SMT VET

18/02/2025

🎥 First Inspector Lab Interview of 2025: Microbes in the Workplace – Are Your Office Surfaces Safe? 🏢🦠

This month, we're diving deep into workplace hygiene with Inspector Agent Phiwe as she interviews a staff member from a local business in Pretoria. Together, they discuss the importance of cleanliness in office spaces and the risks posed by microbes lurking on high-touch surfaces like desks, phones, and keyboards.

Our Inspector Lab series is all about raising awareness about the microbial world around us. Each month, we perform rigorous tests on everyday environments, from offices to public spaces, to uncover the hidden germs and bacteria that can affect our health.

Join us every month as we continue to explore the cleanliness of our surroundings and share our findings. With cutting-edge testing, including advanced MALDI-TOF technology, we provide reliable, actionable results to improve public health.

🔬 Don’t miss out! Stay tuned for the results of our tests and discover what’s lurking in your workplace.

11/02/2025

Today, we celebrate the incredible women and girls pushing boundaries, breaking barriers, and driving innovation in the world of science. At SMT Labs, we’re proud to have amazing women leading the charge in microbiology, research, and beyond. Here’s to the fearless changemakers shaping the future and inspiring the next generation of scientists! 🚀🔬

05/02/2025

🔬 Welcome to the 2025 Inspector Lab Series! 🔬

This February, we’re diving into a new and important topic: "Microbes in the Workplace: Are Your Office Surfaces Safe?" 🏢🦠
We’ll be testing the microbial safety of office environments, focusing on surfaces such as desks, phones, keyboards, and shared equipment. Our goal is to identify potential bacteria and fungi that could be lurking around your workplace.

Here’s how we’re tackling the testing this month:

Procedure:

🧪 Sampling Locations: We’ll be testing surfaces from 1 office in Randburg, 1 in Centurion, 1 in Bloemfontein, and 1 in Cape Town.
🧪 Testing Process: Our team will swab a 100cm² area on office surfaces after usage.
🧪 Analysis: Samples will undergo total plate count testing and microbial identification using MALDI-TOF, a cutting-edge technology that offers superior accuracy, rapid results, and enhanced sensitivity. The samples will be processed at our ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab in Centurion.
🧪 Reporting: The findings will be compiled into a comprehensive report, with the results and conclusions shared at the end of the month.

As always, our Inspector Agents will be bringing you exclusive interviews and insights on this important topic. Watch as we test, uncover, and learn together about the microbial world in our workplaces.

Stay tuned for the results and follow us as we uncover the truth about microbes in and around our everyday environments!

04/02/2025

What's News 📰: Tighter Listeria Regulations on the Way

Starting January 2025, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) implemented more stringent testing measures for Listeria in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products to improve food safety. These measures include testing for all types of Listeria on food contact surfaces and conducting weekly risk verifications. This initiative is a response to significant Listeria-related outbreaks and aims to prevent food-borne illnesses, potentially leading to an increase in food recalls as a proactive safety measure.

🔬 What does this mean for the industry? Expect more rigorous oversight and possibly more recalls as FSIS strengthens its approach to contamination control. While this may disrupt supply chains, it's a step forward in ensuring safer food for consumers.

🧐 Are your food safety protocols up to standard? Stay ahead of regulatory changes—partner with experts who ensure compliance and microbial integrity.

31/01/2025

Dive into the fascinating interplay between microorganisms and AI and how they’re set to transform industries, science, and the environment. 🚀

Read the full article now: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/microorganisms-vs-ai-shaping-future-life-technology-coetzer-dzdif

Microorganisms play a crucial role in shaping the future of our planet, particularly in the context of climate change, ecosystem functionality, and human health. While artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered significant attention for its potential impacts, the influence of microorganisms is equall

30/01/2025

Say hello to Salmonella spp.—a tiny but dangerous bacterium that loves to hitch a ride on food. But don’t let its size fool you—it can cause BIG problems. Let’s learn how to keep it at bay! 🦠

From its favourite hiding spots in meat, veggies, and even pet treats 🥩🥬🐾 to the testing methods that help us track it down 🔬, and the preventative measures like proper hygiene and cooking that keep it away 🧼🔥—this bacterium doesn’t stand a chance when we’re informed!

🦠 It’s a facultative anaerobe, meaning it can survive with or without oxygen.
❌ A gram-negative bacterium—meaning it’s tough, but we’re tougher!

Knowledge is power when it comes to tackling this microscopic little monster.
Swipe through to discover how to protect yourself, your food, and your environment from this microbial menace! 🚫🍴



To learn more about our testing services and procedures contact
[email protected]

22/01/2025

Get to know our SMT team! Meet Rachel Louw, our Team Leader.

With 3 years of experience in the industry, Rachel has become a driving force in our team. One of her biggest pet peeves is poor planning and disorganisation – she thrives in environments that value structure and efficiency.

Rachel’s most interesting experience has been collecting specimens from a lion – a remarkable moment that highlights her courage and dedication to her work.

Her personal motto is: "Live with integrity, stay curious, take risks, and never stop learning." These principles guide her every day, pushing her to grow both personally and professionally.

Say hello to Rachel in the comments! 👇

17/01/2025

We are hiring. Know anyone who might be interested? SMT LABS has a position open for a Junior Sales Administrator based in Bloemfontein.
Requirements:

• Matric Certified
• Minimum 2 years sales experience
• Own transport and valid driver’s License
• Willing to travel
• Strong administrative skills
• Strong computer skills

Key responsibilities:

• Maintain current client service for all clients.
• Receive and book in of samples.
• Taking of samples at client facilities.
• Build good working relationships with all clients.
• Maintain good working relationships with Key Account Manager.
• Assist with general administration.
• Identify and resolve client concerns.
• Maintaining ongoing market knowledge.
• Networking and gaining new client contracts.
• General administration of sales.
• Packing, distribution and arranging collection of sample kits
• Obtaining PO’s from clients
• Obtaining sub-contracting / outsource quotes
• Scheduling client sampling dates and
• General client queries

Closing date is 20 January 2025.
Please submit your CV to [email protected] (Subject: Junior Sales Admin BLOEM) before or on 20 Jan 2025.

If you have not been contacted within two weeks, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.

10/01/2025

🐓 Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV)!
Recognise the signs early to protect your flock:

➡️ Sneezing, nasal discharge, or coughing
➡️ Greenish, watery diarrhoea
➡️ Depression and/or muscular tremors
➡️ Drooping wings or paralysis
➡️ Swelling around eyes and neck
➡️ Increased flock mortality
➡️ Drop in egg production and thin-shelled eggs

🧪 Keep your flock healthy with accurate testing and expert insights by SMT Labs and SMT Vet.

08/01/2025

Welcome to SMT Labs in 2025! 👉 With locations across Gauteng, Bloemfontein, and Cape Town, we’re ready to continue providing tested, trusted, and accurate results to all our clients. From microbiological testing to top-tier customer service, we’re excited to partner with you for a successful year ahead! 🧪💡

31/12/2024

🎉🎆 Cheers to 2025! We’re beyond excited for the year ahead and all the incredible opportunities it brings. At SMT Labs, we can’t wait to partner with our clients and stakeholders to make this our best year yet. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, innovation, and success together! 🌟

24/12/2024

As we celebrate this festive season, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible moments we’ve shared throughout the year. From our SMT Labs family to yours, we wish you a Christmas filled with warmth, joy, and togetherness. Here’s to cherishing the spirit of giving, kindness, and new beginnings. Merry Christmas! 🎄💖

19/12/2024

Another fantastic night at the Centurion Branch Year-End Function! 🎉✨

We gathered at Jabulani Lapa in Tierpoort for a night filled with festive cheer, great food, and even better company. Congratulations to our incredible award winners:
🏅 Player’s Player – Botlhale Mokotetsane
🏅 Most Improved – Natalia Gounden & Ayanda Dlamini
🏅 Employee of the Year – Gracious Khoza

A huge thank you to everyone for making this year so memorable. Here's to an even brighter 2025!
🎉

Another fantastic night at the Centurion Branch Year-End Function! 🎉✨

We gathered at Jabulani Lapa in Tierpoort for a night filled with festive cheer, great food, and even better company. Congratulations to our incredible award winners:
🏅 Player’s Player – Botlhale Mokotetsane
🏅 Most Improved – Natalia Gounden & Ayanda Dlamini
🏅 Employee of the Year – Gracious Khoza

A huge thank you to everyone for making this year so memorable. Here's to an even brighter 2025!
🎉

19/12/2024

We had a fantastic time celebrating the year at our Johannesburg Year-End Function! 🎉✨

Held at the beautiful Chiefs Boma Restaurant at the Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Center, we danced, enjoyed great food and drinks, and soaked up the vibrant atmosphere in traditional South African attire. 🇿🇦🎶

A massive congratulations to our award winners:
🏅 Player’s Player – Rina Potgieter
🏅 Most Improved – Lebohang Ramotsoela
🏅 Employee of the Year – Palesa Mashakana
🏅 Company Employee of the Year – Mpume Beswa

Thank you to everyone for making 2024 an unforgettable year!
🎉

19/12/2024

What an unforgettable night at our Bloemfontein Year-End Function at Urth! 🎉 We danced the night away with a disco-themed celebration, with each department rocking 70’s, 80’s, or 90’s attire. 🕺💃

A huge congratulations to our award winners:
🏅 Player’s Player – Irvin Simuchembu
🏅 Most Improved – Mpho Khorae
🏅 Employee of the Year – Cassandra Jones

Thank you to everyone who made this event so special, and here’s to even more success and fun in the year ahead!
🎉

17/12/2024

As we enter the festive season, we’d like to remind you that SMT Labs will remain open to continue providing the high-quality service you rely on. Wishing you a joyful holiday season ahead! 🎄✨

16/12/2024

On this Day of Reconciliation, we reflect on the power of unity and the strength that comes from embracing our differences. At SMT Labs, we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity, respect, and collaboration, working together to create a stronger, more united future. Here's to moving forward with understanding and harmony. 🇿🇦✨