Electricity and Control January-February 2025

COMMENT

SA’s G20 presidency opens a year of opportunities

W ell, here we are in 2025. I trust that, as you read this, you feel invigorated and recharged – ready for yet another extraordinarily exciting year, as we have come to expect. Indeed, we live in interesting times. But there is work to be done and there are opportunities to be mastered. Recognising that Electricity+Control is read well beyond the boundaries of this country, I do nonetheless believe it is important to reflect on South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025. There are a few things worth noting. Firstly, it is evident that the objective is to develop a growing awareness of Africa and the Global South – the challenges and opportunities. This is to be encouraged and supported. Secondly, there is little doubt that South Africa’s presidency of the G20 will draw influential people into the subcontinental region – cities, provinces, countries – and, by extension the region, over the full course of the year. This is not a world cup, with folk flooding in for a short time, and flooding out. This is an ‘event’ that runs its course over a long time. It therefore seems evident that this also poses an opportunity for many ordinary folk – ordinary industries, factories and professions – to shine and be heard. The extent of the interest of the G20 seems inordinately wide and must surely serve as a moment to cement relationships and show what can be done. It also strikes me that being elevated to a position of international leadership tends to moderate views and intentions – and deepen understanding across various boundaries. I am hopeful that this is the case.

Incidentally, as we watch world politics take some remarkable turns, o‘en in areas we’d least expect, let us never forget that, aside from all the angst we feel, in this country we have seen a political party that has ruled since 1994, accept an election result and work with its opponents. We should not take this for granted. Even among some major players in the G20, this does not happen easily. The subcontinental region particularly is bristling with opportunity, provided the law makers can establish the playing fields that will allow prosperity to grow. To some extent the establishment of the President’s Economic Growth Team to coincide with the presidency of the G20 speaks to this. The G20 is an important space to lead discussion and policy for a world that is fairer, not stacked in the interests of the powerful nations, and for ordinary folk like us, this means we need to look out for the gaps, get our plants running smoothly, up to spec, and ready for business. May I wish you, your organisations, your colleagues and your families a 2025 filled with hope, excitement – and real growth and development.

energy + information in industry

In various food and beverage industry applications, where tank levels must be monitored with speed and accuracy, the new LW2720 radar sensor from ifm o€ers numerous advantages. (Read more on page 3.)

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Ian Jandrell PrEng IntPE(SA), BSc(Eng) GDE PhD, FSAAE FSAIEE SMIEEE

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The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher, the editor, SAAEs, SAEE, CESA or the Copper Development Association Africa

JAN-FEB 2025 Electricity + Control

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