FITTING THOUGHT 1
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A positive 2022 to all . Make it what you want it to be !
Our first issue of 2022 was wrapped up by 26th November 2021 , not because we are clever , but because we are committed to producing our publications on time , every time . In fact , February closed on 15 December .
We wish to give a grateful thanks to our contributors , Vollie Brink , IAPMO , Uwe Putlitz and Patrick Gordon for meeting our advanced deadlines and for their valuable input month after month .
The IOPSA Municipal Survey reflects the poor state of the municipalities and the lack of by-laws , reaffirming how unqualified people end up doing plumbing work in these municipalities . However , credit to IOPSA for engaging some metros and to these metros , for accepting the inputs .
The IOPSA transformation committee provincial representation shows certain provinces conspicuous by their absence , which is worrying , but good for the increased province representation .
We report on the opening of the new PCD College campus in Pretoria , an approved IOPSA College offering training in plumbing and electrical .
Also , a report on the Free State School Skills Competition fully endorsed by the Dept of Higher Education and supported on the plumbing side by IOPSA . Such a pleasure to witness the enthusiasm of these Grade 10 and 11s . Hopefully other Provincial DHETs will follow the example or if they are doing this , tell Plumbing Africa who will gladly pay a visit !
Our project is a fine example of engineer and plumbing in navigating the pitfalls and dangers of dolomite and a splendid example of private enterprise in tackling the skills training weakness we have in South Africa . We can expect more expansion to other trades from Solidarity in future as they grow this concept .
Our technical paper on backflow prevention by Richard Bailie provides a detailed study into this critical and sometimes overlooked topic . Richard presented this initially to a Western Cape IOPSA webinar and thanks to him for being willing to share it nationally .
Patrick Gordon keeps us in the loop re PVC replacements – should we or must we !
Finally , we question the motivation around the formation of an artisan body with not one artisan ‘ at the main table ’. Whilst we did place this story online , IOPSA informed me that they were approached but nothing further came of it . Just that begs the question , what really is behind this – sheltered employment for a bunch of people who really know little about artisans ? Harsh maybe , but is government being transparent about this ? At the time of writing there was still no response from government in answer to our questions around this .
Enjoy the issue and yes , in spite of the challenges 2022 will present us with , let us all make it what we want it to be and get vaccinated – if not yet done . PA
Rory
Rory Macnamara , Editor | rory @ interactmedia . co . za
“ In spite of the challenges 2022 will present us with , let us all make it what we want it to be .”
January 2022 Volume 27 I Number 11 www . plumbingafrica . co . za