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SFG Box has partnered with SCAD Software, an ethically-driven software development company, to deliver a mobile app Our App – SFG BOX that can be used to educate and support recipients of the SFG box, or people who are already practicing Square Foot Gardening using their own grower boxes. The SFG App and Box will be launched on 15th March 2022, as part of a programme led by the South African Government to help the unemployed to grow their own food, particularly in urban settings, by donating SFG boxes to destitute households.
TThe SFG box is a world-class, effective, and affordable climate-smart solution that allows vegetable crops or small trees to be grown almost anywhere – both indoors and outdoors – in a climate-smart, water-smart, cost-effective manner and with minimal effort. It is based on a self-watering grow box which is designed as inter-locking compartments so that it is fully customisable to meet the circumstances of every grower. It can be used in small balconies, parking lots or even inside your apartment passageway or a peri-urban township.
Andy Fensham, Founder and CEO of SCAD Software commented: “Mobile apps such as Our App – SFG BOX offer huge potential to empower individuals to improve their prospects. We are committed to making the technology revolution affordable to everyone, by slashing the costs of traditional software development. We are excited by the future for SFG Box.“
SFG Box has adopted the Square Food Gardening (SFG) approach, which aims to maximise crop growth potential in small areas. Simply put, it involves dividing the growing area into small square sections 1 foot (or 30 cm) on each side. This method has proven to be very effective. It ensures available garden space is well organised and easy to manage, with a range of different crops even in a very small space. With a different vegetable in each section, users you can grow anything from a single tomato plant in one square, to four lettuces in another, and sixteen carrots in yet another! Once vegetables are harvested from one square, growers can immediately plant something different in that square, so they have food ready to harvest all through the year.
The first clients will be in the Mpumalanga province where SFG boxes will be deployed to help people with job creation as well as alleviating poverty, hunger and malnutrition. The App will educate and inspire people of all ages to replicate the SFG Box using readily available and cost-effective materials, helping families to scale up production, potentially moving beyond subsistence growers to become commercially viable farmers.
Laurel Oettlé , one of the founders of the concept commented: “So many of us dream of growing our own fresh, nutritious fruit and vegetables, and the COVID-19 lockdowns certainly got many more people trying out their green fingers! But not everyone has the space, money, knowledge, or support to get started, or once started, to keep on going in a way that doesn’t take up a huge amount of time in our busy lives. We are also all aware of the climate crisis and rapidly changing weather patterns, but it’s tough to know exactly how this will affect us personally, and what we can do to adapt to these changes. Some of the changes we are already seeing, and which will get worse over time, are more intense and extreme weather events (think: droughts, floods, fires), and food insecurity.”
The plans are to expand this not only to other areas in African but also internationally to places such as Australia, the USA, Europe and more!
For more information on the SFG Box Solution, please visit : SFG Box website
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With an illustrious career spanning three decades, Dawie Martins has cultivated expertise in diverse technology-related businesses across various sectors, including Retail, Hospitality, and Consultancy. His journey, which has taken him from a developer's role to Product Management, uniquely positions Dawie to lead the charge in Customer Success and Product Management services for our clients.
In his role as Head of Customer Success, Dawie operates at the intersection of commerce and technology. His mission is to ensure the seamless translation of commercial imperatives into highly effective software applications that not only meet but exceed the outcomes specified by our clients.
For clients engaging SCAD Software to build applications destined for the market, Dawie and his team offer Fractional Product Management Services. They become invaluable partners in crafting and maintaining a product roadmap, assuming the mantle of the product champion within the client organization. This collaborative approach ensures that our clients' visions are realized efficiently and effectively.
Dawie's wealth of experience and his dedication to driving success for our clients make him an indispensable part of SCAD Software's commitment to delivering excellence in every project we undertake.
Shawn De Wet brings to SCAD Software over two decades of unparalleled expertise in software systems delivery. His career exemplifies a relentless pursuit of problem-solving excellence and a commitment to end-user satisfaction, achieved through meticulous system architecture and design. Proficient in core enterprise ERP systems, Shaun's recent achievements stand as a testament to his prowess, including the conception and successful launch of two cutting-edge SaaS products on the robust Azure platform.
While Shawn's professional accolades are impressive, his vitality extends beyond the confines of the office. An ardent lover of the outdoors, as evidenced by his passion for mountain biking, Shawn's dynamic and adventurous spirit infuses our technological endeavors with a fresh perspective and boundless energy.
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Andy Fensham's journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to reshape the software development landscape. With a background in global banking software consultancy, he founded SCAD Software in 1998 with a visionary goal – to address the mounting technical debt that was becoming a liability for businesses worldwide.
Andy's unique blend of technical expertise and business acumen empowers our clients with pragmatic, robust software solutions that yield tangible results. Recognizing the risks posed by outdated software, he pioneered an innovative approach to custom software development, consistently delivering large-scale projects at an astonishing pace – 75% faster than traditional methods.
Andy's dedication not only safeguards our clients' future but also cements SCAD Software's position as an industry trailblazer. He continues to lead our innovation roadmap, constantly seeking new ways to enhance our offerings with more examples of how we can turn “minutes to seconds”.
With an impressive career spanning over three decades in the Technology and Telecoms sectors, Shaun Orpen brings a wealth of experience to his role as Group CEO. His journey began with the groundbreaking entry of Microsoft Excel into the UK market, a stepping stone that eventually led him to play pivotal roles on the UK Executive Board during Microsoft's meteoric rise from £10 million to £1 billion in revenue.
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Stephen Moore's illustrious career speaks volumes about his leadership capabilities. With a rich background spanning diverse industries such as Retail, Events, Technology, Telecoms, and Media, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to craft and execute growth, differentiation, and exit strategies in highly competitive markets.
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