Belgian Measurement Confederation

In 2017, the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) is celebrating 10 years as an independent entity and 70 years as the official Metrology Institute in South Africa. The CEO of NMISA and the Technical Infrastructure Department of The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), invites you to share in the commemoration events planned for the week of 31 July 2017.

In 1947, the National Physical Laboratory was formed as a division of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the tutelage of Dr Meiring Naude. By 1950, a brochure indicated that the laboratory was responsible for “the ultimate standards of length, mass and pressure, as well as fundamental electrical and temperature scale standards”. By the end of the 1970’s, the laboratory was well established as the CSIR National Metrology Laboratory, providing traceability to the International System of Units (SI) for most of the physical parameters. In 1995 a chemistry programme was added to provide traceability for chemical measurements.

In 2007, after the promulgation of the new Measurement Units and Measurement Standards Act (Act No. 18 of 2006), NMISA was established as a Technical (Quality) Infrastructure public entity reporting to the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti). Consequently, 1947 is the year Metrology was formally established in South Africa and 2007 is the year NMISA was established as a metrology Institute.
The commemoration celebrations will take place from 31 July to 4 August 2017 at conference venues near the NMISA premises, in Pretoria. The local Test & Measurement conference is also planned to link to the celebrations and the Intra-Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS) annual General Assembly and related Technical Committee meetings will be hosted in Pretoria, thus ensuring that the “think-tanks” of Metrology in Africa will be in attendance. This also provides an opportunity to commemorate the Africa Year of Quality.

A scientific conference will be held from 02 to 04 August 2017 and a Gala dinner the Friday evening, celebrating NMISA achievers.

Representatives of the national, regional and international institutions in the Science and Metrology fraternity, high-ranking government representatives and prominent industry experts will be attending. Nobel Laureates and prominent metrologists will add a high-level scientific flavour to the occasion.

Dr Wynand Louw (founding Chair of AFRIMETS and currently head of the Secretariat, CIPM member, Director: Research, International and Infrastructure Development at NMISA) says “This celebration will not only bring together a wealth of international knowledge in the Science and Metrology space, but will also enable us to showcase our talent and knowledge to the international community and counterparts”

Below is the preliminary programme of the celebrations:

Draft Programme

Information about the venue, accommodation and the social programmes will be uploaded to the conference website http://seventyten.nmisa.org/. Please allow until January 2017 for all information. A reminder will be sent when the registration details are uploaded.

If you have any questions or need more information about the celebrations and program, please email Dr Wynand Louw: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 012 841 4157 / 4152. Alternatively, email Sophia Mabela (Communications) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 012 841 2562.