When preparing the subject for my column in this edition, I had considered three topics. It is always a time of mental wrestling trying to select the most appropriate and useful topic for the time. Never in my wildest dreams did I realise how the entire world would be turned on its head with the outbreak of the coronavirus, COVID-19. Without doubt, it will impact every one of us in many ways, even if we ourselves do not get infected.

Legrand’s integrated healthcare solutions – which provide 24-hour support for the elderly and those in self-isolation – encompass a range of alarm and call systems, designed for safe and reliable use in private homes, retirement villages and nursing homes, as well as healthcare and assisted living facilities.

Lightcycle SA is a non-profit producer responsibility organisation (PRO) established in 2018. The organisation’s objective is to promote the compliant and sound end-of-life management of lighting and associated equipment with accredited service providers for efficient collection, transportation and recycling. Lightcycle SA developed the Lighting Industry Waste Management Plan which details the requirements for the implementation of responsible and holistic post-consumer lighting waste management throughout South Africa. Patricia Schröder, on behalf of Lightcycle SA NPC, updates Sparks Electrical News readers on the latest developments.

BEKA Schréder is proud to have been involved in a heart-warming project where 160 LED streetlights were donated to Chintsa East in the Eastern Cape. Chintsa East, located 50 km north east of East London, is a small village with a big heart for their community. Today, 160 donated streetlights are installed through the Chintsa East Location, lighting up the streets so women and children can walk around freely at night, kids can play soccer under the streetlights, and everyone feels safer. This is the first streetlight installation for Chintsa East.

At the ECA(SA)’s AGM at the end of 2019, Lumendrie Naidoo, Chairperson of the ECA(SA) Regional Executive Committee in KwaZulu-Natal, was elected as the ECA’s new President – the first time a woman has worn the chain of office at the Association. Danie Esterhuizen was elected as First Vice-President, and Frans Swanepoel is now the Second Vice President.