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PEOPLE PROFILED FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN HVACR SECTOR IN 2025 – RACA JOURNAL
JANUARY Alec Johannsen: DNA of HVAC excellence Alec Johannsen, SAIRAC Fellow, has shaped the HVAC industry for over six decades through research, consulting and innovation. He earned his MSc in HVAC installations from the Warsaw Institute of Technology in 1961 and a DSc at the University of Pretoria in 1983. For more than 20 years at the CSIR, he specialised in applied thermodynamics, producing computer-drawn psychrometric charts still used today, and developing software for evaporation rates and refrigerated beer tanks. Transitioning to private consulting, Johannsen applied theory to practice across diverse projects, from conventional HVAC to jet fighter aircraft. His long-term project, BSIMAC software – certified by Agrément SA and listed in ASHRAE standards – remains a key tool for HVAC design and energy modelling.
MARCH Patricia Seoke: qualifying the learnership route Patricia Seoke, currently completing her B. Eng( Hons), began her HVAC journey in 2003 through a Transnet learnership. As one of the few women entering this maledominated field, she advanced from junior technician to artisan technician and today serves as Transnet’ s HVAC technician. Her career spans split units, kitchen exhausts, chillers and overseas projects, including managing HVAC maintenance at the iconic Carlton Centre. Seoke focuses on energy efficiency, implementing strategies like timers on older systems to reduce consumption, while ensuring comfort and balanced airflow throughout large office and retail spaces. Safety is also a priority, with oversight of subcontractors and adherence to best practices.
MAY Dawie Kriel’ s impact on the refrigeration industry Dawie Kriel, general manager of Energy Partners Refrigeration( EPR), has shaped South Africa’ s refrigeration sector through innovation, collaboration and a passion for thermodynamics. After completing his master’ s in mechanical engineering at Stellenbosch University in 1991, Kriel began in gold mining before moving to MBB Consulting Engineers, where he spent a decade advancing post-harvest cooling systems. His early work included pioneering ammonia-based banana ripening rooms – many still in use today. In 2003, Kriel co-founded MGC Industrial Projects, later acquired by Energy Partners, where he now leads EPR. Under his direction, the company has delivered major projects such as Clover’ s 10 MWR ammonia refrigeration system – EPR’ s largest Cooling as a Service( CaaS) contract, integrating solar PV and boiler feedwater heating. Kriel is widely recognised as a driving force behind CaaS in South Africa, a model that shifts risk from clients to industry specialists while promoting sustainability and circularity. He views engineering as a people-centred discipline, finding fulfilment in teamwork, problem-solving and creating simple, sustainable solutions.
FEBRUARY Kurt Johannsen’ s decades in ammonia Kurt Johannsen, lecturer at OTTC and co-founder of Ammonia Education( Pty) Ltd, has dedicated over five decades to refrigeration, specialising in ammonia systems. Born in Denmark, he began his career there before relocating to South Africa in 1973, working 17 years with NDE, founding Freezetech in 1990, and later joining Multistage Cooling and Energy Partners. Since 2003, Johannsen has focused on training, addressing a critical skills gap in South Africa. His OTTC courses combine theory and hands-on practice, covering a five-week Ammonia Specialist programme and a two-week designer course for professionals. He emphasises ammonia’ s efficiency and environmental benefits, including zero ozone depletion and low global warming potential. Course content is continually updated to reflect industry advancements, ensuring students receive state-of-the-art knowledge.
APRIL Training the next generation: Banks’ dedication to HVAC excellence Gordon Banks entered the HVAC industry at 30 after 14 years in finance, launching his own business in 1997. His career has alternated between business and education. In 2015, he co-founded a company handling HVAC repairs and maintenance, before returning to his own contracting venture. By 2019, however, training drew him back, and he joined the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Academy( ACRA) in Durban as a facilitator. That same year, he trained in Germany on flammable refrigerants through the Cool Training initiative. Today, as ACRA Durban manager, he has helped grow the branch to a 1 600m ² facility preparing to launch CO₂ and reefer training in 2025. Banks is also active in SAIRAC, currently serving as vice-president, and contributes to NAMB’ s occupational trade test development. His commitment is clear: training and mentoring the next generation to build strong careers and uplift communities.
JUNE Elbrecht Oswald: innovator and leader in HVAC engineering Elbrecht Oswald, director of Oswald Professional Engineers, is recognised for his innovative problem-solving and resilience in HVAC engineering. Initially trained in refrigeration, he was drawn into HVAC through demanding pharmaceutical projects, where his ingenuity has made a lasting impact. One milestone was a 2020 turnkey project for a pharmaceutical client, where he developed a PID-controlled, self-balancing HVAC system that secured EU GMP certification – eliminating inefficiencies and ensuring precise environmental control. Oswald has advanced industry practice by integrating BIM and Revit to automate airflow distribution assessments, a breakthrough presented at the 4th BIM Conference. Collaboration has also shaped his career, such as co-developing a corrosion-resistant, low-cost air handling unit with AirOptions to withstand harsh coastal conditions. His path has not been without setbacks. After surviving long COVID in 2023 and rebuilding his company following key staff departures, Oswald proved his determination:“ I don’ t give up, and I don’ t walk away from a project.”
JULY Steve Davison’ s lifelong chill in engineering Steve Davison’ s career in refrigeration began almost by accident during a university holiday job at Cool Engineering, an ammonia refrigeration contractor. Born in the UK and raised in Rhodesia, he studied mechanical engineering at UCT, graduating in 1972. After early roles lecturing in thermodynamics and working at the Perishable Products Export Control Board( PPECB), he returned to Cool Engineering, where he rose to managing director over 13 years. In 1988, after a brief period at Grenco, Davison partnered with Neil McMurray to acquire Minus 40, a specialist refrigerator manufacturer, which he led until its sale in 2017. Among his career highlights was introducing screw compressors to South Africa in the 1970s, personally driving their adoption until they became the preferred choice for cold stores and breweries. He also guided teams through major challenges, including managing a three-tonne ammonia leak with determination and collaboration. Active in industry leadership, Davison served as SAIRAC chairman and later national president, SARACCA member, and an IIR commission representative.
160 HEVAC & R Directory 2026 www. coldlinkafrica. co. za | www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za