Mechanical Technology

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6 Mechanical Technology — April 2016
⎪ Industry forum ⎪
ABB South Africa has been awarded a
three-year framework agreement for its
UniGear air-insulated switchgear (AIS)
and ZX0.2 gas-insulated switchgear
(GIS), from the City of Cape Town.
“This is the first time that the City
of Cape Town has bought ABB ZX 0.2
gas insulated switchgear for its distribu-
tion substations,” says Bryan Johnson,
product group manager, MV Switchgear,
ABB South Africa.
The framework agreement, which is
estimated to include 300 panels over
the three-year period, includes three
portions: extension of existing UniGear
switchgear, new UniGear air-insulated
switchgear and new ZX0.2 gas-insu-
lated switchgear manufactured by ABB
Germany, with the associated cable
supply and installation to be executed
by ABB in South Africa.
The agreement is to supply,
install and commission 12 kV
indoor switchgear for distribu-
tion infrastructure feeding from
main step-down substations
throughout the City of Cape
Town and surrounding areas.
“By continuously invest-
ing in infrastructure, we will
be encouraging and, indeed,
leading growth by always
ensuring the physical sup-
porting capacity for people
Wacker Neuson Group
expands executive board
At the start of 2013, Cem Peksaglam took
on the responsibilities of the outgoing CSO in
addition to his own mandate as chairman of
the executive board. Under his leadership, the
Wacker Neuson Group has gone from strength
to strength, reporting record revenues in re-
cent years – and 2015 was no exception. The
company has now completed its group strategy
realignment and is in the process of strengthen-
ing the executive board.
Jan Willem Jongert (51) will join the execu-
tive board in his new role as chief sales officer
(CSO). Jongert will be responsible for global
sales, service, logistics and marketing activities
of the Wacker Neuson Group.
Alongside his tasks as CEO, Peksaglam will
remain responsible for strategy, mergers and
acquisitions, human resources, legal issues,
compliance, real estate, investor relations, cor-
porate communication and sustainability. “We
have made good progress with our international
growth strategy in recent years and we are now
looking to build on our performance. Jongert is
an experienced international sales expert and we
are delighted to welcome him to the Executive
Board,” says Peksaglam.
“With a 96,9% pass rate, versus the
national average of 70,7%, PROTEC
learners from nine branches around the
country, their teachers and corporate
funders are still celebrating excellent
results,” says Balan Moodley, CEO of
PROTEC, a specialist mathematics,
science and technology programme for
South African students. “The privilege
of a nurturing academic environment
has proved to more than 400 PROTEC
Matriculants last year, that with hard
work, determination and the support of
the PROTEC programme, their dreams
All systems go for the PROTEC Matriculants
for a bright future can be
realised.
PROTEC was established
over 33 years ago, in rec-
ognition of the need to im-
prove the critical shortage
of engineers in South Africa.
Through this programme,
which runs in conjunction
with provincial education
departments and with the
invaluable support of pri-
vate sector funders, more
than 30 000 learners from
disadvantaged communities
are now qualified doctors,
engineers, accountants, lawyers, educa-
tors and entrepreneurs.
“PROTEC is a national non-profit tech-
nological career development programme
for senior school students. Learners are
selected, not only for their aptitude in
mathematics and physical Science, but
Top students from the PROTEC Tongaat branch hold up the number of
distinctions they achieved in 2015, from left are: Minenhle Mbatha,
Nosihle Khumalo, Mpumelelo Mkhosana, Precise Mbense, Akshay
Rajkumar, Lungani Ngcobo and Asemahle Nmonelwa.
their sheer determination to succeed is
an attribute we value highly.”
PROTEC offers an excellence
p r og r amme i n STEM educa t i on
(Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) that begins in Grade 10,
continues through tertiary education and
provides support in the early years of the
work place. In the school phase, quali-
fied PROTEC tutors provide extra tuition
on Saturdays and academic studies are
supplemented with a World of Work
(WoW) and a life orientation programme,
computer skills, study assistance and
career guidance – a holistic approach to
help students achieve their full potential.
Learners also convene during school
holidays for practical and theoretical
tuition. Vacation schools include educa-
tional excursions or field trips to expose
PROTEC students to the world of work
in different industries, including civil,
mechanical and electrical engineering.
to build opportunities,” says councillor
Ernest Sonnenberg, mayoral committee
member: Utility Services, City of Cape
Town. “Such an approach places the City
of Cape Town at the forefront of South
African metros and will bring us in line
with international best practice in terms
of development strategies.”
“We are providing the City of Cape
Town with fully certified IEC compliant
switchgear, which includes IEC compli-
ance of all components,” says Johnson.
“The switchgear will help to increase the
safety, reliability and efficiency of the
distribution network.”
While some components will be
brought in from ABB’s global factories,
the majority will be manufactured locally
at ABB’s modern facility in Longmeadow,
Johannesburg.
New air-insulated switchgear for Cape Town
A typical medium voltage ABB gas insulated switchgear
installation.