Founded on 1 July 1948, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of South Africa celebrates its 75th Anniversary with a special ‘birthday badge’ to mark the occasion.
Thursdon Duncan (ECA President), says, “Since 1 July 1948, the ECA has represented South African electrical contractors by being their ‘voice’ in the industry and, for 75 years, it has backed the skills and qualifications of its members and their capacity to deliver compliant work. It’s true to say that the ECA has stood the test of time and the Association continues to be relevant and respected in the broader construction industry – even more so now, as we enter the age of renewable energy. As President of the ECA, I’m proud to say that I have no doubt that the Association will continue to deliver on its mission to promote and create an environment conducive to the profitable and efficient operation of electrical contracting businesses to the benefit of members and their clients.
Mark Mfikoe, ECA National Director, says, “Formed 75 years ago, two-thirds of the ECA(SA)’s existence was the time when South Africa was an unequal society and the later one-third was spent in a democracy. Its membership and leadership reflected the societal organisation of the country throughout its various phases. I have been fortunate to relate to the ECA as its member, President and for the past nine years as its National Director. I have served with loyal and credible administrators and leaders from whom I have learned a lot. These would include Past Presidents Dawie Cronje, Callie Pieterse, Dean Nevay, Oom Fanie Steyn, Lucas Bowles, Cliffy Davis, Michael Straton and Johnny Cunniff, amongst others. In its 75 years, the Association has had only one female President in Lumie Naidoo, who unfortunately served during the period when Covid-19 threatened to wipe us all off the face of the earth. I would have loved to see her impact in a much more leader-friendly environment. I have represented this organisation in many a forum both locally and internationally. Its credibility remains strong and it means everything to me.”
Cecil Lancaster, ECA Regional Director, Bosveld Region, says his first recollection of the ECA goes back to 1981, when he was employed at a firm of Consulting Engineers in mid-town Pretoria.
“I saw bakkies displaying a “Die hand van veiligheid” and “Gewaarborgde werk” sticker parked on the pavement in Andries Street in front of Pretoria Electrical, which was owned by the late Oom Louis Mazzuchetti.
“Their building was demolished to make way for the widening of Skinner Street and his son, Mario, then ran the company from premises in Pretoria-West until they ceased trading and terminated their membership on 29 February 2016. As a matter of interest, I pulled their file and found that they had joined the ECA on 19 July’ 1948 and were, thus, ECA members for some 68 years.
It appears they were founding members of the then proposed ‘National Employers’ Organisation for Electrical Contractors’. Their original application form, I would guess, is the oldest document that we have!
“I got to know many ECA members who tendered for work for the consulting engineers I worked for and, in 1986, I proudly joined the Association as ordinary member. I was appointed as the Bosveld Regional Director in 2002 and on 1 July 2023, I celebrated 21 years as an employee of the ECA(SA).”
Darryl Whitaker, Regional, Director, Western Cape Region, says the Western Cape regional office is celebrating the ECA’s 75th Anniversary and is proud of the Western Cape’s journey. “This office embraces what the ECA stands for as an organisation and as a leader in the electrical contracting field. The Cape was the first region to establish a training centre in 1985 and has delivered many skilled artisans to the electrical contracting industry over almost four decades, without comprising on quality and integrity.”
Darryl says the fact that the ECA(SA) has been in existence for 75 years speaks volumes to having stood the test of time.
“As a wise man once said, ‘It is not the beauty of a building you should look at; it’s the construction of the foundation that will stand the test of time’ – identify with excellence, put your name on your work, and both your work and name will stand the test of time,” he adds.
Anthony Schewitz, Regional Director, Highveld, has been a part of the ECA for five years and has seen both th 70th and 75th anniversaries. “It has been truly special to see the ECA going from strength to strength, decisively stamping its name in the industry as a source of support for contractors and providing a wealth of knowledge for the public and contractors. The ECA continues to grown steadily and I’m hopeful that by the time we hit 80 years, we will have an ECA that is so strong that the industry will not be able to survive without it!
“The ECA seeks to serve its members and ensure that the voice of the industry is heard – and that electrical safety is in the trusted hands of its members.”
Doreen Gwabini, Regional Manager, Free State and N.Cape, says, “In celebrating 75 years of ECA’s excellent service, the region is committed to offering members a full service, based on the wisdom accumulated over the last 75 years. As the years come and go, so information evolves and grows, and the ECA remains flexible in adapting to the changes in technology and ensures that members are always up to date and receive the best service. In this region, we are excited about the uniform service that will be implemented throughout all the regions, which will ensure that members receive the same valued service as other regions, which will increase our membership as a whole.
Linden Bowes, Regional Director, KwaZulu-Natal, says, “Coming from a legal practice and as an attorney, I have always known the ECA as the Employer’s Organisation of choice within the electrical industry. The legacy that the ECA holds is known in many legal circles, from a Collective Bargaining perspective, general compliance, and representation at various forums. I am pleased to be apart of this association and to contribute to its further growth.”
