Sparks Electrical News October 2018

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

7

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR PROFILE: ENOCH SITHOLE

AEE IS JOINING SOUTH AFRICA AT THE 13 TH SAEEC B ill Kent of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) will be the keynote speaker at the 13 th Southern African Energy Efficiency Confedera- tion (SAEEC) Conference taking place on 13-14 No- vember 2018 at Emperors Palace, Ekurhuleni. The energy efficiency industry is experiencing a major transformation globally, with more changes in the past five years than in the previous 100. With the continued decline in the price of renewal and alternative energy, advancement of systems and technologies and the addition of distributed generation and microgrids, the traditional energy model is changing for end users, cities and utilities. Many cities and countries are now mandating 100% power from renewable energy and requiring all automobiles to be all electric vehicles. How does this affect utilities, energy engineers and the highly skilled workforce required to implement and operate in this rapidly evolving energy field? This year’s conference will look back at the past 40 years and consider how AEE professionals and future energy engineers, will improve the quality of life and drive economic advancement in communities and the world through implementing advanced energy solutions. Bill Kent is the Executive Director of the Association of Energy Engineers, succeeding Al Thumann, the founder of AEE. Kent has been involved in the energy management industry for over 30 years, including engineering, operations and executive roles, with expertise in energy efficiency, instrumentation, automation, building systems, and executive leadership. In his 10 years at AEE, he has led many key initiatives and managed the day to day operations of the organisation in his previous role as Managing Director. E ach month, Sparks Electrical News interviews an electrical contractor to find out more about the day-to-day challenges they face. In this issue, we speak to Johannesburg-based electrician, Enoch Sithole. Sithole has been in the industry for more than four decades and is the founder and managing director of Machas Electrical Services. I started working in the electrical industry in 1975. South Africa was under the apartheid government, and at that time we were not allowed to use tools – I learnt from watching white people work. I was lucky to work with a gentleman named Harry who took me under his wing. In 1983, the company I was working for sent me for training, but most of the time when we were due to go for an actual trade test, we would be bypassed in favour of others. So, every year we would go for training but we wouldn’t be sent to write a trade test. I ended up getting a break when they started the Elconop (elec- trical construction operator) 1, 2 and 3 programme. I completed these but never got my wireman’s license although I qualified as an artisan. In 1999, I started a company with a partner, and in 2004 I openedmy own company, Machas Electrical Services. What do you enjoy most about your job? Travelling – I enjoy going around and seeing suc- cessfully finished work. I get great joy in seeing work well done. What challenges do you come across on a daily basis in your work? There are not too many now, but in previous years I used to get frustrated doing work and then not getting the credit for it. I used to train people only to see them promoted above me. Now, the only challenges I face are managing and finances. How did you come to be an electrical contractor?

What are the common misconceptions about a career in the electrical field? That electricity is a killer. It is of course true – but electricity can only kill you if you don’t know what you are doing. What is the best advice you have received? It was given to me by a gentleman named Rob. His advice was to forget about my disadvantages and to do what I wanted to do. It was the best advice ever, and I still follow it today. Which tool or piece of equipment could you not live without? An electrical tester – I think it’s the most important

tool for fault finding. And my phone!

How has your day-to-day work changed over the past few years (due to new equipment, modern technologies, etc) It’s exciting – before you had to send a letter to speak to someone when ordering a tool. Now it’s in- stant. The same with diagnosing faults – it’s now non-invasive with no need for trenching!

Enquiries: msithole@machaselectrical.co.za

Enoch Sithole

Enquiries: admin@saee.org.za

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

OCTOBER 2018