It is said that if you don’t know where you come from you will struggle to find out where you are going. Today the Electrical Contracting/Engineering industry stands on the shoulders of giants in the industry. Straton Electrical acknowledges these famous men and women that contributed to our industry to make it what it is today:
Hendrik van der Bijl was a pioneering electrical engineer who played a crucial role in the development of Eskom, South Africa’s national electricity public utility. He helped establish Eskom and was instrumental in expanding the country’s electricity infrastructure in the early 20th century.
Bernard Price was another prominent electrical engineer who helped establish the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) in 1909. He was a pioneer in the field and made important contributions to the growth of the electrical engineering profession in South Africa.
Else Shepherd was the first woman to become a professor of electrical engineering in South Africa. She was a trailblazer for women in the field and made significant contributions to electrical engineering education in the country.
Johan H. Enslin is a renowned professor of electrical engineering who has made important advances in power electronics and renewable energy systems. He is an expert in these areas and has helped drive innovation in the South African energy sector.
Barry Dwolatzky is a professor of electrical engineering and the director of the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand. He has been a leading figure in electrical engineering education and research in South Africa.
David Bruce Davidson is a pioneer in the fields of power electronics and renewable energy systems. He has made numerous technical contributions that have advanced these important areas of electrical engineering.
Prof. Fulufhelo Nelwamondo is an electrical engineer who has received numerous awards and accolades for his research and contributions in areas like computational intelligence and optimization. He has served in leadership roles at organizations like the CSIR and University of Johannesburg.
Bongumsa Mendu is a young electrical technician at Eskom who has been recognized for his achievements, including serving as chairperson of power system technical investigations and supervising engineering students.
Zwelandile Mbebe is an electrical engineer at Eskom who has been praised for his excellence, productivity, and mentorship within the organization and professional engineering community.
Sy Gourrah is a female electrical engineer who has over 25 years of experience in the energy industry in South Africa. She has been recognized by the SAIEE for her achievements and support of the organization’s aims and objectives.
Refilwe Buthelezi is another notable South African electrical engineer. She is the chairperson of the Power Section of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) and has been recognized for her leadership and role in promoting electrical engineering, particularly among younger generations in South Africa.
Portia Petersen is a South African electrical engineer who has made important contributions to the country’s power sector. She serves on the Power Section committee of the SAIEE and has worked to address challenges around sustainability and green energy integration in South Africa’s electrical systems.
Vikesh Punwassi is a South African electrical engineer who has specialized in renewable energy systems. He has played a key role in advancing solar and wind power technologies in South Africa through his work and advocacy.
Margareth Oarabile Mbonani became, in 2022, became the first woman electrician appointed at Khanye Colliery. Her achievement is significant given the male-dominated nature of the electrical industry in South Africa, and she hopes to inspire more young women to pursue careers as electricians.
George “Monty” Pratley was a South African engineer and inventor who founded the Pratley Engineering company in 1948. Pratley was born in Johannesburg on September 19, 1917 and was educated at King Edward School and the University of the Witwatersrand. After his father’s death, he used a small inheritance to study at Rugby College of Technology and Arts in England. During World War II, Pratley was employed by the British Thomson Houston Company, which was considered an essential industry for the war effort, so he was not initially allowed to join the British Army. He was eventually released in 1942 and joined the 7th Armoured Division, participating in the D-Day landings in Normandy. After the war, Pratley returned to South Africa in 1946 and worked at the Durban Deep Gold Mine for two years before starting his own business, the Pratley Manufacturing and Engineering Company, in 1948. The company’s initial focus was on repair work for the mining industry. In the 1960s, Pratley, assisted by chemist Frank Robinson, invented the world’s first epoxy putty, known as Pratley Putty. The putty was initially developed as an insulator and adhesive for electrical junction boxes, but it went on to have many other industrial and consumer applications. Pratley Putty was even used on the Apollo XI mission to the moon in 1969. Pratley was also instrumental in developing specifications for flameproof glands and mechanical cable glands used in the South African mining industry. He served on the flameproof committee and helped create the SABS 808/1967 and SABS 1213:1984 standards. Pratley passed away on May 26, 1983. The Pratley company he founded continues to operate today and has become a globally recognized brand, with Pratley Putty being one of its most successful and iconic products.
Stan Medalie was a South African electrical engineer who made important contributions to the development of radar systems in South Africa during World War II. He later became a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Trevor Wadley was a South African electrical engineer known for his pioneering work in the field of microwave engineering. He founded Wadley Laboratories which conducted research into radar and communications systems. The Wadley Loop allows for wide frequency tuning range using a low-quality, widely-tunable oscillator, while maintaining high frequency stability. This is achieved by combining the tunable oscillator with a high-stability crystal oscillator in a unique circuit configuration. Traditionally, radio receivers required a high-quality, stable local oscillator to achieve good frequency stability, which limited their tuning range. The Wadley Loop overcomes this tradeoff by mathematically cancelling out the drift of the tunable oscillator, enabling wide frequency coverage without sacrificing stability.
Qing-Guo Wang, a Distinguished Professor at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in South Africa, is ranked as the top Electronics and Electrical Engineering scientist in South Africa and among the top 500 globally. His research includes modeling, estimation, prediction, control, optimization, and automation for sectors such as industrial and environmental processes, energy, and medical engineering. He has worked with major companies and has over 270 publications and 12,000 citations.
Dr. J.D. van Wyk, from UJ, is a Fellow of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers. His research covers areas like electronic circuits, systems engineering, and power electronics. He has authored or co-authored over 600 publications and received 24 awards, including 15 IEEE prize paper awards.
Three young African women – Norah Magero, Elly Kevin Oriko, and Eileen Phoebe Lara – received the Top Talent of 2021 award for their innovative renewable energy projects that benefited their communities. Norah developed a solar-powered fridge and vaccine distribution system, Elly designed a solar electrification plant for a health clinic, and Eileen founded an association to empower women in renewable energy in Uganda.
The South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) is the professional body representing electrical engineers in the country and has been active in promoting the field through education, training, and advocacy efforts.
The Electrical Contractors Association of South Africa (ECASA) also plays an important role in the electrical industry, providing support and resources to electrical contractors across the country. ECASA hosts various events and training programs to help streamline electrical administration work and support the professional development of electricians in South Africa.
Video: Celebrating Significant South African Electrical Engineers
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