The first issue of 2023 wishes all our readers and users a good and successful year.
Bearing in mind this issue was completed before the 2022 close so anything could have happened in between then and now.
Nonetheless, IOPSA present a compelling case for the Water & Sanitation Master Plan which addresses many issues but what sticks out is the imports that are flooding the country which are non-compliant. While the Master Plan is not new with Dept of Water & Sanitation having produced one some time ago, perhaps this one will push a few buttons. A worthwhile read to appreciate what needs to be done and not only about municipalities.
We make mention of the fact that JASWIC will now become a regular feature of Plumbing Africa. This scheme contributes meaningfully to compliance, starting with testing leading to the full mark. While the full list was placed online the month to month one will be shorter.
Uwe Putlitz draws our attention to compliance and ensuring everything we do is done correctly. Cutting corners can be an expensive process in the long run.
By the time one reads this and hoping strikes and such nonsense at our ports have been cleared, a new local manufacturer, Sunridge, will be on the market producing plastic pipe. An encouraging sign when a few local manufacturers have shut shop and are now importing compliant products.
While we did announce and publish details on their launch, Plumbing Africa took the opportunity to chat to the country director of Ariston who confirms the company is here to stay and is part of an international organisation.
Vollie Brink speaks of competence and doing work for which one is not qualified to do. The plumbing industry can associate with his views as we have quite a few of those doing plumbing work for which they are not qualified!
Our Pretoria travelling exhibition is reviewed and notwithstanding the 35-degree heat was still successful and clearly meets a need in our market.
Our feature on filtration is not a scientific feature but rather to draw attention to opportunities for plumbers to broaden their offering and business to a market they have almost exclusive entry to – the customer. The feature covers the basics of filtration and also shows the follow-up opportunities.
Speaking of local content, we publish the relevant parts of the SABS release on content percentages which should clarify the difference between assembly and manufacture.
Our project shows just how far solar thermal has come and how it has solved several problems in both supply and energy savings.
This month in ‘Tell me why’ we have a chat with Pieter Meiring of Optimus Plumbing to hear the story of how he got into this unique industry.
Our Women in Plumbing series continues, and it is most encouraging seeing the enthusiasm women approach the industry. From next issue we will broaden the scope of women in plumbing as it includes all the ladies that work in the plumbing environment, assisting customers, invoicing, etc.
Enjoy the read and let 2023 “be the best of times..”
Rory Macnamara, Editor | rory@interactmedia.co.za
