Electricity + Control October 2019

COMMENT

ON THE COVER

FEATURES: · Control systems+ automation · Cables+ accessories · Earthing+ lightning protection · Pressure+ levelmeasurement+ instrumentation · Analytical instrumentation

I have just returned from my very first visit to Russia – where I spent an intense week of training at the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna. South Africa (like Germany) has been a partial member and affiliated with the JINR for 25 years, and should probably be seriously considering full membership. What a wonderful experience – and an opportunity to engage with around fifteen colleagues from countries that have ongoing nuclear research activities. South Africa has some remarkable researchers working in this field. Now, of course, nuclear research is about researching the atom, its nucleus, and all the other components – many, many more, I’ll bet, than you ever heard of at school (or university, for that matter!). Some by-products of this research over the years have included, for instance, the discovery of nuclear energy and, of course, the nuclear physics leading to the construction of nuclear weapons. But so much of what we research has good and bad applications. It is all about one’s perspective – and probably that is based onwhat we hearmost – whether intentionally or not. Perspective is an important factor. And there is no doubt that one’s perspective defines one’s reality. Often I have used the phrase that ‘perception is the truth’ – and so it is. I continue to be amazed at how easily people believe anything they read or see, especially in the context of social media, which has really become the graffiti wall of modern society. It seems one can say what one likes without any fear of being called out. And if you are called out, it is not a thoughtful or measured engagement; it is frequently pure vitriol, suited to the stage on which it plays out. So, the national situation is verging on disaster – or is it?

It is true that the current state of the nation leaves much to be desired; it is true (and I have commented on this) that little in the way of policy seems to support our industry; and it is true that we seem to be living in an age of populism, where real leadership and hard decisions are tossed aside in favour of short-term appeasement of specific interest groups. Well, that seems to be the perception. And perception is the truth. But what emerged from my visit to the JINR is that collaboration is the name of the game – where science brings nations together (no matter the view of their presidents), and where there is a shared view of humanity.This is refreshing indeed. The other aspect that really intrigues me is how relatively well off South Africa is in relation to many of the countries that I have been engaging with. We miss that point quite often I think. A further observation is that, not- withstanding that some of the kit that I saw is the very, very latest, and sparkling and new (or being built), a lot of the most useful kit is decades old. But it has been cared for, respected, upgraded, and fruitfully used by people who care. That, to me, is the key. We need to care more, and we need our teams to care more – from the very top, to the very bottom. We need to develop renewed pride, and think less about what we are ‘owed’ – and carve out our own way forward – as individuals, as industries, and as a country and a continent.

energy + information in industry

ECOct 2019 cover.indd 2

9/17/2019 3:04:29PM

LAPP has developed a predictive maintenance solution for Ethernet cables. (Read more on page 17).

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