10 ASSOCIATIONS
John Davis new
chairman of
DWH-MANCOSA
By
Eamonn Ryan
The chairmanship of DWH-MANCOSA (the Domestic
Water Heating Manufacturing Cluster of South Africa
(formerly SWH-MANCOSA [Solar Water Heating
manufacturing cluster of South Africa]), recently
passed from Thembinkosi Nzimande of Duratherm to
John Davis of GAP Geysers. The chairmanship rotates
between each member every two years.
It was originally formed by industry
members under the direction of the DTI
(Department of Trade and Industry).
The cluster was set up to interact
with the SABS and other government
organisations as an industry rather than
as individual companies. By forming
a collective voice for the industry
DWH-MANUCSA and its members
were able to navigate through the
difficult and trying requirements of
B-rated energy efficiency for water
heaters. This requirement (VC9006) was
developed by the DoE (Department of
Energy) and implemented by the NRCS
(National Regulator for Compulsory
Specifications).
DWH-MANCOSA is a cluster intend for local
manufacturers of domestic water heating
products ranging from geysers, including point
of use water heaters, to solar collectors. DWH-
MANCOSA currently represents about 90% of the
South African market.
As an industry cluster its primary objectives
are to:
• promote the compliance of products to the
required national standards; and
• support the correct and safe installation
of these products and promote locally
manufactured products and components.
When asked by Plumbing Africa, Davis explains
that the biggest risk to local manufacturers is the
import or manufacture of products that do not
meet the national regulations. “These products
pose a danger to end users by not meeting the
safety requirements. The safety requirements
for these products have been developed over
many years by industry experts who understand
the unique conditions experienced in South
Africa and are there for the safety of end users
– not to restrict access to local markets. By
allowing the import of products that do not meet
the national requirements, the lives of South
Africans are placed at risk. In some cases, the
products themselves are manufactured in an
inferior manner, creating the impression that
such products do not work. This affects the local
manufacturers of that type of product whose
products do work and have been manufactured
to meet the correct requirements.
“The second area of concern for us as
manufacturers is the incorrect installation of
our products. In most cases, our products are
designed to operate in a specific manner. By
installing the product incorrectly, the efficiency
of the product and safety of the product can
www.plumbingafrica.co.za September 2020 Volume 26 I Number 07