When Malcolm Harris from Harscan recently decided to upgrade their showroom in Randburg, he realised that there was a lot of sanitaryware and plumbing fittings in perfectly good order that could still be used. Being passionate about plumber development Harris contacted IOPSA to find out if there were any colleges which might need assistance.  According to Harris “I was rebuilding my showroom and had some old display stock which I mentioned to IOPSA. Gerrie Botha put me in touch with Flavius Mareka College. They arranged collection of the display stock and then I added a selection of  new products; bottle traps, shower drains, channels and a 110mm check valve. All items that I think they will encounter in the industry. Our intention in the next few months is to go and demonstrate Hep2o piping systems, HDPE welding and roof drains to the apprentices. Items that they will be unlikely to be exposed to in the normal curriculum as learner plumbers but products that are needed and popular in the industry.”

Harscan Distributors was founded in 2007 and started out as being distributors of Hep2O pipe and fittings in Southern Africa. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength and has an impressive product offering being imported from various regions in Europe. They are proud IOPSA members and Harris serves as Treasurer on the IOPSA Gauteng committee.

Flavius Mareka TVET College in Kroonstad was formed when Sasolburg Technical College, Kroonstad Technical College and Mphohadi College of Education merged in 2000 to form Flavius Mareka TVET College.  The College was named after a prominent figure in educational, cultural and political circles i.e. Mr. Flavius Mareka.  He lived in Kroonstad and passed away in 1965. The college is active in training plumbers and is IOPSA accredited. The materials will be put to good use in training the next generation of professional plumbers.