ASSOCIATIONS 7
Marius van Wyk – a memorable chairmanship
By
Rory Macnamara
Only Steve Brown and Lea Smith would approach someone lying on his back in a hospital bed to start an IOPSA branch in the Southern Cape ! What is a guy to do ?
Such a person was Marius van Wyk . He had been a member of IOPSA since 2008 and served on the Eastern Cape Master Builders Association from 1996 until 2008 . So , Marius agreed to restart the region with only himself as the member and chair .
This was in 2010 . The troops were gathered slowly , and Southern Cape Region was born again and to-date there has been no turning back .
Recognition has been given to the region , namely the ‘ Best Region ’ award from IOPSA in 2019 and an award for the region ’ s contribution
to the industry in 2017 . The region has also had many firsts , especially taking up the World Plumbing Day Challenge from day one . This year so spectacular that the World Plumbing Council made the Southern Cape story their lead story in the world sum up of the Day .
Plumbing Africa asked Marius what the most memorable time during his chairmanship was . “ I think the national Executive stood out as an event as it made me realise , I was part of a developing plumbing industry that grew from the late Jenny Calmeyer and Steve Brown . Initially these were the only two people I knew in IOPSA ,” says Marius . proud to have been a part of this process that gave birth to the PIRB . Without his drive the PIRB would have been but a concept . Being a Compliance Auditor myself I have first-hand experience how the journey of compliance has changed the Southern Cape plumber ’ s compliancy for the better .”
• Nick Joubert , aka ‘ Mr Training ’, who inspired me to apply my training skills and knowledge . Our first course and Trade Test for heat pumps was a first for the region . This was followed by presentations on solar and heat pump courses at Africa Skills TVET under the IOPSA banner . “ I really enjoyed standing in front of the students sharing my knowledge gained by being a part of IOPSA and knowing Nick Joubert .”
• Martin Coetzee – “ his wealth of knowledge on industry standards , his debating and interpretation of standards is unsurpassable . He inspired me to read and interpret the standards , something I as a licensed air traffic controller was accustomed to in my previous career . So yes , I am a stickler for rules and regulations .”
“ Our ‘ opposition ’ out there is the consumer who does not want to comply with standards and tries to force us into non-compliant practices .”
Marius pays tribute to all those who contributed , not only to his personal development , but through this , the development of many others :
• Steve Brown – always available to provide guidance , advice , solutions , and motivation . “ Thank you squire for what you are doing for the industry . I think that possibly the only reason I spent so long in the chair was because of the recognition I received from this wise and humble man .”
• Chris Burgess – the ‘ gentleman of plumbing ’ was a great influence on Marius who knew a great deal about being a squadron leader in the Air Force and very little about plumbing . Chris ’ s gentle manner and knowledge was freely given .
• Marius recalls Lea Smith ’ s words : “ Let ’ s go big or go home ” when IOPSA decided to proceed with the PIRB concept . “ I am
IOPSA
Mariska and Marius van Wyk .
August 2021 Volume 27 I Number 6 www . plumbingafrica . co . za