THE Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) 2024 Welding Challenge has successfully concluded after four days of intense competition, showcasing the exceptional skills of South Africa’s next generation of welders. Held from October 21 to 24 at the SAIW’s City West campus in Johannesburg, the event brought together some of the country’s most promising young welders, all under the age of 30.
Five thousand rand in cash prizes were awarded in each of the three categories. Mandla Makhubela from Bazil Technologies won the best carbon steel welder award and the best stainless steel welder award while Gaylon Peterson from Alstom Ubunye won the best aluminium welder.
In the overall competition Lonele Mabuza from Alston Ubunye scooped third place, while Gaylon Petersen was the runner-up and Mandla Makhubela was the overall winner. He was rewarded with an additional R5,000 prize, a selection of high-tech welding tools and equipment and a VIP ticker to the SAIW’s prestigious annual Gala Awards dinner that will be held at the Fourways Indaba Hotel on 8 November 2024.
Commenting on his win Makhubela said, “The competition was tough, but my focus and the experience helped me pull through. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, and I look forward to continuing to grow in this field. My goal is to keep pushing the boundaries and one day lead large-scale projects, not just in South Africa but internationally.”
South Africa’s rising welding stars shine
The 2024 competition saw fierce participation from students and recent graduates from various Accredited Training Bodies (ATBs), each of whom had either completed or was nearing the completion of their qualifications under the International Institute of Welding (IIW) or the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
These talented contestants demonstrated their prowess across a variety of welding processes, including Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), with tasks requiring them to weld in all positions and joint types on carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminium.
Commenting on the significance of the awards SAIW practical training manager Confidence Lekoane says, “The SAIW Welding Challenge 2024 aims to demonstrate and assess competencies associated with various welding skills. Competitors used different welding processes and materials, such as Low Carbon Steel, Austenitic Stainless Steel, and Aluminium, to meet specified quality requirements. Key technical skills include selecting appropriate electrode types, adjusting welding parameters, and ensuring quality welds through visual and radiographic tests.”
Judges impressed
The competition was judged by a panel of esteemed professionals, including Nonhlanhla Angel Mathebula, an application support specialist at Afrox and a former SAIW Young Welder of the Year competitor. Mathebula, now an inspiring figure in the welding industry, praised the contestants for their performance.
“Watching these young welders brings me so much pride. They handled the competition’s challenges with incredible focus and skill. It’s rewarding to see how the next generation is rising to meet the demands of our industry,” said Mathebula.
Other judges included Johnnie Holtzhausen, a technical sales representative at Abicor Binzel South Africa, and Frans Vorster, a Master Artisan with over 45 years of experience in the welding sector. Houston Devlin Isaacs, a welding specialist at Lincoln Electric Africa and a former international competitor, completed the panel, adding a global perspective to the evaluations.
Reflecting on the event, Isaacs remarked on the value of such competitions. “This competition is about more than just winning. It’s about gaining confidence, refining your skills, and preparing for a career in an industry that is crucial to South Africa’s development. The level of talent we saw this week is a strong indicator of the bright future that lies ahead for these young artisans.”
Lekoane noted the importance of the competition in helping South Africa meet its workforce needs. “The skills showcased by these welders go far beyond the competition. These young artisans are on a path to becoming the backbone of South Africa’s industrial and manufacturing sectors. The welding talent we saw here is evidence of the vital role they play in shaping the future of our country’s workforce.
“For many of the competitors, this event marks a significant milestone in their careers. Beyond the prizes, they leave with new knowledge, experience, and recognition within a rapidly growing industry,” Lekoane concluded.
