Associations
SAIRAC PAST-PRESIDENT ’ S
REPORT 2020
By Marius La Grange
I would like to convey a big thank you to each SAIRAC committee member that I have had the privilege to serve with in the last year . It is an act of service towards SAIRAC ’ s members and the greater industry . I trust that for each committee member it has been rewarding for the greater part .
The late Steve Jobs , who played a huge role in one of the world ’ s most successful global organisations , Apple Inc , had a saying : “ Health is wealth ”. How true this turns out to be in 2020 . With almost everyone on the planet being affected the Covid-19 pandemic in some way or another , we have had to adjust our outlook in many ways .
Many things as we knew them historically are likely to never be the same as before . Much of the forced change holds new potential and I believe our industry nationally will see changes and new needs to be met holding much positive potential .
This has also been a time of rapid innovation within our industry with standards and norms under the spotlight to incorporate factors that would limit the spread of airborne diseases more than ever before . The servicing sector is specifically called upon to optimise the function of existing Air Conditioning ( AC ) and ventilation systems towards reducing and limiting the potential spread of the virus in healthcare and public spaces .
The crisis has also emphasised how crucial reliable food production is in a well-functioning society and economy . Food production and processing is heavily reliant on equipment and services provided by the HVAC & R sector .
Our industry faces many challenges and I believe many of them are interrelated . Goals set in attempting to address these challenges are made by various role players from the private and governmental sectors . In addressing challenges in our industry it is hard to know what to attend to first that will have the greatest impact on improving many of the challenges , but having more people with a higher knowledge and skill level can undoubtably have a dramatic impact .
I believe one intervention would contribute vastly towards a safer , more professional , and more environmentally-conscious industry , is having a greater number of industry-specific registered practitioners . Please read more on this in the full report .
During one of our recent online sessions we had Mike Schűssler , a well known South African economist , share his views on the Covid-19 environment we find ourselves in . My question to him was , “ What is it going to take from organisations in order to survive and grow after this crisis ?” His reply was , “ Organisations and individuals with resources , in all likelihood .”
I believe organisational resources is very much more than funds , although that is key . As individuals , our wealth is measurable in terms of relations , friendships , skills , capabilities , and health to name a few . The skills and capabilities within each organisation lies with the individuals that provide good services and solutions that add value to their clients . Basic good service is going to count more than ever .
With long term environmental concerns in mind , SAIRAC ’ s NC continued its focus on Natural Refrigerant and Energy efficient applications from the years prior . Member and visitors attending SAIRAC events would hopefully have experienced this focus with related information and experiences shared .
NEW NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR 2020 / 21 SAIRAC ’ s national council ( NC ) is made up by the president and vicepresident , the national secretary , the chairperson in office from each of the four regions , and the treasurer .
I am thrilled to step aside and let a long serving SAIRAC NC member , Jaco Pieterse , take over as SAIRAC ’ s president . Jaco helped
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I November 2020 9