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Associations
NEW SARACCA ED REFLECTS ON HIS FIRST SIX MONTHS
By Eamonn Ryan
RACA Journal caught up with David Botha , the executive director of SARACCA ( South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association ) at the recent SAIRAC golf day , in order to hear about his first six months in office .
He took over from Barney Richardson in October 2023 . Botha also provided insights into the organisation ' s initiatives and challenges within the HVAC & R industry .
“ Barney spent the first three months until his retirement on 1 January on a detailed handover process .” Reflecting on Richardson ' s departure , Botha expresses mixed emotions , acknowledging the weight of newfound responsibilities while applauding his predecessor ' s well-deserved retirement .
The challenges remain much the same , says Botha . “ The primary concern is the prevalence of unregistered practitioners within the industry . This influx poses a threat to the integrity and safety standards upheld by SARACCA . With only 4 000 registered practitioners nation-wide compared to 30 000 in the likes of Australia , SARACCA aims to address this disparity by advocating for stricter regulations and collaborating with insurance companies to ensure compliance .”
Botha stresses the importance of practitioners being registered with SAQCC Gas , emphasising the legal requirement for handling refrigerants safely . While SARACCA membership isn ' t mandatory , Botha underscores the benefits , including regulatory assistance and access to skills training subsidies and assurance to HVAC clients .
In terms of achievements , Botha notes a surge in industry engagement so far this year , with SARACCA fielding enquiries and fostering partnerships . “ SARACCA plans to launch a range of programmes ( shortly to be announced ) geared towards enhancing member capabilities and promoting responsible refrigerant handling . With an upcoming NEC meeting slated for next month , we anticipate finalising these initiatives and rolling them out to benefit the wider industry .”
Botha raised other notable concerns for SARACCA : “ One is the low rate of refrigerant recovery in South Africa , estimated at a mere 2 % of total imports . The other is industry standards . To address this latter point , SARACCA aims to collaborate with industry stakeholders and implement awareness campaigns to increase demand for CoC ’ s ( certificates of conformity ), thereby elevating industry standards ,” explains Botha .
Training remains a cornerstone of SARACCA ' s mandate , with Botha emphasising the importance of practitioners holding SAQCC Gas certification for safe refrigerant handling . SARACCA
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collaborates with 15 approved training providers across the country to deliver comprehensive training programmes tailored to industry requirements . These programmes , developed in consultation with industry stakeholders and ACRA , aim to equip practitioners with essential skills and knowledge . Botha acknowledges the significant uptake of these training programmes , with hundreds of certification books sold over the years .
However , challenges persist with some training providers not registered under SARACCA ' s approved list . Botha plans to address this issue through dialogue and engagement with relevant operators , underscoring SARACCA ' s dedication to upholding standards across the board .
Membership standards remain a focal point for SARACCA , with Botha emphasising the association ' s commitment to quality over quantity . Basic requirements for membership are clearly outlined on SARACCA ' s webpage , with upcoming improvements aimed at enhancing accessibility and connectivity for practitioners and companies . Botha stresses the importance of maintaining human interaction alongside technological advancements , and for this reason SARACCA decided to henceforth host physical branch meetings as opposed to online alternatives .
As SARACCA continues its mission to drive positive change within the HVAC & R industry , Botha ' s message to members resonates with a call to action . He urges practitioners to ensure all employees are registered under SAQCC Gas and encourages open communication with the association to address any challenges . By fostering a collaborative environment and prioritising professionalism , SARACCA aims to elevate industry standards and drive meaningful transformation within South Africa ' s HVAC & R sector . RACA
David Botha , the executive director of SARACCA ( South African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association ).
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