*Important SASOM Update: Addressing Recent Challenges & Service Improvements* Dear SASOM Members, We sincerely appreciate your patience and continued support as we navigate a series of operational challenges that have impacted our response times. We understand the frustration this has caused and want to provide clarity on the situation, as well as outline the steps we are taking to ensure improved service going forward. At the start of the year, SASOM experienced significant technical disruptions following multiple hacking attempts and a Microsoft upgrade, affecting our email systems. As part of the resolution, we introduced a new SASOM correspondence email ([email protected]) , which was communicated to members via email, WhatsApp, and our website on 6 February 2025. While our website remained fully operational—allowing members to sign up, renew their membership, print certificates, and access all SASOM resources—some members made direct bank payments without following the online renewal process. Since financial reconciliations are not conducted on a daily basis, this resulted in a delay in granting access to these members. Additionally, we recognise that this, coupled with the existing backlog, has led to concerns among members, and we sincerely regret any inconvenience caused. We are taking several measures to improve our service delivery and ensure a smoother experience for all members: Automation & Process Efficiency – Moving forward, members are encouraged to complete renewals via the online platform to ensure faster processing and minimize administrative overhead. (www.sasom.org/membership) Enhanced Communication – We are streamlining our communication channels to provide faster updates on any service disruptions. Process Optimisation – We are working on refining our financial reconciliation and membership verification procedures to reduce delays. Improved System Stability – The recent email system changes aim to enhance reliability and reduce technical disruptions. Please note that an additional administrative fee of R75 will be charged for any manual renewals. Following the online process helps maintain efficiency, ensures timely access to services, and keeps administrative costs and fees to a minimum. We deeply value your membership and your trust in SASOM. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we continue to improve our operations. Thank you for your ongoing support. Kindest regards, SASOM National Office