Geographical Information Systems

The lack of geographical information has resulted in the failure of many organisations in Africa to sufficiently understand the problems they face and subsequently address themeffectively. The limited financial and skilled human resources in African countries has alsoinhibited the effective design, management and implementation of proposed strategies todeal with such problems and hence their prevalence. 

In recognition of such scarce resources in Africa, more effective ways of addressingproblems, which optimise the use of these resources, must be explored. The possibilities that information technology such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can offer Africain this endeavour are immense.  

The unique ability of GIS to capture, integrate and present large volumes of information related to certain problems and show where and how they are spatially manifested, is key to equipping decision-makers in African countries with the spatial information they need to better understand and develop effective strategies to address the problems affecting them. The GIS Unit provides geographical information support to all Sigodi Marah Martin’s internaland external projects.

The Unit aims to be the preferred geographical information solutionsprovider which advises Local, Provincial and National Government and the Private Sector onthe efficient application/use of geographical information systems. GIS Design, Management and ImplementationThe optimal benefits of investment in GIS technology, for many, have not been realised. SMM has the expertise required for the successful design, management and implementation of GIS in Government and the Private Sector. Spatial Data Capturing, Cleaning and EditingThe GIS Unit has intensively been involved in projects that require the capturing, cleaning and editing of spatial data. Of note is the Department of Water Affairs’ Water Sustainability Audit in O.R Tambo District Municipality where Sigodi Marah Martin was responsible for capturing and processing of water service infrastructure data.

This project involved establishing the geographical coordinates of all taps, manholes, boreholes, valves and similar items within the district, and then mapping the results. This enabled the Municipality to have a clearer picture of the current state of water services infrastructure, the areas where rural communities do not have access to potable water and the how much it would cost to service the communities.

Other projects include the Mkambati, Ibika, Mvenyane and Mankosi Rural Water Supply projects in the Eastern Cape. In these projects the GIS Unit was tasked with the preparation of locality maps, the mapping of proposed water supply schemes, the identification of areas suitable for the location of reservoirs, boreholes and other water service infrastructure and thedetermination of the construction costs of implementing these projects. Geographical Information Research SMM’s GIS team comprises of highly innovative and motivated staff with strong academic research capabilities and a proven Track-record in conducting fascinating independent geographical information research.

The GIS team has conducted a number of GIS studies for the Daily Dispatch Newspaper in the Eastern Cape and has contributed to a number of renowned GIS conferences in South Africa where geographical research, primarily relevant to shedding light on the spatial distribution and the management of problems such as HIV/AIDS and Crime was presented. In 2008, the GIS team produced ground-breaking work on how GIS can successfully be implemented in Local Government in South Africa.  

Geographical Information Systems Project Experience 

OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province: Mvenyane Water Supply: the preparation of locality maps, mapping ofproposed water supply schemes and socio-demographic characteristics of villages to be served, identification of areas suitable for the locationof reservoirs and boreholes and other water service infrastructure, determination of the construction cost of implementing the project. 

OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province: 

 Ibika Rural Water Supply: the preparation of locality maps, mapping ofproposed water supply schemes and socio-demographic characteristics of villages to be served, identification of areas suitable for the locationof reservoirs and boreholes and other water service infrastructure, determination of the construction cost of implementing the project. 

OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province: 

 Mankosi Rural Water Supply: the preparation of locality maps, mapping ofproposed water supply schemes and socio-demographic characteristics of villages to be served, identification of areas suitable for the locationof reservoirs and boreholes and other water service infrastructure, determination of the construction cost of implementing the project. 

Daily Dispatch Newspapers, Eastern Cape Province:

Newspaper Distribution Mapping: the mapping of address locations of DailyDispatch subscribers and spatial analysis of the Newspapers Market Penetration in Buffalo City Municipality.   

Daily Dispatch Newspapers, Eastern Cape Province: Development Change Mapping: spatial analysis of business and residentialSubdivision and rezoning developments in East London from 1999 to 2006. 

Daily Dispatch Newspapers, Eastern Cape Province: Crime Mapping and Analysis: spatial-temporal and morphological analysis ofcriminal activity in the Greater East London Police Ward Area in 2007. 

Daily Dispatch Newspapers, Eastern Cape Province: The Big Five Townships: a comparative spatial-demographic analysis of Soweto,Khayelitsha, Motherwell, Umlazi and Mdantsane townships. 

OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province: Water Sustainability Audit: the capturing (mapping) and processing (cleaning,editing, spatial manipulation) of water services infrastructure (pipes, boreholes, abstraction points etc.) and water scheme boundaries in O.R Tambo District Municipality.