South African chapter of ASHRAE has been a long time coming and it is an incredible milestone in our local HEVAC & R history to join up with this global

association . After many meetings with local

industry role players and associations , it was

finally time to make it official .

The event took place at the Maslow

Hotel in Sandton after the BRICS Summit

forced a change of venue from the

originally planned Michelangelo Hotel .

Everyone was dressed smartly for the

auspicious occasion and guests came

from across the country to share in the

moment .

A large contingent of ASHRAE

members from across the world was also in

attendance , including the president , Sheila

Hayter , one of the vice-presidents , Farooq

Mehboob , and past president Tim Wentz ,

among others .

Russell Hattingh of Johnson Controls

was the MC of the evening and was later

officially announced as the secretary of the

local chapter . He said a few words before introducing Wentz as the first speaker .

As part of the formalities , Wentz shared a few words on ASHRAE ’ s vision and structure , highlighting that it is a volunteer association based on dedication and passion . “ We are here to make our community and industry better and stronger ,” he said . He mentioned that South Africa was the 183rd chapter of ASHRAE and showed how we would be represented in the larger association . “ Thank you , South Africa — we are going to have a great time together ,” he concluded .

Before everyone moved to the dining room across the hall to sit down for dinner and the official chartering ceremony , there was a brief talk from one of the Turkish HVAC exporters who helped sponsor the trip .

After starters , president Hayter reported back that she was very impressed with the meetings of the past week and the cando attitude of local industry stakeholders and associations . “ South Africa is setting the new standard for new chapters across

the world — you are setting things up for success ,” she said .

Hayter proclaimed the future bright and also welcomed everyone to the family . “ We want to expand on what is already here ; we want to build on what already exists ,” she explained .

She then did the official chartering , swearing in Richard Humphrey as the president , as well as his board of governors . Hayter presented the official gavel for the South African ASHRAE chapter to Humphrey , as well as the charter .

Next up was Dr Ahmed Alaa , the director of the region at large , who also welcomed and congratulated South Africa , echoing the positivity of the meetings they had had during the week .

Humphrey had the last word before dinner commenced , saying a brief thank you to everyone and explaining that the process had been more than 13 months in the making .

THE START OF A NEW ERA

The local team is very excited about the

chartering of this chapter .

“ What inspires me most about ASHRAE

are the individuals and teams that

contribute to them and their willingness to

share knowledge selflessly , without profit ,

and for no more personal gain than the

enrichment of our practice ,” said Hattingh .

“ For my part , I would like to bring this kind of

thinking home so that more of our engineers

can learn and perhaps even contribute to

this wonderful pool of knowledge .”

ASHRAE South Africa president Humphrey

had the following to say about this

momentous occasion :

“ The starting of the ASHRAE South Africa

chapter means new opportunities of

knowledge sharing and transfer and it was

one of the primary reasons I have been

so motivated and energised to see this

chapter succeed and actively give back

to the HVAC & R industry , along with the built

environment ,” he explained . “ For far too

1

long , access to this sort of training material ,

courses , and lectures , offered by the society

and the region-at-large , have been denied

to young engineers and learners in all fields

of the built environment .

1 . Meet the team , from left : Richie Mittal ; Mohammad Abbas Sajid ; Dr Ahmed Alaa ; Richard Humphrey ; Russell Hattingh ; Sheila Hayter ; Pauline Prinsloo ; Jochie van der Merwe ; Farooq Mehboob ; and Dawie Kriel .

2 . The new local ASHRAE committee in attendance , from left : George Arnold , Jochie van der Merwe , Adele van der Walt , Dawie Kriel , Pauline Prinsloo , Russell Hattingh , and Richard Humphrey . Olu Soluade ( vice-president ) was absent .

Deon Nadasen

3 . President Sheila Hayter officially handing the charter document to Richard Humphrey .

4 . Richard Humphrey , newly sworn-in president of the ASHRAE South Africa chapter , saying a few words .