Page 4 - EngineerIT August-September 2025

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

n this edition of EngineerIT, we look risks behind digital illiteracy. It’s a
at digital disruption as a design bumper edition at 40+ pages, and
Iprinciple. Our cover story with each story carries implications for
Africa Data Centres’ Adil El Youssefi how we design, secure and sustain
explores how South Africa can embed the systems that steer our modern
redundancy into its digital backbone — life in seen and unseen ways.
ensuring resilience where failure could
bring catastrophic consequences. As always, our goal is to
connect you with the people,
From factory floors to national grids, companies and ideas shaping
the same theme repeats: smarter the engineering, technology and
systems, stronger safeguards and a energy world we live in — here in
shift towards sustainability. Beckhoff’s South Africa and across the globe.
automation tech points to a leaner, electricity access, suggesting that
greener industrial future, while ARTsolar South Africa’s future depends on how
demonstrates the power of local we generate, finance and govern our
manufacturing to deliver world-class energy. This one is close to my heart,
renewable technology. Interlynx-SA and I’m very excited to share
celebrates a milestone in industry. Professor Padayachee’s thoughts
with you in this edition.
Energy features strongly this month. From
refinancing solar projects to unlock real We also track global currents —
returns, to Professor Vally Padayachee’s China’s dominance in manufacturing, Justin Render
vision for an “SA Inc” built on affordable the rise of hybrid work and the hidden Editor, EngineerIT

Quark’s Corner

with EngineerIT’s Hack of all Trades BROUGHT TO YOU BY…

In my travels, I sometimes come across
companies that make me stop, stand
back and go, “BEEP! Now this is an
innovator to watch!”
international standards,
ARTsolar is one of those. As South backed by South African
Africa’s only locally owned solar panel warranties, and supported
manufacturer, it proves that world-class by a skilled workforce built
renewable energy tech can be built through ongoing training
right here at home. and skills transfer.

From its Durban facility, ARTsolar has Chairman Eshu Seevnarayan sums
already produced more than 220,000 it up: “Every panel we build carries
panels, representing over 70% of locally the spirit of South Africa with it.
supplied modules. The company also By supporting local manufacturing,
manufactures for global player we keep our economy strong, our youth
JA Solar, keeping value and jobs firmly skilled, and our future in our own hands.”
in South Africa while meeting local
content requirements. As the country looks to its energy future,
ARTsolar shows that local manufacturing isn’t just
What makes ARTsolar different is the possible — it’s powerful.
balance of global partnerships and
local pride. Every module is tested to Visit www.artsolar.net to learn more.

4 | EngineerIT August/September 2025