From the president's desk

May 2009 SAIMC

News announcement and name change.

At a special meeting held at Rivonia Country Club on 18 March members voted overwhelmingly to change the name of the SAIMC (The) South African Institute of Measurement and Control to SAIMC (The) Society for Automation Instrumentation Measurement and Control.

This name signifies the SAIMC is now focused on the broader aspects of automation and aims to include the automation profession in future, marketing the society’s competence to the automation professional.

Originally founded in 1957 as the Instrument and Control Society of Southern Africa, the founding chairman was Claude Klepp. The name was changed to the SAIMC to incorporate developments in the industry and the society was registered with the AS & TS in 1962. To embody the international nature of the society it was decided to change the name further to The Society for Automation Instrumentation Measurement and Control.

In the 51 years that the SAIMC has been in existence we have survived lows and experienced wonderful highs. Each and every one of our loyal and supportive members has carried us forward to emerge as the society of choice. We have kept abreast of technological developments and market conditions and have always brought you renewal and will continue to do so. Some of these innovations have been tough but we have always managed to emerge as more efficient and able to give more to our members. Our solid and proud past is the foundation of our future. The name signifies that the SAIMC is now focused on the broader aspects of ‘automation’ and allows professionals to register with us, assuring the growth vital to the future success of the SAIMC and allowing us to continue the positive growth made across Africa.

A further announcement was made at this year’s AGM; Mr Vivian MacFadyen was made an honorary fellow member. This prestige appointment has only been bestowed on one other member in the past, Mr Ken Baker.

Vivian has been an active member of the SAIMC for the past 42 years. During this time he served on the Johannesburg branch committee eventually becoming the branch chairman. Thereafter he served on the National Council where as president for two consecutive terms of office. Today Vivian holds the office of national secretary.

Credit(s)

SAIMC

Further reading:

SAIMC Durban
SAIMC
: At the SAIMC Durban monthly meeting, James Adams from Adroit Technologies presented to a full house on the subject of ‘The intelligent factory: AI, digital twins, zero-defect production, and cybersecurity in modern automotive manufacturing’.

Read more...

---

SAIMC: From the office of the CEO
SAIMC SAIMC
AI has become part of our productivity platforms, our operations and our decision making environments. The SAIMC NPC Power Hour series is one such initiative.

Read more...

---

SAIMC: Johannesburg branch
SAIMC SAIMC
The March SAIMC Johannesburg technology event was proudly hosted by Matech and focused on business intelligence made simple.

Read more...

---

SAIMC: Durban branch
SAIMC SAIMC
At the SAIMC Durban monthly meeting, James Adams from Adroit Technologies presented to a full house on the subject of ‘The intelligent factory: AI, digital twins, zero-defect production, and cybersecurity in modern automotive manufacturing’.

Read more...

---

The Power Hour
SAIMC SAIMC
The first event in SAIMC’s series of technical presentations will be on the topic ‘Introduction to Practical Industrial Feedback Control and Process Types’.

Read more...

---

SAIMC International INSPIRE Conference 2026
SAIMC News
The SAIMC will host the 2026 International INSPIRE Conference in Johannesburg this October, incorporating the RobMech and PRASA conferences.

Read more...

---

SAIMC International INSPIRE Conference 2026
SAIMC
The SAIMC International INSPIRE Conference will take place on 14 and 15 October 2026 in Johannesburg.

Read more...

---

Invitation to present at the SAIMC Power Hour sessions
SAIMC
The SAIMC invites professionals and thought leaders in automation, mechatronics, computer engineering, artificial intelligence and other emerging 5IR technologies to volunteer as speakers for our monthly Power Hour sessions.

Read more...

---

SAIMC: From the office of the COO
SAIMC SAIMC
South Africa stands at a critical inflection point in its industrial and skills development journey. The decisions we make today as engineers, technologists, educators and industry leaders will determine whether 4IR becomes a catalyst for inclusive growth or a missed opportunity that deepens existing divides.

Read more...

---

SAIMC: Durban branch
SAIMC SAIMC
The Durban branch of the SAIMC held its Annual General Meeting on 11 February at the Premier Splendid Inn. In his general manager’s report, Mfanasibili Nkonyane highlighted a busy and productive year for the branch, which included an AGM, ten monthly technology meetings, a golf day and the annual year-end function.

Read more...

---