At the Plumbing Industry Awards hosted on 18 September 2025, a special announcement was made – the introduction of the IOPSA Legends, an award introduced to honour the legendary figures in the industry. These individuals were awarded a belt with a one-of-a-kind buckle, inscribed with their name and a serial number. They were also asked to sign their names in the IOPSA book – an immortalisation in IOPSA’s hall of fame. Here, we share industry member’s loving words in honour of Piet Naude, an IOPSA legend.
Piet Naude – IOPSA Legend. Supplied by IOPSA
Steve Brown, IOPSA
“Piet Naude or ‘Oom Piet’ as he was affectionately known to all.
Having known Piet for over 30 years, I got to see an incredible individual and a true ambassador for the plumbing industry. He served with integrity and passion, always available to help in whichever role was required of him and always leading by example. He earned the respect of all who knew him.
Piet had a passion for training and mentoring, and as a compliance auditor, he went above and beyond to guide and assist in imparting his wealth of knowledge to those who would enquire.
Piet also focused on his growth by completing the master plumbers’ programme in the last few years.
Piet was a great friend and will be sorely missed. Hearing of his passing, the automatic feeling of loss was soon replaced by smiles and the memories he has left behind. With the teeing off with a putter and getting further than anyone else in the 4ball and his famous LAP-DOP BAG, he will not be forgotten.
Piet is an IOPSA Legend in the plumbing industry and he will be dearly missed by all those who had the privilege to know him.
Piet is now with his best mate Gert Frazier – the dynamic duo is reunited.
To the family, we thank you for sharing Piet with us and you are in our prayers.
Thank you, Piet.”
Gert Wilson
“Rus sag, baas Piet. Jy was wraggies een in ‘n miljoen. Jou jag stories en ondervinding sal my altyd bybly. Piet sal altyd in ons harte wees. Jy kon nie anders as om geraak to word deur hom as jy hom eers ontmoet het nie.”
By R & S Plumbing and Electrical
“Oom Piet,
Dankie vir al die jare se hulp en leiding in die plumbing.
Dankie vir die visvang-trips waar ons nie het vis nie, maar ook herinneringe gevang het.
Dankie vir die IOPSA-meetings en jaarafsluitingsfunksies – oom se teenwoordigheid het altyd dinge ligter gemaak.
Ek sal nooit vergeet hoe ek en oom die enigste twee was wat met jeans en kakie-hemde by die IOPSA Award Dinner opgedaag het nie, terwyl almal anders in hulle suits was. My eerste award dinner, saam met oom en oom Gert– ‘n herinnering wat ek vir altyd gaan koester.
Dankie dat ek altyd kon instap by die kantoor, net om te gesels – oor die lewe, oor guns, oor plumbing, oor alles en niks. Dit was vir my kosbare oomblikke.
By R & S Plumbing and Electrical gaan ons oom se wysheid, vriendelikheid en geselskap ongelooflik mis.
Rus in vrede, Oom Piet. Jy was vir my nie net ‘n kollega nie, maar ‘n mentor en ‘n vriend.”
Source: Supplied by IOPSA and Rudi van der Merwe
