From the Chairman’s Table

Welcome back to all of our valued members and industry stakeholders. We trust everyone had a good and relaxing December break and work has started with a bang. We hope that 2026 brings prosperity, wealth and health.

The LEEASA team is back at it and in full swing. We have had many projects behind the scenes start to come to life. This includes the formation of a working group to facilitate and take forward the LMI qualification. This project is headed by our LEEASA Directors Francois Weideman, who is supported by Gert Oosthuizen and Carlos Marques.

The feedback from the qualifications working group has been very good and encouraging to see so many people getting involved to preserve the dignity of our profession and ensure continuity for future generations to benefit from our efforts. It is a fantastic gesture that COET Chairman, Deon and Clarence have actively shown interest in partaking in this effort. This is not for us; it is for the upliftment of the future LMI’s.

We encourage all that can meaningfully contribute to get in touch with Francois on francoisw@leeasa.co.za.

We have had a delay on the training centre that we hope to overcome in the following weeks. As we make progress, we shall update all members and stakeholders.

2026 will also see LEEASA hosting a 2-day conference at The Electra Mining Show. We have already started to confirm international speakers and companies to attend. LEEASA welcome all members to submitted white papers to present at the conference. This could be on any topic that will add value to fellow attendees or members. The last Electra Mining Show had over 110 persons attend per day. This year we predict growth again.

This year will also see an AGM taking place around May and a new election will be held – to nominate the new board. We encourage all paid up members that can meaningfully contribute to nominate themselves or get another member to nominate them for election to the board. With the above being said, change brings challenges, but it is necessary. At present the current board has managed to establish good working relationships and delegation of duties.

We will hit the ground running with what is to be the newly elected board. It is always good to retain directors of the current board as to ensure continuity.

As many people know LEEASA is currently awaiting our VAT registration from SARS. This process was delayed by SARS but is currently in progress. This has resulted in 2026 invoice being withheld until such a time that we can be registered for VAT with SARS. If you do not require a VAT invoice – you are welcome to request your invoice from admin@leeasa.co.za.

An announcement will be made when the VAT registration has been successful and all unsent invoices will be sent to members. A reminder that LEEASA has launched our new CPD courses and encourage all members to look at the training on offer and book training through Gert – gert@leeasa.co.za. The full list is available on our NEW WEBSITE.

Our new website will be active by midway through March. This website will offer enhanced functionality on the front end initially and the backend functionality will be introduced for up-to-date members to access LEEASA information and guidelines.

Finally – I must mention something of great concern to the industry right now – and that is individuals conducting performance tests statically. A simple reminder that DMR 18 (5) and section 44(1) of the Act governs performance testing of lifting machinery. For years we have spoken about static testing being applied to forklifts which does not conform to SANS 10388:2019 and is illegal. But now we have seen machinery of all kinds including; MEWPS, Forklifts, Mobile Cranes, Overhead Cranes and even more types, being performance tested using made up static means. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Members are reminded to conform to The OHS Act, DMR 18 and the standards incorporated under Section 44(1) of the act. The LMI is required to conduct a thorough examination and performance test. The purpose of a performance test is to identify performance bottle necks and ensure the machine functions with a load, as the manufacturer intended it to function.

A manufacturer never intended for the lifting machine to be used with a sling and load cell. The simple principle of test it like you use it must be applied to every machine.

I urge all LME’s and LMI’s to conduct their work properly and ensure they have complete comprehension of DMR 18 and the relevant standards. The Department of Employment and Labour and LEEASA will be on the lookout for persons taking short cuts or not testing correctly.

Chairman: Kyle Graham: kyle@leeasa.co.za

Vice Chair: Ashley Davis: ashley@leeasa.co.za

Ordinary Members:

Francois Weideman: francoisw@leeasa.co.za

Roger Day: roger@leeasa.co.za

Katiso Mogaki: katiso@leeasa.co.za

Carlos Marques: carlos@leeasa.co.za

Association Development Manager:

Gert Oosthuizen: gert@leeasa.co.za

Administration: Desiré Davis: admin@leeasa.co.za

Marketing and Design: Xané Roestroff: production@leeasa.co.za

Feel free to reach out to the council members if the need requires.

Yours in SAFE LIFTING,

Kyle Graham and the rest of the LEEASA team