10 EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
Celebrating merit in plumbing industry
The Institute of Plumbing South Africa( IOPSA) hosted an awards dinner to honour individuals doing terrific work in the plumbing industry. The event took place at Huddle Park Golf Club on 19 April 2018.
1. Michelle van Rensburg( left) and Kaela Bell from IOPSA received recognition for their hard work at the institution.
2. Guests listening attentively to all the speeches.
3. IOPSA executive director Brendan Reynolds welcoming guests to the awards dinner.
By
Dineo Phoshoko
Retired Proteas cricketer Fanie de Villiers was the host for the evening and kicked off proceedings by welcoming everyone to the event. He acknowledged the Copper Development Association Africa( CDAA) and the Plumbing Industry Registration Board( PIRB) for being the sponsors of the awards dinner. After all the formalities, IOPSA’ s executive director, Brendan Reynolds, was called on stage to officially welcome all the guests.
BEING PROACTIVE TO EFFECT CHANGE Reynolds expressed his gratitude to all the guests for attending the awards dinner. He especially welcomed guests who had travelled from other provinces to make it to the event.“ For the people who have travelled far to be here today, thank you very much for making the time and the effort,” Reynolds said. He also thanked IOPSA’ s platinum members who were present at the awards dinner and took the opportunity to thank everyone involved in planning and organising the event.“ I think you guys can be really proud of what you’ ve put together here tonight.”
He concluded his welcoming address with an inspiring speech about being proactive and being active members of society.“ We should all take personal responsibility for making things better; making our industry better; making this country better.” During his speech, Reynolds also talked about how IOPSA has transformed into a professional organisation with a massive impact on the industry.“ The people who are receiving awards tonight are the type of people that we need in IOPSA; the type of people that get things done,” he added. He concluded by thanking all award recipients for the impact they had on the plumbing industry.
GROWING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH IOPSA president Lea Smith was up next to address the guests.“ Over the past few years, I’ ve been advocating the fact that IOPSA is the leading body for the plumbing industry. We need to lead the change that we wish to see in our industry.” He also talked about the importance of leadership, adding that leadership was not about a title or designation, but more about impact, influence, and inspiration.“ Impact involves getting results; influencing is about spreading the passion you have for the work; and you have to inspire your team mates, customers, and members,” he explained.
Smith also mentioned that there had been a major shift in the industry over the past six months.“ This might be seen to many as a short-term happening, but truth be told, the true foundation of this journey happened 10 years ago.” According to Smith, IOPSA has moved leaps and bounds in the past year, referring to the appointment of the executive director. During his speech, Smith publicly welcomed Reynolds as the institute’ s new executive director. He also took the opportunity to thank Steve Brown and Michelle van Rensburg for the role they had played
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June 2018 Volume 24 I Number 4 www. plumbingafrica. co. za