This year, things worked a bit differently at the annual Puregas Awards, focusing on important partnerships, rather than just the usual SHEQ aspects, major hazard installations in South Africa.
The Puregas Partnership Event took place on Wednesday 26 September in the Ballroom at the Fine Living by David Muirhead venue in Johannesburg. Puregas invited board members, suppliers and customers to enjoy the evening with them and the event was well attended.
MC and entertainment for the night was provided by well-known local comedian Dr Riaad Moosa who had everyone in stitches with his sharp observational humour and exceptional wit.
As mentioned, the event’s format was slightly different this year. Previously, Puregas focussed predominantly on Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) factors for their annual awards, but this year instead they looked at their partnerships.
“It’s because of our long-term partnerships that we have been able to achieve what we have achieved over the years,” said Jaco Wiese of Puregas during his short speech before introducing the guest speaker.
Before the official awards ceremony commenced, guest speaker Debra Mitchell of Ishecon, a company specialising in providing chemical and explosives process safety consulting services to industries in southern Africa, took to the stage. Mitchell spoke about major hazard installations (MHI), looking at the regulations and the progress in terms of changing this. She also looked at the future plans for South Africa in terms of MHI legislation and the requirements that will come into effect in a few years’ time.
Dr Moosa took to the stage again to entertain guests after dinner, after which the awards followed, gifting award recipients with a beautiful rhino-shaped trophy to remember the occasion.
Awards
The following companies received partnership awards for working with the company for more than 25 years:
- Aran Additives
- MPact
- Indigo Cosmetics
- Richard Hallam
- Clarke Colours
- Revlon
- RB (formerly Reckitt Benkiser)
- Unilever
- Rolfe Laboratories
- Dabur (formerly CTL)
- Peggy van Maanen
- SMP
Partners who have supported the company for more than 40 years, since before 1978, included:
- Norman Sanan
- SC Johnson (formerly Johnson Wax)
- Tiger Brands (initially Robertsons)
- Oryx Energies (formerly BP Gas)