SAIMC


From the president's desk

October 2008 SAIMC

I have decided not to talk about the SAIMC this month – just for a change – so here comes something new from me……

Is it not great to see the upgrading of our highways going on in Johannesburg? Finally we have some infrastructure upgrade. My brother-in-law recently moved to Chicago and when asked what the worst thing there was, his comment was the roads. Most of them are tolled (something that might start happening to us), and due to the fact that they use salt in winter to melt the ice, the pot holes are massive and plentiful. I do a lot a travelling and I must say that our roads are not that bad, even in my neighbourhood, a pot hole is normally repaired within two weeks. The road between JHB and Secunda is also getting a face lift. The Eskom crisis that loomed before winter never actually materialised and we experienced good availability, well done Eskom. I am still convinced that South Africa is the best place to live! Opportunities exist for everyone committed enough to make something work. Where else will you find friendly people like us and weather as great as ours?

Our automation industry looks alive and well, with the Gautrain, Eskom expansions, PetroSA refinery, Sasol and Africa opportunities, there is a lot of activity. In fact our outlook looks better than the European market. With all these projects and the lack of resources we face, I am still upbeat that we, as South Africans, will deliver on these. Our South African spirit performs best under pressure and we always seem to make a plan when needed.

The slow down in our activities (at least that is what we think) will start towards the end of November, in preparation for the December holidays. I am certainly looking forward to my break!

Till next time…make a conscious decision to find something positive about your situation!

Paulo da Silva

President SAIMC

[email protected]



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