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Associations
SADC RAC ’ s list of officials . it became clear that the SADC RAC Association was on a path toward becoming a true regional body . Manyukwa credits this growth to the collective vision and determination of the group , noting how quickly they managed to bring in new members .
As a result , the SADC RAC Association took shape with a broader mandate , with the goal of fostering regional collaboration , professional development , and sustainable practices in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector .
BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL AND SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY One of the key goals of the SADC RAC Association is to professionalise the RAC industry . Manyukwa emphasised the need to elevate the industry to a level where it is recognised for its expertise and technical skills . He described the challenges professionals face in gaining recognition for their technical expertise , noting that even simple consultations are sometimes undervalued due to the lack of professional standards in the industry .
“ Our work is vital . If we don ' t do our jobs well people lose access to food , medicine and other essentials . It ' s time we started treating this industry with the seriousness it deserves .”
Manyukwa encouraged attendees to remain actively involved in the association ’ s activities . He emphasised that the SADC RAC Association is more than just a platform for industry professionals — it is a movement that seeks to shape the future of the RAC industry in Southern Africa .
The SADC RAC Association has identified training as one of its core pillars , recognising that the backbone of any thriving industry is the skill and knowledge of its professionals . Manyukwa emphasised that without a highly trained workforce , the RAC sector would be prone to inefficiencies and safety hazards . “ The importance of proper training cannot be overstated , as unskilled workers handling refrigerants and equipment without adequate expertise could have catastrophic consequences .”
A significant achievement for the association was the opening of the training recovery centre in Namibia , which represents a milestone in the region ’ s efforts to provide professional training . Following a productive meeting in Livingstone , Zambia in 2023 , members of the association , led by Namibia ’ s representatives , explored the idea of establishing a certification centre in Namibia to enhance training infrastructure .
After securing funding and resources the centre was officially launched , offering intensive one-week training programmes that certify participants to the SADC level . According to Manyukwa , this was no easy feat — Namibia ’ s ministry and industry stakeholders worked tirelessly to create a training hub capable of offering hands-on certification for technicians across Southern Africa . What made this achievement particularly remarkable was that the training centre operates out of Namibia ' s headquarters , where the centre ’ s operational costs were minimised thanks to Namibia ’ s arrangement of not needing to pay rent for the space .
" We started with 19 people in the first batch ," Manyukwa shared , " and as we continue , we ’ re seeing more and more technicians benefit from the training , which helps us raise the standards of our industry .”
The significance of this effort lies not just in the number of trainees but in the fact that it offers a regional certification . The concept of regional certification is crucial for ensuring that professionals in Southern Africa meet consistent standards , regardless of the country in which they were trained . Manyukwa pointed out that the certification model adopted by the association mirrors the cross-border recognition seen in other sectors , such as driver ' s licenses . For example , having a valid driver ' s license in South Africa allows you to drive in Zimbabwe or Namibia without needing to apply for a separate license in each country .
Similarly , a universal refrigeration certification will ensure that technicians can work seamlessly across borders in Southern Africa , maintaining the same standards wherever they go . This uniformity in certification will also help in advancing regional collaboration on refrigerant management and environmental protection .
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN REGIONAL STANDARDISATION One of the major challenges Manyukwa highlighted was the lack of uniformity in training programmes and certifications across the region . He explained that , in some countries , the syllabus for refrigeration training might differ significantly from that of neighbouring countries . This inconsistency leads to technicians who , despite being skilled , may face challenges when crossing borders or working in different countries , particularly when those countries have different standards .
“ We don ' t want to create barriers for professionals who are trained in one country and wish to work in another ,”
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RACA Journal I March 2025 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za