What a Colourful Jamboree!
The annual Printing SA Gala Dinner in collaboration with FESPA (The Federation of European Screen Printers Associations Africa) recently took place at Gallagher Estate on Wednesday, September 13th, and saw over 300 members from the printing & packaging industry in attendance.
The event was held in association with the FESPA Africa Expo which is co-located with the Sign Africa, Africa Print and Africa LED Expos, and is held annually in celebration of Printing SA’s jamboree week of print.
Founded in 1911 as the Printing Industries Federation of South Africa, trading under the promotional brand Printing SA, the organisation traditionally catered to the needs of all printers, packaging manufacturers, and service providers to the industry who operated in any one of the several traditional printing processes.
In 2014, Printing SA became the 37th and only African member of the Federation of European Screen Printing Associations (FESPA). The partnership between FESPA and Printing SA became the bridging mechanism that ensured that no printer operating in South Africa, regardless of the printing methods they employ, found themselves without a ‘home’.
For members that have come on board, they benefit by having Printing SA as their mouth piece on behalf of the industry. Printing SA represents the interests of those within the printing and packaging Industry, ensuring that the industry is sustainable and that all stakeholders, and in particular, members, continue to prosper. They also refer to triple bottom-line reporting, that of being profitable; ensuring due care to the environment as well as responsible citizenry.
Printing SA also hosts training for its members and those looking to make a career in the industry. On offer are Printing & Packaging Technical Theoretical Modules which are available at the Johannesburg, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal Chambers of Printing SA.
Other courses are also available in Soft Skills Training, including leadership; disciplinary hearings; labour law; account management; statutory training, etc, Printing & Packaging Management Courses, including the Wits courses and the Cape Town University of Technology National Print Management Diploma and Health & Safety Training, including basic firefighting and first aid.
The gala dinner theme was “Madame Zingara” and members certainly “put the printing presses on hold” to let down their hair and enjoy the high energy entertainment that was on offer, the delicious food ranging from a trio of Salmon, Lamb & Chicken Combo to the scrumptious coconut crème Brule, but to also celebrate and recognise their fellow members within the industry.
Various high profile members gave addresses throughout the evening including Deon Joubert – the past president of the Printing SA Board, the CEO of Printing SA, Steve Thobela and Colin de Jager, the Central Chamber Director.
Ken Leid, Printing SA’s Director of National Training and Development, together with Printing SA’s Michelle Eybers and Charnia Yapp, the organiser of the 2017 FESPA and Africa Print Expo and editor of Practical Publishing sponsored and donated prizes for the National Printing SA & Africa Print Top Achiever Award. This year, for the first time, they introduced 3 winners.
Coming in as first runner up was Morne Josias from Cape Town with a pass mark of 82%, with Scelo Mkhize from KZN) achieving 89% and the overall national top achiever for the (TT3) Technical Theoretical Module 3 was Zeal Denays Coetzee from Cape Town with a pass mark of 95%. Each received a cheque R3000, R3500 and R5000 respectively!
Another highlight on the programme was the presentation of the Gutenberg Awards which were given in recognition of members who have since passed on but are recognised for their contribution to the printing industry. Geoff Warren, the Director of Printing SA in KwaZulu Natal called upon the families - Carol & Nicol of Lambert Retief and Sonja Carstens, the daughter of the late Martin Deysel, to accept these awards from Deon Joubert & Steve Thobela.
The evening ended on a high when Renforms CC from Table 14 walked off with the main prize for the best dressed table in the room!
