NEWS
7
Kwadukuza Municipality now requires
PIRB CoC for final drainage inspection
With the Plumbing Industry Registration Board’s
(PIRB) objective of actively promoting and
supporting a consistent and effective regulatory
environment throughout South Africa, the
PIRB acknowledge the bold step taken by the
Kwadukuza Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal
to also embrace and implement the PIRB’s
Certificate of Compliance (CoC).
The Kwadukuza Municipality-Building Control Section
made a formal announcement earlier in October:
“Kindly be informed that the Control Section has
resolved to reform its current processes for building
inspections,” reads the statement sent out by the
Director of Development Planning, Mava Ntanta. “This
emanated through numerous engagements with all
affected outside stakeholders, colleagues, and clients
of the Kwadukuza Municipality. Over and above the
aforementioned, we also envisage achieving a less
tedious but efficient process.”
This process was implemented from 4 November 2019.
One of the new reforms requires an appointed
professional plumber to submit, over and above the
current Kwadukuza Plumbers Compliance Certificate, a
PIRB CoC when it comes to the final drainage inspection.
“This means that all plumbers performing plumbing
installations within our region will now be compelled to
register with their respective council.” Furthermore, all
unlicensed or unregistered plumbers will have to perform
this duty under the direct supervision of a registered
and qualified professional plumber, and it is, therefore,
the responsibility of each plumber to make sure their
registration is up to date and valid.
PIRB says in a statement: “We like to thank the Mr Mava
Ntanta and the Kwadukuza Municipality-Building Control
Section for this bold step in helping us and the South
African plumbing sector, in proactively working and
promoting plumbing practices that are protecting not only
the health and safety and wellbeing of the South African
community but protecting the integrity of the South
African water supply and wastewater systems.” PA
Jenny Calmeyer passes away
Steve Brown, operations manager of IOPSA, says:
“Jenny was the past National Secretary for the
Institute of plumbing South Africa – she was the
consummate professional and was the face of IOPSA.
No challenge was too great for her and her diligence
and attention to detail was of the highest order.
“Knowing our members personally through her
interaction was a huge asset to our industry. Jenny
was the catalyst for IOPSA and her actions and due
diligence carried and lay the foundation for IOPSA
today. Jenny was a huge rugby fan – her favourite two
teams being the Lions and All Blacks – we had some
very interesting discussions on these topics.
“I first met Jenny in the mid-nineties and we became
great friends: she was always there to give advice and
listen and encourage, and in some ways was the big
sister I never had. When Jenny left IOPSA we still kept
in regular contact and she always enquired about our
industry and the positive changes taking place,”
says Brown.
“They often say that behind every successful man is a
February 2020 Volume 25 I Number 12
strong woman. For us, the national executive of IOPSA,
this was certainly the case, as Jenny ensured we were
kept on top of our game.
We will certainly miss Jenny but never forget her and
the difference she made to our industry.”
Lea Smith, chairman of the PIRB, says: “As far as
memory serves me Jenny was the longest serving
employee of IOPSA. I speak under correction, since
we are talking 20 odd years. This is indicative of the
kind of person she was – dedicated to work no matter
the circumstance. While I certainly recall IOPSA going
through tough times, I also recall that Jenny was there
manning a tight ship, working with the limited recourse
that IOPSA had and still making it work. We can be
proud of what she has done for IOPSA and in turn the
plumbing industry. She will always be remembered
that through thick and thin she was certainly the glue
that held the association together, and it was from this
foundation that IOPSA was placed into the position to
grow into what it is today.
Jenny Calmeyer, a past
National Secretary for IOPSA.
“While it is sad that she will not be around to see
how IOPSA and the industry has grown, we celebrate
what she has done for the association, and we will
remember her for this,” says Smith. PA
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
Jenny Calmeyer, a past National Secretary for
IOPSA, passed away on 6 November last year.