Who we are
Beneficial Technologies (Pty) Ltd (Bentec) is an information and knowledge company. We produce and customize research, training, media and social media.
Bentec was incorporated in South Africa in October 2019. Our mission is to put together project teams delivering expert knowledge and information to our clients and partners where and when they need it.
Our team has broad experience in knowledge production and dissemination regarding natural resource management. This includes land, water, agriculture, fisheries and extractives. We have produced research, training, media products and social media campaigns for government bodies, the private sector, civil society as well as labour and community groups.
Bentec has also worked extensively on labour rights and gender based violence.
The Bentec Team
Femke Brandt, Research
Femke is an anthropologist who completed her PhD studies at the VU University in the Netherlands in 2013. Her main area of expertise is applied research methodologies, which enabled her to work on a wide range of projects. These include research into land reform, agriculture, wildlife and labour. Femke also works as a trainer in communication and self-defence skills. Her research and other work support social and gender justice. She blogs as femke@bentec and can be reached at femke@bentec.co.za
Examples of writings by Femke:
Article in 2020. Precarious workers struggle at Heineken SA, Johannesburg. Bulletin, 27(1). Cape Town: New Unity Movement
No access to right to strike for workers at Heineken Sedibeng.
Edited book with G. Mkodzongi (2018). Land Reform Revisited: democracy, state making and agrarian transformation in post-apartheid South Africa. Leiden: Brill Publishers.
Journal article with F. Ncapayi. 2016. The meaning of compliance with land and labour legislation: understanding justice through farm workers’ experiences in the Eastern Cape. Anthropology Southern Africa, 39(3): 215-231.
Report for Rosa Luxenburg foundation and Institute for poverty, land and agrarian studies (PLAAS). 2018. Rural politics and struggles for emancipation in Southern Africa. Report of regional meeting Emancipatory Rural Politics Initiative (ERPI).
Ronald Wesso, Communications
Ronald is a widely published writer with extensive experience in the related fields of research, training, media production and social media campaigning. He has written and led media campaigns on issues related to land, water, agriculture, fisheries and mining. Ronald also has a background in health and labour issues. He blogs as ronald@bentec and can be reached at ronald@bentec.co.za
Examples of articles by Ronald:
SA’s Labour-Broker System Does Not Favour Unemployed Youth
An alternaternative view of globalisation, local government and democracy
AFRIQUE DU SUD : LES TRAVAILLEURS AGRICOLES ENTRE NÉGOCIATION ET LUTTE DES CLASSES