The Electrical Engineering and Allied Industries Association of South Africa (EEAIA) has stayed relevant to its members and industry by continuing to evolve and contribute to technical standards and skills development since its launch in September 1936, EEAIA Chairperson Rouane Herselman told the association’s 90th anniversary breakfast in Johannesburg on November 3.

“The EEAIA has continued to evolve. It has contributed to technical standardisation, collective representation and skills development, including its longstanding relationship with the University of the Witwatersrand. A meeting place where knowledge, ideas and experience can be exchanged, and a collective voice on matters that affect industry. That is more than an administrative function, it is a national industrial asset.”

He called attention to the resilience and longevity of the association. “Ninety years is an extraordinary achievement for any institution. For an association built around an industry that has had to reinvent itself repeatedly, it is something more. It is evidence of resilience, ingenuity, and the enduring value of working together.”

Herselman also highlighted the central role played by engineers and artisans in every aspect of South Africa’s economy. “Behind every mine hoist, pumping station, ventilation fan and production line was not merely a machine, but the work of engineers, designers, toolmakers, winders, electricians and technicians. We should remember those people today.

“Not only the company founders and industry leaders, but also the artisans who taught

apprentices, the factory teams who worked through breakdowns, and the families who lived with the demands of this industry.”

Herselman made four commitments on behalf of the EEAIA.

·       First, defending and developing the country’s manufacturing capability.

·       Second, making technical excellence non-negotiable.

·       Third, rebuilding the skills pipeline.

·       Fourth, being willing to innovate together.

Journalist Stephen Grootes gave the keynote address in which he outlined the uncertain nature of the country’s political and economic framework on the eve of the recent local government elections. He refused to give any predictions on the outcome of the election but provided broad brushstrokes of the trends likely to emerge once the votes have been counted.

An important part of the morning’s events was celebrating the longstanding commitment, support and loyalty of the following EEAIA member companies who have been associated with the Association for more than 50 years.

·       G & S Winders (Pty) Ltd, member since 1962

·       LH Marthinusen, a division of ACTOM (Pty) Ltd, member since 1964

·       Eaton Electric South Africa (Pty) Ltd, member since 1966

·       Schneider Electric SA (Pty) Ltd, member since 1972

·       New Winds cc, member since 1976

·       Saab Grintek Defence (Pty) Ltd

·       Morganite South Africa (Pty) Ltd

·       Rotor Electrical (Pty) Ltd

·       Switchboard Manufacturers (Pty) Ltd

·       Venwood & Baker Electrical cc

·       Tiprow Electrical (Pty) Ltd

·       Switchboard Manufacturing (Natal) (Pty) Ltd; ITT (Pty) Ltd

·       Condilec cc

The EEAIA also elected a new executive committee at the annual general meeting held after the 90th anniversary breakfast:

·       Chairperson: Carl du Preez, Centurion Systems (Pty) Ltd

·       Vice-chairperson: Rouane Herselman, Hexagon Electrical (Pty) Ltd

·       Vice-chairperson, Tyrone Willemse, WEG Automation Africa

·       Committee member: Justin Fletcher, Allcash Technologies (Pty) Ltd

·       Committee member: Tim Walwyn, Innomotics (Pty) Ltd

·       Committee member: Gareth King, Crabtree South Africa

·       Committee member: Peter Flint, Armcoil Afrika (Pty) Ltd

·       Committee member:  Matthew Meredith, Denwa Engineering (Pty) Ltd

·       Committee member: Rob Melaia, Marthinusen & Coutts (Pty) Ltd

·       Committee member: Carol Mainganya, EYKON Utility Solutions (Pty) Ltd

·       Committee member: Sharad Hingorani, JB Switchgear Solutions (Pty) Ltd

·       Committee member: Nico Mare, Schneider Electric

·       Committee member: Thabo Mosikidi, Mosikidi T Engineering (Pty) Ltd 

·       Committee member: Simone Scheepers-Tait, Jasco Carrier Solutions (Pty) Ltd

·       Co-opted members: Mario Kuisis, Nick Antonakis and Tom Eichbaum

·       Administrator: Christa Smith

Tafadzwa Chibanguza, Chief Executive Officer of SEIFSA, said the EEAIA’s longevity is a testament to the important role it plays in organising economic and public life and “particularly relevant as we consider what the EEAIA has meant to the electrical engineering and allied industries over nine decades”.

“On behalf of SEIFSA, I congratulate the Electrical Engineering and Allied Industries Association of South Africa on its 90th anniversary. We are proud to share this occasion with you, and grateful for the opportunity to recognise an association that has served this industry across generations.

“Ninety years is a considerable achievement. An institution reaches this age because successive generations see a purpose worth supporting. Today, we acknowledge everyone who has made that contribution to the EEAIA, including those who came before the leadership and members gathered here,” Chibanguza said.

“Let us honour ninety years of electrical excellence by committing ourselves to the next chapter: not merely keeping the lights on, but building the industry that powers South Africa’s future,” concluded Herselman.