What began as a project to solve the challenge of utilities billing and management led to an unexpected award on a national stage.

When managing a portfolio of rental properties, one of the major challenges landlords face is properly managing water and electricity charges. Not only are accurate rate charges important, but also effective collection from tenants and settlement of accounts with local municipalities or Eskom.

As the owner of a large property portfolio across the province, the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), through its ICT division, embarked on a phased project of installing smart meter technology at a number of its properties – from residential to retail.

Soon after the first sites were migrated to smart-meter billing, NWDC recorded an improvement in its management of water and electricity charges, with figures improving significantly as more sites came online.

The unexpected reward came when the NWDC was nationally recognised for its successes with smart meter conversion at its properties.

On 23 September 2026, NWDC received the Ontec Award for Excellence in Smart Meter Management. The award was presented during the 2026 Ontec User Conference, held in George, Western Cape.

Ontec explained that the NWDC won the award for its outstanding application of advanced technological systems to streamline utilities, enhance revenue protection, and improve operational efficiencies within their commercial and industrial properties.

This recognition follows the substantial improvement in utility revenue collection achieved through the successful implementation and management of its smart metering solution.

The NWDC has demonstrated that vision and forward-thinking leadership can deliver outstanding results.

What makes this achievement particularly significant is that the smart meter solution was driven and successfully implemented by NWDC’s in-house Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department under the leadership of Jurg Landsberg, smart meter project team members Jodesh Candasamy, Matlogonolo Mnisi, David Shoko, the entire ICT Department, and the broader NWDC project team, which included Properties, Finance and Communications.

This achievement by the NWDC demonstrates that expertise and capability exist in the North West Province and highlights the organisation’s ability to develop practical, modern solutions that deliver measurable results.

Congratulating the team on this outstanding achievement, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the NWDC, Mr Moagi Mahapa, said: “This recognition demonstrates what is possible when we embrace new ideas and leverage technology. It highlights our ability to compete with the best while delivering meaningful value for the provincial economy and the communities we serve.”