Recently TASK was invited to host a stand at the Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Career Fair.

Here TASK team members Karen Cloete, Lauren Philips, and Tshepo Kabutu informed students about various career opportunities in research, as well as what TASK does and how we do it.

The Delft CAB (Community Advisory Board) team visited Masibambisane High for Mandela Day.

CAB members Bravo Thompson and Andile Metshi informed the school students about the signs and symptoms of TB.

Vela Mhlola, TASK’s Community Engagement Officer, is pictured here sitting with the students.

” While attending the ACTG annual network meeting in Washington we used the opportunity to visit the NIH team. The NIH sponsored two other studies we participate in. We were shown around their offices and the clinical research hospital. ” – Christelle Van Niekerk,  Regulatory Manager & ACTG CRS Coordinator for TASK

Recently we hosted Dr Nyanda Elias Ntinginya from NIMR – Mbeya Medical Research Centre, Tanzania and Dr Stellah Mpagama from Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Moshi, Tanzania

They traveled to TASK in an effort to discuss opportunities for future collaboration between the organisations. They are pictured here in TASK’s canteen with Duncan McDonald, Dr Elana Van Brakel, and Prof Andreas Diacon.

We were honored to host a delegation from Johnson & Johnson which included Chief Scientific Officer Paul Stoffels.

He was instrumental in availing bedaquiline to TASK and thus critical in our organisation’s inception.

Pictured here with Dr Vanker in front of the lab at HQ, also in the photo are Prof Diacon and Dr Ramonde Patientia, who were both involved in the first trial at TASK.

Want to be kind to the environment or do more good?

All used printer cartridges can be dropped off at TASK HQ in Parow and will be collected by one of the Brooklyn drivers every Friday.  These are then collected at our Brooklyn site for recycling.

Further details can be made available if anyone is interested.

The SAMAST (mass sterilization and animal clinic) in Khayelitsha are asking for donations of dog collars and leads and also asking if staff want to volunteer at the clinic.  They can also take blankets and cat and dog food donations if any kind staff member is willing to donate.  Finally, cash donations are welcome too for the sterilization and emergency clinic.

Michelle Eriksson Site Coordinator

t +27 21 510 2207 | michelle@task.org.za

One of the TASK staff team, Dr SP le Roux, has been working on an interesting anti-rhino poaching initiative.

 Save the Rhino.

Dear Staff
We are pleased to inform you of the positive developments in TASK’s financial situation. Most staff will be aware that we placed a hold on salary increases from 01 October 2018 due to the company’s difficult financial position at the time. The company’s financial position is slowly recovering and we are able to reach some important goals.

We would like to show our appreciation to all staff who remained committed to TASK during this very challenging time. We have therefore decided to reinstate salary increases from 01 June 2019. It will be a 5% increase. We will furthermore give back-pay to those staff who should have had an increase between 01 October 2018 and 31 May 2019. The back-pay will be from the month in which you would have had your yearly increase until 31 May 2019. The salary increases will be paid at the end of June 2019. Your next salary increase will be in the same month as in the past; it will not change to June.

I urge you to keep on saving as much as practically possible. TASK would like to be in a financial position to pay bonuses at the end of the year. However, please note there are no guarantees that bonuses will be paid this year. The company needs to recover enough to make bonuses possible without getting into financial difficulties in future.

You are welcome to contact HR if there are questions.

Kind regards
Jaco Swart

Director – Finance