INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
Durban Durban Durban
Noluzuko Gwayi of DEA ( left ) with Gloria Chetty of UNIDO , who played a big role in organising the roadshows .
Obed Baloyi of DEA welcoming everyone to the Durban roadshow .
Natasha Kochova of UNIDO came all the way from Macedonia to give a global perspective on the phase out of ozone depleting substances ( ODSs ).
Nangolo shared some of the activities of Namibia ’ s NOU and how they have been assisting with the phase out of HCFCs and the phase down of HFCs . She covered their efforts in terms of training and awareness initiatives , also taking attendees through how Namibia ’ s quota permit system works and the work done by their customs .
On the customs topic , she expressed a need for closer relations with South Africa to minimise illegalities across the border post . “ We want a south-tosouth co-operation with South Africa to allow better enforcement at the border posts ,” said Nangolo . “ There is definitely an opportunity for strengthened cooperation between the countries .”
She concluded by proposing to perhaps have a shared destruction facility for the ODSs that currently cannot be disposed of safely and legally .
MEASURING MATTERS
Gerrie Coetzee of the South African Weather Service ( SAWS ) was next to the podium , giving a highly technical talk about his company ’ s work over the years in terms of keeping watch over the ozone layer .
Port Elizabeth
Delegates from Nelson Mandela University were also at the roadshow , from left : Adrian Williams ; Graham Petro ; and Rudolf Wagg .
Port Elizabeth
SAQCC ( Gas ) exhibited at the roadshow . From left : Barney Richardson , Jeanette Richardson , and Dumsile Virginia Mtshali .
Port Elizabeth
Local stakeholders at the PE roadshow , from left : Peter Pretorius ( Cooling Excellence Refrigeration ); Richard de Vos ( Air-Tek Manufacturing ); Allan Gaia ( Kovco ); and Stephan Boshoff ( Air-Tek Manufacturing ).
He gave an introduction and background on the ozone and what they measure , explaining a bit more of the science behind our atmosphere . Coetzee spoke about how exactly the measurement is done and how they go about gathering and interpreting the data that they have been collecting over the past 40 years . He showed some of the tools they use to measure and explained briefly how they work . “ You cannot manage what you don ’ t measure .”
According to Coetzee , they have been measuring an increase in HFC lately and that is of concern to him and his team .
Another issue is that there is scientific evidence that CFC11 ( R11 ) is on the rise again from an unknown source . But he said that scientific investigations will focus on finding the source before any more damage can be done by this harmful substance .
Coetzee concluded by urging everyone that there is still a lot of work to be done , even though we have come a long way . “ We cannot be complacent , even if the MP is a global success story .”
THE SOUTH AFRICAN STORY Before the tea break that was to be followed by the three breakaway commission sessions , Margaret Molefe ( director of hazardous chemical management at DEA ) did a presentation on South Africa ’ s own HPMP and the future of the HFC phase down locally .
She spoke about what the department , along with various other stakeholders and industry , has achieved so far . This covered the regulations as well as customs training and the plans for more training .
Molefe ’ s talk also covered monitoring and enforcement , explaining that as we do not manufacture refrigerants in South Africa , we are highly dependent on importers for data and the management of ODSs . She showed that we have 19 refrigerant importers currently , with a large quantity of R134a being imported .
Government reiterates its commitment to protect and defend industry interests whilst contributing to global efforts on the phasing down of HFCs .
She also spoke about the plan for updated regulations and the way forward , before moving on to the topic of the Phakisa initiatives .
Molefe expressed concern regarding the training of servicing technicians in the sector , especially informal technicians .
COLD LINK AFRICA • September 2018 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za 15