INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
an installation, as well as increasing their
accuracy,” added Dobelin.
Further, the Skills City that replicated
the village in Germany where Dobelin
came from before moving to South
Africa was discussed, and is now closer to
implementation.
Each graduate was congratulated,
and diplomas were handed out
with the help of centre trainer Kurt
Johannsen. Dobelin ended off the formal
presentation by personally congratulating
each graduate and noting special thanks
to Johnson Controls who provided the
books on the safe handling of ammonia.
THE FIVE GRADUATES ARE:
• Martin John Bonus (Air Africa)
• Paniche Morel Odoundza (EP
Refrigeration)
• Richard Mark Redgard (Johnson
Controls – York)
• Tshikara Patrick Kekana (PSA Global)
• Xolani Cooldown Nkosi (Private)
Well done to these graduates.
Ana-Marie Lyn Penniston, who
was the first woman to graduate
the ammonia technician diploma
at OTTC in South Africa, and who is
now also a lecturer at the training
centre, was asked to say a few words
in acknowledgement of women in
the industry (August being woman’s
month). “As a representative of woman
in construction, I represent the fact
that woman can easily be involved
in what is typically a ‘man’s world’.
Having qualifications in electrics,
mechanical instrumentation and having
a refrigeration background – it proves
that women can perform these jobs and
do things better. We may lack some
strength, but we make up for that with
our brain power,” she concluded.
Dobelin ended off the formalities saying,
“Woman can do any job and I really
admire all those who opt for a technical
trade. It doesn’t mean that because you
Isolde Dobelin and Ana-Marie Lyn Penniston said a few words in recognition of women in the
industry – in celebration of Women’s Month in South Africa.
have a trade qualification that it’s all
about tools – there are other areas as well,
such as office work, telephone work, and
servicing – all of which a woman can do if
they have the knowledge.”
The ceremony ended off with the
graduates being invited to share in some
refreshments and eats. CLA
GCCA South Africa hosts successful
virtual Cold Store Operations Short Course
By GCCA South Africa
Cold chain industry leaders help strengthen cold chain in South Africa
The Global Cold Chain Alliance’s
South Africa regional office has
successfully hosted the Virtual Cold
Store Operations short course between
24-26 August 2020 with 36 students from
South Africa, Ghana, Namibia, Kenya,
Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
Feedback from students shows how
valuable the short course was to them.
Some of the feedback included:
• “It gives you practical, relevant
examples and information that you
can actually use and implement
immediately in your business.”
• “Efficient delivery and enlightening
discussions.”
• “Very beneficial to all candidates
from all levels of your business. A very
informative and intriguing course.”
• “It was an exciting and fun short
course and most of all very helpful.
You get to interact with people
from all around the world.”
“The short course definitely added value
and will add value to any company
sending their employees to attend. I
thoroughly enjoyed the interaction and
group discussions. It was a well-organised,
well-presented training program with
modules covering a wide variety of key
industry topics and practical thoughts
to help save money and improve
operations,” says Jaco Ollewagen,
Technical Manager of CCS Logistics.
The short course was a great success
and provided information for both
professional and personal development.
The interaction and participation showed
that students are eager to learn more on
the specific topic of Cold Storage. “This is
my passion, to help grow and strengthen
the cold chain by providing training that
strengthens and improves operations of
our members,” says Lizelle van der Berg,
Director of Global Cold Chain Alliance,
South Africa.
Instructors included industry experts in
South Africa, Kenya and United States.
Instructors and Modules:
• Brian Beazer, CEO of WCS Logistics
& WFLO Chairman, United States
– Introductions to Cold Store
Operations
• Verona Ramsook, Group
Food Safety Manager of Etlin
International, South Africa – Food
Safety / HACCP
• Professor Michael Jahncke,
Chairman of the GCCA Scientific
Advisory Council, United States
– Food Handling & Temperature
Management
• Colin Barker, Compliance
Manager at Table Bay Cold
Storage, South Africa – Regulatory
Procedures
• Mesuli Mdluli, Maintenance
Manager at CCS Logistics,
South Africa – Energy
Management
• Don Schoenl, President of Agile
Cold Storage, United States –
Innovations & Best Practices in Cold
Storage Technology
• James Eason, GCCA Cold Chain
Technical Advisor, Kenya –
Promoting a Culture of Safety
• Paul Gibbons, Customer Director
of Vector Logistics, South Africa –
Customer Service
ABOUT THE GLOBAL COLD CHAIN
ALLIANCE AND GCCA SOUTH
AFRICA
Comprised of its Core Partners,
including the International Association
of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW),
the World Food Logistics Organisation
(WFLO), the International Refrigerated
Transportation Association (IRTA), and
the Controlled Environment Building
Association (CEBA), the Global Cold
Chain Alliance (GCCA) represents
all major industries engaged in
temperature-controlled logistics.
GCCA unites all partners to be
innovative leaders in the temperaturecontrolled
products industry. GCCA
works throughout Africa to strengthen
the cold chain and maintain product
integrity and quality between rural
areas and more populous cities.
Member services in the region range
from post-harvest technical assistance
to international connections for
companies involved in the importing
and exporting of temperaturecontrolled
products.
CLA
COLD LINK AFRICA • October 2020 www.coldlinkafrica.co.za 23