Freepik.com
Protect, protect
and keep on
protecting
By
Rory Macnamara
By now we all should know that Covid-19 will be with us
for a long time even after the vaccine has been found.
PPE is not optional, but absolutely necessary for your protection
and more importantly, that of your staff and customer.
The President’s message to the nation on 12 July made it
clear that the wearing of masks is now mandatory. Sad that
it comes to this that there are thoughtless people around
who cannot cover their mouth and nose with something. It
has been noted that even some plumbers go to jobs without
the necessary PPE. Why would plumber’s want to endanger
the lives of their customers? Thankfully ,this applies to a
few plumbers but nevertheless, it is mind boggling. Take the
joker who, on a television news bulletin announced, since he
knew of no one who had died of Covid, that was the reason
he did not wear a mask!
However, let us look at the positive side.
Nedbank are to be acknowledged for their generous contribution
to the FOGI contractors of packs of four masks to
each contractor.
“Nedbank Insurance recognised the need to support all of
our suppliers while at the same time finding ways to combat
the additional expenses that weighed heavily on small
businesses as they worked tirelessly to comply with all the
new regulatory requirements surrounding PPE equipment.
That said, we wanted to do the right thing by protecting our
suppliers, their staff, and our clients alike. To show solidarity
and support to the people on the ground, it was within our
means to provide majority of the Nedbank Insurance suppliers
with masks.
We trust that this small gesture will highlight Nedbank
Insurance’s commitment to be reliably there for all our staff,
suppliers and clients and we will continue even during difficult
times to be responsible,” said Loreal Raath Manager:
Support Services at Nedbank Insurance. PA
Plumbers Association
of Zambia children’s
village hand-washing
programme
The WPC has connected the International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation
(IWSH) and the Plumbers Association of Zambia (PAZA) for a pilot programme that
aims to provide more than 50 hand-washing stands to the SOS Children’s Village in the
Zambian capital.
SOS Children’s Village Lusaka started its operations in August 1999. Caring for 147 children
and 76 youths, there are 15 family houses, four youth homes, and a kindergarten, primary
school, high school and vocational training centre. “As the Covid-19 pandemic has spread
across the globe, millions of people have been heeding the advice of health experts to wash
their hands regularly, with soap, to help prevent virus spread,” says PAZA CEO and President
Moses Chongo. “But millions more people around the globe are vulnerable, because they do
not have access to clean water and soap. The washing of hands is a small action but remains
out of reach for so many.
“PAZA has decided to play our part in our local communities, highlighting these new public
health guidelines, and helping equip people of all ages with correct and accurate information
about the importance of washing hands regularly.”
PAZA was founded in Lusaka in June 2019, with the intention of uniting Zambian plumbing
and mechanical services professionals to support and educate communities on skills related
to water, sanitation, sludge management, public health, and safety. The association has
more than 80 members registered from a variety of backgrounds, including plumbing, water
operation and supply, HVAC, mechanical
plumbing services, pipefitting, and water
pump maintenance.
“From a World Plumbing Council
perspective, we are excited to witness
the ongoing development of PAZA, as a
collaborative platform for the plumbing
industry across Zambia,” said WPC
Chair/UA Director of Plumbing Services
Thomas Bigley. “PAZA has been a
proactive member of the WPC since it
was established last year, and this latest
initiative is another example of PAZA’s
drive to raise awareness of the role of
plumbing in its local communities.”
The mobile hand-washing stations will be
installed at SOS Children’s Village Lusaka
starting today. The guest of honour, Adern
Nkandela — National Director of the SOS
Children's Village Zambia — will be on
hand to witness these activities. PA
NEWS
9
PAZA
PAZA CEO and President, Moses Chongo.
September 2020 Volume 26 I Number 07
www.plumbingafrica.co.za