African Fusion March 2022

SAIW’s positive influence on SDGs

sustainability of the industry, guiding its stabilisationandprogress and thus opening up more career opportunities. In addition, the introduction of newand appropriate fabrication technologies asso- ciated with the IIoT will boost productivity, reducewaste, expand businessmodels and be more responsive to market needs, all of which can contribute to a reduction of poverty levels. SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture Low-cost investments in better nutrition for children can lead to better education and more productive adult lives. Research in Ghana and Malawi has shown that as little as US$5 00 per month can save lives and transform livelong prospects, and that each dollar spent delivers US$36 00 of social returns. SAIW has many examples of how weld- ing technologies developed over the years have contributed to food security and the reliability and integrity of food processing plant and equipment. • Collaborating with organisations such as the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) and the Aluminium Federation of South Af- rica (AFSA), SAIW has also contributed to our local ability to build, repair and maintain plant and equipment for food processing and transportation and agri- cultural facilities. • The hygienic requirements of the food and beverage industry place high de- mands on the welds used for tanks,

the report, although many are interlinked. “Hopefully, the examples given under each SDGwill lead tomutually beneficial projects between the SAIW, the different tiers of government in South Africa, the welding industry and aid agencies,” write Chris Smallbone and John Tarboton. The challenges facing South Africa are immense, the report suggests, with more than half of South Africa’s 60-million people living in abject poverty. The vast majority these people simply want a decent job, food, education, health, safety and security and a roof over their heads for their family as well as a decent environment to bring up their children. The SAIW initiatives help progress such wishes: • Industrialisation throughmanufacturing and construction can lead to economic growth and the associated creation of quality jobs with a high labour absorp- tion rate. In metals manufacturing and construction, welding is the enabling technology that allows industrialisation to take place. • As a career choice, welding is able to ab- sorb unskilled, poorly educated people and give them in-demand, well-paid, quality jobs. • Further education and training create career path opportunities to even better jobs in the welding industry. SAIW is also supporting the South African Steel andMetal FabricationMaster Plan 1.0, which aims to improve the long-term SDG 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Welding technology is an enabling technology used across almost all industries in South Africa. Photo: SAIW Member, Turmill Proquip Engineering, 2019 pipes and vessels. Most notably in the dairy and other food and beverage in- dustries, South African fabricatorsmake significant efforts toensure that theweld integrity is adequateand that the surface finishes meet specified requirements for hygiene. • South Africa has excellent opportunities for promoting urban and rural ‘start-ups’ in the food, beverage and agriculture sectors, which can start with young people acquiring basic skills in welding andgo through toengineeringpersonnel with degrees and diplomas. • SAIW’s members also supply significant support to farmers, including subsistent farmers, for the construction, mainte-

SAIW has more than 250 companies certified to the IIW Manufacturers Certification Scheme according to ISO 3834, thus helping cities and human settlements to be safe, resilient and sustainable. Photo: SAIW-certified ISO 3834 company, FFS Refiners, 2017.

11

March 2022

AFRICAN FUSION