Electricity + Control December 2016

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Editor:
Wendy Izgorsek
Design & Layout:
Adél JvR Bothma
Advertising Managers:
Helen Couvaras and
Heidi Jandrell
Circulation:
Karen Smith
Publisher:
Karen Grant
Deputy Publisher:
Wilhelm du Plessis
EditorialTechnical
Director:
Ian Jandrell
Published monthly by:
Crown Publications cc
CnrTheunis and Sovereign Sts
Bedford Gardens
PO Box 140, Bedfordview 2008
Tel. +27 (0) 11 622 4770
Fax: +27 (0) 11 615 6108
e-mail:
Website:
Printed by:Tandym Print
Quarter 3 (July - September 2016)
Total print circulation: 4 694
The views expressed in this publication are
not necessarily those of the publisher, the
editor, SAAEs, SAEE, CESA, IESSA or the
Copper Development Association Africa
Electricity+Control is supported by:
We have reached the end of another year – and
an exciting one at that!
It is not possible to wrap up this year without
reflecting on some of the issues that have signifi-
cantly affected us all.These include the challenges
of leadership that we face as a country as well as
in other critical spaces within our economy and
society. Much of what we have seen has not been
great. In fact, the vast majority of South Africans
have been deeply upset by the way things have
developed.The local government elections were a
real indication that all is not well. Even though the
results may not necessarily speak to any specific
and sustainable shifts in power – what they do show
is a growing dissatisfaction and anger developing
throughout the country.
The recent USA election surfaced similar senti-
ments, where sectors of the society feel increasingly
isolated and angered by a growing sense of not
being able to change their lot.
However, I take many positives out of this year.The
entities and institutions established to support our
Constitution have stood up to the plate and deliv-
ered. And so it should be.
Politicians (and I do not care who you are, or how
good you claim to be) are just politicians.They have
remarkable skills, but operate in a space where
bending a little this way and that is necessary to
achieve the best outcome. I respect and understand
that.The trouble is, right across this globe, they tend
to forget where the bending stops and a real stiff
spine becomes important. Be that as it may, I am
but an engineer! In our reflection, it is important to
review what worked in 2016 and what did not; and
to embed that learning for our future progress. Each
of us, because of where we find ourselves in our
industry, is in the fortunate position of being able to
make a difference in the lives of others.Therefore, if
we ignore the anger that has built up in our society
it is at our peril. If we are not able to get to the bot-
tom of the real issues (notwithstanding situations
that are milked for all they are worth) and begin to
address them – we are doomed.
I end this year completely convinced that we have
started to move in the right direction; that many of
the individuals and organisations that have driven
us to despair, share our own wishes and desires;
and that together we can make this place magic.
I wish you and your colleagues, your clients and
your families, all the very best over the Festive
Season. My colleagues in Electricity+Control, and
Crown Publications, share in this wish.
Charge up those batteries – you are going to need
them in 2017!
Ian Jandrell
Pr Eng,
BSc (Eng) GDE PhD,
FSAIEE SMIEEE
COMMENT
Happy Holidays!!!
1 December ‘16 Electricity+Control