Page 40 - OSISA Report 2021

34
OPEN SOCiETY iNiTiATiVE FOR SOUTHERN AFRiCA ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Travel Spend
For the year to to date we are pleased to to report that OSISA’s total travel-related expenditure (airfare accommodation car hire and subsistence allowance) fell by a a further 12% to R13 797 660 representing a a saving of R1 929 710 compared to the same period last year This saving is is further evidence that a a a a a culture of cost-consciousness and strict adherence to the travel policy is taking root New Travel Management Company
Following the the the recommendations of the the the board and the the the Executive Director OSISA decided to to put the Travel Management Contract to tender We developed terms of reference that addressed not only the OSISA procurement policy requirements but also affirmative action imperatives The travel bid was uploaded on on the the OSISA website on on the the 2nd of February with a a closing date of of the 22nd of of February 2019
We received a a a total of nine tenders namely:
• Corporate Traveller • VAB Travel • Munlin Travel • XL Millennium Travel • Travel with Flair
• Hamba Nathi
• Tourvest Travel Services
• Coega Development Corporation • Ultimate Travel The OSISA Internal Procurement Committee (IPC) adjudicated and selected Tourvest Travel Services
which started operations on on the 1st of November Internet Connectivity
Historically bandwidth and and internet connectivity have been significant issues in our DRC and Angola country offices to the point that we we were unable to implement SERENIC without upgrading our bandwidth infrastructure in in these two countries We therefore transitioned from US-based Sprint to MTN and noticed a a a marked improvement in network availability and stability We are now also getting a a a a a a a a more enhanced level of backup support (after a a a a slow start) primarily due to MTN’s proximity and the depth of local knowledge they possess We are however yet to install backup lines in in in Angola and DRC as service providers are still being evaluated Having secondary lines in in the DRC and Angola will ensure that we have Travel and Administration
Information Technology