DEPARTMENTS
GAZETTE
SAIP Invites Printing Professionals To Join The Organisation
an expert. Technical competence is essential in
printing.
• Become an expert in the skills and tools
necessary to do your job.
• Always perform to the best of your ability.
• Keep your knowledge up to date.
• Join a Professional Body such as the SAIP.
The South African Institute of Printing (SAIP) has
been rebooted and is in the fi nal throes of being
recognised as a Professional Body. A new council
has been formed to guide this process, to set
standards and to promote membership of the SAIP,
which is a nonprofi t organisation.
The newly reconstituted SAIP board, which
operates under the auspices of Printing SA, is in
full swing with Mike Bath as President, Thandi
Moyo as Vice President, Mpho Ratlhogo as
Treasurer, Steve Thobela as CEO and a number of
reputable industry leaders and specialists with a
wealth of experience on the board and heading
different subcommittees. The board is dedicated to
supporting those in the print industry.
Professionals know their trade
Professionals practice good manners and proper
etiquette. They have high ethical, technical and
quality standards. They are honest and fair in all
of their dealings with others. A professional obeys
the law. These may sound like the attributes of
a boy scout, but they are basic values that all
professionals should follow. Many companies have
a document that outlines their operating principles.
Have you read yours?
Application forms can be found at https://tinyurl.
com/y763zs45. You can also contact Printing SA for
more information.
'You will be required to keep your knowledge
up-to-date and there will be a nominal annual
fee (ranging from R50 per annum for a student to
R350 for the various categories). For a printing,
packaging, or signage company, it would be
an excellent marketing tool to boast of Print
Professionals in your team setting standards of
excellence,' added Solomon.
Working with professionals is a pleasure, and
I have been fortunate to work with some truly
exemplary ones. There have been a few who liked
to be treated as professionals without having to
work and act like one. You don't have to look any
further than the medical, fi nance and auditing
professions to see examples of true professionals.
Think back upon those doctors you've liked the
most and model your professionalism after theirs.
Solomon also has the following advice on
professionalism:
So, how do you measure up? Don't feel bad
if you need some work in one or more areas.
Demeanour that is less than professional can lead
to an image problem for you and your company.
Make expertise your specialty
The very word professional implies that you are
BORDER
Not unlike a chartered accountant, a medical
professional, a marketing expert or a lawyer,
you would be entitled to letters after your name.
Initially this will be SAIP. It will enhance your
qualifi cations, career, self-esteem, future job
opportunities, your business card and you'll have a
certifi cate to hang on the wall.
Professionals adhere to high values and
principles
Former Antal