Many thanks for passing on the results of the Community Based Risk Assessment Course.  We attribute our good results to the world class course material of DMS and the excellent tutorship of you and Tinus De Beer. Many thanks once again. 
        Greg Pillay, Head: Disaster Risk Management Centre City of Cape Town – Community Based Risk
        Assessment, Jun 2007

The training aids are user friendly. The facilitator knows his work and has a way of making the course lively and interesting. Well done!
                  P.F. Machubu, Amajuba District Municipality, KZN – DRM Advisory Forum Workshop, Apr 2008

A perfect and excellent lecturer. Nobody got bored or fell asleep. The Disaster Management workshop broadened our field of knowledge which will not only benefit us, but most of all the affected community.
             Peter J. Graham, Amajuba District Municipality, KZN – DRM Advisory Forum Workshop, Apr 2008

The facilitator’s presentation skills are excellent. Amajuba will benefit from this course. We gained a lot of practical experience that will be beneficial to the Disaster Management Centre.
                Peter Bouwer, Amajuba District Municipality, KZN – DRM Advisory Forum Workshop, Apr 2008

If the knowledge and skills of the course members filter down to grassroots level, DM will be successfully implemented. The course was presented in a practical fashion and there was a good balance between current knowledge and new knowledge.
                                             Francois Venter, Free State SAPS – DRM Implementation Workshop, Feb 2008

The course is of vital importance, very useful and applicable to the SAPS as an organization. As an employee of SAPS I’ve learnt more knowledge and the skills acquired will be utilized not only for the benefit of SAPS as an organization but also for personal benefit, and in terms of business continuity and institutional capacity, ways of getting executive support, bringing awareness in the organization and the Business Continuity Management Centre.
                                                   Mandisa Bobie, Sandton SAPS – DRM Implementation Workshop, Feb 2008

Excellent! A compulsory 2 hour session of the Business Continuity Awareness Programme should be organised for all General Managers and Senior Managers.
                                          M. P. Sebothoma, SARS – Business Continuity Awareness Programme, Feb 2008

The Business Continuity Management Programme was very detailed and intensive which adds value to the subject of BCM. There will be huge benefits once the knowledge is put into practice in the work place.
                                              Azaad Sathar, First National Bank Sandton – Business Continuity Management 
                                              Phased Approach Programme, Jan – Apr 2008

I was very impressed with the knowledge of the facilitators. All team members participated in the practical application of these modules (BCM Phased Approach Programme). We gained a lot of knowledge of Business Impact Analysis and Risk Assessment. What an eye-opener.
                                                                 Sharon Mothibe, SARS Pretoria – Business Continuity Management
                                                                 Phased Approach Programme, Jan – Apr 2008

It was a great interactive and fun course. The facilitator has loads of energy and a great laugh. Her reserve of knowledge was well received and the class enjoyed her as a trainer. Thank you.
                                                                   Charlie Brits, Telkom Pretoria – Business Continuity Management
                                                                   Phased Approach Programme, Jan – Apr 2008

The BCM course is very interesting because I can easily apply it to practical situations. The knowledge gained from this course will fully enhance my ability to implement Business Continuity in my workplace. Again, well done!
                                   Rudzani Phaswana, Development Bank of South Africa Sandton – Business Continuity
                                   Management Phased Approach Programme, Jan – Apr 2008

The course was well presented. The facilitator has excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Courses like this should be given on a regular basis to all staff. 
                                                                     Angela Leonard, Provincial Department of Health Western Cape
                                                                     – Training of Officials in Disaster Management, Oct 2007

I think the presentation of the Advisory Forum Training was excellent. The presenters are very conversant with their learning subject matter.
                                 Takie Makananisa, Vhembe District Municipality – Advisory Forum Training Sep 2007

This Advisory Forum Training, Disaster Management course was interesting and challenging and I have gained a lot of knowledge which will be useful in my work place. This course is commendable.
                                Konanani Mushadu, Vhembe District Municipality – Advisory Forum Training Sep 2007

The course was very fruitful as a whole as it was aimed at empowering the ward committees with knowledge to apply risk reduction management in their municipalities.
                                       Zuzile Winall Mabulu, Ward Committee member, Amathole District Municipality, EC
                                       – DRM Workshop for Ward Committee Members, Sep 2007

I really appreciate what DMS is doing by capacitating people in the true sense.
                                               Thabang Letanta, Capricorn District Municipality – Disaster Risk Management
                                               Phased Approach Programme, Aug – Dec 2007

We need more of these kinds of workshops prior to the 2010 world cup soccer. Disaster management is not one man’s business but everybody’s business.
                 Godfrey Sigudu, Disaster Management Region E Sandton – Unique DMS Combo, Aug - Sep 2007 

This Community Based Risk Assessment course helps to fill the void between theory and practice, and guides implementation in a very user friendly, practical way. Well done!
                         Johan Minnie, Disaster Management CoCT – Community Based Risk Assessment, Jun 2007

This course is an excellent, innovative manner in which Disaster Management officials can be capacitated in conducting community based disaster risk assessments.
                                                                          Merle Green, Disaster Management Stellenbosch Municipality
                                                                          – Community Based Risk Assessment, Jun 2007

This course was an eye-opener as we can now see practically how to do a proper and scientifically correct risk assessment. I will go back to my place of work and recommend that others in my department also attend this course.
                          Jacques Cupido, Drakenstein Municipality – Community Based Risk Assessment, Jun 2007

“It is great that South Africa now has its own BCM Diploma to offer; this course is in line with world standards and uses practical home issues to help us develop our strategies in BCM.  This course is a benchmark and anyone associated with BCM should attend this course.”
                                                                                                           Jeanine Osborne – HP BC&A South Africa

“The BCM diploma course by UNISA and DMS provides a solid and thorough approach to establishing, managing and improving disaster readiness in all kinds of organisations.  It focuses on the principles involved and provides well-researched and proven methods to apply these in the workplace.  Frequent tests and reviews during the training course enhance knowledge retention and reinforce understanding.”
                                                                                                    Louis Scott – BC Practitioner, First Rand Bank

“The course was quite interesting.  I didn’t have any idea about Business Continuity Management and now I know a little bit more, but with this continuous learning process, I will learn much more later on.”
                                                                     Tessa Dreyer – City of Tshwane Disaster Management, Gauteng

“I have learned a lot on this subject, which is a necessity for all businesses.”
                                                                  Don van Staden – City of Tshwane Disaster Management, Gauteng

“I have developed knowledge on the whole process of Business Continuity Management in the organisation.  I will definitely recommend this course to my friends and colleagues.”
                                                                                           Mpho Maila - Local Government & Housing Limpopo

“I’ve learnt a huge amount that a disaster not only occurs in the public but other disasters occur in businesses. I’ve never had any business experience, but this has given me a clear understanding of business and the continuation of business.”
                                                                                                                                   Cerian Davies – Consultant

“The BCM course is of a great advantage for further use in the BCM field, and I have learnt so much to take back and apply within my business.'
                                                                                                            Linda Stevenson – BC Practitioner, SARS

“This course has broadened, deepened and validated my understanding and insight in Business Continuity Management as a professional. I will strongly recommend this course for anybody directly involved in this field.”
                                                                                                                                 Hans Maritz – BC Consultant

“My experience with regard to BCM, was more informative an eye opener. I have learned that BCM is very important for every institution to achieve its goals effectively and efficiently. The course is 100% recommended as indicated that each business should have BCM.” 
                                                                                     Richard Baloyi – Local Government & Housing Limpopo

“I came to realise that all of us need to have BCM programmes in our daily lives to keep our economy growing. Business Continuity Management and Disaster Risk Management can’t be separated from one another. I have already written a memo recommending that all officials dealing with/on Disaster Risk Management should be encouraged to undergo this course.” 
                                                                                    Sam Shitlhangu – Local Government & Housing Limpopo

“Interesting with high applicability value and highly recommended.” 
                                                                                                 Carel Helberg – BC Practitioner, Wits Metrorail

“My personal experience: Since this is a new course to me, I feel very much impressed by the knowledge gained. I would happily like to implement the knowledge in my work situation though I know that my managers may appreciate it. I realised that there is a close link between the public sector and the private sector when it comes to Business Continuity Management, particularly in practice and implementation. This course should be offered to other people.” 
                                                                                    Patrick Mdaka – Local Government & Housing Limpopo

“This programme is an excellent learning experience. It has provided me with new insight to the Business Continuity Management programme.” 
                                                                                                  Derik Linde – BC Practitioner, First Rand Bank

“I found the course very good; in that the duration allowed for in depth focus on key issues that conventional BC course do not delve into. The approach was also very good in that I was exposed to more than just the BCI methodology.” 
                                                                                                                           Kerry Mokoena – BC Consultant

“It is seldom that one finds a course where the clarity of learning objectives is so relevant in its design and relevant in its content to achieve a 100% reaction on defined outcomes.  I will definitely recommend this course for practical capacity building in what is likely to become a focused function with the risk and compliance areas.”
                                                                                                                                    Lukas van der Westhuizen

'Good to interact with other individuals from different backgrounds.  DMS has imparted with a lot of past experience and knowledge – good practical examples!  Good reworking opportunity and good forum for exchange of ideas.  More industries should be involved in this.  This format of course is much better than a correspondence approach. More exchange of ideas!”
                                                                                              Jacintha Naidoo – BC Practitioner, Wits Metrorail

“As a Disaster Risk Management practitioner, it is more vital to dovetail all the BCM principles with management principles but however the BCM contents are very informative. Business Continuity Management and Disaster Risk Management are lessons to be brought together.
Yes, but however if there are such courses a correct balance (cross-checking) should assist in improving the situation or the guides.” 
                                                                                    Mokgesi Phaho – Local Government & Housing Limpopo

“This course is pertinent to my work environment as a manager for community services. I have gained more knowledge in DM and such I will be able to implement the Disaster Risk Management plan in the municipality accordingly. The course has changed me into a new professional in the field of DM. I am going to empower my institution.” 
                                                                         Abram Mongoato – Greater Sekhukhune, District Municipality

“The course is very worthwhile. I only wish everybody in the Disaster Risk Management field could attend this course, as it is up to date and practical. Then we as South Africans would be leaders in this field across the world. Each and every module can be applied practically in all spheres – local, provincial, national and private sector.  Well done!”
                                                                                                                 Martin New – City of Jo’burg, Gauteng

“Disaster Risk Management is a very good course. I now have the ability to establish a Disaster Risk Management centre in my municipality. The skill that I’ve gained here will be relevant for me to use at my municipality.” 
                                                                                      Peter Mokone – Thembisile Municipality, Mpumalanga

“In my view this course is key and fundamental and it really shift the perception to Disaster Risk Management it is for all individuals, organisations and further more it puts a challenge to everyone to begin to be prepared for the unexpected. My wish is that all the municipalities should attend this course as well as senior official’s i.e. political heads because it is a day-to-day work for everyone living on earth to ensure that risk reduction of hazards is prioritised and dealt with holistically by all role players. Lastly my recommendation will be that it is put at the presidential office at a national level and at provincial level at the premier’s office to be taken seriously by all role players.” 
                                                                              Skhakhele Shongwe – Provincial Government Mpumalanga

“In my view I think it’s a good course to be implemented to all stakeholders. It has opened my mind about what dangers we are living in. To me a Disaster Manager was to assist when disaster strikes, but attending this I know lots of things to do like prevention.” 
                                                                                  Themba Mthembu – Provincial Government Mpumalanga

“The Disaster Risk Management course attended at Unisa was highly informative and detailed. The presentation methodology was highly effective. I enjoyed the way the course is linked to the practical situation we are facing in our workplaces. The presented materials are highly user friendly, which means one can go through them without experiencing difficulties. There is a logical arrangement of facts in the literature. I will personally recommend that other staff members in the department should have the opportunity to attend this course next year. It is really empowering.” 
                                                                                 L.E. Selebalo – Greater Sekhukhune, District Municipality

“It’s a good course, new and old information received. To be honest I have attended more than 10 Disaster Risk Management courses/workshops/conferences and I have felt OK it's of the usual stuff – but this course is the best ever! If I had my way this would be “THE” course for every Disaster Risk Management official and practitioner to attend. As of now I will start recommending it to the municipalities in my province. Keep up the good work.” 
                                                                                   Prudence Dlamini – Provincial Government Mpumalanga