About

The South African Institute for Non-Destructive Testing (SAINT) was established in 1968. It comprises professionals from South Africa and neighboring countries who are involved in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). Governed by a constitution and an annually elected volunteer council, SAINT operates as a registered Non-Profit Organization (NPO) with SARS.

The SAINT stand at the 18th WCNDT. From left, Keith Cain – Honorary Secretary, Dr Manfred Johannes – Immediate Past President, Robin Marshall – Administrative Secretary, Dr Mike Farley – Chairman of the ICNDT, Butch Davies – Chairman for the WCNDT local organising committee – Marketing

HISTORY OF SAINT

SAINT’s journey began with the establishment of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) in 1945. One of SABS’s missions was to introduce testing methods that could enhance the quality of South African products. Around 1950, a division dedicated to Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) was formed within the Department of Electrical Engineering and Physics. By 1964, the NDT division moved to the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

In 1965, Pieter Scribante became the Director of Mechanical Engineering and soon represented South Africa at the International Conference for NDT in Montreal. Following this, he led discussions that resulted in the formation of an independent society for NDT. Despite initial challenges, the first Annual General Meeting was held in September 1968, giving birth to the South African Society for Non-Destructive Testing, later renamed the Institute.

For a detailed history of SAINT, refer to the full memoir by Pieter Scribante in the first NDT Handbook, available from the SAINT Secretariat.

NDT’S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The need to inspect objects, materials, and components dates back to early human civilizations. With the discovery of X-rays over 100 years ago, modern NDT practices began to take shape. Today, NDT is indispensable in industries such as aviation, rail, automotive, and construction. It provides engineers with a non-invasive method of evaluating materials, ensuring safety and quality in critical applications.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF SAINT

PROTECT

Promote the use of NDT to ensure public and workplace safety in line with the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Act and Mines Health and Safety Act.
Support the integration of NDT into documented manufacturing, assembly, and in-service inspection/maintenance programs.
Protect the public from malpractice by upholding NDT professional standards.

MAINTAIN

Develop and promote the NDT profession within South Africa.
Build public trust in NDT services, qualifications, and certification.
Promote the use of NDT in various industries to ensure safe and efficient operations.
Encourage best practices and raise the status of NDT professionals within South Africa.
Provide access to and analysis of NDT data for continued industry improvement.

ADVANCE

Set and continuously update the academic and practical benchmarks required for NDT professionals.
Foster professional development through recognized certification bodies, qualification programs, and on-the-job training managed by NDT Level III professionals.
Encourage social responsibility and uphold a code of ethics within the NDT profession.
Promote the registration and pride of NDT professionals.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS!

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS!
- May appoint two representatives, both holding equal rights to individual members.
- Can receive 4 hours of free NDT Level III assessments and input into quality systems.
- Have the benefit of placing their corporate profile on the website free of charge
- SAINT’s offers to host on its platform WEBINARS, available to all categories of members : suppliers for their products : schools, and service providers.
- Contact SAINT confidentially and anonymously – Please click on the link below to see the form. Please feel free to comment, complain, report any unsafe NDT practices and such. Let us know if you wish to have the matter investigated and rectified. SAINT Council will do its best to resolve and keep you informed. https://saint.org.za/anonymous-submission-form/
- All members receive a copy of SAINT’s Yearbook.
- Access to independent NDT Level III reviews and advice for dispute resolution.

WHO CAN JOIN?

Any individual or organization involved in NDT, including third-party inspection bodies, NDT equipment suppliers, and companies using NDT, is eligible to join. This includes operators, technicians, engineers, and NDT professionals who are required to register with the SAINT Professional Body for NDT (SPBNDT), gaining SAINT membership at no extra charge.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Established the South African Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCC) for NDT in partnership with SABS and the South African Institution for Welding (SAIW) in 1985.

Collaborates with the Representative Advisory Forum (RAAF) of SANAS.

Hosted the 2nd African NDT Conference and the 18th World Conference on NDT in Durban, 2012.

Celebrated SAINT’s 50th anniversary alongside the 2nd National NDT Conference in 2018.

2^nd African Conference held in 1992

PAST PRESIDENTS OF SAINT

1969/1970 – P SCRIBANTE
1970/1971 – P SCRIBANTE
1971/1972 – DR JK BASSON
1972/1973 – DR JK BASSON
1973/1974 – P SCRIBANTE
1974/1975 – P SCRIBANTE
1975/1976 – B ROHLOFF
1976/1977 – B ROHLOFF
1977/1978 – CHJ VAN TONDER
1978/1979 – CHJ VAN TONDER
1979/1980 – E GUEST
1980/1981 – E GUEST
1981/1982 – DR JK BASSON
1982/1983 – DR JK BASSON
1983/1984 – S DE LA ROUVIERE
1984/1985 – S DE LA ROUVIERE
1985/1986 – A CLAVIER
1986/1987 – A CLAVIER
1987/1988 – M JOHANNES
1988/1989 – M JOHANNES
1989/1990 – B ROHLOFF
1990/1991 – B ROHLOFF
1991/1992 – A CLAVIER
1992/1993 – A CLAVIER
1993/1994 – M JOHANNES

1994/1995 – M JOHANNES
1995/1996 – J GERBER
1996/1997 – J GERBER
1997/1998 – PROF. E D SMITH
1998/1999 – PROF. E D SMITH
1999/2000 – M JOHANNES
2000/2001 – M JOHANNES
2001/2002 – M MASON
2002/2003 – M MASON
2003/2004 – S DAVIS/F CHEMBE (acting)
2004/2005 – F CHEMBE
2005/2006 – F CHEMBE
2006/2007 – D WESSELS
2007/2008 – D WESSELS
2008/2009 – M JOHANNES
2009/2010 – M JOHANNES
2010/2011 – M JOHANNES
2011/2012 – M JOHANNES
2012/2013 – B BEETGE
2013/2014 – K CAIN (acting)
2014/2015 – K CAIN
2015/2016 – K CAIN
2016/2017 – K CAIN
2017/2018 – K CAIN
2018/2020 – H JANSEN
2018/2020 – H JANSEN
2020/2021 W CLAASSENS
2021/2022 W CLAASENS
2022/2023 N VAN DER WALT
2023/2024 N VAN DER WALT

HISTORY OF SAINT

For a detailed history of SAINT, refer to the full memoir by Pieter Scribante in the first NDT Handbook, available from the SAINT Secretariat.

NDT’S HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

AIMS & OBJECTIVES OF SAINT

PROTECT

Promote the use of NDT to ensure public and workplace safety in line with the Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) Act and Mines Health and Safety Act.

Support the integration of NDT into documented manufacturing, assembly, and in-service inspection/maintenance programs.

Protect the public from malpractice by upholding NDT professional standards.

MAINTAIN

Develop and promote the NDT profession within South Africa.

Build public trust in NDT services, qualifications, and certification.

Promote the use of NDT in various industries to ensure safe and efficient operations.

Encourage best practices and raise the status of NDT professionals within South Africa.

Provide access to and analysis of NDT data for continued industry improvement.

ADVANCE

Set and continuously update the academic and practical benchmarks required for NDT professionals.

Foster professional development through recognized certification bodies, qualification programs, and on-the-job training managed by NDT Level III professionals.

Encourage social responsibility and uphold a code of ethics within the NDT profession.

Promote the registration and pride of NDT professionals.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS!

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS!

May appoint two representatives, both holding equal rights to individual members.

Can receive 4 hours of free NDT Level III assessments and input into quality systems.

Have the benefit of placing their corporate profile on the website free of charge

SAINT’s offers to host on its platform WEBINARS, available to all categories of members : suppliers for their products : schools, and service providers.

All members receive a copy of SAINT’s Yearbook.

Access to independent NDT Level III reviews and advice for dispute resolution.