By Eamonn Ryan
At the end of 2024, the Open Trade Training Centre (OTTC) celebrated the graduation of students who completed their ammonia specialist course.
Cold Link Africa had the opportunity to speak with several of the graduates, gaining insight into their journeys, aspirations and the value of their training.
Bongani Sibiya: a journey driven by passion in refrigeration
Sibiya’s path in refrigeration has been shaped by both experience and a deep passion for the field. With a career spanning companies like Subicool, Coca Cola and DDS, Sibiya’s dedication to his craft led him to enrol in OTTC’s ammonia course in 2024.
“I was at a point where I needed to prioritise my education. It was tough to leave my job, but I knew it was the right step,” he explains. His time at OTTC reinforced his passion for refrigeration, particularly the importance of safety in ammonia systems. “Safety is paramount. You need to know how to handle leaks and alarms,” he stresses, highlighting the practical, hands-on training at OTTC that prepared him for real-world challenges.
As he looks forward to further specialisation, Sibiya’s advice is clear: “If you have a dream, follow it. Refrigeration is essential to our daily lives.”
Boikanyo Molefe: a rising star in refrigeration engineering
For Molefe, a technical assistant at Piemans (RCL Foods), the journey into refrigeration was inspired by his mentor, Easter Gwemba. “She encouraged me to come to OTTC, and I didn’t think twice about it,” Molefe recalls. Having transitioned from accounting to engineering, he found excitement in the challenges of refrigeration, especially in ammonia systems.
Molefe is committed to furthering his expertise, currently working towards his N6 qualification and trade tests in both mechanical and electrical fields. “I want to master everything before I move into design,” he says, underscoring his ambition to specialise in refrigeration design.
His advice for those considering a career in refrigeration is simple but essential: “This is a scarce skill, and working with ammonia can be lethal if you’re reckless. Safety is the most important aspect.”
Andre Reynders: from Maintenance Manager to Ammonia Specialist
Reynders’ transition into ammonia refrigeration began out of necessity. Having been retrenched due to the bird flu outbreak, Reynders, a former maintenance manager at Crest Choice Chickens, took a proactive step by enrolling in the ammonia course at OTTC.
“My father told me if I wanted to succeed in refrigeration, I needed to master ammonia,” Reynders recalls. Though he initially struggled due to his lack of formal qualifications, his hands-on learning style helped him thrive. “I was always a hands-on guy,” he says, reflecting on how practical experience at OTTC, particularly operating ammonia plants and troubleshooting, gave him the confidence to succeed.
Reynders highlights the value of hands- on training, noting, “Understanding valve settings, pressure management, and how to react to real-world situations is crucial. It’s the only way to truly learn.”
Grievance Malapane: pursuing a career in ammonia refrigeration
Malapane’s journey into refrigeration began in 2012 when he completed his trade test at Booyco Engineering. His passion for the field grew as he gained experience with major companies like Coca-Cola and South African Breweries. Eventually, he made the decision to pursue ammonia refrigeration.
“I just saw an opportunity in ammonia refrigeration because there is a lack of skilled technicians,” Malapane explains, noting that he funded the course himself despite the financial burden.
The course equipped him with essential knowledge about ammonia plants, refrigeration cycles, and safety protocols. “Safety must be a priority in everything,” he emphasises, acknowledging the inherent risks involved. With growing demand for ammonia technicians, Malapane is confident in his ability to excel. “I’m ready to hit the ground running.”
Lovemore Chitsaka: aspiring Refrigeration Engineer
Chitsaka’s journey into refrigeration was driven by his love for science and mathematics, along with a hands-on approach to problem-solving. “I was always good at science and math, which led me into refrigeration engineering,” he says. After completing his diploma in ammonia refrigeration, Chitsaka is now focused on gaining practical experience before advancing his education in refrigeration design.
He notes that ammonia refrigeration is a field that requires both specialised knowledge and a deep understanding of safety. “Ammonia is often regarded as dangerous, but with the right knowledge, it becomes manageable,” he shares, reflecting on the comprehensive training he received at OTTC.
His advice to others considering this field is simple: “If you have a passion, follow it. Refrigeration is essential, and there’s so much to learn.”
Course Lecturer Kurt Johannsen’s lifelong commitment to ammonia
At 84 years old, Johannsen continues to be a pillar of the refrigeration industry, with a career spanning over five decades. From his early days in Denmark to founding Freezetech in South Africa, Johannsen has dedicated his life to the field, particularly ammonia refrigeration.
“I love teaching because you can see how happy students are when they learn something new,” Johannsen says, reflecting on his two-decade-long teaching career at OTTC. He emphasises the sustainability of ammonia as a refrigerant, explaining how it has minimal environmental impact compared to synthetic alternatives. “Ammonia is a natural substance, and it’s essential for life. Every mammal produces ammonia,” Johannsen explains, highlighting the importance of understanding this compound, not just in refrigeration but in biological processes as well.
As a founder of Ammonia Education (Pty) Ltd, Johannsen continues to contribute to the industry by offering specialised courses for those unable to attend during working hours, ensuring that skilled technicians are continually trained to meet the growing demand.
The stories of the five students and Johannsen are clear examples of how specialised knowledge, practical experience and the right mentors can lead to significant professional growth.
The history of OTTCBy Isolde Döbelin Everybody asks how we came to start the OTTC (Open Trade Training Centre), including the German Training Standards endorsed by IKKE in Duisburg and the German Handwerkskammer – Trade Corporation. Peter Döbelin, founder of OTTC and German Master in Refrigeration, Air- conditioning, Heating, and Cooling, is also an expert in ammonia refrigeration. He worked in Germany for 11 years at Ahlborn Hildesheim, which is now part of GEA. As a project manager in industrial refrigeration, he was involved in the installation of refrigeration systems for dairies, breweries, chicken processing plants and chocolate factories. On request from BBC York, he was responsible for upgrading the historical Linde Ammonia Refrigeration Plant at the Stuttgarter HoЫräu, which was replaced by the first Erzener Screw Compressor. In 1972, Peter earned his Master’s degree as ‘Kältemechaniker Meister’ (Master in Refrigeration Mechanics). This was the second time that the Handwerkskammer in Germany offered this qualification. In 1972, Peter and Isolde Döbelin started their own HERVAC company in Germany, specialising in the development, design and construction of tailor-made, energy-efficient heat pump systems for factories, bakeries, butcheries, restaurants, private homes (including indoor and outdoor pools), air conditioning and underfloor heating systems. The first heat pump system was built in their house in 1972 for central heating and hot water, and it remained in use until 1982 when they decided to move to South Africa. In July 1982, Isolde graduated as ‘Betriebswirt im Handwerk’ (MBA for Entrepreneurs) from the Handwerkskammer Freiburg, a programme that was only offered for the second time by the German Handwerkskammer. In October 1982, Peter began working for the German company Unger SA, an agent for industrial process cleaning plants such as dairies, breweries, fruit juice processing, and tanker plants. Later, he worked at National Dairy Equipment (NDE) with Kurt Johannsen, director of NDE, building new ammonia plants, renovating abattoirs, and maintaining ammonia and refrigeration plants for two years before starting his own business. He wanted to bring his expertise in building specialised heat pump systems to South Africa. Their daughter, Susanne, completed a two-year apprenticeship in refrigeration in Germany at ‘Peter Döbelin Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning, and Heating’ before moving to South Africa. She also completed the business component of her Masters at the Nord Deutsche Kälte-Fachhochschule (Master School) in 1997. Isolde’s MBA qualification opened many doors for her. In 1983, she was employed by Robert Bosch (Pty) Ltd in Johannesburg, where she worked for the technical director, Ludwig Hesse, in the automotive training division. Her first role involved setting up the administration system for the new Robert Bosch Automotive Training Centre and the Bosch Service organisation. In 1994, she left Robert Bosch to focus full-time on OTTC, a part-time venture she had shared with Peter and Susanne since 1992. This combination of qualifications and experience gave them the confidence to establish OTTC for the refrigeration industry in Southern Africa. OTTC was founded in 1992 by Peter, Isolde, and Susanne. Together, they developed the OTTC Practical, Technical, Air-Conditioning, and Ammonia Diploma qualifications, modeled after the training concepts used at the worldwide Robert Bosch Automotive Training Centre. Because there was no independent training centre specifically for ammonia product training (other than training provided by manufacturers for their own staff and customers), Peter started the OTTC Ammonia Diploma training programme in 1993. He believed that people working with ammonia should not only know the technical aspects but also be trained in safety practices to ensure they can perform their work safely. Sadly, Peter passed away in 2002. However, Isolde and Susanne were able to continue with the support of Dr Professor Achim Bothe from Gelsenkirchen University (Fachhochschule) for refrigeration technology, who sent Tim Pertrat, Lars Wegmann and Sven Schwarze to assist with their practical engineering projects. They successfully completed the Merseta NQF Level 3 Pilot Project, qualifying the first 25 students in 2003 with the National Trade Test as part of the NQF Level 3 pilot programme. In 2003, to enhance their capabilities, OTTC brought in Kurt Johannsen to lead the training for the OTTC Ammonia Diplomas. Kurt has continued to support OTTC since then, helping safeguard the safety of people working with ammonia. To date, OTTC has trained approximately 650 Ammonia Diploma holders who now work in high-level positions worldwide. As a result, ammonia-related accidents have become rare in South Africa. Since 1995, OTTC has supported the National WorldSkills SA organisation with expertise and sponsorship. Isolde was elected chairperson of the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Trade from 1996 to 2007 and served as a director of WorldSkills SA from 2003 to 2005. OTTC has produced the best refrigeration training in Southern Africa for 32 years. Their students have won the WorldSkills SA National Competition 10 times, and OTTC’s students have been selected to participate in eight WorldSkills International Competitions, where they represented South Africa and proved their international training standards. All OTTC WorldSkills International participants achieved results above 80% of the total points, with some earning Gold Medals |