Plumbing Africa June 2017 | Page 9

NEWS 7 Full-time technical manager for IOPSA Mark de Wet joined IOPSA as national technical manager on 1 April 2017. Even in this short space of time, he has been busy with a variety of technical tasks. This appointment is hugely significant in the growth of IOPSA and provides yet another reason to be part of this growing body. crosses to bear!) and he has a delightful sense of humour! Further good news is that De Wet will be writing a regular column for Plumbing Africa from July to illustrate the typical queries they receive and their solutions. PA De Wet is a qualified plumber (2011) and a registered gas installer (2014). He hails from a long line of family in the construction and plumbing fields, with his father still practising as a qualified plumber and his late grandfather an architect. Many of his family members are involved in one way or another in the construction business. His experience covers plumbing and project management and he has worked as a site agent and plumbing department manager in commercial developments in South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, and Namibia, thus bringing some Africa experience to IOPSA. This appointment is hugely significant in the growth of IOPSA and provides yet another reason to be part of this growing body. At IOPSA, he is responsible for technical reports, complaints (plumbers and consumers), inspections, and members’ technical assistance. He also sits on the SABS technical committees and working groups on behalf of IOPSA and the IOPSA National Executive board. In addition, he is a PIRB inspector. If he has free time, De Wet enjoys spending time with his wife, Leandre, and two-month- old son, Liam. De Wet is also a huge Lions rugby team supporter (well, we all have our www.plumbingafrica.co.za What makes this appointment so significant is that we have a plumber sitting on these committees, adding another vital perspective in the formulation of standards. Mark de Wet, IOPSA’s new national technical manager. June 2017 Volume 23 I Number 4