By Shephered Masunda, Own Correspondent
SADC Refridgeration and Air Conditioning Association ( RAC) has launched the regional certification and recovery center in Ongwediva, Namibia as it steps up efforts to fight Ozone depletion as well as the effects of climate change.
In an interview , Caign Manyukwa, who is the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Association(RAC) president and also the chairman of Heating, Energy, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Association of Zimbabwe (HEVACRAZ) said the certification and recovery center will play a pivotal role in fighting against the effects of climate change in the region through training and certification of technicians.
“I am currently taking part in the inaugural training and soon regional technicians in air conditioning and refrigeration field will get trainings and we will going to have some workshops as well as certification of technicians,” said Manyukwa.
He also said in future they will introduce training programmes in schools, colleges and universities on better ways to fight the effects of climate change by using environmental friendly machinery.
Namibian minister of lndustrialisation and Trade Honorable Lucia Iipumbu applauded the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Refrigeration and Air Condition (RAC) Association’s primary mandate to support the regulations of the RAC sector and to unify all the RAC Associations among the SADC Member States that work closely with their respective National Ozone Unit Offices.
” SADC RAC’s main purpose is to share knowledge and practices among the Member States to adopt the strategy that addresses Global Warming and Ozone Depletion, ” said Hounorable Iipumbu.
Tawanda Madondo who is the director of Kwiqkool also hailed SADC RAC for establishing a certification and recovery center in the region.
“As air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians we are facing some challenges on how best we can work together to fight against Ozone depletion and and the effects of climate change but through trainings we will be equipped with enough knowledge,” said Madondo.
The Kwiqkool director also thanked Manyukwa for facilitating the donation of environmental friendly machines to Harare polytechnic college refrigeration department last year.
” A good example that HEVACRAZ chairman did was his facilitation for Harare Polytechnic College refrigaration machinery donations and they were very friendly to our environment and I hope he will decentralise the programme around the country,” said Madondo.
The SADC RAC is a multi-national,cultural and racial association bringing together the diverse aspects of the Industry taking into cognisance gender issues cultural and religious differences that always arise whenever you bring people together. It has managed to fight Ozone Depletion, combat Climate Change and reduce Global warming through responsible recovery recycling and disposal of refrigerants, proper use of tools and equipment, good refrigeration practices and standard workmanship through fostering trainings and workshops.