During the FRIGAIR 2025 exhibition held earlier this year in Midrand, Gauteng, the SADC RAC Association had an exhibition stand courtesy of SAIRAC to reach out to a broader audience and grow the association.
FRIGAIR
SADC RAC president spearheads regional cold chain development
“
A lot of conversations were had and the event was an eye opener, a wonderful experience,” as the SADC RAC association president Caign Manyukwa, and president of the Zimbabwe Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association( RAC), put it.
Also servicing the stand for SADC RAC association were Canaan Mukorera and public relations officer Stephen Ngoma who all traveled long distance.
“ The need for a vibrant cold chain system that is fluent and efficient can never be overlooked and as such we need to engage more and also engage with strategic partners in the implementation of the Kigali Implementation Plan and other global agreements in our quest to create a sustainable future,” says Manyukwa.
SADC RAC is driving significant advancements in the regional refrigeration and air conditioning sector. From fostering sustainable practices to expanding training initiatives and promoting gender mainstreaming, Manyukwa outlines a clear vision for a robust and environmentally conscious industry across southern Africa.
A significant development in Zimbabwe ' s air conditioning industry is the widespread adoption of R32 refrigerants. Manyukwa expressed satisfaction with this transition, noting that " almost all our importers, wholesalers and suppliers of the units are bringing in new technologies, and most of them are equipped with refrigerant alternatives like R32. This strategic move is crucial for reducing the carbon footprint and aligning with global initiatives to combat climate change.”
ADVANCING SKILLS AND GENDER
Manyukwa says that recent months have seen considerable progress in regional training and certification, highlighting two successful sessions held in Namibia, focusing on refrigerant handling licenses for practitioners. These vital certifications ensure that technicians are equipped to safely and effectively manage refrigerants, many of which are ozone-depleting substances.
The Zimbabwe RAC is actively engaging in collaborations to broaden its impact. For instance, Manyukwa spoke of strong
By Eamonn Ryan
During the FRIGAIR 2025 exhibition held earlier this year in Midrand, Gauteng, the SADC RAC Association had an exhibition stand courtesy of SAIRAC to reach out to a broader audience and grow the association.
ties with the National Ozone Unit which facilitates workshops covering refrigeration and air conditioning.
A particularly noteworthy initiative was a recent gender mainstreaming workshop led by a representative from the United Nations Environment Programme( UNEP). This twoday workshop empowered women in the industry to identify challenges and develop solutions, many of which they realised they had a role in addressing. The insights gained from this workshop are intended to be shared regionally, as similar gender-related issues are prevalent across SADC countries. This was followed by a subsequent workshop with male counterparts to further discuss and integrate these findings.
A key aspiration for the SADC RAC, under Manyukwa ' s leadership, is the establishment of a well-coordinated regional cold chain for perishable goods. " We have always been focused on implementing a regional, well-coordinated cold chain, for the cross-border movement of perishable goods with stable temperature control all the
SADC RAC public relations officer Stephen Ngoma and president Caign Manyukwa.
way," he explained. The ultimate goal is to achieve a " flawless cold chain market " that ensures the safe and efficient transportation of temperature-sensitive products throughout the region. CLA
Image by © Cold Link Africa
12 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za COLD LINK AFRICA • September 2025