By the time this first quarter MC issue of 2006 gets to you we will be into the New Year, but nevertheless, we wish all our members and their families a very happy and prosperous 2006. Our first SAFPA council meeting took place on 2 February and it looks like a busy year ahead for us. We are setting dates for our regular functions and activities like action cricket, golf, soccer and of course our annual dinner.
The fluid power qualification programme is well on track - thanks to some dedicated people (see last issue) - who have done what they set out to do and completed some 10-unit standards ready to be submitted to Merseta and SAQUA for approval. A big thank you to all involved.
Our main project for the year is the Hydraulic & Pneumatic industry market survey. All our members importing such equipment have pledged support and cooperation to ensure a meaningful result. We are in the process of finding a suitable partner, or partners, to assist SAFPA conducting the survey and the independent evaluation thereof.
While on a visit to Cape Town I had the opportunity to meet with some of our members there. It looks like the first SAFPA Branch outside Gauteng has become a reality. We look forward to many years of working together in promoting our association and its goals for the benefit of our industry in the whole of SA. Thank you to Graeme Lovesay (our new council member) for arranging the meeting and John Hodges of Basic Hydraulics for hosting it.
The other day I came across an obituary - I thought I would share it with you. Today we mourn the passing of a beloved friend, Mr Common Sense:
Mr Sense has been with us for many years as our everyday guide. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm and that life is not always fair. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (do not spend more then you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not kids, are in charge).
His health began to rapidly deteriorate when well-intentioned, but outrageous regulations were set in place: a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsening Mr Common Sense's condition.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common sense finally gave up the ghost after a woman failed to realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot, spilled a bit in her lap, and was awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion; his daughters, Responsibility and Tolerance; and his sons, Reason and Logic. He is survived by three step children; My Rights, Me First, and Ima Whiner.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.
So that is it for now. Talk to us; contact us if you have any questions or suggestions.
Your SAFPA Committee.
Fritz Kern, president, SAFPA, [email protected]
| Tel: | +27 11 061 5000 |
| Fax: | 086 589 2158 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.vdw.co.za |
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