New SARL President Rassie Erasmus, ZS1YT

Inaugural speech of new SARL President, Rassie Erasmus, ZS1YT

Delivering his inaugural address at the South African Radio League convention in Bloemfontein on Saturday, the newly elected President, Rassie Erasmus, said that Amateur Radio is a foundation for technical knowledge. He said that it is no secret that many professionals in the field of radio, TV, communications and electronics have started their technical education as young radio amateurs and it should still be used as a unique attraction for future young radio amateurs.

For his Presidential year he has chosen three themes that follow from the SARL slogan "Amateur Radio Communication Technology in Action".

The three themes for this year have a common thread - growth

• Growth in application of new technologies, building on the Radio Technology in Action Symposia which the SARL presents annually in the main centres and on the air technical discussions and tuition.

• Growth of the SARL membership to the point where we can say we truly represent the Radio Amateurs of South Africa. Currently the SARL represents the majority of all active radio amateurs but we would like to bring all into our fold including people who show an interest in communication technology and who like to experience the magic of talking to the world.

• Growth of the radio amateur community in South Africa by bringing in more young people but also focusing on the value that amateur radio can bring to our senior citizens as a quality past time.

Outgoing President Graham Hartlett, ZS6GJH

He said that Amateur Radio has no age or gender restriction, it requires a keen interest in wanting to be involved in technical activity and communication. For many people Amateur Radio has provided a stepping stone into a career in electronics and communication.
The technical knowledge acquired during taking a course to prepare for the Radio Amateur Examination, augers well as a foundation for further studies in this field.

He paid tribute to the outgoing President Graham Hartlett, ZS6GJH, for his leadership over the past several years and presented Graham with honorary life membership of the SARL.