I'm a FAN - Moses Mabhida Commuter Station - Article follows in forthcoming HDG Today Magazine - Beautiful Handrailings by Durban's Rebcon Engineering

THE HOTTEST SA Magazine I have ever bought! Visi 50th Issue. A visual FEAST - WOW!

My next subject - Geoff Colloty, MD of Robor Galvanizers - read the full interview in the forthcoming HDG Today Magazine

Geoff is the "LONE SHARK SUPPORTER" on the right - I am powerfully impressed! - Go Sharks!

On the Couch with Dr. Hennie de Clercq

Featured in Hot Dip Galvanizing Today Magazine

It is a great privilege and honour to have Dr. Hennie de Clercq, President of the South African Institute of Steel Construction on the couch with us for this edition of Hot Dip Galvanizing Today. We caught up with Dr. de Clercq in between meetings, “bicycling-around” & preparations for his fortieth wedding anniversary.

How did you get involved in this Industry?

I studied for a PhD in Structural Engineering at the University of California in the early 1970’s. Iscor paid for my studies under the proviso that I return and work for them for a period of five years. When I returned to South Africa, Iscor gave me the job of running the South African Institute of Steel Construction, which was a fledgling Organisation at that stage, where I worked for five years. I went into Consulting Engineering for twenty years and returned to my “old job” five years ago.

Do you see a synergy between our Industry and Yours?

I would deem steel as the most important material for civilization. There is a saying that if it’s not made of steel, it is made using steel. But is has one disadvantage – rust. HDG is a proven method of corrosion protection with a track record of over a century.

You have a particular vision for the SAISC?

Firstly growth into market segments in which Steel Construction is not strong enough yet and here I refer particularly to Multi-Storey Buildings. Secondly, Exports; the South African market is too small for our Industry to have “all its eggs in one basket”. Our Industry has proven itself to have the expertise and capacity to meet world class standards.

How do you see the HDG industry featuring in your vision?

Particularly with Exports I think HDG offers a robust corrosion protection system from a quality point of view. It is much less prone to mechanical damage than say, a paint system, particularly when transport is factored into the equation.

What is your opinion of the HDG Industry?

I think that despite all the hard work the HDGASA is doing, there is still a lot of rework being done after Hot Dip Galvanizing. For me this goes back to steel being designed, specified and fabricated taking the Hot Dip Galvanizing process into account and I do feel we are still lacking in this regard.

A lot of press has been given by the SAISC to Light Steel Frame-Construction?

The SAISC identified this opportunity and were instrumental in putting steps in place to getting this industry on the map. To illustrate my point - it was illegal five years ago to build a light steel frame building in Gauteng. Finance & insurance were impossible to obtain, let alone finding a contractor prepared to do it. The SAISC played a leading role in changing the whole environment and is proud that this sector is showing tremendous growth despite such trying economic times.

Your opinion on the HDGASA Awards and how the Programme has grown over the years?

There has been tremendous progress over the past years. I would like to see more emphasis on the durability factor in the entries though. I know this is not always easy as one loses touch with project partners over the years, but I do feel that longevity is the factor that needs to be celebrated more than anything else.

You are quite involved with charitable organisations?

I believe that anyone who has the privilege to enjoy the wonderful benefits South Africa has to offer is under an obligation to give something back. I was the President of the South African Alzheimer’s Association as well as the Treasurer of the International Alzheimer’s Association. My wife and I are also quite involved in a Centre for people suffering with HIV/AIDS as well as Aids orphans.

I have it under good authority that you are a formidable cyclist?

Yes I spend far too much time on the back of a bicycle (chuckles). I have recently completed the Joberg2C race, which is an off-road mountain bike race over nine days, following cattle- & footpaths over the Drakensberg Mountains and finishing in Scottbourgh. I’ve cycled all over the world but lately my only claim to fame in this department is that I’m usually the oldest competitor in any given race!

Tell us about Dr Hennie de Clerq?

Next month I will celebrate my fortieth wedding anniversary with my wife Helena. We have a daughter who is a Psychiatrist. A passion in life is birds. My wife and I have been all over the world on birding expeditions. Naturally with this go plants, trees and other aspects of nature. I am an avid reader of non-fiction – philosophy, science, theology; a whole host of topics that make me understand how the world fits together.

For more info see: http://www.saisc.co.za/ or http://www.hdgasa.org.za/