In November last year, Regent Lighting Solutions hosted a surprise farewell for Reinhard Koegel, a retiring lighting consultant from Vossloh-Schwabe (VS) who contributed significantly to the African lighting industry. Sparks attended.
“Reinhard Koegel has made an incredible impression on the African Lighting industry over the years, and I feel it’s fitting to celebrate his contribution,” Randal Wahl, managing director of Regent Lighting, explained when inviting industry stakeholders to lunch at Regent’s Johannesburg premises on 14 November to celebrate Koegel’s significant impact.
“Light is life”
Koegel has been serving the lighting industry since 1979, living by his motto of “light is life”. On 30 September 2024, Koegel officially retired after 45 years and two months of service – a formidable feat. When asked about that motto, Koegel replied that “no life can exist without light”.
The event at Regent Lighting was well-attended and a welcome surprise to Koegel, who was kept in the dark about the secret event and thought he was invited to a team lunch. Various stakeholders who have worked with Koegel over the years attended, including Sparks Electrical News.
During the brief formalities, Wahl said a few words about Koegel’s contribution and its impact on the local lighting market. “We may be a smaller market than overseas, but we take it very seriously,” Wahl said. “He [Koegel] taught all of us how to approach the local market and what quality really means; it was his passion. He was always happy to grow and learn new ideas.”
Koegel then said a few words in thanks, remembering when he first arrived in South Africa and how much the industry has changed over the past few decades.
Celebrated by the industry
Sparks Electrical News reached out to a few individuals who have worked closely with Koegel.
**To read what they had to say, check out the Sparks Electrical News online edition, click here.
