secret Sauce):

The ultimate “hidden” saving is the ability to de-link your transport costs from the global oil market entirely.

The Saving: You cannot refine your own petrol in your backyard BUT You can harvest your own electricity.

The EV Charger Reality: For homeowners with a Straton Solar and EV Charger installations, an EV becomes a “rolling battery.” By charging during peak sunlight hours, your 5-year “fuel” cost can drop from R250,000 (average for a high-mileage ICE) to essentially zero.

Add Shelly Automation products from Stratlec and you will be able to measure and manage all your electricity consumers and generators without the monthly costs of an app/cloud/hub to function.

EV Charger Articles:

1. Part One: The Great Transition: Why Electric Vehicles?
2. Part Two: The 5-Year Horizon: Are EVs Really More Economical?
3. Part Three: Pro Charger vs. “Granny Cable”: Why Go Dedicated?
4. Part Four: Fuel Rand vs. EV Rand: The 100km Running Cost Breakdown
5. Part Five: The Tipping Point—Verifiable Data on the Shift to EV
6. Part Six: Why Choose Straton Electrical for Your EV Charger Supply and Installation?

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South Africans and thirsty Nelson Mandela Bay residents, the numbers are in, and they paint a critical picture of Nelson Mandela Bay’s water supply. Whilst one significant dam level has increased, the biggest leak isn’t in the Western Region; it’s in our municipal infrastructure.

Here are the facts:

• 65% of Nelson Mandela Bay’s water comes from the Gariep Dam, which saw rising levels throughout 2025.
• Nelson Mandela Bay has a TOTAL reliance on external water sources (Free State and Sarah Baartman Districts).
• 35% of the municipalities water comes from dams to the west, four of which fall within the Sarah Baartman District.
• BUT… 60% of that water is lost BEFORE it reaches consumers taps due to municipal infrastructure failure.

What does that mean? The municipality is responsible for wasting 223 Million Liters per day (MLD).

That is equivalent to losing 90 OLYMPIC-SIZED SWIMMING POOLS DAILY.

We are importing water from across the country, only for more than half of it to disappear through broken pipes. We cannot afford this waste.

How We Fight Back:

We must turn this data into collective action. We can’t wait for the municipality to fix it; we have to develop our own pressure map.

1. Join the Discussion: What is the water pressure like in your street? Have you reported a leak with zero feedback?
2. Report the Leaks: Share your municipal reference number on the forum. We use this data to escalate entire neighborhoods, bypassing the call center queue.

Don’t just watch the 90 Olympic size pools drain daily. Take control.

Join the MyNMB Forum to express your feelings, share solutions and vent!

#NelsonMandelaBay #Gqeberha #NMBWaterCrisis #ServiceDelivery #CommunityAction #TheMyNMBWay

Infographic:

Links:

• MyNMB Forum
• NMB Drought Status: The Big Con

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With households scrambling to save money on electricity costs ahead of Eskom’s looming price hike many are turning to Solar Systems as a solution.

The concerns with Solar are mainly around cost to install and speed of installation.

The principle around saving electricity is a simple one; “If you can measure it, you can manage and control it!”

Shelly Devices:

Shelly Devices offer you a very cost effective way to constantly measure your consumption and control it – on an entire premises OR single device basis – via your smartphone and WITHOUT ongoing monthly connection costs. Your device, your data, your privacy – sorted.

Take absolute control of your electricity bill with the Shelly Pro 1PM. Designed for the professional environment and high-demand South African households, this DIN-rail mountable 1-phase energy meter provides 1% billing accuracy.

In the Nelson Mandela Bay area, crossing into the “Block 3” tariff will spike your costs to R4.57 per unit (ecl. VAT). The Shelly Pro 1PM allows you to track consumption in real-time, identifying exactly which phase or appliance is pushing you toward that expensive 500kWh threshold.

The Shelly Pro 1PM is the gold standard for automating the single biggest energy consumer in your home: the geyser. Capable of switching up to 16A (3.5kW), this compact relay fits directly into your existing isolator box or DB board.

Unlike traditional mechanical timers, the Plus 1PM provides precise power measurement, allowing you to see exactly how much each shower or bath is costing you. By automating your geyser to heat during off-peak hours and utilizing “thermal mass” strategies, you can significantly reduce your monthly consumption and avoid high-tier municipal penalties.

Why Shelly Pro1 PM:

• Overpower Protection: Integrated temperature and power sensors for peace of mind.
• Advanced Scheduling: Create complex 7-day schedules or use “Sunrise/Sunset” logic.
• Connectivity: Works via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth—no expensive hub required.

Why Buy Shelly Products From an Authorised Reseller and Installer such as Stratlec?

As an Authorized Shelly Reseller, Stratlec ensures that every device is genuine, ICASA-approved, and backed by full technical support tailored to the South African electrical grid.

• Local Support: Expert advice on NMBM tariff optimization.
• Warranty: Full local warranty and replacement support.
• Expertise: We don’t just sell the hardware; we help you build the solution.

Descriptive words: Energy Monitoring South Africa, 1-Phase Power Meter, Shelly Pro 1PM, NMBM Electricity Tariffs, Solar System Integration.

Video:

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Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on Beat The Electricity Price Hike With a Shelly Pro 1PM: The Professional Single Phase Energy Monitor here:
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GQEBERHA – Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on 12 February 2026 in Cape Town, Straton Electrical – a leading electrical contracting firm in the Eastern Cape – has critically examined the President’s roadmap for the energy sector.

While the speech signaled a historic pivot toward a competitive electricity market, the local contracting industry remains cautious about the transition from high-level policy to “boots on the ground” implementation.

The “Good News”: Opportunities for Growth

Straton Electrical welcomes several key announcements that provide a clear runway for the electrical contracting and renewable energy sectors:

• End of the Eskom Monopoly: The President’s confirmation of a fully independent state-owned transmission entity (separate from Eskom Holdings) is a watershed moment. This leveling of the playing field is expected to accelerate Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects, creating a massive demand for private electrical grid-tie and substation infrastructure.
• The 40% Renewable Target: The bold commitment to have 40% of South Africa’s energy supply come from renewable sources by 2030 ensures long-term work for solar and wind contractors. The introduction of a 150% tax deduction for New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and battery manufacturing further incentivizes industrial electrical upgrades.
• Infrastructure Spend: The allocation of R940 billion for infrastructure over the next three years—including R375 billion by state-owned companies—promises significant sub-contracting opportunities in the revitalisation of national power systems.
• Eradication of “Load Reduction”: The focus on provinces to address transformer overloading and illegal connections is a direct call to action for local contractors. Modernizing the distribution network is essential for the safety and stability of our communities.

Areas of Concern: The Challenges Ahead

Despite the optimism, Straton Electrical identifies significant “red flags” that could stifle progress:

• Municipal Incapacity: The President acknowledged that many municipalities lack the technical skills to maintain electricity supply. While the plan to establish “professionally managed, ring-fenced utilities” is sound, the transition period may lead to further infrastructure decay and payment risks for contractors working with local government.
• Grid Capacity Bottlenecks: While the President invited private investment into the grid, the current reality is that transmission constraints are still blocking new projects. The R440 billion needed for 14,000km of new lines is an astronomical figure, and the industry is concerned about the speed at which this “private capital” will actually be mobilized.
• The “Construction Mafia”: President Ramaphosa specifically mentioned that “building sites are shut down by criminals.” For electrical contractors, the threat of site disruptions and extortion remains a major risk factor that the speech addressed in theory but has yet to solve in practice.
• Technical Skills Gap: The massive scale of the proposed energy transition requires a workforce that South Africa currently lacks. Without an immediate, aggressive push in TVET college partnerships and apprenticeship funding, the industry may struggle to find enough qualified electricians to meet the 2030 targets.

Executive Commentary: “SONA 2026 feels like a shift from crisis management to structural reform,” says the Straton Electrical team. “The intent to decentralize the grid and embrace renewables is exactly what the industry has been asking for. However, for a contractor in Nelson Mandela Bay, the success of this plan depends entirely on whether the R54-billion municipal reform incentive actually reaches the street level to fix failing transformers and aging cables.”

Straton Electrical remains committed to supporting South Africa’s energy transition and will continue to provide expert solutions that align with the national goal of long-term energy security.

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Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on Straton Electrical Weighs In on SONA 2026: A Vision for Infrastructure, but Execution Concerns Remain here:
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If you have ever visited Gqeberha based MyPR.co.za, you’ve seen one of the most efficient uses of WordPress automation in South Africa. MyPR handles thousands of press releases annually, but they don’t have a team manually re-typing every submission.

Instead, they use Gravity Forms to do the heavy lifting.

The MyPR Workflow: From Form to Draft in Seconds

Most people think a form is just for “Contact Us” pages. MyPR uses Gravity Forms for Front-End Content Submission. When a PR professional submits a release on MyPR, the form is mapped directly to WordPress Post fields.

• The Title becomes the Post Headline.
• The Body becomes the Post Content.
• The Featured Image/s is/are automatically uploaded to the Media Library.

The Result? The release appears instantly as a “Pending Draft” in the WordPress backend, ready for an editor to review and publish with a single click.

Why Gravity Forms is the Industry Standard

Whether you are building a news portal like MyPR, a job board, or a complex registration system, Gravity Forms offers the reliability that free plugins simply cannot match.

• Post Creation Add-On: This is the “secret sauce.” It allows you to turn any form submission into a WordPress post or custom post type automatically.
• Advanced Conditional Logic: Show or hide fields based on user input, ensuring your users only see what they need to see.
• Secure File Uploads: Handle high-resolution images and PDFs with built-in security protocols.
• Bulletproof Integration: Connect your data to Mailchimp, HubSpot, or Zapier seamlessly.

Build Your Own Professional Workflow

Don’t let manual data entry slow your business down. If you want to scale your site’s functionality – whether for press releases, guest blogging, or user-generated content – you need a tool that handles the complexity for you.

Experience the power of the most advanced form builder on the market. Get started with Gravity Forms today and see why professional South African platforms like MyPR rely on it every day.

MyPR has an agency license dating back to the days when Gravity Forms started. There are now three different licenses available at 3 different price points: Basic, Elite (similar to our Agency license) and Pro.

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My Press Release (MyPR) provides free South African targeted content and press releases for on and off line publishers and media.

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Receive a sign up bonus from EasyEquities with our compliments.

Then you should consider adding the stocks below to your EasyEquities portfolio…

In South Africa, corporate income tax (CIT) is heavily concentrated. According to recent SARS data, a tiny fraction of companies—roughly 0.2% of all assessed businesses—contribute nearly 60% of the country’s total corporate tax revenue.

The primary contributors are dominated by the “Big Four” banks and major telecommunications firms. Based on the 2024/2025 fiscal reports and PwC’s Major Banks Analysis, here are the JSE-listed companies that pay the largest amounts of direct tax to SARS:

1. The Financial Sector (The Heavyweights)

The banking sector is consistently the largest contributor to CIT. In 2023/2024, the major banks paid a combined total of over R37 billion in direct taxes.

Company Name – Estimated Annual Direct Tax (SA)

• Standard Bank Group – ~R12.72 billion
• FirstRand Limited (FNB/RMB) – ~R12.59 billion
• Absa Group – ~R8 billion+
• Nedbank Group – ~R4.43 billion
• Capitec Bank – ~R2.88 billion

2. Telecommunications

Telecom giants are critical contributors due to their massive domestic consumer bases and consistent profitability.

• MTN Group: Reported approximately R7.5 billion in total income tax for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
• Vodacom: Contributed roughly R4.4 billion in direct taxes (with a total public finance contribution, including indirect taxes, of over R13 billion).

3. Retail and Consumer Goods

• Shoprite Holdings: As Africa’s largest retailer, they paid roughly R2.46 billion in South African income tax alone.
• Naspers/Prosus: While much of their revenue is international, their South African operations contributed roughly R2.14 billion in the most recent fiscal period.

Sector Performance Trends (2025/2026)

The “Top Taxpayer” landscape has shifted slightly recently due to economic conditions:

• Mining Sector Decline: Historically, miners like Anglo American Platinum and Kumba Iron Ore were the top taxpayers. However, due to softening commodity prices (especially PGMs and Coal) and logistical challenges at Transnet, their tax contributions fell by over 50% in the 2024/2025 period.
• Financial Growth: The Financial Intermediation and Insurance sector has taken over as the primary driver of tax growth, buoyed by high-interest rates which increased bank profitability.

 

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Two recent incidents have prompted Straton Prepaid to expand on this subject.

The first one was a personal wake-up call:

I recently renovated my flatlet and installed a new Sub DB with new wiring. Unfortunately, the existing prepaid meter was ‘tossed’ out in the rubble.

It took me a few months to upgrade my main distribution board and re-connect my manual meter reading the flatlet consumption. Yes, the one is a fail safe for the other!

When I finally got around to reading my manual meter I received a bit of a shock! My tenant has been consuming just over R2000 in electricity per month, for which I have been paying.

A new prepaid electricity meter has been installed and recoveries have begun again.

Now – the price to the consumer for supply and installation to a flatlet with a sub distribution board that complies is under R2000.00

So – for less than one month’s worth of electricity I will now recover my tenant’s usage for years to come (or, until the next renovation).

The second was from a recent quotation:

The client owns a building in an industrial area in Gqeberha.

At present the tenant pays R12000 per month in rental.

The rental includes electricity and water.

The municipal electricity bill to the owner is just over R13000 per month.

Factor in water consumption, rates, maintenance, estate agent commission etc and the owner is on a slippery path to nowhere.

Three phase Prepaid Electricity Meter:

Sure, the electricity supply is three phase to the building and installation will cost a tad more but certainly NOT R13000.

So, the client could save R13000 per month for years just by spending half of that amount on the supply and installation of a 3 Phase Prepaid Electricity Meter. A MAGNIFICENT ROI for any landlord.

Presently we install the Hexing HXE310-P (PLC) – a three-phase, 100A, split-type prepayment meter commonly used for smart electricity metering. It operates with a Customer Interface Unit (CIU) that communicates via Power Line Communication (PLC).

Biggest Bang for Your Buck:

If you have a tenant downstream of your main distribution board then it is a no brainer to install a Prepaid Electricity meter – your retirement nest egg will thank you.

What about rental increases?

We do come across many owners of property who have never factored in tenants paying for their own electricity and water consumption.

Obviously landlords do not want to chase good paying tenants away so we suggest that owners engage with tenants and maybe tell them that a prepaid meter will be installed and the normal rental increase will be waived for the next 12 months.

OR, just be honest with your tenant and play open cards with regards to just how expensive electricity and water usage has become on the property.

At the end of the day landlords have seen how ‘electricity bracket creep’ is eroding their profitability and should be taking active early steps to recover the cost of utilities.

The user must pay for their usage.

Links:

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More Info on Are You Throwing Money Away? here:
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A photography tour is a guided trip built around taking great images. Instead of just sightseeing, the itinerary, timing, and guiding are designed to put you in the right place at the right time with expert support.

What are typical features of a photography tour?

You’ll be guided by an expert, usually a professional photographer, who knows both the location and the craft – helping people on the tour with composition, camera settings, and fieldcraft. Your purpose-built itinerary will include early starts, sunset sessions (otherwise called “golden hour”), and off-peak visits so you hit locations in the best light and with fewer crowds.

Generally, a tour like this will be limited to a small group of say four to 10 people, to allow for better access and one-on-one guidance. One extra nice thing about tours like this is that all the logistics will generally be handled by those in tourism jobs on your behalf, from transport, accommodation, and park permits, to local guides and most meals – so you can focus on shooting.

Think of it as a workshop on the move: you’re learning, shooting, reviewing images, and sharing the experience with like-minded people.

Why are photography tours in South Africa so popular?

South Africa is a dream destination because it offers an extensive variety of options in a relatively compact, easy-to-travel. Select between:

• world-class wildlife: Kruger National Park and private reserves like Sabi Sands are renowned for big cats, elephants, rhinos, giraffes and more, often at close range;
• dramatic landscapes: From the Drakensberg mountains to the Garden Route coastline and the Western Cape’s vineyards and seascapes, you can shoot multiple ecosystems in one trip;
• great infrastructure: You’ll enjoy quality lodges, internal flights, and tour operators with specialised vehicles adapted for photographers (swivelling seats, lens supports, and open sides)’ and
• year-round options: Different seasons enhance different styles of work – the dry season for clean wildlife images, or the wet season for lush green landscapes and dramatic skies.

On top of all this, many South African photo tours are run by local photographers who know specific animals’ territories, den sites, roosts and waterholes, giving you a much higher chance of those “bucket list” shots.

What are the top photography-tour regions within South Africa?

Four key regions and their most fascinating highlights appear below:

a) Kruger National Park & other private reserves

• Style: Big-5 wildlife, birds, environmental portraits, and night drives.
• Highlights: Frequent encounters with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhino; and seasonal opportunities such as newborn animals in the wet season.
• Best time: The dry, winter months (roughly May to September) are considered ideal for wildlife photography, due to thinner vegetation, animals concentrated at waterholes, and softer light.

Private concessions, such as Sabi Sands, often allow off-road driving and fewer vehicles per sighting, which is considered “gold” for photographers.

b) Cape Town & the Western Cape

• Style: Seascapes, cityscapes, street photography, and cultural documentary.
• Highlights: Table Mountain, Chapman’s Peak Drive, and Boulders Beach penguins; and the colourful houses of the Bo-Kaap together with the working harbour at Kalk Bay.
• Best time: Summer and the shoulder seasons (roughly October to April) for long golden hours and relatively stable weather; winter can bring moody skies and dramatic surf.

c) The Garden Route & Eastern Cape

• Style: Forest and coastline landscapes, and slower-paced wildlife safaris.
• Highlights: Coastal cliffs around Knysna and Tsitsikamma; and malaria-free wildlife reserves in the Eastern Cape (great for families).

d) KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)

• Style: Bird photography, wetlands, cultural and community work.
• Highlights: Coastal reserves like iSimangaliso, famous for birdlife and varied habitats; and Zulu cultural experiences, traditional villages, and ceremonies in some tours.

What does a typical South African photo-safari day look like?

While each operator presents a slightly different offering, a “classic” safari photography routine might look like this:

• 05:00 to 05:30 – Wake-up & coffee: Quick snack, gear check, climb into the game vehicle before sunrise.
• 06:00 to 09:30 – Morning game drive: Focus on soft light and animal behaviour. The guide and photo leader position the vehicle with the sun angle and background in mind. You may keep going with one subject for an hour, or even longer.
• 10:00 to 14:30 – Midday break: Brunch, rest, download cards, and batteries on charge. Many tours include classroom-style sessions or image critiques, which you can attend during the heat of the day.
• 15:30 to 18:30 – Afternoon/evening drive: Golden-hour portraits, backlit dust, and silhouettes. Some lodges offer limited night photography, using with spotlights or the stars.
• Evening – Dinner & review: Informal Q&A, planning for the next day, dealing with technical challenges like high-ISO noise or focus issues.

On city or landscape tours (e.g., Cape Town or Drakensberg), the rhythm will be similar: pre-dawn departures, midday breaks, sunset and blue-hour sessions.

How do photography tours differ from normal safaris or tours?

There are five key differences:

• Tourist safaris often rush from animal to animal or viewpoint to viewpoint. Photo tours, on the other hand, typically stay longer at one scene to allow for changing light, behaviour, and composition;
• Everyone on board is there to shoot. Nobody starts complaining if you spend 20 minutes waiting for a lion to yawn, or a wave to break just right;
• Some specialist tourism job operators can remove certain rows of seats, plus add gimbal mounts and beanbag ledges so photographers can manoeuvre with big telephoto lenses, if required;
• You’re encouraged to ask about settings, critique images, and experiment as desired. Many tours include structured lessons on composition, exposure, and post-processing; and
• Tours are often timed to coincide with special events: migrations, wildflower seasons, autumn colours, or specific festivals just so that you have the optimal possible experience of that setting, or location.

What other countries are especially popular for photography tours?

While South Africa (and the wider southern African region) is hugely popular for photography tours, there are several other “heavyweight” destinations where such tours are extremely common.

These include:

Iceland

• Why it’s popular: Glaciers, black-sand beaches, waterfalls, ice caves, and volcanoes. Winter tours for aurora borealis; summer tours for midnight sun.
• Typical subjects: Long-exposure waterfalls, dramatic seascapes, abstract patterns in ice and lava, and night-sky photography.

Japan

• Why it’s popular: Cherry blossom (sakura) in spring, fiery maples (k?y?) in autumn, snowy landscapes in Hokkaido, plus neon cityscapes in Tokyo and Osaka.
• Typical subjects: Seasonal foliage, temples and shrines, street photography, cultural festivals, and wildlife like Japanese macaques or red-crowned cranes (on specialised tours).

Italy

• Why it’s popular: Iconic cities (Venice, Florence, Rome), hill towns in Tuscany, and Dolomites mountains.
• Typical subjects: Architecture, everyday European street life, Mediterranean coastlines, and alpine scenery.

Arctic & Northern Europe

• Destinations: Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland.
  
• Why: Northern Lights tours, winter wildlife (orcas, whales), snowy forests and frozen lakes.

Latin America & Others

• Peru, Bolivia, Chile: Andean peaks, salt flats, and the Atacama Desert.
  
• Belize & Central America: Jungle, caves, and reefs.
• India & Southeast Asia: Colourful markets, festivals, temples, and rural life.

Across all these destinations, the same principles generally apply: small groups, knowledgeable guides, and itineraries tuned for light and access.

How do I choose the right photography tour?

A main factor you should consider and evaluate, is your experience level (whether beginner, or intermediate/advanced). Beginners often benefits from an emphasis on teaching, small groups, and patient instruction, while those at intermediate or advanced level may prefer itineraries that advertise “maximum time in the field,” access to rare species or hard-to-reach locations, and fewer classroom sessions.

It’s also good to find out in advance the group size and guide ratio. Aim for six to 10 guests on general landscape/city tours; and three to four photographers per vehicle on safaris – ideally with each having a “corner” seat and unrestricted shooting angles.

Next up, look over the itinerary, pace, and day-by-day plan. Are there long transfers every day? How many actual sunrise/sunset sessions are promised? And are there rest days built in to manage fatigue – especially in remote areas?

Two last but important considerations include specialisation and subject focus (i.e. birding vs big mammals, street and culture vs landscapes, or night skies, macro, or drones. You’re advised to select the operator whose portfolio reflects the work you most wish to create); and both ethics and sustainability (good signs in a photography tour operator, include their partnering with local guides and communities, clear policies on animal welfare, and respectful guidance on photographing people and sensitive cultural sites).

What gear should I bring on a photography tour?

Cameras:

• a primary camera body plus a backup, if possible. Dust, vibration, and weather can be punishing;
  and
• a DSLRs and mirrorless bodies are both common; choose what you’re comfortable with.

Lenses (wildlife-focused tour):

• a telephoto zoom: 100 to 400mm, 150 to 600mm, or similar is the workhorse for mammals and birds;
• a fast telephoto prime (optional): 300mm or 400mm, with f/2.8–f/4 if you’re serious about wildlife;
• a wide-angle zoom: 16 to 35mm or equivalent for landscapes, night skies, and environmental animal shots; and
• a standard zoom: 24 to 70mm or similar for lodge life, portraits, and general travel images.

Lenses (city & landscape tours e.g., Iceland, Italy, Japan):

• ultra-wide i.e., 14 to 24mm or 16 to 35mm;
• a standard zoom, i.e., 24 to 70mm; and
• short telephoto i.e., 70 to 200mm, for compressed landscapes and candid people shots.

Your tour operator will usually send a packing list; use it, but don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions about realistic focal length needs for specific destinations.

Additional items of support, as well accessories include:

• a sturdy tripod (especially for waterfalls, night skies, cityscapes);
• a beanbag or window supports for safari vehicles;
• plenty of memory cards and at least one backup drive;
• rain covers or dry bags for sudden showers and
• cleaning kit: blower, microfibre cloths, or sensor cleaning if you’re comfortable with it.

Are there any legal or safety issues I should know about, especially in South Africa?

Yes, read on about drone usage, wildlife ethics, and general travel safety.

Drones in South Africa

South Africa has fairly detailed drone regulations overseen by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Key points generally include:

• restrictions on flying near airports, national key points, and densely populated areas;
• visual-line-of-sight requirements and maximum altitude limits; and
• commercial operators need certification and licensing, while recreational users must still respect strict rules, especially in national parks.

National parks like the Kruger typically ban drones for recreational visitors, due to safety, noise, and wildlife disturbance. Always check the latest park and national regulations before you travel and, if in doubt, leave the drone at home.

Wildlife and park rules: You’re advised to stay inside vehicles, unless your guide says otherwise, and to be sure not to pressure animals or block their movement for the sake of a photo. Other advice to note is that no feeding is allowed in the national parks, and please don’t use a flash at night unless a guide specifically allows it for a certain species.

Personal safety: South Africa, like many destinations, has areas with higher crime rates. Reputable tour operators minimise risk by using vetted drivers and lodges; advising on when/where it’s safe to walk with expensive photographic gear; and by organising transfers instead of relying on random taxis or self-driving in unfamiliar cities after dark. Remember to always follow your guide’s advice, and use common sense (discreet gear carrying, and not leaving equipment visible in cars, as just two examples).

How do I prepare creatively for a photography tour?

Beyond gear and logistics, prepare your eye and your mindset with these five tips:

• Study other photographers’ work that you emulate – Look at images from your chosen destination, including tour websites, Instagram, and photo blogs. This will show you classic views and also gaps where you can create something different.
• Research the subject matter -For wildlife: learn basic behaviour patterns i.e., hunting, mating, parenting. It helps you anticipate the kind of action you may expect. For cities/culture: learn about festivals, customs, and etiquette.
• Practice at home – Simulate your tour challenges, which could include anything from panning moving subjects in low light and long exposures with filters, to shooting in harsh midday sun and still getting usable images.
  Define a small personal project – Examples could include “backlit portraits of animals”, “hands and gestures in street markets”, or “minimalist seascapes.” A simple project like this helps you stay focused when travel overstimulation hits.
• Plan your backup workflow – This should ideally encompass two copies of your files (laptop + external drive, or two drives); and daily downloads with simple folder naming (e.g., “Day 01_Kruger_Morning”).

Is a photography tour worth the cost?

Photography tours are rarely cheap – especially when they involve remote destinations, specialist guides, and small groups. Whether they’re “worth it” depends on what you value. Reasons they often are worth it is that you’re effectively paying for time, access and expertise; things that can take years to piece together without an organised tour. You’re more likely to return with a cohesive body of work rather than a random collection of snapshots, and many participants describe them as “trips of a lifetime” not only for the photos, but for the friendships and shared focus that goes along with it

However, be sure to reconsider going on a tour like this if you prefer total independence and wandering off alone; as well as if you’re mainly a casual shooter and would be happiest with a simple sightseeing tour plus a few self-guided photo walks. A good plan in this case is to select a hybrid option i.e. shorter three to four day photo workshops, attached to a longer general holiday where you can do your own thing.

How can I be a respectful guest while photographing people and places?

The best tips in this category range from always asking permission where appropriate (in many cultures it’s appreciated if you ask before taking someone’s close-up portrait. A smile, a gesture to your camera, and a simple “OK?” goes a long way), and being sensitive when it comes to children and vulnerable people (always check with parents or guardians, and avoid images that feel exploitative or that you wouldn’t be comfortable showing them afterwards). On that note, be sure to share the results if you can – show people the back of the camera; some tours facilitate sending prints or digital copies later.

Lastly, follow local customs and rules: some religious sites or government buildings restrict photography. Your guide should brief you, but asking never hurts. And remember that you’re telling real stories, so try to avoid clichés and stereotypes. Look for moments of everyday life, dignity, and humour – not just “exotic” differences.

What’s the ideal first photography tour: South Africa or somewhere else?

If you’re torn between South Africa and other popular destinations like Iceland or Japan, consider the following:

• Choose South Africa if you want wildlife front and centre; you like warm climates and golden light more than cold, harsh environments; and you’re excited by the idea of early-morning game drives, sundowners in the bush, and the chance of seeing the Big 5 – potentially all in a single day.
• Choose Iceland or the Arctic if you’re drawn to dramatic landscapes, waterfalls, glaciers, and night skies; and if you’re comfortable with cold and potentially challenging weather.
• Choose Japan or Italy if you love culture, food, architecture, and street life as much as (or more than) nature; and you’re happy to walk a lot, ride on public transport, and shoot in urban environments.

Ultimately, the “best” first tour is the one you’re genuinely excited about – your enthusiasm will fuel you through early alarms, jetlag, and what could end up being rather long (and thrilling!) days.

What final tips can you offer to help me make the most of any photography tour I go on?

• Travel as light as you can – Bring what you’re truly going to use. A slightly limited kit you know well, beats a back-breaking load you’re going to fumble with.
• Embrace all weather – Many iconic images come from “bad” weather, such as storms, fog, and even drizzle. Have rain protection and keep shooting.
• Be patient – Great images often come from waiting: for the animal to move into the right line of light, for a person to walk into your frame, or for clouds to shift.
• Stay present – Don’t spend every break on your phone or buried in editing. Take time to actually experience the place: the sounds, smells, and conversations will influence how you shoot.
• Back up daily – Assume that anything not backed up twice (or more!) could vanish tomorrow.

Photography tours, whether tracking leopards in South Africa, chasing auroras in Iceland, or roaming temple paths in Japan, are about more than just “getting the shot”. They’re about immersing yourself in a place with a camera, as your excuse to pay extra-special attention to it.

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