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.
Johan van Jaarsveldt
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 MacFadyen
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.
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South Africa’s automation, control, mechatronics and computer engineering community is changing fast, and the SAIMC is changing with it. I am excited to announce a new national initiative that will reshape how we deliver technical knowledge, strengthen branch identity and bring our community together like never before.
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